EDINA, MN - Game story to be posted soon...

The 2011 HS Football Playoffs started tonight on MSBN. In Section 6AAAAA action, the #5 seed Hopkins Royals (3-6 overall) fell to #4 seed Edina (5-4 overall) at the home of the Hornets, Kuhlman Stadium.

Cold and windy temperatures set the tone early as a missed XP by Hopkins, left them striving to recover from the free point chances. They led 12-0 after their first two scores, which included an 80-yard receiving TD by Vanderbilt recruit Andre McDonald. At the end of the 1st Quarter, Hopkins was up 12-7, but the Hornets were not giving up easily.

Senior running back Francisco "Chico" Hardacker was one of the stars for Edina as he scored three times on the night. On back to back drives he had a 9-yard TD carry and a 43-yard TD scamper to put the Hornets up 21-18 with 4:05 to play in the 1st Half.

The Hornets would score one more time on the first TD reception of the season for Senior wide receiver Jake Remes with 0:32 seconds remaining in the 2nd Quarter to make it a 10-point cushion for Edina at the half.

Chico Hardacker came out of the locker room at halftime still running strong and punched in his final score on the evening from 4 yards out and put the Edina lead for the time at what seemed like a hefty 35-18.

Hopkins which features a spread offense with Junior quarterback JT DenHartog in the shotgun, looked to the air and the obvious target was McDonald as the big senior wideout hauled in a 32-yard TD catch to make it 35-25. Hopkins caught the Hornets off guard and was successful on a onside kick attempt on the ensuing kickoff, which led to a 39-yard FG by Zach Brengman. This cut the lead to just seven and gave life to the Royals.

The 4th Quarter started pretty sloppy between both teams that traded possession through multiple different outcomes including fumbles, turnovers on downs, and punts and finally with about two minutes remaining in the quarter, Hopkins drove the ball down to the 1-yard line. Junior running back David Cliett would get his second short yardage TD run of the evening to tie the game at 35-35 with the completed XP attempt. The clock sat at 0:28.6 seconds and Edina was to get the ball back.

The squib kick for Hopkins gave Edina solid field position. The prevent defense by Hopkins gave Edina room to work. The sidelines would be the savior for the Hornets chances as they continually found space under the coverage on the sidelines and moved the ball down to the 19 yard line with under five seconds to go in the ball game. Edina used its final two timeouts to discuss things with its new Freshmen kicker Patrick LeCorre as LeCorre had not even attempted an XP attempt all evening. Senior Brett Sorem handled the point after tries for Edina all evening leading up to this point.

This back and fourth game came down to the wire and the Hornets leaned on the young kicker to keep their season alive and LeCorre made the 36-yard field goal to walk-off and win the Section Quarterfinal for the Hornets 38-35. The rest of the team stormed the field and lifted the young kicker onto their shoulders and celebrated the victory over Hopkins.

With the victory, Edina will face Eden Prairie in the Section Semifinals this Saturday the 29th of October at 7:00pm from Eden Prairie High School. Hopkins finishes their season at 3-6 overall. Congrats to the Royals on a good season that came up just short on a comeback.

MSBN Players of the Game:
Edina - RB Chico Hardacker
Hopkins - QB JT DenHartog