Star Tribune All-Metro Teams

Star Tribune First Team All-Metro…

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Eric Kline

Blaine • Sr. • QB

Tall (6-4), strong and fast, Kline became the state’s premiere dual-threat quarterback. Amassed 3,088 total yards and 34 touchdowns, led the Bengals in rushing and got them into the Class 5A tournament with a 10-0 record.

Reggie Gandy

DeLaSalle • Sr. • RB

Posted incredible numbers of 2,606 rushing yards (10.1 yards per carry) and 33 touchdowns. Rushed for more than 300 yards in five different games. Carried the Islanders into the Class 3A tournament.

Andrew Larson

Eden Prairie • Jr. • RB

Matched good size (5-10, 185) with balance and speed to produce more than 1,600 rushing yards and 20 TDs for an Eagles team ranked No. 1 much of the season. Excels at gaining yards after contact.

Sam Sura

South St. Paul • Jr. • RB

Tough fullback earned many of his 1,945 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns the hard way. But he rarely fumbled and went down easily even less. Offensive MVP of the Classic Suburban Conference and leader of the resurgent Packers.

Steven Kiesel

Breck • Sr. • WR

Measures 5-9 and 170 pounds, but those are not the important numbers. Tormented defenses with 94 catches for 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns and impressed opposing coaches with his toughness.

Dylan Ulferts

Shakopee • Sr. • WR

Dynamic playmaker who made things happen all season despite double teams. Caught 50 balls for 820 yards (16.4 average) and 11 touchdowns. Added another 509 yards rushing (10.2 average) and six scores.

Joe Bjorklund

Rosemount • Sr. • OL

South Suburban Conference lineman of the year. Measures 6-5, 285. Explosive athlete drawing interest from Michigan State and Wisconsin. Powered the formidable Irish rushing attack.

Alex Jarosz

Totino-Grace • Sr. • OL

Used his 6-4, 265-pound frame to clear holes for the Eagles’ running game. Constantly drives defenders downfield and often dumps them in the secondary.

Nick Jacobs

Delano • Sr. • OL

Considered by some coaches to be the state’s best offensive lineman. Tremendous feet for his size (6-5, 275) and has the quickness and speed to pull and lead running backs to the hole. Iowa, Iowa State and Wisconsin showing interest.

Tommy Olson

Mahtomedi • Sr. • OL

Widely viewed as the state’s best lineman. Committed to the Gophers. Played at guard and tackle. Relentless drive blocker with the size (6-4, 290) and strength to overpower defenders. Plays with a mean streak.

T.J. Woodrow

Eden Prairie • Sr. • OL

Key cog of the line that sprang Andrew Larson to a solid season. Moved around depending on the play and usually an indicator of where the play was going. At 6-3, 270, has the ability to pull.

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Brandt Berghuis

Rosemount • Sr. • DL

Team’s third-leading tackler with 17 tackles for loss through the section tournament. Key part of pesky Irish defense that allows under 12 points per game.

Nick Goldsmith

Mounds View • Sr. • DL

Named the defensive lineman of the year in the Suburban East Conference. Had 35 solo tackles. Coach says there is “no more important player” to the team’s defense.

Jonathan Harden

Cretin-Derham Hall • Jr. • DL

Already a two-year starter as a 6-foot, 300-pound unblockable force for one of the state’s best teams. Made four tackles for loss in one game.

Joe Zrust

Totino-Grace •

Sr. • DL

Three-year starter at nose guard in the Eagles’ 3-4 defense. Gets good inside pressure that has garnered interest from Ivy League schools. Simply put, one coach said, “He’s a dude.”

Alex Meixell

Rogers • Sr. • LB

A force who helped lead state’s most impressive defense this season (Rogers had five shutouts). Named co-MVP of the Mississippi 8 Conference with 113 tackles, three fumbles recovered and a sack.

Will Ratelle

St. Thomas Academy • Sr. • LB

Mr. Football nominee with 91 tackles (10 for loss), three forced fumbles and an interception returned for a score. Some view the 5-11, 225 stalwart as the best football player overall in Class 4A.

Peter Westerhaus

Holy Family • Sr. • LB

Gophers verbal recruit drew interest from teams coast to coast to the small school in Victoria. Plays both ways but is at his best as a linebacker, where the 6-4, 225-pounder made 87 total tackles during regular season.

