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Prep Blog: Section Championship Top Performances

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – When championships are on the line, that's when leaders step up and carry their teams forward.

That was never more evident than Friday night as some of the state's top players emerged to lead their teams to victories in section championship games around the state. The reward: A trip to the state tournament and a chance to play in the Metrodome.

There are now just 48 teams left playing high school football with eight teams in six classes around the state earning section titles this weekend. Now, games get even more interesting as all state tournament action is played at neutral sites and on artificial turf.

We'll have a preview of Friday's match-ups later this week, but first it's time to note those who had big nights in section championship wins. We can only choose four performances, and there were a lot to choose from.

Holy Family Senior Does Everything In Victory

Holy Family senior Michael Roane did just about everything he could to make sure the Fire would win the Section 2AAA title game over Minneapolis Washburn. Roane, a quarterback, ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns, threw for another touchdown and converted on all seven extra point tries. He also had 10 tackles on defense as Holy Family beat Washburn 49-31. The Fire will play Fairmont Friday night at Chaska High School.

Crusaders RB Runs Over St. Anthony In Win

Wesley Tucker ran his way to a section title as St. Croix Lutheran shut out St. Anthony 46-0 in the Section 4AAA title game Friday. Tucker ran for 138 yards and four touchdowns in the game as the Crusaders piled up 300 yards rushing in the victory. The Crusaders are making their second trip to the state tournament in school history, and they'll play Plainview-Elgin-Millville in a battle of undefeated teams Saturday night at Lakeville North High School.

Gopher Recruit Leads Mankato West Over Hutchinson

Mankato West senior Phillip Nelson might compete for the starting quarterback position next fall at the University of Minnesota, but he was busy leading the Scarlets to a section title over Hutchinson Friday night in a battle of unbeaten teams. Nelson completed 10 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Two of those touchdown passes went to Hunter Friesen for 46 and 85 yards. Mankato West will face South St. Paul Friday night at Chanhassen High School.

Rushing Attack Leads Anoka Past Blaine

It's not very often a team passes for zero yards and wins a section champion, but that's exactly what Anoka did in a 27-22 win over Blaine Friday in the Section 7AAAAA title game. Quarterback Cole Boughner ran a bootleg 73 yards for a touchdown and Ryan Rand also had a 55-yard run. Their other scores went for 63 and 49 yards as the Tornadoes racked up 467 rushing yards in the win. Anoka will face Eden Prairie in a battle of 1-loss teams Friday night at Osseo High School.

Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally Friday night for a complete recap of state quarterfinal action with Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and John Lauritsen. Also look for a preview of the state quarterfinal match-ups at our Prep Blog later this week.

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