The playoff-bound Hawks powered back from a 1-2 start to win six consecutive games, including a 30-8 victory at Rock Ridge to wrap up regular-season play last Wednesday night.
Josh Muehlbauer rushed for three short-yardage touchdowns for Hermantown (6-2), which led 30-0 at the half and out-gained the Wolverines 342-88 in total yards of offense.
“We set the tone and were able to get up 30 on them,” Hawks coach Mike Zagelmeyer said afterwards. “The second half I thought we got a little lackadaisical and gave Rock Ridge some life, but ultimately I think we were the better team with more weapons. Give Rock Ridge credit though, they battled all the way through, they are very physical and our playmakers definitely took some big hits, so it is nice to get out of there relatively healthy heading into playoffs.”
The No. 2-seeded Hawks will face No. 3 North Branch in a Section 7AAAA semifinal at 6 p.m. Saturday at Corey Veech Field at Centricity Stadium. No. 1 Grand Rapids hosts the Tuesday winner between No. 4 Cloquet and No. 5 Duluth Denfeld in the other section semifinal Saturday.
Hermantown finished runner-up to Grand Rapids in the Northeast Red.
“I thought overall we had a very successful regular season, but that is over and a new season starts,” said Zagelmeyer. “Nobody remembers what we did yesterday, and I can guarantee it is all eyes looking forward to how we go about beating North Branch.
“The playoffs are wide open. It comes down to who is going to play their best football when it matters most. (Grand) Rapids is on the other side of the bracket so we are not even thinking about them right now. We really need our playmakers to come up big against North Branch.”
Hermantown defeated North Branch 21-18 at Centricity on Oct. 14.
“It's always a challenge playing a team twice in two weeks and I know North Branch will be coming up to see us with somewhat of a chip on their shoulder,” said Zagelmeyer. “They thought they should have beat us the first time we played.
“However, I do like the way our defense adapted to their run game in the second half of the game we played with them. I think the more you see their run game the better you get at defending against it. I think it is important to get up on North Branch early and play with the lead. Their offense is built for playing with the lead and it is not built for rallying if we can get out in front of them. Again, like all football games, the game will be determined up front, and if our offensive line can keep doing what they have been doing and allow our playmakers to do their thing. I like our chances.”
📷 Shawna Jokinen | Freeway North Photography