Lakeville North running back Luke Branson finally had the performance he has been waiting for all season. 

Branson took advantage of a leaky Hopkins’ defense to rack up a season-high 203 rushing yards on 39 carries and help propel the Panthers' to their fourth consecutive state tournament with a 26-7 victory over the Royals in the Class 6A, Section 3/6 crossover championship game at Lakeville North High School on Friday.

Branson said he played with one goal in mind.

“We’ve gone to state three years in a row, and I really wanted to make it four and do everything I could to help the team,” Branson said.  

The victory is the Panthers' second over of the Royals (5-5) this season. Lakeville North (9-1) defeated Hopkins 39-13 on Aug. 29. 

This season has been a winding road for Branson. 

The Panthers totaled 141 rushing yards in their first two games, causing Panthers’ coach Brian Vossen to bench Branson. 

“He was not happy about it, but then he came back with a whole new fire at practice and we’ve seen a different kid,” Vossen said. “When kids face adversity a lot of times, they hang it up. But he didn’t and he proved us wrong.”   

Branson, who was used primarily as a blocking back in the first two games, knew he wasn’t showing his true ability as a running back, and he didn’t waste a second chance to prove it to his coaches.

“I knew the player that I am and I wasn’t getting the opportunities that I wanted,” Branson said. “So, when they finally gave me the opportunities, I’ve stepped up. And I’ve really been working as hard as I can.”

The hard work has paid off. The Panthers bounced back from their sluggish start to finish the regular season averaging 155 rushing yards per game. Branson’s 55.8 yards per game average led the team. He also finished with a 132-yard performance and two 98-yard games in the last six regular-season contests for Lakeville North (9-1), No. 5 in The Associated Press’ latest Class 6A rankings.

Eden Prairie is another team winning games in the trenches, helping the Eagles earn the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Eden Prairie has won three consecutive state titles and advanced to the state Class 6A tournament again this year, setting up a possible third meeting between the teams. The Eagles ruined the Panthers’ dream of a state championship each of the last two years, including a 42-14 drubbing in the state quarterfinals last season. 

However, Lakeville North possesses one trait to help it prevail over Eden Prairie should the teams face off in the state tournament again, Branson said.

“It’s got to be the heart,” he said. “They’ve always been winners and they’re just assuming they can win it every year, and we’re just trying to come back and show them what real football is.”

Senior safety Stu Hamann returned one of his two interceptions 66 yards for a touchdown and also kicked four field goals as Lakeville North locked up a berth in the Class 6A state tournament with a 26-7 victory over Hopkins at Lakeville North High School on Friday night. 

Hamann converted field goals of 20, 24, 27 and 28 yards, and his interception return for a touchdown gave the Panthers a 20-7 lead in the third quarter.

Lakeville North senior running back Luke Branson had 209 rushing yards, including 110 in the first half. The Panthers’ senior cornerback Tyler Bonjean returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Hopkins scored its only points of the game when senior quarterback Tyler Lee connected with senior wide receiver Kevion McDonald for a 28-yard touchdown in the second quarter.  

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