Champlin Park wins Class 6A high school football playoff opener against East Ridge

Champlin Park didn't need any luck to pull off an upset 24-22 win at No. 4 seed East Ridge (5-4). The Rebels turned to the classic football playoff game formula and posted an unofficial 319 rushing yards on 42 carries.

The No. 5 seed Rebels (4-5) won the Class 6A first-round football playoff game on Friday and will now play at No. 1 seed Lakeville North on Friday.

Well, maybe a little luck didn't hurt.

After all, the Rebels have been disastrous losers of late, losing three of their last four games – all by a touchdown or less – due to safeties or turnovers returned for touchdowns.

Champlin Park football coach Nick Keenan isn't sure his message before Friday's game at East Ridge helped, but he shared it after his team's upset win.

“I said, 'You don't have to be special to be great. “You have to be what most people are not – consistent, determined and willing to work,” Keenan said.

Champlin Park owned the first 23 minutes of the first half. Senior quarterback Preston Thielke scored a 77-yard touchdown run on the game's opening play. But less dramatic plays attested to the Rebels' sudden favor with the football gods.

Jeremiah Schaefer's apparent touchdown catch was negated by a penalty. One play later, however, Schaefer's recovery of a teammate's fumble extended Champlin Park's drive. A few plays later, Schaefer caught a touchdown that lasted.