David Boegel

Wayzata • Sr. • DB

Coach Brad Anderson said coordinator Matt Lombardi built the stout Trojans defense around him. Five of the first eight games of the season ended in double-digit tackle totals.

James Farrow

Minnetonka • Sr. • DB

The fluid Virginia Tech recruit likes to hit, making 30 solo tackles while grabbing three interceptions. Returned one 90 yards for a TD. A dangerous return man (13.3 yards per punt return, 23 yards per kick return); one punt returned for a TD.

Grayson Levine

Eden Prairie • Sr. • DB

Plays both ways. A physical defender who also has the speed to keep up with the competition. An agile player who supports the run well.

Frank Veldman

Eastview • Sr. • DB

The 6-4, 200-pound free safety was named defensive player of the year in the new South Suburban Conference. Earned Metro Player of the Year votes.

Marcus Jones

Edina • Sr. • K

Perfect in all 14 extra point attempts. Made six of nine field goals, including a 41-yarder; three came against Minnetonka, winning the game.

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Star Tribune Second & Third Team All-Metro…

SECOND TEAM

Offense

Quarterback

• Bill Gregg, Hopkins, sr.: More than 2,700 yards and 31 TDs passing.

Running backs

• Ezekiel Okeleye, East Ridge, sr.: Rushed for 1,508 yards and 16 TDs

• Trevor Lueders, Glencoe-Silver Lake, sr.: Converted DE rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

Receivers

• Jimmy Duffy, Mounds View, sr.: State’s best TE prospect, blocks well, runs better.

• Andrew McDonald, Hopkins, jr.: Speedster is a big play waiting to happen.

• Joey Sonnenfeld, Osseo, sr.: Dual threat as a WR and on defense as a safety.

Offensive linemen

• Josh Colville, Minnetonka, sr.: Extremely agile and quick for his size (6-3, 270)

• Josh Corbin, Northfield, sr.: Physical, explosive and versatile enough to play guard and tackle.

• Ryan Kelley, Centennial, sr.: 318-pound tackle averaged four pancake blocks per game.

• Trenton Nady, Holy Family, sr.: Tall and athletic with excellent lateral movement.

• John Petrie, Wayzata, sr.: Strong and relentless, leader of overwhelming line.

Athlete

• Andrew Lewis, St. Paul Central, sr.: Do-everything type who always makes a play.

DEFENSE

Linemen

• Logan LaCourse, Shakopee, sr.: Plugged up the middle of the field and made plays.

• Donny Longendyke, White Bear Lake, sr.: Headed to Nebraska on a wrestling scholarship.

• Jesse Reemtsma, Spring Lake Park, sr.: Speed led to 62 tackles and six sacks.

• Devin Waters, Rogers, sr.: Used long arms to lead team in pass breakups.

Linebackers

• Nick McBeain, Shakopee, jr.: Returned all four interceptions for scores.

• Willie Roller, Cretin-Derham Hall, sr.: Tough-hitting player with good size.

• Andrew Rose, Stillwater, sr.: 82 tackles, 16 for a loss.

• Chris Thomas, Blaine, sr.: Scored four defensive touchdowns.

Defensive backs

• Sean Hamlin, Wayzata, sr.: Quietly held best receivers to their worst days.

• Jake Schauer, Totino-Grace, sr.: Closes on ball fast and tackles well.

• Charles Webb, Minnetonka, jr.: Made big plays (four touchdowns) and bigger hits.

Kicker

• Tom Obarski, Apple Valley, sr.: Handled Eagles’ kicking and punting with equal aplomb.

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THIRD TEAM

Offense

• Quarterbacks: Jameson Parsons, Eagan; Tyler Finnes, Andover.

• Running backs: Brenton Braddock, Mahtomedi; Andrew Hausmann, Rosemount; Taz Seibert, Norwood-Young America; C.J. Smith, Burnsville;

• Receivers: James Fort, Annandale; Derek Vidor, Rogers; Rodney Pierce-Tyler, Mpls. Southwest.

• Offensive linemen: Teddy DeFrane, Sibley East; Zach Johnson, Eastview; Ryan Link, Rosemount; Luke Marks, St. Thomas Academy; Nick Olson, Richfield; Sam Smith, South St. Paul.

