RCTC advances to state semifinals

Echo staff report

RCTC defensive back Evel Alexis jumps to make an interception during the Oct. 8 game against Ridgewater while teammate Treevon Prater (4) looks on. The Yellowjackets won 35-26 with eight interceptions, including four by Prater, who was named MCAC Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year. Prater has a state-best 12 interceptions this season. (Photo courtesy of Ken Klotzbach of the Rochester Post-Bulletin)

The Rochester Community and Technical College football team advanced to the semifinals of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference playoffs after a come-from-behind 37-31 victory over Itasca Community in the first round of the playoffs on Oct. 22.

Trailing 31-21 in the fourth quarter, the Yellowjackets scored 16 unanswered points behind a safety when defensive tackle Ronald Wilson tackled Itasca quarterback Zach Leedom in the end zone, a 3-yard touchdown run by backup Corelius Bartee-Hudson and 17-yard rushing touchdown by Montrel Moore.

The Yellowjackets will play North Dakota State College of Science on Oct. 29 in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The winner advances to the state championship game on Nov. 6 in St. Cloud, Minnesota.