Top-seeded Moorhead Spuds shut out Brainerd in Section 8-5A football semifinals – InForum

MOORHEAD — The top-ranked Moorhead football team made quick work of Brainerd in Saturday’s postseason opener.

After forcing the Warriors to open the game, Spuds quarterback Jett Feeney found wide receiver Owen Thielges on Moorhead’s second offensive play for a 45-yard touchdown connection.

It was the first of five touchdown passes for Feeney, and the No. 1-seeded Spuds never looked back, blasting No. 4 Brainerd 48-0 on a windy afternoon at Jim Gotta Stadium.

Feeney finished the day 15 of 19 passing for 343 yards, connecting with Thielges for two scores, David Mack for another pair and another with Taye Reich.

Reign Battle added a 45-yard pick-six, while Carson Heinsch had a rushing touchdown as Moorhead advanced to next week’s sectional final.

There, the Spuds (9-0) will host the No. 1 seed. 3 Bemidji (7-2) or Alexandria no. 2 (6-2), with the date and time to be determined.

Moorhead last won the section title and advanced to the Class 5A state playoffs two seasons ago.

“Same mindset we’ve had all year,” Battle said. “We’d love to come in, win this game and go to the state tournament.”

After the Spuds found the end zone on their first four offensive possessions, Battle had his second interception of the season on the ensuing Warriors drive.

Battle’s pick came from Brainerd quarterback Izaac Vanek. Battle took it 45 yards to the house, which made it a 35-0 game following the extra point with 3:44 left in the first half.

“I read it was approved,” Battle said. “Everybody was doing their job, so I went into my zone, did my job and got to the end zone.”

The score remained 35-0 at the half. Feeney’s night was complete not long after, finding Thielges for an 80-yard strike on the first play of the second half for the game’s fifth and final touchdown pass.

With Moorhead well in check, Feeney was relieved by fellow sophomore quarterback Austin Dryburgh.

“It was amazing,” Feeney said. “(Brainerd) ended us last season, so I think we had a different drive in this game, just to come out and do our best and give it our all.”

Jett’s father and Moorhead head coach Kevin Feeney also reached a milestone Saturday, collecting his 100th win with the Spuds program.

“The whole team, all the previous teams, all our staff and everyone involved is what (Boundary Equity) means to me,” Kevin Feeney said.

More important to Coach Feeney was his team’s performance, a strong showing to open postseason play.

“You know what, I was really proud of our kids,” Kevin Feeney said. “In a game of football, it’s the play-offs and it’s about winning another 48 minutes, which we’ve talked about at length this week.

“I really liked the look on our team’s face during the warm-up and I really thought they came out really focused and executed the game plan really, really well.”

Moorhead finished with 440 yards of offense to Brainerd’s 176.

Heinsch led the Spuds on the ground with 65 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Nine different Moorhead receivers caught at least one pass, led by Thielges with 125 yards on two receptions. Mack had 72 yards on five catches. Boden Yoney recovered a fumble for Moorhead on defense.

Brained ended its season at 5-5. The Warriors were paced offensively by Vanek, who finished with 64 rushing yards on 19 carries. Through the air, the senior was 5-of-10 for 39 yards with an interception.

Moorhead will now look to punch its ticket to the state quarterfinals next week.

“We’re going to enjoy it,” Kevin Feeney said. “Sometimes you take wins for granted and this group has worked really hard to get to this point. We’ve earned the right to host a game next week and we’re going to prepare like crazy.”

BHS 0 0 0 0—0
MHS 14 21 13 0—48

MHS — Thielges 45 pass from Feeney (good shot)

MHS — Mack 2 pass to Feeney (good shot)

MHS — Mack 30 pass from Feeney (good shot)

MHS — Reich 43 pass from Feeney (good shot)

MHS — Battle 45 interception return (kick good)

MHS — Thielges 80 pass from Feeney (good shot)

MHS — Heinsch 7 run (kick failed)