Huskies fall to Moose Lake/Willow River in semifinals

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Jackson County Central football team ended its season with a 27-20 loss to Moose Lake/Willow River Thursday in the Class AA state football semifinals at the Metordome.

JCC struck first with a two-yard touchdown run by Spencer Johnson in the first quarter. The Rebels answered with a 10-yard run by Michael Pender as the game was tied 7-all.

Pender scored again for ML/WR in the second quarter, but Darick Vancura answered for JCC with a five-yard run, knotting the score at 13.

The Rebels' Jake Disterhaupt scored on a 28-yard scamper late in the second quarter, giving them a 20-13 edge.

ML/WR's Mike Gassert added a four-yard run in the fourth, pushing the lead to 27-13.

However, the Huskies fought back. On a quick drive that took 1 minute, 36 seconds, Vancura scored from 30 yards out, bringing JCC within one score, 27-20.

JCC had the ball late in the quarter, but couldn't find paydirt, ending its season.

Vancura finished with 182 yards on 23 attempts and two scores. Tanner Menke had 44 yards rushing and was 6-for-17 passing for 45 yards. Shadrach Wacker had four receptions for 39 yards.

Disterhaupt finished with 105 yards rushing for the Rebels, while Pender had 87. The Rebels had 252 yards rushing and 341 yards of total offense. Quarterback Tony Adamczak was 6-for-8 passing for 89 yards.

JCC finished with 277 total yards.

The Huskies finish 10-3 on the season, while the Rebels will face Caladonia next week for the state championship.

ML/WR 7 13 0 7 -- 27

JCC 7 6 0 7 -- 20