Minneota advances with 41-6 victory over Mayer Lutheran
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MARSHALL -- Minneota coaches up in the coaches box up above Mattke Field noticed something that could work to the Vikings advantage against the Mayer Lutheran Crusaders. Head coach Chad Johnston offensive coordinator took advantage of the tip and sent in the play to quarterback Tristen Sussner.
Moments later on a second and six at Minneota’s own 21-yard line, Sussner found his tight end Owen Myrvik all alone 15 yards down the middle of the field. Myrvik grabbed the pass and raced down field with Mayer Lutheran players desperately following him for a 84-yard touchdown and boost the Vikings third quarter lead to 27-6.
The Vikings were off and running to a 41-6 class A quarterfinals victory Friday night at Mattke Field on the Southwest Minnesota State University campus.
"The passing coordinator sits up in the box and he was relaying down to the offensive coordinator that he felt like he could get the tight end in a good play action look," Johnston said. "And Owen is probably one of the quickest guys, even though he plays tight end. So once he’s out in the open -- and obviously he didn't get caught."
The victory propels the four-time state champions Vikings to 57 straight victories and on track to defend their Class A State title.
"It's kind of nice when we get to this point. You start to see some teams that aren't as familiar with us and so teams that aren't scheming against us year and year out," Johnston said. "That's usually one of the things that we like about getting in the state tournament."
Minneota scored the first touchdown of the game with 4:21 left in the first quarter when Sussner found tight end Sam Myhre in the end zone on a third eight from the 21 yard line. The Vikings never trailed for the rest of the game.
The Crusaders looked to tie the game in the second quarter when Wyatt Sunde caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gabriel Shimanski for the touchdown. However, a false start pushed Mayer back five yards on the extra point attempt. The kick ended up being too low and Minneota held a 7-6 lead.
Minneota's second touchdown was set up by a Mayer Lutheran fumble on the Crusaders 20 yard line. On a second goal from the four yard line, running back Randy Sorenson took the handoff from Sussner and stumbled into the end zone. He lost control of the ball once in the end zone, but he quickly fell on it for the touchdown and Minneota was up 14-6 with 3:25 left in the second quarter.
Another costly mistake by the Crusaders set up the Vikings once again as the clock ticked down to the final seconds. A roughing the passer
The Vikings tried to convert a two-point conversion, but the pass into the end zone was intercepted. The Vikings took a 20-6 lead into halftime.
"I think our kids did a nice job getting physical right off the bat, playing well on both sides of the ball," Johnston said. "We didn’t make some of the adjustments that we needed to, as far as alignment on defense right away. But once we got them fixed, then I think we did a pretty good job with that."
The Vikings expanded their lead to 34-6 early in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard touchdown run by Sorenson.
On a second and goal from the two-yard line, running back Gage Johnston rushed into the end zone for Minneota's final touchdown with 5:02 left in the game.