Alex Heigl

Senior quarterback Alex Heigl threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, as the Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity offense steamrolled top-seeded Minneapolis North 54-26 to advance to the Class 1A, Section 4 championship game.

The Bulldogs came into the game facing North’s high-powered spread attack, which  had scored 40-plus points in six of its nine games this season. But the mistake-prone Polars were never able to keep pace with the third-seeded Bulldogs.

Playing almost exclusively with a two-tight end set, the Bulldogs had little trouble gaining yards. Heigl had 110 yards rushing off eight carries, all in the first half. Senior Nick Machemehl had a touchdown receiving, returned a kickoff 90 yards for another score and kicked a 27-yard field goal.

The Polars, though, struggled to advance the ball. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnson threw a pair of touchdown passes, including a 56-yarder to Keyon Thomas, but also had three interceptions. Johnson ran for the Polars’ other score.  

Recap: Senior quarterback Alex Heigl threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, as the Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity offense steamrolled top-seeded Minneapolis North to advance to the Class 1A, Section 4 championship game. Heigl had 110 yards rushing on eight carries, all in the first half. Senior Nick Machemehl had a touchdown receiving, returned a kick 90 yards for another score and kicked a 27-yard field goal.

Key of the game: North’s high-powered spread attack came into the game having scored 40 or more points in six of its nine games this season. But the Bulldogs’ defense forced four turnovers and the mistake-prone Polars never settled in.
 
Quote: “We really wanted to change up coverages against them. We went in and out of Cover 3 and Cover 4, just to try to keep them on their toes.” —  Heigl, a safety on defense

One thing to know: North’s future looks promising. The Polars had three freshmen play significant minutes, and quarterback Tyler Johnson, who passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, is only a sophomore.

BRYCE EVANS