Moose Lake/Willow River Reclaims Little Brown Jug in 7AA Championship

Rebels shut out Barnum 13-0

ESKO, Minn.- After losing to Barnum in their season opener, Moose Lake/Willow River got the last laugh in the Little Brown Jug rivalry Thursday night with a 13-0 win in the 7AA Championship.

The Rebels scored on their opening drive as Micah Thompson broke a run on a 4th and 3. Thompson would score again on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter.

“It’s always fast and physical, that’s Rebel football,” said Moose Lake/Willow River Head Coach Dave Louzek, who’s in his 25th season leading the Rebels. “For our defense to step up and shut them out, that was huge for us. This game in particular was the kids who had to step up for our injured seniors, you know? We talk about that as far as if you’re going to be a champion, it doesn’t matter who’s playing, ninth grade, 10th grade, 11th grade or 12th grader, you’ve got to step up and play at that level and our kids that stepped in today, they played at championship level.”

Moose Lake/Willow River will play the winner of Friday’s 5AA championship game between Eden Valley-Watkins and Holdingford. Regardless of Friday’s outcome, the Rebels’ AA quarterfinal matchup will take place on Thursday, November 9 at Forest Lake High School.