Totino-Grace parlayed a big halftime lead into a 30-21 victory over Orono in the state semifinals Friday, giving the Eagles an appearance in the Class 4A championship game against Becker at next week’s Prep Bowl.
Marquel Keten rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 29 yards for Totino-Grace, which put up 405 yards of total offense.
Totino-Grace defeated Orono during the regular season, winning a low-scoring 11-8 decision on Oct. 4.
Friday was a far different affair.
Both teams moved the ball efficiently for most of the game, but it was a spurt toward the end of the second quarter that proved decisive. Trailing 7-3, Totino-Grace scored 21 points in a span of six minutes, turning the deficit into a 24-7 halftime lead. The Eagles had chunk-yardage plays of 71, 20 and 64 yards during the 21-point rally.
Keten capped the scoring run with a 64-yard scoring play with 10 seconds remaining before halftime.
“This game was just as physical,” said Totino-Grace coach Jay Anderson, comparing it to the Eagles’ first game against Orono. “Our guys just did a great job of making plays.”
Orono responded in kind after halftime. The Spartans scored twice in the third quarter, pulling to within three — 24-21 — on short runs by Franklin Stevenson and Charles Cordes.
