File photo by Travis Rosenau Springfield’s MaCoy Krick scores a touchdown during the Tigers’ state semifinals game with Deer River on Nov. 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

SPRINGFIELD — As this season’s Section 3A playoffs progressed, Springfield faced off with its toughest opponent yet

And every week in the playoffs, the Tigers stepped up, showed out and won to earn their way back to the Class A state tournament.

And at the state level?

Rinse, repeat.

The Tigers (11-2) ran over Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 28-6 on Nov. 11 in the opening round of the state tournament at Crown College and then trounced then-unbeaten Deer River 54-30 in the state semifinals Nov. 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

That 54 points scored against Deer River was also the most points the Tigers have scored against any team all season.

Statement made.

The Tigers will now take on the Minneota Vikings (11-2) at 10 a.m. Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium for a chance to give Springfield its second state football championship and first since 2005. To put that in perspective, most of the Tigers’ current starters weren’t even a year old at that time — and some weren’t even born yet.

As for Minneota, there have been several elite sports programs in the school’s history. The school’s volleyball team took home its fourth Class A state volleyball title a few weeks ago to name just one succesful program.

Football is another area the Vikings excel in, making it to the state tournament for the 15th time in school history this year. Minneota has won seven state football championships, with its most recent coming in 2017.

Last year, the Vikings were Class A runner-ups and aren’t looking to finish second two years in a row. But with all of the accolades Minneota’s football program is able to boast, the Tigers have taken down many of the state’s best Class A teams this year and are determined to take down one more this Friday.

“This whole run, we’ve played very quality opponents,” Tigers head coach Adam Meyer said. “We think our district is really good throughout the season, we think our section’s pretty loaded with really good teams, so I think that has prepared us for this point in the season. Playing a team like this with a rich tradition, I think the pressure is honestly more on them than it would be us because they have that history. We have a pretty strong tradition I feel like, too, just with our winning percentage and players that have come through here, but playing them at this point in the season is just a cool opportunity for our kids.

“I don’t think our guys feel pressure. Just watching them play the last few games, it just doesn’t seem like they feel pressure to perform at a different level, but they’re just pretty controlled and doing what they’ve been coached to do and what they’ve trained to do, and I think they’ve handled it really well.”

SHARING THE SUGAR

In the state semifinals win over Deer River, Tigers junior quarterback Jakob Nachreiner showed off his arm once again with 339 yards through the air and five touchdowns. He took shots down the field several times but didn’t turn the ball over once as he completed passes to five different receivers.

“He’s just continued to get better every week and he distributes the ball very well right now, and that’s been something I think that’s taken him to that next level,” Meyer said of Nachreiner. “We’re getting touches from all four receivers and running backs. When that ball gets spread around like that, it’s just tough to defend the whole field in high school football. …

“When you get a kid playing his best football at the end of the season like this, that’s an exciting time for our team and for everybody around. Everyone’s kind of doing that, but when you get it from your quarterback, that’s a big deal. Minneota’s going to be a really tough test, so we’re going to need another game from him just like that.”

RUN-HEAVY VIKINGS

Minneota has focused on a run-heavy approach this year, led by Zack Fier’s 1,377 yards rushing (6.2 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns. Ryan Meagher adds 471 yards rushing (9.2 ypc) and eight TDs.

Senior quarterback Isaac Pohlen has completed 63.5% of his passes this year for 1,704 yards, 19 TDs and 10 interceptions. His top target this year has been 5-10 senior Peyton Gillund, who has 52 receptions for 588 yards and nine TDs.

The Vikings have 2,961 total yards rushing this year and 1,787 yards passing.

The Tigers will look to slow down that run-heavy approach.

“Obviously they’re a very run-heavy team,” Meyer said. “They’re very comfortable getting 3 and 4 yards each play and continuing to do that repeatedly throughout the game. They don’t hurt themselves, they don’t turn the ball over very often, if at all, they’re very disciplined offensively, defensively and their special teams are also outstanding. They make you earn everything you get out there, and with Minneota tradition, that’s kind of what you expect playing a team like this.”

STAYING THE COURSE?

With Springfield’s ability to defend the pass this year (22 interceptions, 29 pass deflections), it will be interesting to see how many chances Minneota takes through the air.

Meyer believes Minneota will continue trying to control the game on the ground, but he does expect them to mix in enough passing to try to keep the Tigers off guard.

“They do throw it just enough and have good receivers,” Meyer said. “Their quarterback throws a good ball, but they throw it just enough to keep you loosened up and keep it in the back of your mind that the pass might be coming. But big thing for us is definitely stopping that run, especially early, and forcing them into passing situations where we feel really confident in our back three guys.”

DETERMINED TO RETURN

Tigers senior running back Ashtin Johnson rushed for 79 yards on 14 carries against Deer River before exiting with an ankle injury late in the first half. His status for this Friday’s game is yet to be determined, but he’s working hard to get back and help his team.

“Last week we gave him the week off,” Meyer said. “He’s working his way back, he’s pretty determined to play and be at 100%. We’re getting the treatment and things like that to get him there, so that’s where we’re going.”