Last second touchdown ends Vikes’ season in heartbreaking fashion

North Branch was just seven seconds away from advancing to the Section 7AAAA semifinals, but Duluth Denfeld had other plans in a wild playoff opener that featured plenty of offense, numerous lead changes and a devastating finish for the Vikings.

The fourth-seeded Vikings saw their season come to an abrupt end Tuesday, Oct. 27, when fifth-seeded Denfeld scored the game-winning touchdown with just seven seconds remaining to escape North Branch with a 39-38 victory.

The heartbreaking finish spoiled a strong offensive performance from North Branch, particularly quarterback Will Determan, who helped the Vikings repeatedly answer Denfeld scores throughout the back-and-forth contest.

Denfeld struck first, finding the end zone less than three minutes into the opening quarter to take a 6-0 lead. North Branch responded with a scoring drive capped off by a Nolan Bahr touchdown, and the Vikings converted the two-point attempt to grab an 8-6 advantage with 4:27 remaining in the first quarter.

The Hunters wasted little time answering, breaking loose for another touchdown to reclaim the lead at 14-8 with 2:50 left in the opening frame.

North Branch continued to trade punches with the visitors, as Parker Lindner found the end zone early in the second quarter. Another successful two-point conversion put the Vikings back in front 16-14 with 10:37 remaining before halftime.

Denfeld regained the advantage with a touchdown at the 3:06 mark, although the Vikings' defense came up with a stop on the conversion attempt to keep the deficit at four points, 20-16.

That stop proved important when North Branch mounted one final scoring drive before the break. Determan directed the Vikings down the field and into the end zone with just 33 seconds remaining, giving North Branch a 22-20 halftime advantage and setting the stage for an equally entertaining second half.

The Hunters came out of the locker room firing, scoring just two minutes into the third quarter to jump back ahead 26-22.

North Branch answered again, this time with Determan using a convincing fake to fool the Denfeld defense before finding his way into the end zone. The Vikings added another two-point conversion to take a 30-26 lead with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter.

The lead changes continued into the final period, with Denfeld scoring another touchdown and adding the extra point to move ahead 33-30 with 8:51 left in regulation.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Vikings turned to Determan once again. Behind some big blocks from his offensive line, the North Branch quarterback scored his third touchdown of the night, and another successful two-point conversion gave the Vikings a 38-33 advantage with just 2:52 remaining.

It appeared North Branch had done enough to survive and advance, but the Hunters had one final drive left.

Denfeld quarterback Kaleb Lundberg moved the Hunters down the field in the closing minutes before delivering the knockout blow. With just over 10 seconds left, Lundberg scrambled to his right and lofted a pass toward the end zone, where Denfeld receiver Travion Davis came down with the jump ball for the game-winning touchdown with seven seconds left on the clock.

The score gave Denfeld a 39-38 lead and brought a stunning end to North Branch's postseason run.

The game featured nine lead changes, with neither team able to establish much breathing room throughout. Unfortunately for NB, the Hunters made one more play at the end than the Vikings did,

For North Branch, the loss was an especially difficult way to close the season after holding the lead three different times in the second half.

Denfeld, meanwhile, advanced to face top-seeded Grand Rapids in the Section 7AAAA semifinals, but they fell 37-0 to the undefeated and top 5 ranked Thunderhawks.