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Despite matching up two 1-0 teams in North Branch’s home opener against Hibbing on Friday, September 5 it was clear from the jump that the Vikings were the superior squad to Hibbing and they ended up running away with a 36-0 victory to move to 2-0.

Quarterback Ethan Thorsen threw for a touchdown and ran for 46 yards and two more scores. A fresh face in the backfield, Apollo Leija, ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, and Nolan Bahr had 73 yards on seven carries. Logan Raine had a touchdown run for the Vikings as well.

Senior captain Jacob Knoespel was the beneficiary of Thorsen’s touchdown pass, as he had two catches for 34 yards. 

The defense, led by Barh, Reegan Dick and Logan Hammel, shut down Hibbing’s offense all night, earning the teams first shutout since  28-0 win over Grand Rapids in 2023.

The Vikings are in prime position to continue their unbeaten run for a few weeks. Their next two games are at home, as they host Cloquet and Rock Ridge, two teams that have both gotten off to 0-2 starts. The class of the district seems to be Hermantown — 89-0 winners over Proctor — and Grand Rapids, both of whom NB doesn’t play until next month.

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