Hill-Murray quarterback Jackson Reeves scored the winning touchdown in overtime as the Pioneers beat Simley 49-42 in a wild, back-and-forth section championship game Friday.
Hill-Murray built a 28-7 lead in the first half, only to have Simley score the game’s next 28 points to claim a 35-28 advantage.
The teams then traded scores, leaving Hill-Murray down 42-35. But Reeves broke loose for a 47-yard score to knot the contest late in regulation before winning it in the extra session with a 6-yard run.
Reeves ran for two scores and threw for another, while Xavier Daniels ran for three touchdowns.
Christian Urbina threw for five touchdowns for Simley, who fell 49-14 to the Pioneers earlier in the season.
Mounds View 28, Prior Lake 27 >> Jacob Sampson and Mitchell Olson each ran in a pair of scores for the Mustangs, and the defense delivered the game-winning stand. Levi Eiter’s second rushing touchdown of the fourth quarter brought the Lakers to within one point late in the contest. Prior Lake opted to go for two and the lead, and the try was snuffed out by the Mustangs’ defense.
Cretin-Derham Hall 28, Tartan 14 >> Ja’Dale Thompson ran in three scores before Jaydn Harris’ 5-yard rushing score in the final frame essentially sealed the Raiders’ first trip to state since 2017. Jerror Borsay had two touchdown runs for Tartan.
Lakeville North 17, Champlin Park 13 >> The Panthers built a 17-0 lead through two quarters. Champlin Park responded by scoring 13 in the second half only to have the Panthers escape. Sam Ripplinger and Samuel Patullo each had rushing scores for Lakeville North.
St. Thomas Academy 29, Apple Valley 14 >> Make it six straight section titles for the Cadets after Dominic Baez ran for a pair of touchdowns. St. Thomas Academy quarterback Chase Young ran in a score himself, while also hitting Liam Gottsch for a score through the air.
Anoka 35, Lakeville South 34 >> Anoka is state tournament-bound for the first time since 2011, and the fourth time in program history.