• Athlete: Ayrton Scott, Mpls. Southwest.

Defense

• Linemen: Sam Berg, New Life Academy; Patrick Faber, Fridley; Tyler Hartmann, Andover; Greg Lofquist, South St. Paul; Cameron Vanderwall, St. Paul Central.

• Linebackers: Tom Lawless, Mpls. Southwest; Weslee Kavanagh, Orono; Ethan Miller, Lakeville South; Josh Vaughn, Bloomington Kennedy.

• Defensive backs: David Morgan, Rosemount; Nick Rallis, Edina, jr; Peter Vakulskas, Holy Family; Bobby Wills, Henry Sibley.

• Kicker: Eric Mielke, Cambridge-Isanti.

Blaine is headed back to State (Video)

From SportsPrepZone.com…

by Tom Yelle

It has been a season framed by consistency and one that now has afforded the Blaine High School program an 11th opportunity to play in the big-school state football tournament.

With its 40-14 Friday night win over Andover in the Section 7AAAAA championship game, Blaine enters first round state tournament play on a 10-for-10 season run in 2010. It will put that mark on the line when it faces top-ranked Wayzata next Friday night on the Osseo field.

Before it heads into that 11th game, it should be noted that Blaine has been defining consistency in butt-kicking style for nearly two months. Only once in its first 10 games this season has a team come within seven points and that was only after Blaine constructed a commanding 28-7 first-half lead over Champlin Park during Week 3 of the season.

Other than Champlin Park, no other opponent has come close. Furthermore, the 26-point margin of victory over Andover in the 7AAAAA finale on the Blaine High School field, epitomized what this Bengals team has been all about.

Head coach Shannon Gerrety explained the simple concept of continuity and consistency. At the start of this season he threw out a challenge to his players, asking them to give up individualistic play for that of team play. To be successful, Gerrety told his kids:

“You have to pull together as one all the time.”

And, he added:

“They [the kids] grabbed the concept early on and have carried it through. They [have done] it as a group — no pressure on any individuals — just team play in a team game.”

Along the way, however, there has been some pretty good play turned in by some of Blaine ‘s top players. Two of Blaine ‘s best, in fact, were on display against Andover in the section finale.

On the offensive side of the ball was quarterback Eric Kline, who came through with another one of his sterling all-around passing and running performances. Kline, who rushed for 183 yards and passed for 135 more, scored four consecutive touchdowns during the second and third quarters.

He ripped off 29- and 11-yard slide-and-glide runs to the end zone in the second quarter, a slip-through 1-yard run (immediately after an Andover goal line fumble) early in the second half, then a magnificent 43-yard dash that encompassed most of his athletic abilities. A play which might have been his best effort of the season, Kline started left, cut back right, then cut back on diagonal across the width of the field before turning up along the left side line to reach the end zone with a dive.

On the defensive side, meantime, was Chris Thomas, who throughout the season has had a knack for making big plays. The middle linebacker’s late interception of a pass over the middle denied Champlin Park a complete comeback during that Week 3 game Blaine won by just seven points was his first.

After that play, Thomas returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown against Coon Rapids Oct. 1, picked up a fumble and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown against Andover Oct. 15, then picked up another fumble and returned it 61 yards in the 7AAAAA semifinal game against Forest Lake Oct. 30.

In this second meeting with Andover Friday night for the 7AAAAA championship, Thomas did it again. Similar to his saving pickoff in the game against Champlin Park, he did so against Andover , intercepting a Tyler Finnes middle-thrown pass a step above the five before cutting up the right sideline on a 94-yard solo sprint.

From the moment he picked off the pass to the end zone at the other end of Blaine ‘s field where he scored, Thomas was full throttle, never missing a stride.

Finnes, like Kline, was also an offensive force throughout the season for his Andover team. In this game, however, he was limited by the swarming Blaine defensive unit to just 35 yards rushing and not quite 150 yards passing.

Finnes did score both Andover touchdowns — a first-quarter keeper of four yards, then a fourth-quarter scramble/run to the end zone of six.

Blaine running back Ben Pigorsch also had a touchdown — the game’s first score from seven yards — by scampering around the left side with an option pitch from Kline to the end zone.

