A magical ride continued Friday for the Spring Lake Park football team, which won just four games each of the last two seasons but will play for the Class 5A state title next weekend after a 39-23 semifinal victory over St. Thomas Academy at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Trailing by five points at halftime, the Panthers exploded for 20 points in fewer than eight minutes to begin the third quarter. Spring Lake Park running back Lamari Brown rushed 29 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Nolan Roach carried 14 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns and E.J. Monluo ran twice for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers (12-0) intercepted two passes, recovered an onside kick and executed a successful fake punt. They will face the winner of Saturday’s Elk River vs. Chanhassen semifinal.

St

See Full Page