Pequot Lakes students and fans made their way to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 18, to cheer on the Patriots football team as they participated in the State Class 3A semifinals in a 45-7 defeat against St. Croix Lutheran Academy.
As state semifinalists, the Patriots ended the season with the best finish in team history. It was also the second time the Patriots qualified for the state tournament, falling in the opening round of the 2009 tournament.
Fans in attendance at the Minnesota Vikings' stadium maintained intensity - cheering loudly for the Patriots' lone touchdown in the fourth quarter - and the high school band provided entertainment during pregame warmups and stoppages in play.
The Patriot football team's bus was once again escorted out of town Friday, Nov. 17, by fire truck and police vehicles with sirens sounding.
1/5: Pequot Lakes’s Sam Scheuss (left) and Zach Senst react after losing in the Class 3A state semifinals against St. Croix Lutheran Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
2/5: Fans, including Joni Tulenchik, Rani Kitzman and Ruthanne Traut, show up to support the Pequot Lakes Patriots football team Saturday, Nov. 18, during their game against St. Croix Lutheran at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
3/5: Michael Sommerness directs the Pequot Lakes High School pep band during the Class 3A state semifinals Saturday, Nov. 18, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
4/5: Junell and Kevin Wendt get into the Patriot spirit while representing Pequot Lakes at the U.S. Bank Stadium Saturday, Nov. 18. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
5/5: The Pequot Lakes football team holds the Class 3A state semifinalist trophy Saturday, Nov. 18, after losing to St. Croix Lutheran. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch