The final score of last Saturday's section semifinal football game read Wayzata 35, Maple Grove 7, but that said little about what happened before and during the game.

The Crimson knew after their quarterfinal win over Osseo that junior quarterback Mitch Brecke would not be able to play. Brecke was hit while scoring a first-quarter touchdown against Osseo. He felt pain but continued to play and finished that game.

"It looked like an inconsequential and routine play where he caught a knee in the back," MG coach Craig Hansen said. "We thought it was a bruised rib. You play with pain and discomfort and he was in a lot of pain. But he toughed it out. It was pretty courageous."

An examination after the game revealed it was a partially collapsed lung and Brecke's season was over. And the Crimson were without their leader and the best passing quarter-back in the conference. Brecke also teamed up with junior receiver Greg Martin to form one of the most potent passing combos in the state. With only three days to prepare, junior Bobby Usset, normally the starting tight-end and back-up quarterback, was called on to lead the Crimson against the powerful Trojans Saturday. "It's hard to move into any position with only three days to prepare, let alone that one (quarterback) and in a game of that magnitude," Hansen said. "Bobby was put in a tough position and he toughed it out." Asked whether he considered using senior Ryan Iskierka, who was the Crimson starting quarterback two seasons ago, to take the snaps against Wayzata, Hansen said he chose Usset because he has been the back-up all season and Iskierka has been the Crimson's most effective running back. Usset battled gamely and had an excellent day passing. He completed 14 of 28 passes for 248 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He hooked up with Martin for a 58-yard TD pass play in the first half that tied the game 7-7.

But things went downhill from there as the Crimson had problems on snap exchanges and had numerous fumbles. The Trojans recovered five fumbles and converted them into key touchdowns. "Our timing and coordination were just off," Hansen. said. "Wayzata started out trying to stop our run and we were able to pass the ball. When we wanted to run the ball we just had those fumbled snaps and could not get our running game going." Maple Grove actually had great field positions in the game as its return team led by senior Justin Beacom consistently had big returns. "Our kickoff return team performed the best I have ever seen them play," Hansen said. "Justin returned one to their 12 and we had the ball on the 40 and 50 just about every time. Unfortunately, we'd have those fumbles and Wayzata ended with the ball on the 40 and 50." The Trojans, led by senior running back Dom Barber and quarterback Michael Crees, scored three unanswered touchdowns to take a commanding 28-7 half-time lead. Barber had two of those TDs and Crees threw for 200 yards in the first half.

Maple Grove tried to get back into the game and launched a 22-play drive that went from the MG 19 to the Wayzata 1 in the third quarter. The Crimson converted a third-and-25, a third-and-10 and were aided by two Wayzata pass interference penalties on fourth down. But the drive stalled when the Trojans stopped the Crimson four times from the 1. Hansen was proud that the Crimson did not quit even after falling behind 28-7. "It was tough with all the miscues," he said. "I told them that families can fall apart against adversities or they can pull together. I think our kids rallied together and pulled closer as a team. At the end of the game, we walked off the field with our heads up. We knew we competed hard against an excellent team." Martin had another big night, catching nine passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. Ben Holland caught five for 80 yards. "Even though the score did-n't show it, our receivers did a great job of going for the ball and making great catches," Hansen said. "And our line and backs gave Bobby great passing protection." Defensively, linebacker Todd Frykman led MG with nine tackles, defensive back Anders Grinde and linebacker Jeff Jarvis each had eight and defensive back Chase Mudd and tackle Brent Opitz each recovered a fumble. The Crimson have met the Trojans five times in section championship games and are 3-2 winning in 1998, 2001, and 2002.