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Lodi survives overtime in Division 4 to claim its first state title

11/17/2017, 12:30pm CST
By Travis Wilson

Lodi celebrates its first state title

It was a long time in the making, and the Blue Devils had to go to overtime to make it happen, but Lodi captured its first state championship, beating Saint Croix Central 17-10 in one extra period in the Division 4 title game.

The Blue Devils have been one of the most consistent programs of the last two decades, including a pair of state semi-final appearances and a runner-up finish in 2015. 

Lodi got on the board first, converting a Saint Croix Central fumble into a touchdown from Jacob Heyroth from six yards out. The Blue Devils moved the ball well on two other first quarter drives, but struggled much of the game.

Saint Croix Central tied the game in the first quarter, finishing a 13-play, 68-yard drive with an eight-yard Collin Nelson touchdown run.

The game was tied at seven at halftime, as Saint Croix Central had to settle for a field goal after a 19-play drive to open the third quarter. 

Savannah Curtis tied the game again with a field goal early in the fourth quarter, but missed a chance to put Lodi up on a 27-yard attempt that sailed just wide a few minutes later.

In the closing seconds of regulation, Saint Croix Central lined up for a 37-yard field goal attempt to win the game, but the kick didn't reach the end line, sending the game to overtime.

Fullback Ben Rashid plunged in from a yard out on Lodi's first possession of overtime, and a roughing the kicker penalty on Saint Croix Central pushed the Panthers' possession back to the 40 yard line. A couple pre-snap penalties put Saint Croix Central in a bad spot, and the Panthers couldn't convert a fourth and 16, giving Lodi the win.

Lodi finished with just 171 yards of offense, compared to 261 for Saint Croix Central. Lodi's Jacob Heyroth, the state's leading rusher this season, finished with 151 hard-fought yards on 35 carries. Saint Croix Central's Ryan Larson had 33 carries for 147 yards.

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