Quieris Barnslater rarely comes off the field for Apple Valley. On Thursday, he again showed why he should not.
He’s an offensive threat running or throwing, had a couple kickoff returns outside the 40, and is one of the team’s top tacklers from his cornerback position. “ATHLETE !!” is how he self-describes on his X page.
The North Dakota State commit ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 65 yards and a score as the Eagles won 43-24 at Burnsville. Tylan Ward had a touchdown reception and an interception.
This is the first time since 2016 the South Suburban Conference foes separated by less than five miles have met.
The advent of district football when teams played more schools in their class put a nearly decade-long kibosh on the rivalry with Apple Valley being a Class 5A school, Burnsville 6A. However, the Blaze dropped down a class this season.
Apple Valley (3-3) took advantage of two first-half interceptions and two fumble recoveries — one for a safety — for a 23-3 lead. The Blaze (1-5) finished with five turnovers and an unsuccessful fourth-quarter fake punt at their own 25. Burnsville has allowed at least 41 points in four of its six games.
After a fumble recovery deep in Burnsville territory, a 12-yard slither by Barnslater moved the ball to the 1 before Malik Quadri scored in the jumbo package with 4 minutes to play before half.
Barnslater, who scored untouched from the 15 early in the fourth quarter to make it 36-10, displayed shiftiness on the first Apple Valley play, a 38-run where the senior started left, burst through a seam, and, had he not stumbled, likely would have had a 68-yard score. Jackson Cozy scored from the 2 just four plays later.
A Christian Romero 25-yard field goal got Burnsville within 7-3, but a 25-yard pass from Barnslater to Tyson Johnson highlighted a seven-play drive that was capped by Barnslater faking a handoff and going untouched to the corner before the opening quarter expired.
Liam Henke led Burnsville with 102 yards rushing and the quarterback threw a perfect strike to Tommy Subah for a 30-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Caleb Kamara, who committed to Northern Iowa Monday, ran for 103 yards and had a late 82-yard touchdown reception.
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