Verndale jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a one yard run, however, Hofer carried the ball in from 17 yards out to tie the game 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Callenius got into the end zone for the first time on a 2 yard run to start the second quarter and then hauled in a two-point pass from Clint Determan to increase the Warriors lead to 14-6.  An 11 yard run by quarterback Marshall Tolifson and a Determan kick made the score 21-6.  Callenius then scored on a 2 yard run for a 27-6 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Tolifson connected with Grant Dawson on an 18 yard TD pass for a 33-6 lead.

Callenius capped the scoring for Wheaton/Herman-Norcross when he took the ball in from 4 yards out in the fourth quarter.  Determan added the PAT kick, giving the Warriors a 40-6 lead.  Verndale tacked on a one yard touchdown run and successful two-point try to make the final score, 40-14.

Tolifson completed 11-of-13 passes for 119 yards.  In additions to Hofer’s rushing yardage, the Warriors had Brody Nachbor run for 63 yards on 9 attempts and Tolifson finished with 34 yards on 6 carries.  Determan led the receiving corps with 5 catches for 82 yards.  Defensively, Dawson had 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles and Callenius had 3 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles.  Dylan Bainbridge picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.

Wheaton/Herman-Norcross advances to play Red Rock Central in the State 9-Man quarterfinals on Thursday at 7:00pm in Buffalo.

No Verndale stats were reported.