19 minute read
Zolnosky leads East Ridge in 6A
Class AAAAAA Zolnosky leads East Ridge to state quarters
by MALIK MITCHELL
Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football
East Ridge Raptors junior quarterback Tanner Zolnosky currently leads the state in passing yards (2,763) and ranks No. 5 in pass completions (162) and touchdowns (27). The young gunslinger has already surpassed his passing yards (1,625), pass completions (92), and touchdowns (12) from last season, averaging 276.3 yards per game and displaying a 63 percent completion percentage.
“I feel grateful. I give all the credit to my teammates, we have worked very hard on our chemistry with each other throughout the season and the off season,” Zolnosky said. “I just can’t give them enough credit, without them I would not be where I am right now. It feels great, I knew I would pass up all of my stats from last year due to us throwing the ball more this year than last year. Again, I can’t give my guys enough credit. Without them nothing is possible. I also worked very hard in the off season on becoming a better overall passer, mentally and physically.”
Currently on a four-game win streak, Zolnosky has led his team to a current record of 7-3. The Raptors are coming off a close road win against the Prior Lake Lakers 28-27 for the Class 6A section final. This time, it was a challenge in contrast to the 31-17 first round playoff victory over the Lakers in the previous season.
Since the first whistle, the game was neck and neck. East Ridge went into the half leading 13-10. Down the stretch of the second half, Prior Lake managed to go ahead 27-20 with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Not backing down, Zolnosky struck back, connecting a pass to senior Jack Tharaldson for the equalizer. Instead of playing it safe, the Raptors decided to go for a two-point conversion. Finishing what he started, Zolnosky found his way into the end zone on a QB run making it 28-27.
The Raptors ultimately held off the Lakers to claim the Class 6A victory. Zolnosky showcased 16 completions for 239 yards and two touchdowns, connecting two or more passes to five different players.
Spreading the ball around and utilizing different players isn’t a secret when it comes to Zolnosky’s game. The standout has connected with six different receivers with at least 15 receptions.
“It is very important for me to spread the ball around because it shows our versatility and depth,’’ said Zolnosky. “Every guy I throw the ball to is a threat. I’m thankful to have guys like that on my team. Makes my life a whole lot easier.” For Zolnosky, he likes to emphasize the mental part of the game to ultimately try to find a way to exploit his opponents weaknesses. “My style of QB is playing the mental game first,” Zolnosky said. “The biggest part of my off season was working on the mental part of the game, whether that’s coverages, fronts, blitzes, stunts...I also think a strong part of my game is my ability to extend plays and my accuracy. My QB coach always talks about how QBs need to be artists with the football. I try to paint the ball where the ball needs to be painted. But again, without my teammates I can’t do anything.” In the offseason, aside from analyzing the mental side of the game, improving his footwork in the pocket and pocket management was his main focus being those were his weaknesses from the previous season. He’s also put on 15 pounds since the 2021 season. The 6’0, 180-pound 2024 star had many visits to schools like Akron, SDSU, and the UMN, but got a huge opportunity after receiving an offer from Bowling Green State University in February. “It was a euphoric experience. I’ve worked for an opportunity like that since I was 6 years old, it was amazing,” said Zolnosky. “It doesn’t really affect me though, I go on with life as if I have no offers. I am always working for the next one or the next best opportunity that presents itself to me. I am so grateful for my teammates and loved ones that have put me in the position I am in today, without them I would not be here.” Zolnosky has always dreamed of playing at the next level.
“My dream since being a little kid was to play in the NFL. It’s the same now as a 17 year old. It has been all I’ve ever worked for. I obviously would love to play college football at the highest level as well. After I am done playing I plan to go into coaching. I just can’t imagine my life without this game.” The Raptors will now advance to the Class 6A quarterfinals, facing the Maple Grove Crimson(10-0) on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7pm. Last season, after a devastating 42-13 defeat, the Crimson ended the Raptors’ season in the playoffs. “It is playoff football, cannot get any better. I just feel excitement everywhere, we are so close to fulfilling our dream of making it to state,” said Zolnosky. “We are very intentional in practice and do not waste any reps. We have been through many ups and downs as a team and have never given up.” Zolnosky is eager to show what the Raptors can do at state.
“I think any team has an expectation to win the State Championship. We’ve worked very hard as a unit to make this dream come true. I am just super pumped to go out and fight with my guys to fulfill a dream.”
Tanner Zonolsky currently leads the state in passing yards with 2,763. He has helped lead East Ridge to the state tournament where they will take on Maple Grove Friday in the 6A quarterfinals. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Section Final Results
Stillwater 42, Lakeville North 7 Lakeville South South 30, White Bear Lake 0 Maple Grove 54, Forest Lake 21 East Ridge 28, Prior Lake 27 Eden Prairie 55, Woodbury 14 Shakopee 42, Mounds View 21 Rosemount 42, Wayzata 14 Centennial 14, Edina 7 Stillwater Cruises past
Lakeville North to advance
Senior Max Shikenjanski threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Stillwater Ponies (9-1) built up a 28-0 lead and cruised to a 42-7 victory over Lakeville North.
The Ponies get to face the defending State Champion Lakeville South Friday night with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Eden Prairie High School.
Lakeville South shuts out White Bear Lake
The 2021 Defending State Champion Cougars (8-2) saw the senior duo of quarterback Jacob Royse throw three touchdown passes to receiver Carson Hansen in the span of a little over five minutes to break open a 0-0 tie after the first quarter against the White Bear Lake Bears.
Senior cornerback Reese Volk added a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter for the Cougars.
Top Ranked Maple Grove ends
Forest Lake’s successful season
The Crimson (10-0 ranked #1 in Metro) scored 40 unanswered points after a 7-7 tie at the end of the first quarter to beat the upstart Forest Lake Rangers (7-3) 54-21.
After senior kicker Connor Fournier hit a 47-yard field goal to put the Crimson up 10-7 in the second quarter, the defense became the offense scoring two consecutive touchdowns on a 31yard fumble scoop and score by Jacob Anderson followed by a 40-yard blocked kick return.
Senior quarterback Jacob Kilzer threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead the Crimson offense.
Eden Prairie looks to avenge loss to Shakopee after running past Woodbury
The Eden Prairie Eagles (8-2) last loss came on October 8th to Shakopee. After rushing for eight touchdowns to put away the Woodbury Royals 55-14 the Eagles (ranked #3 in Metro) will get a rematch with the Sabres. 14 Eagles players carried the football amassing an impressive 450 yards on the ground.
The Eagles and Sabres play Thursday night 7PM at Park Center
Shakopee uses strong run game to beat Mounds View
The Sabres (7-3) saw five different players rush for touchdowns as they tallied 376 yards on the ground to beat the Mustangs.
The quarterfinal game against Eden Prairie might set a record for fasted game played as with two primary rushing attacks the clock will constantly be on the move.
Rosemount stays undefeated with a big second half to get past Wayzata
Senior running back William Priest proved explosive with nine carries for 238 yards and four touchdowns. His touchdown runs were for 40, 42, 71 and 67 yards.
Tied 14-14 at half with the Wayzata Trojans the Rosemount Irish (10-0 ranked #2 in the metro) scored the final 28 points in the game.
Rosemount will look to continue their undefeated season when they face Centennial at Stillwater High School 7PM Thursday night.
Centennial holds off Edina 14-7 in defensive battle
Junior running back Marcus Whiting scored two first half touchdown runs, the second with seconds remaining in the first half to give the Centennial Cougars a halftime lead 14-7 over the Edina Hornets and that was the end of the scoring for the game.
The Cougars (8-2) have played in seven games decided by one score or less. They will hope that experience will give them an edge as they look to knock off the undefeated Irish from Rosemount.
Minnesota Prep Bowl History
2021 AAAAAA Lakeville South, Maple Grove 13-7 AAAAA Mankato West, Mahtomedi 24-10 AAAA Hutchinson, Kasson-Mantorville 42-14 AAA Dassel-Cokato, Plainview-Elgin-Millville 28-21 AA Chatfield, West Central/Ashby 14-13 A Mayer Lutheran, Minneota 20-14 9-Man LeRoy-Ostrander, Fertile-Beltrami 58-8
2020* Due to COVID-19, only Section Winners were awarded. No Prep Bowl was played.
