MN high school football state tournament

Brayden Dozier was in tears as his dad approached him on the field after one of the hardest moments of his athletic career.

Dozier was a 15-year-old sophomore starting at cornerback for the Maple Grove football team last November. Edina knew he was a young corner and picked on him in a playoff game.

Hornets quarterback Mason West, then also a sophomore, passed for four touchdowns and threw in Dozier’s direction over and over in a 35-24 victory in the second round of the 2023 playoffs.

Dozier was crestfallen afterward. His dad gave him a pep talk, using words of experience. Ukee Dozier endured some tough games himself as a former cornerback for the Gophers and a brief stint with the Vikings.

“It was very emotional because he felt like he let his team down,” Ukee Dozier recalled. “I said, ‘Buddy, it’s about the experience. You’re going to experience highs and lows, especially playing the cornerback position.’ ”

Dad finished with a question:

“How are you going to respond to this moment?”

How did he respond? Like a champion.

For more on Brayden Dozier, click here to read this story on startribune.com.