HERMANTOWN — With time winding down in the first half against North Branch, Hermantown senior Grant Johnson saw something familiar in the way the Vikings were lining up Wednesday at Centricity Stadium.

Training 29-14, North Branch was trying to get into the end zone before the end of the half, but Johnson thought he knew what was coming when Ethan Thorsen dropped back for a pass.

“I dropped back with the halfback,” he said. “I was able to get a hand on it, get the tip and and make a bit of a play.”

The interception halted the drive, and after the Hawks got the second-half kick-off, Hermantown superstar Martin Sleen took the ball 55 yards and put the Hawks up 22. They cruised to a 56-26 win and a first-round bye in the section playoffs that begin next week.

“Grant is always out there ma

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