Roll Over Vermilion 62-12 and Advance to State Championship Game in Rochester
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. — The top-seeded Minnesota North-Mesabi Range Norse football team secured a spot in the state championship game on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Vermilion Ironhawks 62-12 in a playoff semifinal matchup under unseasonably warm early November skies in Mountain Iron.
Coming off a first-round bye, Mesabi Range showed no signs of rust, controlling all three phases of the game from the opening kickoff. The victory completed a three-game season sweep over Vermilion, with the Norse scoring at least 40 points in all three meetings this year.
Quarterback Zeyshawn Martin spearheaded an explosive Mesabi Range offense, distributing the ball effectively throughout the afternoon. Running back Osten Jones anchored the ground attack with a rushing touchdown, while wide receivers Jonathan Rollins and Marc Hightower both recorded touchdown receptions to keep the Vermilion defense off balance.
Defensively, the Norse were led by defensive lineman Nehemiah Young, who dominated the line of scrimmage and consistently disrupted the Ironhawks’ backfield. Mesabi Range’s special teams unit added to the dominant performance, highlighted by a kickoff returned for a touchdown.
With the win, Mesabi Range advances to the state championship game, which will be played next Sunday, Nov. 8, in Rochester.
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