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4A: Waseca runs past previously unbeaten Winona

By MATT STEICHEN, Special to the Star Tribune, 11/09/18, 9:45PM CST

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Senior Joe Hagen's 250 rushing yards and five touchdowns keyed a potent rushing attack in the Bluejays' 49-7 victory.


Waseca running back Joe Hagen fights for extra yards on a carry against Winona. Hagen scored five touchdowns in the Bluejays' 49-7 victory over the Winhawks. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Waseca running back Joe Hagen had no trouble finding his footing on the snow-covered turf at Farmington High School on Friday in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

Hagen ran for 250 yards and five touchdowns in the first three quarters while leading Waseca to a convincing 49-7 victory over No. 2-ranked and previously unbeaten Winona


Waseca's Malik Willingham scores on a 16-yard reception against Winona. The Bluejays advanced to the Class 4A State semifinals with a 49-7 victory over the Winhawks. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First report

Waseca’s running backs had no trouble finding their footing Friday on the snow-covered turf at Farmington High School in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

They capped off six of the team’s first seven drives with rushing touchdowns and totaled 334 yards on the ground in a 49-7 victory over No. 2-ranked and previously unbeaten Winona.

The Bluejays also defeated No. 2 Hutchinson and No. 10 Dassel-Cokato in the section tournament. They take a seven-game winning streak into the program’s firstr state semifinal appearance. Their offense scored at least 40 points in all seven victories.

A pair of early Winona mistakes fueled Waseca’s fast start. Two plays after Winona’s errant long snap on a punt attempt gave the Bluejays the ball at the 10, senior running back Hayden Groll opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run.

The Winhawks fumbled on their next drive and senior Joe Hagen quickly made them pay by scoring the first of his three first-half touchdowns. Hagen’s 4-yard score and two-point conversion run with 22 seconds left put the Bluejays up 26-7 at halftime.

Hagen broke free for touchdown runs of 56 and 73 yards in the third quarter. Hagen rushed for 250 yards despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

Senior Terrell Hall accounted for Winona’s lone touchdown with a 1-yard run in the second quarter. The Winhawks (10-1) reached the state quarterfinals for the third consecutive year.

Check back later for more on the game.


Winona's Matt Rinehart tries to get behind the Waseca defense on a reception Friday night. The Winhawks saw their undefeated season end with a 49-7 loss to the Bluejays. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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