The Brainerd Warriors junior varsity football team defeated Bemidji 20-16 Monday night by scoring 14 points in the game’s last 4:30.
Brainerd’s first TD came early in the second quarter when Devin McKenzie blocked a punt and Troy Lenz recovered in the end zone to give the Warriors a 6-0 lead.
A Bemidji TD before the half made the score 7-6 going into the third quarter.
A TD and a safety gave the Lumberjacks a 16-6 lead with 4:30 remaining.
A 70-yard Warrior drive, highlighted by a Logan McElfresh 40-yard run, ended with a Mason Severson TD run.
Trailing 16-12 the Warriors forced third and long at their own 35. The ensuing pass was intercepted by Warrior safety Cody Mihok, who raced down the sideline for a 75 yard touchdown run with 1:30 remaining.
The ensuing 2-point conversion pass to Mason Severson from McElfresh made the score 20-16.
On the Lumberjacks’ drive that followed, Brainerd received a pass breakup by Trevor Maier and two sacks from Logan McElfresh as the drive ended on a fumbled fourth down play that ran out the clock.
