The Minnesota HS Girls season is over as Armstrong defeated Orono in the championship game Sunday in Irondale HS, Minn.

 

Armstrong made the final by defeating Hopkins 78-0 in the semis on Saturday, while Orono had a much more difficult time, getting by #3 seed Burnsville 5-0.

 

With those results in mind you’d be forgiven for expecting Armstrong to run away with it. But they didn’t. Orono hung tough, taking an early 10-7 lead before Armstrong scored four straight tries to take a 33-10 lead into halftime.

 

Orono was the first to score in the second half, giving themselves hope, perhaps, of a comeback. But Armstrong finished much the better and ran away with it 61-22, to claim their 5th straight state title.

 

Hopkins rebounded from a difficult Saturday to beat Burnsville 40-10 for third.

 

In the Plate Final, Hasting ran out to a 30-0 lead over Wayzata and cruised to the victory 52-0.

 

Minnesota Girls Order of Finish:

1. Armstrong

2. Orono

3. Hopkins

4. Burnsville

5. Hastings

6. Wayzata

Armstrong were paced by young fullback Renee Gonzalez, who torched Orono for at least three tries, perhaps four (people started to lose count), and by the center pairing of Amy Schroeder and Kristen Tanner.

More on Armstrong's amazing run tomorrow ...