At that moment late in the first quarter, Blaine was off and running toward its 11th trip to the state tournament.

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Highlight videos of the Andover vs Blaine playoff game courtesy of Coon Rapids Sports on YouTube…

Section 7AAAAA Scoreboard (Championship)

Final score from the Section 7AAAAA championship (home team in bold)…

– (1) Blaine over (2) Andover, 40-14

The Big One – Section Championship – Andover @ Blaine (Video)

This season we’ll have a weekly segment called “The Big One” where we feature a game with post-game articles and/or analysis including video from our friends at Coon Rapids Sports on YouTube.  Our next “Big One” of the 2010 season will be Andover @ Blaine on Friday, November 5th (7:00pm).

With the exception of their week 3 game against Champlin Park the Blaine Bengals (9-0) have not been seriously challenged this season.  Led by quarterback Eric Kline (Sr) the Bengals score early and often beating their opponents by an average score of 38-12.  Their regular season meeting with Andover (7-2) was supposed to be competitive and it was, for a quarter.  Down 7-6 early in the 2nd quarter linebacker Chris Thomas (Sr) grabbed the ball he’d stripped from Andover quarterback Tyler Finnes (Sr) and raced 43 yards for a touchdown.  That play ignited the Bengals for 25 unanswered 2nd quarter points en route to a 45-14 blowout.

Andover seems to have figured out an identity since that game.  They have put the ball in the hands of Finnes and asked him to do it all – running and passing.  As Finnes goes so goes the Andover offense and it has worked.  The Huskies have run off three straight victories and avenged a regular season loss to Coon Rapids with a thrilling 17-16 victory last week in the semifinal round of the playoffs.  Now they get another shot at Blaine.

Here are highlight videos of the Andover vs Blaine regular season game courtesy of Coon Rapids Sports on YouTube…

Does Andover have what it takes to knock the mighty Blaine Bengals on the road and get to State for the second time in four seasons?  Will Blaine continue their dominance and advance to State for the second time in three seasons?  We’ll find out on Friday!

Huskies Hang On, Advance to Section Championship (Video)

The Andover Huskies (8-2) jumped out to a 17-0 first half lead and appeared on their way to an easy victory before a thrilling comeback by the Coon Rapids Cardinals (6-4).  Trailing 17-0 and unable to run the ball effectively Coon Rapids turned to the arm of quarterback Alex Aase (Jr) and he did not disappoint.  Behind a handful of Aase completions the Coon Rapids offense came to life marching down the field and into field goal range.  As the first half expired kicker Josh Hrab (Jr) split the uprights from 35 yards out making the score 17-3.  More importantly though it set the tone for what would become an exciting second half.

Building off the momentum of that final first half drive Coon Rapids forced an Andover punt and took over possession at midfield.  Facing a 3rd and long Aase rolled to his right and slinged a pass to Bill Holder (Sr) for 15 yards and a first down keeping the drive alive.  Running back Antonio Ford (Jr), who had been kept under wraps to this point, then sliced his way 12 yards to the Andover 26 yard line.  From there Aase would deliver his best throw of the game to wide receiver Tom Hansen (Sr) who had gotten behind the secondary.  Aase and Hansen had failed to connect long on a few previous occasions but this time Hansen laid out in the back of the endzone and came up with the catch for a touchdown pulling Coon Rapids to within a touchdown at 17-10.

Things would go from bad to worse on Andover’s next possession when quarterback Tyler Finnes (Sr), under pressure, rushed a pitch to the running back.  The ball skipped past free and Coon Rapids linebacker Jake Sederstrom (Sr) dove and recovered it for the Cardinals at the Andover 36 yard line.  The excitement was short-lived however as Coon Rapids gave the ball right back to Andover.  On their first play following the fumble recovery a botched handoff attempt from Aase to Ford resulted in a fumble and Andover recovered it.  The turnover put a halt to the momentum Coon Rapids had built up but it was only temporary.

With the ball on their own 43 yard line Tyler Finnes threw a laser to wide receiver Jake Wagner (Sr) who caught the ball in stride and turned up field.  Wagner raced down the sideline for 48 yards before being brought down at the Coon Rapids 9 yard line.  From there the Cardinal defense would stiffen forcing a field goal attempt from kicker Tyler McLaughlin (Jr).  McLaughlin, who had already kicked a 23 yard field goal on Andover’s first possession of the game, hooked this one to the left and missed from 27 yards out.