2019 AAAAAA Wayzata, Champlin Park 35-20 AAAAA Chaska, St. Thomas Academy 0-7 AAAA Rocori, SMB 22-21 AAA Pierz, Dassel-Cokato 28-27 AA Caledonia, MPLS North 26-0 A Blooming Prairie, BOLD 41-15 9-Man Mountain Lake, Hancock 22-14
2018 AAAAAA Lakeville North, Eden Prairie 28-21 AAAAA Owatonna, St. Thomas Academy 14-3 AAAA SMB, Willmar 44-18 AAA Rochester Lourdes, Fairmont 24-7 AA Caledonia, Barnesville 21-0 A BOLD, Mahnomen/Waubun 22-21 9-Man Spring Grove, Mountain Lake Area 40-18
2017 AAAAAA Eden Prairie, Minnetonka 38-17 AAAAA Owatonna, Elk River 63-26 AAAA Academy of Holy Angels, Cloquet 14-0 AAA Pierz, St. Croix Lutheran 34-21 AA Caledonia, Pipestone Area 57-6 A Minneota, Wabasso 28-13 9-Man Spring Grove, Nevis 32-0
2016 AAAAAA Totino Grace, Eden Prairie 28-20 AAAAA Elk River, Spring Lake Park 42-14 AAAA Benilde-St. Margaret, Winona 31-28 AAA Rochester Lourdes, St. Croix Lutheran 42-35 AA Caledonia, Pipestone Area 40-0 A Minneota, MPLS North 35-18 9-Man Grand Meadow, Cleveland/Immanuel 41-21
2015 AAAAAA Osseo, East Ridge 14-13 AAAAA St. Michael-Albertville, St. Thomas Academy 17-14 AAAA Becker, So. St. Paul 35-14 AAA Pierz, Jackson Co. Central 36-8 AA Caledonia, Eden Valley Watkins 40-0 A MPLS North, Rushford-Peterson 35-18 9-Man Grand Meadow, Underwood 34-20
2014 AAAAAA Eden Prairie, Totino Grace 28-27 AAAAA Mankato West, Simley 42-19 AAAA Becker, DeLaSalle 24-6 AAA Rochester Lourdes, New London Spicer 35-14 AA Holdingford, BOLD 20-18 (2OT) A Minneota, Dawson-Boyd 28 -14 9-Man Grand Meadow, Edgerton-Ellsworth 48-0
2013 AAAAAA Eden Prairie, Rosemount 28-7 AAAAA Owatonna, Brainerd 24-0 AAAA Hutchinson, Academy of Holy Angels, 49-7 AAA St. Croix Lutheran, New London-Spicer 48-44 AA Chatfield, *Minneota/Lincoln HI 17-7 A Mahnomen, Dawson-Boyd 46-13 9-Man Grand Meadow, Underwood 28-6
2012 AAAAAA Eden Prairie, Lakevile North 28-7 AAAAA Totino-Grace, Owatonna 49-21 AAAA Hutchinson Holy Family Catholic 67-7 AAA Blue Earth, Rochester Lourdes 30-7 AA Caledonia, *Moose Lake/Willow River 25-22 A Mahnomen, Bethlehem Academy 20-14 9-Man Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Grand Meadow 40-22
2011 AAAAA Eden Prairie, Wayzata 13-3 AAAA Rocori/Cold Spring, Bemidji 17-10 AAA St. Croix Lutheran, Fairmont 34-32 AA Caledonia, *Moose Lake/Willow River 27-0 A Dawson-Boyd, Mahnomen 35-20 9-Man *Edgerton/Ellsworth, *Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 36-28 2010 AAAAA Wayzata, Rosemount 31-14 AAAA Totino-Grace, Fridley Rogers 34-14 AAA Rochester Lourdes Holy Family Catholic, Victoria 41-13 AA Caledonia Triton, Dodge Center 28-7 A New Ulm Cathedral, Barnesville 19-13 9-Man Cromwell, Lanesboro 49-42 2009 AAAAA Cretin-Derham Hall, Eden Prairie 16-5 AAAA Totino-Grace, Sartell-Saint Stephen 45-7 AAA New London-Spicer, Glencoe-Silver Lake 28-21 AA Moose Lake/Willow River, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 33-22 A Minneota, Adrian 42-21 9-Man Stephen-Argyle, Nicollet 37-22
2008 AAAAA Wayzata, Blaine 27-7 AAAA Mankato West, Northfield 33-14 AAA Glencoe-Silver Lake, DeLaSalle 42-21 AA Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Royalton 33-22 A Caledonia, Luverne 47-7 9-Man Houston, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 22-16
2007 AAAAA Eden Prairie, St.Paul Cretin 50-21 AAAA Totino Grace, Mahtomedi 14-8 AAA Glencoe-Silver Lake, DeLaSalle 56-20 AA Caledonia, Luverne 14-7 A Goodhue, Adrian 28-7 9-Man Stephen-Argyle, Waubun 43-21
