WASECA -- Austin could not deny that Waseca was probably the better football team, but the Packers were reluctant to accept it after their lackluster performance in a season-ending loss Saturday night.

Tenth-ranked Waseca and running back Ryan Hoehn wasted little time in a 42-7 Bluejays victory in the Section 1AAAA semifinals. Hoehn had 242 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the first half as Waseca sprinted through a surprisingly porous Packer defense.

Waseca marched the opening drive 87 yards in 3:20, setting the stage for an offensive show.

The Jays (8-1) racked up 375 rushing yards in the first half and 451 for the game, breaking arm tackles left and right en route to a decisive triumph.

"It kind of snowballed," said AHS senior lineman Ethan Simonson. "They were an all-around fast team."

"Waseca played a good ballgame tonight, and it definitely was not our best," said AHS coach Steve Knox.

Austin (2-8) ended its season at Waseca for the second consecutive year in the playoffs.

"We didn’t wrap on our tackles," said AHS senior Riley Brolsma, who started on both sides of the ball because of considerable losses to injuries. "They did exactly what we were ready for."

Waseca attempted only three passes in the game, gouging Austin’s defense for an average of 16 yards per play in the first half. Hoehn had touchdown runs of 37, 57 and 87 yards, all coming in the second quarter, and he finished with 241 of Waseca’s 451 yards rushing.

"It wasn’t a great night for the defense," said Austin senior linebacker Jesse Krueger. "It was probably one of the worst."

The Packers allowed a season-high 451 yards rushing and 460 total. Hoehn hit the 200-yard mark in the first half for the third time this season.

"Tackling was probably the name of the game for us, basic fundamentals," Knox said. "We made the hits but we just didn’t finish them off. (Hoehn) did a nice job of finishing us off. His speed was definitely to his advantage.

"Tonight he found the holes and did an excellent job of finding the end zone."

Austin managed just 153 yards of total offense, scoring its lone touchdown with 2:49 to play in the game. Andy Swank launched himself into the end zone from four yards out, and Evan Sorenson’s extra-point kick left the score at its final, 42-7.

"The pleasing thing is that the guys continue to work," Coach Knox said. "They should be proud of themselves. We had everything to gain and nothing to lose. We firmly believed we could win this game."

So did Waseca. Jeremy Peterson capped his team’s openind drive with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Ryan Prange made it 14-0 five minutes later on a 54-yard scamper.

Prange had a 62-yard interception return for touchdown waived off on a penalty during his return, but Hoehn had his first of three touchdowns on the ensuing drive.

Mark Cavanaugh led Austin with 28 yards rushing and 52 yards passing, playing quarterback most of the second half. His two completions, both to Nate Johnson, went for 36 and 16 yards during the Packers’ only scoring drive.