MAPLE GROVE, MN - In a game that had Eden Prairie leading until 4:07 in the 4th quarter, the Warriors fought through penalties and needed two 4th Down conversions during their winning drive to achieve victory.

Eden Prairie scored 1st with 8:22 left in the 1st quarter on a 2 yard touchdown run by Andrew Larsen (Platner’s PAT was good). Then after the teams exchanged punts, Brainerd answered back with a 15 yard touchdown catch by Jordan Hayes from Mitch McLain (Cadwell’s PAT was good) with 1:12 left in the 1st half. 7-7 at halftime.

Eden Prairie started the 2nd half with a 10 play drive from their own 25 capped off with a 29 yard field goal by David Platner. Eden Prairie led 10-7 at the 7:30 mark in the 3rd quarter. The game then stalled a bit with teams exchanging punts and Brainerd struggled with penalties. But on the most dramatic drive of the night which had Brainerd starting from their own 3 yard line, after holding Eden Prairie on 4th and goal, Brainerd began moving the ball. It took two 4th down conversions and 9 plays to march 97 yards, but Brainerd scored the winning touchdown with a pitch to Jordan Hayes who then threw back to QB Mitch McLain for a 27 yard touchdown strike with 4:07 left in the game (PAT no good by Cadwell). The score was 13-10 at that point. Brainerd then held the Eagles to a 4th down and subsequently held on to the victory!

Brainerd will move on to the Class AAAAA State Semifinals to take on the Rosemount Irish at 8:15 pm from the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN on Friday, November 19th. That game broadcast can be heard right here on MnSportsNetwork.com . Check the MSBN Full Schedule for updates!

Players of the Game:
Brainerd - RB Jordan Hayes - 15 yard TD reception; 27 yard TD pass
Eden Prairie - RB Andrew Larson -37 carries for 186 yards, 1 TD