Frustration from a lingering upper-body injury burned within Lakeville North senior Najee Nelson, and he erupted Friday to the dismay of Minnetonka.
Nelson, sidelined last week, was everywhere throughout the Panthers' 24-7 upset victory in the first round of the Class 6A football playoffs at Minnetonka. He intercepted a first-half pass in the end zone. In the fourth quarter, he housed a 77-yard catch-and-sprint.
"I had a fire inside of me, just pent-up anger to come out here and do my thing," said Nelson, who estimated he played at "75-80 percent."
He looked good as new to Panthers coach Brian Vossen.
"At any point, the kid can make plays," Vossen said. "He's a special athlete. It was nice to finally get to see him showcase it."
Sophomore quarterback Riley Grossman threw a pair of touchdown passes for No. 5 seed Lakeville North (4-5). No. 4 seed Minnetonka (5-4) entered Friday's game with more interceptions (six) than passing touchdowns allowed (five). Going right at the perceived strength of the Skippers defense showed the confidence the Panthers coaching staff has in Grossman.
"He started five games for us last year and he survived the Gold South District this year," Vossen said. "He's not really a sophomore anymore."
North led 10-0 through three quarters on Brady Reiswig's 37-yard field goal, followed by a little trickery.
