The regular season is finished and now we know where each team will be in the section playoffs.
Pine City 1-7
QRF Ranking: 46th in State 6th in Section 5AAA
The Pine City Dragons finished the season with a 14-8 loss at home against Crosby-Ironton. Pine City held on to the 6th seed in the section so they will travel to take on #3 seed Spectrum. This is a best case scenario for Pine City. The Dragons could've played #1 Annandale or #2 Mora but instead they drew the Sting. The Sting are 7-1 this year, but play a very different schedule than most teams. Last year, Spectrum was 7-0 and had the #1 seed heading into the playoffs where Pine City handed them a 44-20 loss. This will give the Dragons confidence that they can play spoiler once again this year. The game will played on Tuesday at 2:00 pm.
Braham 5-3
QRF Ranking: 18th in State 2nd in Section 7A
The Bombers really helped their cause this week beating Mesabi East 28-20. The win guarantees that Braham doesn't have to make a long drive to Blackduck (185 miles). Braham is the 2 seed and will play #3 seed Blackduck at home on Saturday the 27th. Blackduck is also 5-3. The Bombers and Drakes have no mutual opponents.
Rush City 2-6
QRF Ranking: 56th in State 6th in Section 4AA
Rush City moves up one spot in the Section Standings and gets the #6 seed in Section 4AA. This will put the Tigers up against #3 Concordia Academy who is 4-4 this season. This is going to be a tough game for the Tigers in a section that they don't really fit in. The section will most likely be won by Minneapolis North. The Tigers will play Concordia Academy on 10/23.
Hinckley-Finlayson 2-6
QRF Ranking: 42nd in State 4th in Section 7A
Hinckley-Finlayson beat East Central last night 30-20 giving them the #4 seed in the section and locking up the home game against #5 East Central next week. That will be another close battle between these two teams. If the Jaguars win they will travel to Deer River for the second round.
East Central 1-7
QRF Ranking: 56th in State 5th in Section 7A
East Central is coming off a frustrating 30-20 loss to the Jaguars. And now they will have to go right back to Hinckley in less than a week to play them again in the playoffs. It's been a tough year for the Eagles and a win against their rivals on Tuesday would help a lot. It should be another close game. The winner will play Deer River in the second round.
Mora 8-0
QRF Ranking: 9th in State 2nd in Section 5AAA
The Mustangs finished the season undefeated with a 28-20 win over Esko. Mora has had a great season so far winning their district and ending the year undefeated. They are the #2 seed in Section 5AAA and will play #7 Minneapolis Henry at home on 10/23. This should be an easy win for the Mustangs and will match them up with either Pine City or Spectrum in the second round. The Mustangs are in a perfect position to get back to the section championship and possibly even another State Tournament bid.
North Branch 6-2
QRF Ranking: 16th in State 3rd in Section 7AAAA
North Branch holds to the #3 seed in the section beating Proctor last night 57-6. The Vikings will host #6 Grand Rapids who they just beat a week ago 30-7. The Vikings will have to get through #2 Hermantown and #1 Cloquet to make it to state. North Branch lost to both of those teams in the regular season but both of them very close. North Branch vs Grand Rapids will be Tuesday 10/23 at 7:00. There is no better way to break in a new stadium with a home playoff victory.
Cambridge-Isanti 5-3
QRF Ranking: 16th in State 2nd in Section 7AAAAA
The Bluejackets shocked the high school football world last night coming back from being down by 18 and beating the number 1 team in the State, Elk River 48-44. The win was big enough to jump them 8 spots in the state rankings and move up to 2nd in the section. The Blue Jackets have had a great season and have earned a first round bye. The Bluejackets will likely play Coon Rapids in the second round. The Blue Jackets biggest task will be #1 St. Francis, who Cambridge-Isanti lost to 35-34 in overtime earlier this year.
