The Mountain Iron-Buhl (MIB) football team saw their state tournament journey come to a close Thursday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Rangers fell 26-20 in their Class 9-Man semifinal against Hills-Beaver Creek.

The first score of the game came off a safety earned by Hills-Beaver Creek to lead 2-0 early in the first quarter. MIB would respond with the first touchdown at the Bank, a pass from Micaden Clines to T.J. Duchamp, then convert for two to lead 8-2. However, Hills-Beaver Creek found the endzone twice in the second quarter, adding two two-point conversions, to lead 18-8 at halftime.

The Rangers came back in the third, with Clines punching in a one-yard touchdown with 1:18 left in the quarter. However, their two-point conversion was stopped making the score 18-14. Hills-Beaver Creek extended their lead to 26-14 with an early fourth quarter touchdown. With 2:24 left in the game, thanks to a turnover in the redzone, MIB got another shot at the endzone and Derik Dahl would get in for the touchdown. But Hills-Beaver Creek recovered the onside kick attempt, sealing their 26-20 victory.

The Rangers finish their season 12-1 in their first state semifinal since 2022 when they won it all.

For the box score, click here. For the full Class 9-Man state bracket, click here.