Brainerd Warriors Reach First Section Final Since 2023 After 49-35 Win

Brainerd's offense rolled up 501 yards and never punted to beat Bemidji 49-35 in the Section 8-5A semifinals on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The top-seeded Warriors scored touchdowns on seven straight drives. The only drive Brainerd did not finish in the end zone ended when the clock hit zero. Quarterback Malik Lauer completed 14 of 17 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns, and he added 73 rushing yards and two scores on eight carries. The Warriors improved to 8-1. Bemidji closed its season at 1-9.

Bemidji matched Brainerd's pace for much of the game. The Lumberjacks put up 477 yards and scored touchdowns on their first three possessions. Bemidji quarterback Josh Arel threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-21 passing before leaving in the fourth quarter with an injury. Owen Vandermeer caught three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown, and he ran five times for 63 yards and another score. He left the game in the second half with an injury.

The game turned in the final 90 seconds of the first half. Brady Vanek scored on a 6-yard run to make it 28-21 Brainerd with 1:45 left in the second quarter. Kicker Preston Bernander then attempted an onside kick, and Jace Anderson recovered it at Bemidji's 35-yard line. On the next play, Lauer threw a screen to Vanek, who ran 35 yards for a touchdown. The Warriors scored two touchdowns in 14 seconds to lead 35-21. Brainerd's defense forced the game's only punt on Bemidji's first possession of the second half, and Lauer hit Luke Merseth for a 48-yard touchdown on the next Brainerd play from scrimmage.

Vanek finished with seven catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns, plus 14 rushing yards and a score. Merseth caught four passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Syrdal rushed for 102 yards on 17 carries. For Bemidji, backup quarterback Jude Hagen led an 80-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard pass to Lawson Berg to make it 49-35 with five minutes left. Jack Zellman caught seven passes for 66 yards and scored on a 5-yard run.

Brainerd's defense gave up 477 yards and Bemidji scored on five possessions. "We just have to fix some stuff on defense," Warriors head coach Jason Freed said. "We need kids to play confident in themselves. We need to build that confidence back up. We can't expect the offense to light it up all the time."

Bemidji's only win of the season came in the Section 8-5A opening round on Tuesday, Oct. 26. Brainerd beat the Lumberjacks 28-27 in the regular season on Oct. 2. The Warriors advance to the Section 8-5A final for the first time since 2023 and host No. 3 seed Sartell at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Sartell beat No. 2 seed Alexandria 8-6.