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Special teams elevates Minneapolis Washburn past Tartan

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 10/25/16, 7:00AM CDT

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Kavin Olive rushed for two touchdowns while D’Angelo Moore returned a kickoff for another to lead the Millers.

Kavin

Kavin Olive (in blue) scored his second rushing touchdown in the closing minutes to secure Minneapolis Washburn's 35-21 victory over Tartan in a Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinal. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Minneapolis Washburn senior quarterback D’Angelo Moore was unsure if he’d see the field one last time after suffering a concussion last week.

To his fortune, Moore passed concussion protocol earlier in the week and was cleared to play Tuesday night in the Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinals against Tartan.

As the Millers gave up the game’s opening touchdown, Moore saw that deficit and made sure his final game on home turf wouldn’t be his last. He returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards to the end zone, jumpstarting Washburn’s offense to a 35-21 victory.

“We always talk about taking (the ball) to the house, so when I seen the seam I just hit it,” Moore said of his first quarter kickoff return.

Moore’s return followed a fourth-down conversion where Tartan quarterback Marco Hernandez converted a touchdown pass to wideout Benjamin Bruhn that deflected off the chest of Savion Johnson.

The fourth-seeded Millers went on to score twice on TD runs by Kavin Olive and Johnson, but an 81-yard kickoff return touchdown by the Titans’ Kingston Myles kept the game close and Washburn honest.

Millers coach Ryan Galindo said the fifth-seeded Titans matched his team stride-for-stride and that the early return by Moore boosted their confidence as Washburn sustained longer drives as the game went on.

“(Moore’s) been our biggest contributor all year. When we need a big play we go to him,” Galindo said.

Washburn’s participation has dwindled over the years as the Millers field just 30 players on its varsity sideline.

“It’s uncomfortable knowing if someone goes down we have to have some inexperienced people come up and step up, but I just believe in my teammates that they can do it,” Olive said.

Despite its numbers, Washburn has an abundance of athletic talent, so when quarterback Rory Purnell was sick with pneumonia at the beginning of the season there were several candidates for the role under center.

Moore was chosen and took on the position selflessly although he didn’t like the beating signal callers take.

Olive, Moore’s cousin, has been close with Moore since they were three when Moore would stay over at Olive’s house. Olive said Moore’s always had a knack for making plays even in backyard games.

Washburn, now at full strength, will take on top-seeded Mahtomedi on Saturday in a rematch against the Zephyrs who knocked the Millers out of section play in the quarterfinals last year.

“We’re going to ride and fight with what we have,” Galindo said. “They’re 30 kids who are hungry and want to upset some people.”

kick return

Washburn senior D'Angelo Moore sprinted past Tartan's Jordan Thompson (6) on his way to a first-half kick return touchdown. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

First Report

Kavin Olive rushed for two touchdowns while D’Angelo Moore returned a kickoff for another to boost Minneapolis Washburn to a 35-21 victory over Tartan in a Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinal Tuesday night at Minneapolis Washburn High School.

The fourth-seeded Millers (5-4) capitalized twice on special teams in the first half. Moore’s 87-yard TD return gave Washburn an 7-6 lead late in the first quarter, and his punt return early in the second quarter set up Olive for a 3-yard run into the end zone on the ensuing play.

Moore finished the game with over 100 yards rushing while Kingston Myles compiled 93 yards on 17 carries for No. 5-seeded Tartan (3-6).

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