Zephyrs outlast feisty La-Crescent-Hokah squad
The top two seeded teams and defenses squared off at TCO Stadium in Eagan Monday night for the Minnesota Vikings Girls High School Flag Football Championship, but it was the offense of Sophia Peer that proved to be the difference as Mahtomedi outlasted a feisty La Crescent-Hokah squad 36-20.
Peer scored four times and was instrumental on both sides of the ball, coming up with key interceptions in the Zephyrs run up to the title game and in the title game. They beat Bloomington 32-0 and Park of Cottage Grove 32-0 to advance to the finals.
The Lancers, led by Savannah Klinski, a college flag football commit, defeated Two Rivers 33-12 and Centennial 24-6 to reach the title game. Both teams entered the contest undefeated.
Mahtomedi got off to a strong start when QB Rylee Bogren connected with Peyton Birch for an early 6-0 lead.
Savannah Klinski caught several passes, including a couple touchdowns in Monday’s championship game. Klinski is a scholarship athlete who will compete in flag football at the collegiate level.The Lancers answered with Eve Cody connecting with Klinski on a short pass to tie the game 6-6.
But Bogren and Peer connected on long passes on consecutive drives for an 18-3 lead. The first was a bomb down the right sideline and the second Bogren found Peer over the middle and the 6’2” senior streaked past defenders and into the end zone for an 18-6 lead.
Not to be outdone, the Lancers’ Cody once again found Klinski open for another score. After a successful conversion to make it a 18-13 game, Cody found Brooklyn Mitchell in the end zone and followed with a two-point try with Klinski for a 20-18 halftime lead.
Lancer Charlee Gile (16) celebrates after a conversion to Savannah Klinski gives La Crescent the lead in Monday’s title game.But Peer caught her third TD early in the second half and after a failed conversion, the Zephyrs led 24-20.
Mahtomedi then came up with a big defensive play when Emily Muetzel picked off a Cody pass to change possessions inside midfield. Then on fourth down from the 8-yard line, Borgen hit Peer again despite Peer being double teamed for another touchdown and a 30-20 lead.
After a pair of unsuccessful drives by both squads, Peer came up with a key interception at the 20-yard line to stall a potential Lancer go-ahead drive and give the Zephyrs great field position with four chances to make it a 3-score game. They did just that when Bogren threw her fifth TD pass of the game, connecting with Presley Albers for a 36-20 lead.
It would stay that way until the final buzzer, and when it sounded, the Zephyrs erupted in cheer, celebrating a second title for many of them who played on the fall soccer team who also won state.
One of those players was Peer.
“It feels awesome,” she said. “For our team, it’s’ new for this year so it feels great.”
This was Mahtomedi’s first season playing flag. Last year several teams competed in an abbreviated season. The Zephyrs joined 50 other squads this season and were led by school resource officer Nick Sullivan as their head coach.
“From the beginning we knew we had something special here with these girls,” Sullivan said following the game. “They know how to play in big games, A lot of them are state champions in soccer, so we knew we had something there we just had to see how fast we could build the football knowledge.”
While Peer had a spectacular day Monday, Bogren said her entire receiving core deserved credit.
“I want to thank my absolute giant receivers,” Bogren said after her 5-TD performance. “My 6‘2” and 5’11” receivers that just go up and get those balls and my slots who run fast and just do their job.”
Sophia Peer was above her peers, catching four touchdown passes in the title game to cap off an amazing tournament for the senior who also was part of Mahtomedi’s soccer team that also won a state title.The Zephyrs proved they had the athletic depth with many weapons that La Crescent, albeit a great season from a smaller town, just couldn’t overcome, even tough they led and fought admirably until the end.
For Sullivan, the championship was a cherry on top for his seniors going out, and also a chance for him to get back to doing something he loves. He is in his first year at Mahtomedi.
“I coached my son in tackle and he’s now in high school and I coached my daughter in softball, but I didn’t have anyone to coach anymore,” he said. “I just love doing it. And I love the game of football.”
Sullivan credited the Vikings for not just evolving the girls game of football, but the experience they provided players, coaches and parents.
“This whole season they have been amazing,” he said. “The atmosphere on this field today…this is one of those moments you will remember forever.”
The Zephyrs and Lancers were given shades by Oakley prior to the start of the championship game.