2006 AAAAA Eden Prairie, Lakeville South 21-14 AAAA Totino Grace, St. Thomas Academy 40-25 AAA Glencoe-Silver Lake, Becker 42-20 AA Triton, Luverne 70-21 A Rushford-Peterson, New Ulm Cathedral 209-Man Stephen-Argyle, Wheaton 42-15
2005 AAAAA Wayzata, Cretin-Derham Hall 28-24 AAAA Mahtomedi, Holy Angels 27-26 OT AAA Becker, Albany 28-0 AA Eden Valley-Watkins, Caledonia 21-16 A Springfield, Goodhue 21-16 9-Man Stephen-Argyle, Cromwell 45-15
2004 AAAAA Minnetonka, Wayzata 23-14 AAAA Totino-Grace, Sartell-St. Stephen 27-6 AAA East Grand Forks, Becker 31-14 AA Pierz, Eden Valley-Watkins 39-14 A Rushford-Peterson, Otter Tail Central 20-6 9-Man Stephen-Argyle, Bertha-Hewitt 25-6
2003 AAAAA Lakeville, Hastings 34-9 AAAA Totino-Grace, Hutchinson 57-13 AAA Glencoe-Silver, Delano 21-0 AA Breck, Kingsland 51-14 A Goodhue, Medford/El Shaddai 20-8 9-Man Stephen-Argyle, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 7
2002 AAAAA Eden Prairie, Champlin Park 21-0 AAAA Mankato West, Mahtomedi 17-7 AAA Plainview/Elgin-Millville, Glencoe-Silver Lake 24-21 AA Kingsland, Spring Valley Norwood-Young America 35-7 A Rushford-Peterson, Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin 14-7 9-Man Verndale, Nicollet 21-14
2001 AAAAA Hastings, Blaine 28-9 AAAA Detroit Lakes, Mankato East 36-34 AAA Jackson County, Central Becker 42-7 AA Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Windom Area 27-20 A McLeod West, Brownton Pillager 30-22 9-Man Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Ada-Borup 37-7
2000 AAAAA Eden Prairie, Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul 24-14 AAAA Cambridge-Isanti, Saint Thomas Academy 24-14 AAA Glencoe-Silver Lake, Albany 21-0 AA Triton, Dodge Center *Otter Tail Central 31-12 A Sleepy Eye Public, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 13-12 9-Man Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Cromwell 42-20
1999 AAAAA Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul Hastings 42-21 AAAA Mankato West, Cambridge-Isanti 35-28 AAA De LaSalle, Minneapolis Saint Michael-Albertville 28-7 AA Waterville-Elysian-Morristown West Central Area, Barrett 34-0 A Cook County, Grand Marais LeCenter 14-6 9-Man Stephen-Argyle, Nicollet 18-8 1997 AAAAA Eden Prairie, Blaine 32-28 AAAA Northfield, Detroit Lakes 28-0 AAA Albany, Jackson County Central 55-7 AA Pelican Rapids, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 34-32 A Cook County, Grand Marais Adrian 13-12 9-Man Verndale, Cromwell 18-12
Source:
1996 AA Eden Prairie, Blaine 23-22 A Mora, Northfield 7-3 B Breck School, Golden Valley Windom Area 24-7 C Chatfield, Hawley 12-7 9-Man Cromwell, Verndale 46-44
1995 AA Stillwater Area, Rochester Mayo 31-7 A Detroit Lakes, Saint Peter 30-15 B Kingsland, Spring Valley Breckenridge 22-3 C Chatfield, Hawley 12-6 9-Man Cromwell, LeRoy-Ostrander 26-18
1994 AA Anoka, Alexandria 34-7 A Sartell, Northfield 24-21 B Triton, Dodge Center Becker 40-21 C Chatfield, Red Lake Falls 34-14 9-Man Kittson Central, Hallock Verndale 36-16
1993 AA Apple Valley, Rochester John Marshall 29-7 A Detroit Lakes, Northfield 21-14 B Saint Cloud Cathedral, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 28-6 C Mahnomen, Minneota 43-23 9-Man Chokio-Alberta, LeRoy-Ostrander 35-0
1992 AA Lakeville, Cretin-Derham Hall 19-7 A Detroit Lakes, Farmington 21-0 B Saint Cloud Cathedral, B O L D, Olivia 7-6 C Mahnomen, Mankato Loyola 20-13 (2 OT) 9-Man Stephen, Cromwell 36-20
