Game Report: Brooklyn Center vs. Minneapolis South
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MINNEAPOLIS– In what was a back and forth battle at Minneapolis South High School, in the end, it was the Brooklyn Center Centaurs that sealed a close victory against the Tigers of Minneapolis South.
Five Takeaways
This game was dominated by the defense side of the ball. There were only 28 total points between both squads and only 6 points total in the entirety of the second half.
The second quarter showed the biggest change in momentum when the gears shifted from Minneapolis South to Brooklyn Center. Two plays for nearly 70 yards on a big passing play from Deshaun Pongsak (2024) to Romerus Sykora (2022) and a Warren Kinney Warren Kinney ATH Brooklyn Center | 2022 State MN 1-yard rushing touchdown got the lead for the Centaurs for good, and the defense, never looked back as Warren Kinney Warren Kinney ATH Brooklyn Center | 2022 State MN took a fumble recovery 55 yards to the house where he showed terrific speed and stamina in the open field.
From my eyes, the physically level on defense from the Brooklyn Center Centaurs was the game-changer that sealed the deal for the Centaurs getting a win in the end.
Brooklyn Center showed a more consistent passing attack as QB Deshaun Pongsak (2024) won the matchup when it came to passing yards per play, averaging just over a first down per completion. Minneapolis South QB Carter Bursinger (2024) had some success late in the game to WR Rio Starr (2022) but it was not enough to close the small margin of victory the Centaurs accumulated.
The Minneapolis South Tigers won the battle when it came down to the rushing attack putting up nearly 150 yards rushing in the entirety of the game. The combination of Adam Kelbrants Adam Kelbrants 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB MPLS South | 2022 State MN (2022), Jaquill White (2022), and Rio Starr who was key in the fourth quarter on the run was the best takeaway offensively for the Tigers as they outran Brooklyn Center by nearly 130 yards.
SCORING:
1st Quarter:
A seven-yard pass from Carter Bursinger (2024) to RB Adam Kelbrants Adam Kelbrants 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB MPLS South | 2022 State MN (2022) was the first touchdown of the game for the Tigers. Kelbrants showed strong power in his lower body to muscle his way over the goal line for Minneapolis South. Minneapolis South 7, Brooklyn Center 0. End of the 1st quarter.
Second Quarter
The second quarter as stated when the Centaurs time to shine, as they scored all of their points in this quarter.
Warren Kinney Warren Kinney ATH Brooklyn Center | 2022 State MN finished off a big play from Romerus Sykora (2022) for a one-yard rushing touchdown, one of two touchdowns he would get in this quarter. The Centaurs went for two and got it. Brooklyn Center 8, Minneapolis South 7.
Warren Kinney Warren Kinney ATH Brooklyn Center | 2022 State MN then led the charge on the defensive side of the ball. After a high contact play that resulted in a fumble by the Tigers, Kinney continued his hot streak in the second quarter and took a 55-yard fumble recovery to the house. The extra point was good. Brooklyn Center 15, Minneapolis South 7. End of the first half.
Third Quarter
The Tigers answered the Centaurs call with a touchdown of their own with the only score in the third quarter a Carter Bursinger (2024) resulting in a four-yard rushing touchdown that just barely snuck by the goal line. The Centaur’s run defense came up big as the Tigers tried to tie the game with a two-point conversion, and were stopped short of the goal line. More than likely that was the biggest stop on two-point conversions I have watched in my three seasons of scouting with PRZ. Brooklyn Center 15, Minneapolis South 13. End of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter was the only scoreless quarter of the game for both teams but there was one huge play that sealed the deal and got the win for the Brooklyn Center Centaurs. With less than a minute left, the Minneapolis South Tigers drove down the field, but hurt themselves multiple times with penalties on the offensive line. They got down to the Centaurs side of the field when Max Madyun (2022) stood in the path of a Carter Bursinger throw and sealed the win for the Brooklyn Center Centaurs.
Brooklyn Center (2-1) will return home for a game in Week 4 with St. Croix Lutheran.
Minneapolis South (1-2) will head to St. Paul in Week 4 for an away game against the recently combined St. Paul Harding and St. Paul Humboldt co-op.
We will evaluate the Big Dogs of the Game from this Week 3 matchup on Monday!