11/2/2009 7:03:00 PM Skippers get their revenge against Royals
Skippers Dre Thompson stretches for more during his 155 yard rushing game against Hopkins Oct. 31 at Hopkins High School. PHOTO: Mark Trockman
Up next
Section 6-5A final: Minnetonka will play at Eden Prairie at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Section 5-5A final: Wayzata will play host to Champlin Park at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
Despite coming into their section semifinal game against the Hopkins Royals as the lower seed, the Minnetonka Skippers were considered the favorite by many high school football wonks to advance to the section final.
The Skippers had won five straight games including a 3-0 overtime upset victory over the previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Wayzata Trojans.
The Skippers didn't disappoint on Saturday, Oct. 31 as they defeated the Royals 31-21 to advance to this week's Section 6-5A final. The victory not only kept the Skippers' season alive, but it avenged a 31-30 loss to the Royals during the regular season.
While the Skippers never trailed in the game, the Royals cut their lead to three on three separate occasions. Each time their lead seemed to be in jeopardy, however, the Skippers responded with a touchdown.
After the Skippers jumped out to a 10-0 lead thanks to a Zach Siemens field goal and a 41-yard interception return by Charles Webb, the Royals responded with a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bill Gregg to wide receiver Jonny Mydra.
The Skippers responded before halftime, however, as running back Dre Thompson scored on a 14-yard run to give his team a 17-7 lead at the intermission.
Thompson has become a key cog in the Skippers offense down the stretch of the season. He rushed 30 times for 155 yards on Saturday against the Royals.
The Royals recorded the only points in the third quarter when Gregg scored on a one-yard touchdown run to pull the Royals within three at 17-14.
The Skippers responded with 9:09 left in the fourth quarter when their quarterback, Tom Ahrens, scored on his own one-yard run.
With 5:08 remaining the Royals pulled within three one more time at 24-21 when Gregg scored on his second one-yard run.
The Skippers iced the game on their ensuing possession as Thompson capped a 65-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run.
Ahrens finished the game 6-of-12 for 113 yards. Dan Carney led all receivers with three receptions for 87 yards.
While the Royals finish the season with a 7-3 record, the Skippers now move on to the Section 6-5A final against Eden Prairie.
The game will be played at Eden Prairie at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
Wayzata moves on
The game wasn't as easy as the final score might have indicated, but the Wayzata Trojans advanced to the Section 5-5A final with a 40-7 victory over the Osseo Orioles on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Trojans found themselves trailing at halftime for the first time all season by a score of 7-6, but they eventually recovered to dominate the second half and win comfortably.
The Trojans didn't waste any time reclaiming the lead in the second half as quarterback Sasha Doran hit receiver A.J. Troup on a 31-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter.
Shortly thereafter, Wayzata defensive back Jack Vettel sprinted into the end zone on a 20-yard interception return and the rout was on.
Senior A.J. Tarpley added a pair of touchdowns, one on a 27-yard pass from Doran and another on a 50-yard interception return. Senior running back Chris Lindsey also had two touchdowns on the day.
Doran finished the game 10-of-20 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Chris Kroeten gained 66 yards on 19 carries. Senior wide receiver Adam Gooley made a team-high four receptions for 30 yards.
The Trojans will host Champlin Park with a state tournament berth on the line at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