1991 AA Burnsville, Lakeville 10-7 A Spring Lake Park, Rocori/Cold Spring 20-0 B B O L D, Olivia, Deer River 14-0 C Mahnomen, Mankato Loyola 42-0 9-Man Chokio-Alberta, Grygla/Goodridge 7-6
1990 AA Anok,a Elk River 19-14 A Fridley, Sartell 34-12 B B O L D, Olivia, DeLaSalle, Minneapolis 15-14 C Mahnomen, Becker 27-7 9-Man Hills-Beaver Creek, Argyle 28-21
1989 AA Burnsville, Stillwater 21-7 A Albany, Totino-Grace, Fridley 41-32 B Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, Perham 27-15 C Waterville-Elysian, Mahnomen 14-7 9-Man St. Clair, Albrook 47-12
1988 AA Blaine, Cretin-Derham Hall 25-24 A Lakeville, Staples-Motley 35-28 B Breckenridge, Morris 21-7 C Minneota, Rushford 42-28 9-Man Hallock ,Stewart 35-24
1987 AA Moorhead, Winona 13-7 A Cambridge, Lakeville 28-14 B Granite Falls, Ely 43-20 C Minneota, Grand Meadow 27-7 9-Man Silver Lake, Verndale 30-14
1986 AA Apple Valley, Osseo 35-6 A Cambridge, Stewartville 24-0 B Watertown-Mayer, Granite Falls 29-6 C Minneota, Sherburn-Dunnell 52-19 9-Man Argyle, Silver Lake 32-7 1984 AA Stillwater, Burnsville 36-33 A Hutchinson Centennial, Circle Pines 32-7 B Granite Falls, Breckenridge 13-7 C Harmony, Glyndon-Felton 20-14 9-Man Norman County West, Silver Lake 37-20
1983 AA Coon Rapids, Bloomington Jefferson 34-31 A Hutchinson, Park Rapids 36-14 B Jordan, Breckenridge 27-0 C Southland, Adams Bird Island-Lake Lillian 28-0 9-Man Silver Lake, Norman County West/Climax 27-12
1982 AA Stillwater, Owatonna 34-27 A Brooklyn Center, East Grand Forks 30-8 B LeCenter, Mahnomen 12-6 C Truman, Belgrade 16-14 9-Man Westbrook, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 34-12
1981 AA Rosemount, Moorhead 40-14 A Saint Peter, Hermantown 18-14 B Holdingford, Pine Island 39-0 C Medford, Clarkfield 33-28 9-Man Argyle, Starbuck 31-19
1980 AA Burnsville, Cambridge 23-6 A Crookston, Pipestone 32-6 B Mahnomen, Austin Pacelli 34-0 C Bird Island-Lake Lillian, Mountain Lake 20-7 9-Man Hoffman-Kensington, Toivola-Meadowlands 18-14
1979 AA Columbia Heights, Richfield 8-3 A Rochester Lourdes, Apple Valley 22-6 B Gaylord, Mahnomen 15-6 C Bird Island-Lake Lillian, Harmony 34-6 9-Man Russell, Toivola-Meadowlands 17-14
1978 AA Edina, West Fridley 21-0 A Fridley, Grace Apple Valley 17-14 B New Richland-Hartland, Barnesville 48-8 C Alden-Conger ,Battle Lake 15-14 9-Man Hoffman Albrook, Saginaw 44-28
1977 AA Minneapolis Washburn, Stillwater 13-0 A Fridley Grace, Rocori/Cold Spring 36-12 B Granite Falls, Stewartville 44-6 C Battle Lake, Henderson 22-20 (OT) 9-Man Deer Creek, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 20-0
1976 AA White Bear Lake, Cloquet 14-13 (OT) A Saint Peter, Mora 56-12 B Caledonia, Sartell 38-7 C New Richland-Hartland, Bird Island 21-19 9-Man Deer Creek, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 57-14
1975 AA Stillwater, Richfield 20-17 A Saint Thomas Academy, Saint Peter 21-14 B Gaylord, Onamia 14-13 C Esko, Karlstad 62-0 9-Man Ruthton, Audubon 42-20
1974 AA Rochester John Marshall, Bloomington Jefferson 41-19 A Alexandria ,Chaska 26-7 B New Prague, Caledonia 41-12 C Battle Lake, Bird Island 34-26 (2 OT) 9-Man Lake Benton, Fisher 36-6
1973 AA Rochester John Marshall, Saint Paul Harding 25-0 A Eveleth, Willmar 28-18 B New Prague, Appleton 13-7 C Gaylord, Holdingford 29-6 9-Man Lake Benton, Brandon 50-12
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MINNESOTA VIKINGS
7-1!