As the game moved into the 4th quarter neither offense was able to move the ball for the next few possessions as the defenses took control.  Facing a 4th and long from the Andover 45 yard line Coon Rapids lined up to punt in an effort to control field position.  As quarterback Alex Aase took the snap from center defensive lineman Tyler Hartmann (Jr) saw an open lane and went for it and was able to reach Aase and block the punt giving Andover the ball at the Coon Rapids 41 yard line.  But the Cardinals defense, as they had done the entire 2nd half, wouldn’t budge at all and forced them to punt.

Down 17-10 the Coon Rapids offense came to life again.  Aase hit Holder over the middle for 15 yards, then Ford saw a lane and sprinted through it for 21 yards and again for another 13 yards, finally Aase threw a quick slant to Sean Bush (Jr) who cut his way for 20 yards to the Andover 4 yard line.  Ford finished the drive leaping into the endzone from a yard out pulling Coon Rapids to within a point at 17-16.  The extra point would tie it and likely send the game into overtime considering how the defenses were playing but it was not meant to be.  Facing the wind Josh Hrab pushed the kick wide of the right upright and missed the extra point.

Coon Rapids got the ball back and were within striking distance after driving inside the Andover 30 yard line, but with less than 30 seconds to go Aase’s desperation pass was intercepted at the 1 yard line by defensive back Tyler Bridgeman (Jr) to seal the game.  For Coon Rapids quarterback Alex Aase finished the game 19-for-37 for 189 yards and a touchdown.  Running back Antonio Ford rushed 21 times for 124 yards and a touchdown.  For Andover quarterback Tyler Finnes finished the game 13-for-23 for 145 yards and a rushing touchdown.  Running back Camden Briggity (So) rushed 26 times for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Andover advances to the Section 7AAAAA Championship where they will face the top seeded, and unbeaten, Blaine Bengals next Friday at 7:00pm.

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Highlight videos of the Coon Rapids vs Andover playoff game courtesy of Coon Rapids Sports on YouTube…

Section 7AAAAA Scoreboard (Semifinals)

Final scores from the Section 7AAAAA semifinals (home team in bold)…

– (2) Andover over (3) Coon Rapids, 17-16
– (1) Blaine over (5) Forest Lake, 48-23

The Big one – Week 9 (Part Two) – Coon Rapids @ Andover (Video)

This season we’ll have a weekly segment called “The Big One” where we feature a game with post-game articles and/or analysis including video from our friends at Coon Rapids Sports on YouTube.  Our next “Big One” of the 2010 season will be Coon Rapids @ Andover on Saturday, October 30th (1:00pm).

These two teams met just a few weeks ago in a game that was tied 7-7 in the 4th quarter before Coon Rapids scored two touchdowns to win it 21-7.  Andover (7-2) was a different team back then.  They were unbeaten at 5-0 but had just lost their starting running back the week before and really seemed to struggle finding an identity offensively that entire game.  Those struggles continued the following week at Blaine and they got whipped.  In their final regular season game of the season, against conference unbeaten Osseo, they appeared to find that identity.  Quarterback Tyler Finnes (Sr) would now shoulder the load of the running game in addition to the passing game.  Finnes rushed for 246 yards in a close 29-26 victory and added another 155 yards last week in a come from behind first round of the playoff victory last week against Anoka.

Coon Rapids (6-3) has been solid all season.  They don’t have the firepower to compete in high scoring contests but they’ve shown that they can win the ugly close ones.  Thanks to a much improved defense that is surrendering around 17 points a game and a heavy rushing attack, led by Antonio Ford (Jr), they have found themselves in every game with a chance to win in the 4th quarter – with the exception of the Blaine game.  That was the case back in week 6 of the regular season when unbeaten Andover visited Cardinals Stadium.  They kept the game close and found a way to win it in the 4th quarter.

Highlight videos of  the regular season Andover vs Coon Rapids game courtesy of Coon Rapids Sports on YouTube…

It’s difficult to beat a team twice in one season and with home field advantage in this game Andover might be considered the favorite.  But Coon Rapids is playing with confidence.  A strong defense will do that for you and I suspect this game will be very similar to their previous meeting.  Has Andover found an offensive identity good enough to carry them to the Section 7AAAAA championship game?  Can Coon Rapids control the tempo of this game and pull off another late victory bringing them one win away from a trip to the State Tournament?  We’ll find out tomorrow.

