What happened: Zumbrota-Mazeppa secured its first Minnesota state tournament berth in 30 years with an 8-7 victory against rival Pine Island in the Section 1, Class 3A championship. Quarterback Hadyn Boraas took the final knee to seal the win and improve the Cougars to 10-1. Head coach Darin Raasch guided the program to back-to-back winning seasons following a combined 2-16 stretch across 2021 and 2022.
Why it matters: The sectional title marks a dramatic turnaround for Raasch, who accumulated a 44-68 record over 12 seasons before this fall's breakout. Dual-threat quarterback Boraas and 1,000-yard running back Tate Olson anchored an offense that lifted the unranked Cougars into the state bracket. The postseason run represents the school's deepest playoff push since its 1996 appearance.
By the numbers: Boraas has totaled 1,586 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 596 rushing yards, and 12 rushing scores this season. Olson has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the ground. Zumbrota-Mazeppa enters the state quarterfinals at 10-1, following a 7-3 finish last year and consecutive 1-8 campaigns in 2021 and 2022.
What to watch: Zumbrota-Mazeppa faces No. 8-ranked Waseca in the Class 3A state quarterfinals at noon Saturday in Apple Valley.