Braham QB John Larson broke off two long scoring runs at the end of the second quarter and first play of the third quarter against Upsala-Swanville Nov. 8. Photos by Greg Hunt
Braham stormed out to a 24-0 lead at halftime, then held on during a wild second-half shootout to defeat Upsala-Swanville Area 44-28 in the Class A football quarterfinals Nov. 8 on Brainerd’s new Adamson Field.
The victory sends the 9th-ranked Bombers into the Nov. 15 semifinal match against 3rd-ranked Minneota– game time is 5 p.m. at St. Cloud State. The Vikings bring a strong football tradition into their 11th State tourney which includes four State titles and a runner-up finish in Class AA last autumn.
Against USA, the Bombers broke a scoreless scrum 2:23 into the second quarter on John Larson’s short TD toss to Quinn Richmond. Randy Braund recovered the squib kick and he scored the next TD on 2-yard run. With less than a minute left in the half, Larson broke off a 60-yard scoring sprint for the 24-0 edge.
Larson began the second half with a mirror of that play when his 67-yard run quickly made it 30-0. The Patriots came to life with two touchdown receptions in a row to get their fans cheering again. But Braham’s Braund took a key 3rd-down screen pass for 87 yards before the third quarter ended to rebuild a 36-16 lead. Noah Bone added the Bombers’ final TD on a five-yard scoring catch from Larson.
Ryan Reising stopped a promising Patriot drive with an interception in the flats.
Shawn Huckbody (65) and Cody Carlson team for a sack of the Patriot QB when the Braham defensive line had an impressive State quarterfinal showing.
