The Southland football team is hitting its stride at the right time.

The No. 7 seeded Rebels shocked No. 2 Rushford-Peterson (6-3 overall) as they forced seven turnovers and won 47-20 in the Section 1A tournament Tuesday.

The Rebels (3-6 overall) made big plays throughout the night as Lukas Anderson ran a kick-off back for a TD, Dominiq Bouska ran an interception off a Josh Anderson tip back 42 yards for a score and Boyd Mortenson ran a fumble back 14 yards for a TD.

“We’ve been working in practice on scooping and scoring and blocking on defense when we get the ball,” Southland head coach Shawn Kennedy said. “It was like habit for the defense tonight and everyone was out and blocking.”

Southland lost to RP 28-20 Aug. 23, but things were much different this time around.

Lukas Anderson ran for 106 yards and a TD for Southland and Nick Finbraaten had a touchdown catch and a touchdown run.

“The kids really stepped up and I don’t think anybody expected us to do this,” Kennedy said.

Southland will now play at No. 3 seeded Faribault Bethlehem Academy Saturday at 7 p.m.

SOUTHLAND STATS

Rushing: Lukas Anderson, 16-for-106, TD; Marvin Heimer, 11-for-64; Nick Finbraaten, 10-for-49, TD; Trent Reinartz, 3-for-19; Luke Stephens, 1-for-8; Lucas Mann, 1-for-3; passing: Reinartz, 6-for-13, 106, TD; receiving: Finbraaten, 1-for-47, TD; Lukas Anderson, 4-for-49; Alex Ruechel, 1-for-10; interceptions: Lucas Mann (2); Dominq Bouska (1); Alex Ruechel (1); fumble recoveries: Jackson Koenigs (1); Boyd Mortenson (1); Finbraaten (1); sacks: Dylan Henaman (1)