2 weeks Ago By Ryan Spitza
MOORHEAD — The top-ranked Moorhead football team made quick work of Brainerd in its postseason opener Saturday. After forcing the Warriors into a three-and-out to open the game, Spuds quarterback Jett Feeney found receiver Owen Thielges on Moorhead's second offensive play for a 45-yard touchdown connection. That was the first of five touchdown passes for Feeney, and the No.
1 seed Spuds never looked back, rolling 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 one more to Taye Reich.
Reign Battle added a 45-yard pick-six while Carson Heinsch tacked on a rushing touchdown as Moorhead advanced to next week's section final. There, the Spuds (9-0) will host No. 3 seed Bemidji (7-2) or No.
2 Alexandria (6-2) with 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 like to come in, win this game and go onto the state tournament." After the Spuds found the end zone on their first four offensive possessions, Battle snagged his second interception of the season on the ensuing Warriors drive. Battle's pick came off of Brainerd quarterback Izaac Vanek.
Battle took it 45 yards for the house call which made it a 35-0 game following the extra point with 3:44 remaining in the first half. "I read it was pass," Battle said. "Everyone was doing their jobs, so I dropped into my zone, did my thing 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 his fifth and final touchdown pass of the game. With Moorhead well in control, Feeney was relieved by fellow sophomore quarterback Austin Dryburgh.
"It was amazing," Feeney said. "(Brainerd) ended our season last season, so I think we really had a different push this game to just go out, do our best and give them everything." Jett's father and Moorhead head coach Kevin Feeney also achieved a milestone on Saturday, collecting his 100th win with the Spuds program.
"This whole team, all the past teams all of our staff and everybody that's involved is what that (milestone) 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.
"Coming into this football game, it's playoffs and it's about earning another 48 minutes like we talked about extensively this week. "I really liked the look on our team's face in the warm-ups and I really thought they came out very 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 chipped in 72 yards on five catches.
Boden Yoney recovered a fumble for Moorhead defensively. Brained ended its season at 5-5. The Warriors were paced offensively by Vanek, who finished with 64 rush yards on 19 carries.
Through the air, the senior went 5-of-10 passing 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 this one," 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'll prepare like crazy.".
