Just 11 days from a 36-0 victory at New York Mills to clinch the Prairie Conference-South title, the #6-1A Browerville Tigers (8-1) gave a repeat performance in a 33-0 defeat of New York Mills (1-8) in Section 6A playoffs action.
The shutout is the fourth in a row for the Tigers over the Eagles.
"Browerville is an excellent team that did what they do best and that is run the football and play tough defense," NY Mills Head Coach Matt Radniecki said.
The game got off to a good start for the Eagles when Shane Novak made an interception to end the Tigers' first series.
Charlie Peeters led the NY Mills offense to a pair of first downs before Browerville's defense stiffened at the 36-yard line on a fourth and two.
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A penalty flag kept the Tigers' second offensive series going leading the Tigers to a 6-0 lead.
More big plays followed, including a punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
"That really seemed to deflate our team and energize them," said Radniecki. "From then on, they pounded the ball and played typical physical Browerville football."
Browerville led at the half 26-0.
The Tigers continued their mastery of the special teams with another punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter, the final score of the game.
"We kept playing and got better this year even though we had the same record (1-8) as last year."
NY Mills had the unenviable task of facing state-ranked opponents in their final three games, including #4 Barnesville, a class up in 2A, on the road to finish the regular season.
"We were a much more competitive football team and I am looking forward to next year as we have many returning starters that will be back. We just need to learn to take it to another level and play with confidence each and every play."
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Browerville advanced out of the second round of 6A playoffs demolishing Pillager 56-6 on Saturday. They move on to a ahighly anticipated matchup of ranked teams versus #2-1A Mahnomen at the Fargodome Friday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m.
