Panthers prevail over fifth-ranked Nevis in state quarterfinal

ST. CLOUD — South Ridge running back Bill Redding rushed for a touchdown and snatched another through the air in prevailing the Panthers’ by Nevis 24-18 in a Nine-Man state quarterfinal football comeback Friday evening at a windy Husky Stadium at St. Cloud State University.

Redding, a 6-foot, 155-pound junior, racked up 72 yards rushing on 21 attempts, while he totaled 114 yards receiving on seven catches from junior quarterback Kody Karppinen. Redding recorded the Culver-based school’s only score of the first half, on a 6-yard, second-quarter touchdown.

Trailing 12-8 at halftime and 18-8 early in the third quarter, South Ridge (11-1) rallied when Redding snagged a 42-yard touchdown from Karppinen. Karppinen, who was 8-of-19 for 132 yards passing, the added a 2-yard scoring plunge and his third conversion to put the Panthers up for good.

South Ridge, which went 1-8 a year ago, collides with Grand Meadow (11-1) in a semifinal Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Fifth-ranked Nevis was led by quarterback Collin Huckbody’s 256 yards passing and 129 yards running. Huckbody ran for two scores and hit Taylor Chase, who had 135 yards receiving, for another. The Tigers finished 11-1.

Nine-Man State Quarterfinals:

South Ridge; 0 – 8 – 16 – 0 — 24

Nevis; 6 – 6 – 6 – 0 — 18

N — Collin Huckbody 1 run (Kick failed).

SR — Bill Redding 6 run (Kody Karppinen run).

N — Huckbody 2 run (Pass failed).

N — Taylor Chase 27 pass from Huckbody (Kick failed).

SR — Redding 42 pass from Karppinen (Karppinen run).

SR — Karppinen 2 run (Karppinen run).

Tags: sports, football, updates