Brainerd aims for first state berth since 2017 against Sartell

The top-seeded Brainerd Warriors will attempt to secure their first section title in nine years when they host the No. 3-seeded Sartell Sabres at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Adamson Field. A victory would send Brainerd to the state tournament for the first time since 2017. The Warriors currently hold an 8-1 record, while the Sabres stand at 6-3.

Brainerd advanced to this matchup after defeating the Bemidji Lumberjacks 49-35 in the Section 8-5A Semifinals. The Warriors did not punt during that game and accumulated 502 yards of total offense, a season high. Sartell qualified by upsetting the No. 2-seeded Alexandria Cardinals 8-6. The Sabres scored their only touchdown in the first quarter and held Alexandria without a score in the second half.

This is the first section title game for Sartell since 2022. Coach Scott Hentges noted that the team has worked toward this moment for three years. "We knew it was going to be an uphill battle as the third seed, but our guys are great at focusing on the task at hand and taking each game one play at a time," Hentges said. Brainerd last reached a section final in 2023, losing to Alexandria 24-19. The Warriors last hosted a section final in 2017, winning against Alexandria 23-14.

The teams met on Sept. 25, when Brainerd won 35-28. Sartell led 28-14 midway through the third quarter, but the Warriors scored the final 21 points. Quarterback Malik Lauer threw for 160 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns in that contest. Sartell’s Jonah Ambrosier rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season meeting.

Brainerd head coach Jason Freed emphasized that the teams know each other well due to their district schedule. "When it comes to game planning, it really comes down to executing, turnovers and playing a clean game when you get into this game and that is because both teams know each other so well," Freed said. He identified slowing down Sartell’s running game as a primary defensive focus.

Sartell is on a five-game winning streak, which includes its upset of Alexandria. The Sabres will look to contain Brainerd’s offense, which has scored touchdowns on 14 of its last 19 drives. Hentges stated that Brainerd’s quarterback is dynamic and has developed rhythm with multiple receivers. The Sabres cycled through two quarterbacks in their semifinal win, with Daylon Holter throwing for 70 yards and a touchdown.

The game will be broadcast on KLIZ 1380 AM and 105.1 FM, with a web stream available at kliz.com. Brainerd’s only loss this season came to the top-ranked Monticello Magic in Week Six. Sartell’s losses include defeats to Cambridge-Isanti in Week One and Alexandria in Week Three, before the Sabres began their current winning run.