The hometown hopeful Minnesota Vikings improved to 7-1 with a big road win over the Washington Commanders, 20-17 on Sunday Nov. 6. The Vikings now have the second best record in the NFL. A late field goal by Greg Joseph sealed the deal and TJ Hockenson had a big game in his first appearance in purple. Kirk Cousins continues to prove he can get it done late in games, and the defense continues to improve. The Vikings will try and keep their winning ways going when they travel to Buffalo this weekend. SKOL!
TRIVIA QUESTION #1
TRIVIA QUESTION #2
TRIVIA QUESTION #3
They also defeated Section 6AA champion Sauk Centre 29-27 earlier in the season.
They will play undefeated Jackson County Central (11-0) Thursday at St. Anthony Village.
Section 5 -
Eden Valley-Watkins (10-0)
Eden-Valley Watkins is seven years removed from playing for the Prep Bowl when they lost in 2016 to Caledonia during Caledonia’s epic string of state titles.
Perhaps seven will be a lucky number for the Eagles as they venture into the state tournament in Class AA as one of three unbeaten teams.
Nolan Gieslinger has been a gunslinger at quarterback for the Eagles, who have a two-pronged offense that is successful both on the ground and through the air.
Senior running back Sam Nistler is the primary ball carrier and receivers Landon Neiman and Parker Schultz have been strong targets for Gieslinger.
The Eagles are averaging 40 points per game while giving up just 12. It won’t be surprising if they are in the same game they were seven short years ago.
But first they will have to get past Sauk Centre, who they defeated 43-12 earlier this season.
Section 7 -
Moose Lake-Willow River (9-1)
The Rebels advanced to the state quarterfinals with a convincing 25-0 win over Crosby-Ironton in the Section 7AA finals. It is their fifth section title in the past six years.
In those past years, however, three of the four trips to state ended in the quarterfinals. They reached the state semifinals in 2017.
Junior running back Jaxsyn Schmidt leads the offense. In their section final win, Schmidt rushed 14 times for 156 yards and three scores.
Defensively the Rebels have been strong, allowing just 10 points per game. They are also on a 9-game winning streak after losing their season opener.
They hope to keep that streak alive when they play Barnesville Thursday in St. Cloud.
Section 8 - Barnesville (10-0)
Barnesville has absolutely dominated opponents all season, and could be the front runner heading into the state tournament in Class AA.
The Trojans have scored 452 points and have allowed just six touchdowns all season.
In their section wins they outscored their opponents 113-3. In their past four games they have outscored opponents 211-9.
With an explosive offense and a tough defense, the Trojans will be tough to beat. Last year they advanced to the state semifinals where the lost to eventual champion Chatfield 22-18.
In 2019 they also advanced to the state semifinals where they lost to eventual champion Caledonia.
Coming that close twice should give the Trojans a little extra fire as they head into state play against Moose Lake-Willow River in St. Cloud Thursday.
Sauk Centre junior Landon Wolbeck drags down an Osakis player in Sauk Centre’s 27-6 win over the Silverstreaks to claim the Section 6AA title, their first in 39 years.
A: None other than the legendary Steve Jordan. Jordan played in 176 games for the Vikings and had a franchise record 498 receptions for a franchise record 6,307 yards.
Jordan was a steal in the draft, chosen in th seventh round and 179th overall in 1982 out of Brown University.
A: Fan favorite Kyle Rudolph is the franchise leader with 48 touchdowns as a tight end for the Vikings.
Rudolph was a second-round pick (43rd overall) in the 2011 draft. In his second year he caught nine touchdown passses and was selected to his first of two Pro Bowls.
A: The eleven players who have at least 1,000 career yards receiving as a Viking tight end include: 1. Steve Jordan 6,307 2. Kyle Rudolph 4,488 3. Visanthe Shiancoe 2,424 4. Stu Voigt 1,919 5. Joe Senser 1,822 6. Jermaine Wiggins 1,659 7. Jimmy Kleinsasser 1,393 8. Gordon Smith 1,277 9. John Beasley 1,242 10. Andrew Glover 1,227 11. Byron Chamberlain 1,055 12. Bob Tucker 1,045
