On Thursday in Esko, Moose Lake/Willow River football looked to defend their title in the Section 7AA championship game, as they battled Mesabi East. Mesabi East, ranked fourth in the section, came in after their upset win over top-seeded Barnum in the semi-finals.

In the second quarter, the Rebels lead 8-6. Levi Mikrot raced down the field, and with a conversion the Rebels extend their lead 16-6. Mesabi East would respond to bring the score to 16-14 before the end of the first half.

Moose Lake/ Willow River takes the section 7AA championship title for the 7th year in a row, winning 24-14.

“Yeah, this is a lot better than trick or treating with all my friends back home, that’s for sure. To come out here and face a little bit of adversity first quarter, first half, and come back, bring it back together and be able to regain ourselves and put a couple more scores on the board feels pretty good,” said Levi Mikrot, senior running back/linebacker.

“That’s what our program is built for. It’s what we train for, what we talk about year after year. It’s our 20th appearance in section championship in the last 26 seasons,” Moose Lake/Willow River head coach Dave Louzek.

The Class AA football tournament will begin on November 7th, seeding has yet to be determined.

Click here to view the full State Class AA tournament bracket.