But this week, to warm up the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium for the professionals, the best high school teams across the state of Minnesota are playing semifinal round 2025 MSHSL State Tournament games in downtown Minneapolis.

And on Thursday, a low-scoring 4A defensive back-and-forth between Orono and Marshall produced one of the most ridiculous touchdown catches I have ever seen in my 36 years of watching football.

Orono scores Prep Bowl touchdown on insane catch

It came in the second quarter, with the contest tied 0-0. That’s when Orono QB Griffin Mauer took a snap from under-center at the Marshall 30 yard line, faked a stretch handoff left to his running back before rolling out to his right and throwing a 40-yard deep shot on the run, as he took a hit from Tigers defensive end Brody Riess.

Striding down the field under the ball near the goal line (in double coverage) was Mauer’s favorite target on the season, Bennett Halverson, who proceeded to make an absurd tip-drill catch that is sure to land at the top of SportsCenter Top 10 at some point in the next few days, if not tonight.

WHAT A CATCH! Bennett Halverson’s touchdown puts Orono up 7-0 in the 4A semifinals!

Live: Orono vs Marshall Football#MSHSL @OronoSpartans @Footballorono @OronoSchools pic.twitter.com/Rhw8fiJqo3

— NSPN – Minnesota (@NSPNminnesota) November 13, 2025

Not only was this an amazing grab, but it proved to be a very important one. This touchdown put Orono up 7-0 and it would up being the Spartans’ only regulation score on the day.

In the third quarter, Marshall scored their only touchdown of the game, making it 7-7, where this state semifinal showdown remained through the final fourth quarter whistle. Had Halverson not made his incredible catch, Orono loses this game.

Orono vs Marshall brings OT fireworks, another great grab

But that’s not how reality played out between the Tigers and Spartans on thursday. Marshall got the first score of OT, a touchdown that they followed up with an extra point, putting the pressure on Orono to match.

And they did, scoring a TD of their own to make the game 13-14. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie and force a second overtime, however, the Spartans went for two and the win, after a penalty moved the football all the way back to the 18-yard line.

Sometimes, destiny talks in different ways. Because on the next play, depth wide receiver Lincoln Stinar made Orono’s second incredible point-scoring reception on the day for Orono.

It came on a sideline endzone fade that was perfectly executed and one that put the Spartans over the Tigers for good, 15-14, to advance to the Prep Championship. Coming into the State Tourney, Stinar had recorded a total of 6 receptions for 111 yards on the season.

ORONO WINS IT AND MOVES ON TO THE PREP BOWL! Lincoln Stinar caught the game-winner!

Nov 13, 2025: Orono vs Marshall Football #MSHSL @OronoSpartans @Footballorono @OronoSchools pic.twitter.com/oP1UQOQMgN

— NSPN – Minnesota (@NSPNminnesota) November 13, 2025