It was the play that got Minneapolis North going on Friday against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. Odell Wilson, a junior defensive lineman, sacked Bulldogs quarterback Sam Eustice for a 20-yard loss that ended a long drive and forced a punt.
The Polars trailed by two touchdowns then. They posted 24 points in the third quarter en route to a 32-13 victory at Richfield High School.
Senior running back Jamin Smith started the scoring outburst with a 34-yard touchdown run, but it was Wilson’s defensive play that sparked Minneapolis North (11-0).
“I’d seen him going for the reverse, and then I noticed he was dropping back for a pass, so I just kept on going,” Wilson said.
Two Bulldogs turnovers led to a 10-yard touchdown reception by Polars junior wide receiver Corleone Powell and a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Kehyan Porter. Powell also caught one of four two-point conversions by the Polars.
“We have to practice two-point conversions a lot,” Powell said. “We do a simulation in practice where we have to keep going and keep going so we can perform in the game.”
The Bulldogs (8-4) started strong in the first quarter, getting touchdown runs from senior running back Shae Wheelock and Eustice.
“Our defense played really well in the first half and just couldn’t execute in the second half,” Eustice said.
Minneapolis North, which reached the Prep Bowl last year, advances to the semifinals on Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
MATTHEW DAVIS