Photo by Kim Nelson. Minneota’s Destin Fier (middle) breaks through Candy defenders Clayton Drietz (17) and Sawyer Verhelst (57) on Saturday afternoon in Minneota. The Vikings defeated the Lancers 62-0.

MINNEOTA — In search of its fifth consecutive 5A section title, the No. 1 Minneota Vikings defeated No. 5 Canby Lancers Saturday afternoon 62-0 in the tournament semifinals. 

Minneota scored its first two touchdowns in the first quarter, but its 35-point second quarter prompted a 49-0 lead going into halftime and limited Canby from finding any response throughout the game. 

Canby took the game against No. 4 Lakeview 36-6 in the quarterfinals to reach competition against the Vikings, who had a bye right to the semifinals since being the first-seed. 

Cody Stoll threw nine complete passes on 24 attempts for 130 yards and one interception for the Lancers. 

Issac Guzman was a heavy contributor everywhere on the field, with a team-high 35 rushing yards on 12 attempts, went another 35-yards on three catches behind Daven VanEngen who went 55-yards on two catches, and seven total tackles behind Samuel Drietz’s eight and Sawyer Verhelst’s 10. 

The Lancers finish its season 4-6 overall, and graduates seniors Guzman, Eli Greenman, Clayton Drietz, Samuel, Bryant Hansen, Cole, Colton Bauman, Allen Maldonado, Titus Vogt, Jacob Fairchild, Verhelst, Garon Kruse, Cayden Anderson and Eli Thovson. 

Minneota kept Canby under control on several aspects on Saturday, with a total of 464 total yards gained compared to the Lancers’ 166. 

Brody Larson threw 117 yards and eight complete passes on 14 attempts and one touchdown for the Vikings. Tristen Sussner also got more quarterback time, and passed 99 yards with three complete passes on all three of his attempts. 

Ryan Meagher had a team-high 95 rushing yards on 10 attempts and three touchdowns. Destin Fier followed with 77 yards on four attempts and one touchdown. Kellen Bradley, Lucas Rybinski, Joey Lacek and Larson also each ran in for a single touchdown of their own. 

Rybinski was the leading receiver and went 63 yards on three catches, and Bradley had eight total tackles on the night. 

In addition to playing for its fifth consecutive section title, Minneota is also playing for an opportunity to advance to state and be named champions for the third year straight. 

If the Vikings make it all the way, it will be its second undefeated season in a row. Minneota has not lost since Dawson-Boyd defeated them 22-20 on Oct. 19, 2022. 

Minneota, 9-0, will next face No. 2 B.O.L.D in the section championship on Friday at Southwest Minnesota State University’s Mattke Field. 

The two teams have rivalry built up between one another. Minneota has beaten B.O.L.D in last season’s section championship 14-6 and earlier this year 42-14 on Sept. 13, which has also been the Warriors lone loss as they sit 8-1 overall. 

The championship is slated for a 3 p.m. kickoff.