Three special teams failures in the final two minutes should have ended Mahtomedi's football season. The Zephyrs were flawed but unfazed.
They regrouped to upset previously undefeated St. Thomas Academy 20-14 in overtime Saturday in a Class 5A state tournament quarterfinal at Woodbury High School.
The fourth-ranked Zephyrs (10-1) advance to the semifinals to face Elk River at 2 p.m. Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Mahtomedi senior running back Corey Bohmert carried the ball more than 40 times, returned kicks and only missed a few defensive snaps. His wrist and neck hurt after the game, and the lingering pain coupled with the emotional victory produced tears of joy.
"Whatever we need to win, I'll put in for the team," said Bohmert, who ran for all three Zephyrs touchdowns and recovered a fumble. "It's tough mentally, but my teammates do it for me, so I have to do it for them."
No. 2 St. Thomas Academy (10-1) beat Mahtomedi 28-14 on Oct. 7. Success in the rematch started with a renewed commitment by the offensive line to spring Bohmert.
"They told me, 'We've got you this week,' " said Bohmert, who credited his "trench dogs" for the improved offensive showing.
Bohmert scored in overtime, but the Zephyrs missed the extra point. St. Thomas Academy coach Dan O'Brien considered Mahtomedi's third miscue in the kicking game another gift from a higher pigskin power.