Other A-B-C Playoff games this week:

* Forest Lake @ (2) Blaine

Section battle of the A’s goes to Andover

From SportsPrepZone.com…

by Jason Olson

Defensive stands, long offensive drives and field goals led No. 2 seed Andover to defeat No. 7 seed Anoka 16-13 Oct. 26 in the Section 7AAAAA opener.

Huskies senior quarterback Tyler Finnes scored the eventual game-winning touchdown with 1:18 remaining as he followed the offensive line for the final five yards on third down as how the Huskies offense worked for much of the game.

Finnes scored on the game’s opening drive, guiding Andover on a nine-play, 78-yard drive that spanned nearly four minutes and ended with Finnes scoring from six yards out for part of his 155-yard game on 29 carries.

Anoka (2-7) responded with the first of a couple long drives that ended with quarterback Ben Britton scoring the touchdown on a run from one yard out. The drive covered 80 yards, 14 plays over 6:16 in the second quarter to make it 7-7 deep into the second quarter.

The Tornadoes looked to take a huge shot at not only the psyche of Andover but its first lead after the Huskies (8-2) turned the ball over on its own five yard line after a bad snap on a punt.

Anoka tried to pound the ball in using its powerful line play so far, but fullback Josh Werness was stopped on second and third downs setting up kicker Josh Strueve’s first field goal attempt of the game. He converted the kick, despite the wicked cross wind, giving Anoka a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.

Werness was the key force for the Anoka offense, carrying the ball 20 times for 103 yards, without being rewarded for a touchdown.

Coming out of the break, Anoka once again started with the ball and didn’t want to give it up, literally as they drove 80 yards spanning more than 15 plays in 9:06.

Buerkle said the goal of what was said at halftime was to make sure they kept the Andover offense off the field as long as possible. They did exactly that, with one exception – coming away with a touchdown. Anoka had to settle for a second field goal by Strueve to take a 13-7 lead instead of 17-7 for the lone points for the third quarter.

Andover began its comeback with a strong defensive stand, which forced Anoka to punt as the snap on the punt sailed well over the punter’s head, through the end zone and out of the back of the end zone for a safety to make it 13-9 with 3:27 left in the game.

As a result of the safety, Anoka punted from its own 20 yard line. The kick, traveling into the wind, hit Anoka ‘s 40 yard line and simply stalled as it fell to the grass, giving the Huskies a very short field to work with.

Andover took advantage of the good bounce, setting up Finnes’ go-ahead score to earn another home game.

Coon Rapids , the No. 3 seed, comes to Andover Oct. 30 for the second round of sectional play. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Section 7AAAAA Scoreboard (Quarterfinals)

Final scores from the Section 7AAAAA quarterfinals (home team in bold)…

– (2) Andover over (7) Anoka, 16-13
– (3) Coon Rapids over (6) Centennial, 15-12
– (5) Forest Lake over (4) St. Francis, 14-12

Tyler Finnes (Andover) – Athlete of the Week

From StarTribune.com…

TYLER FINNES
Andover, football

After Andover’s undefeated season went poof with back-to-back losses, the senior quarterback knew it was time for the Huskies to stop hurting themselves. And, as he had all season, he was willing to take the lead.

He rushed 30 times for 246 yards and three touchdowns and completed 11 of 21 passes for 178 yards and another score to lift Andover to a 29-26 victory over Osseo.

“In the two losses, the problem was mostly mental mistakes,” Finnes said. “We weren’t right in the head.”

As leaders often do, Finnes refused to say that he was determined to put the team on his back, but admitted that the numbers don’t lie.

“It’s part of being a senior leader,” Finnes said. “I didn’t feel like I had to carry the team, but that’s how it turned out. That wasn’t my mindset, though.”

Finnes said that the victory over Osseo, a team that was previously undefeated in the Northwest Suburban, was just what the Huskies (6-2) needed going into the postseason.

“It was definitely satisfying,” he said. “I knew our team still felt confident, but you don’t want to go into the section [playoffs] with a three-game losing streak.”