Braves rally falls short during 30-27 loss to Sauk Centre; open up playoffs at Osakis

Benson outscored Sauk Centre 21-11 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as the Mainstreeters went into halftime with a 19-6 lead and held off a late charge by the Braves for a 30-27 victory last Wednesday night at Sauk Centre.
The two teams combined for 39 first downs and 872 yards of total offense during the three-hour game in frigid temperatures, but it all came down to the final minute as Sauk Centre was able to hang on to an onside kick attempt by Benson with 2:16 left in the game, and then picked up a key first down by inches to run out the clock.
The loss lowered the Braves’ season record to 1-7 and Mid-State White mark to 1-6.   Benson earned the seventh seed in Section 5AA and was set to play at second-seeded Osakis at 7 p.m., Tuesday (yesterday).
If Benson wins, it would play at the winner of third-seeded Paynesville and sixth-seeded Minnewaska Area at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28.  Eden Valley-Watkins was seeded first, Sauk Centre was seeded fourth, and Atwater-CGC earned the fifth seed.  The Section 5AA championship game is set for 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 at St. Cloud State University....
 
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Pictured: Matt Connolly (80) and Justin Goossen (21) come up to tackle Sauk Centre’s Kyle Froseth after a short gain following a pass reception during the Braves’ 30-27 loss last Wednesday.  In the background is Layton Connelly.