CHAMPS - 7 teams achieve a dream

Volume 3 • Number 6 • Issue 16

Let’s Play

Football

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teams achieve a dream

INSIDE • Football creates lasting relationships...page 4 • MIAC hands out post-season honors...pages 8-9 • Minnesota Football Showcase Rosters...page 10-11 Prep Bowl Recaps: 6A - Lakeville South defeats Maple Grove...page 12 5A - Mankato West claims perfect season..page 13 4A - Hutchinson tops Kasson-Mantorville...page 14 3A - Dassel-Cokato runs to title...page 15 2A - Chatfield holds on to win crown...page 16 1A - Mayer Lutheran wins first state title...page 17 9-Man - LeRoy-Ostrander gets it done...page 18

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Let’s Play Football

A Showcase of How Football Creates Lasting Relationships

by MIKE SONNTAG

Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football

My youngest son recently finished his football playing career following the pandemic interruption of his junior year in college. When he made the emotional decision to hang it up, he proclaimed had he not played football he would never have met the guys that will be his life-long friends. If you asked anyone who has played the sport of football what the most important aspect of the game they took with them after their career was over, you can bet many would echo his sentiment.

We have hit that stage in the season when many high school and college players have put the pads on and wore their school’s colors for the last time. Last week we wrapped up the Minnesota high school football season crowning seven new state championship teams. Players on those teams ended on the highest note possible, but there were undoubtedly bittersweet tears shed in victory for those whose playing days are over.

For the eighty-eight outgoing high school seniors, the Minnesota Vikings are giving them one more chance to

wear their pads and put their talents on display during the Minnesota Football Showcase on December 5th at US Bank Stadium. Though it is likely many nominated to play in this game will play at the next level in college, the opportunity these young men receive during the week leading to the game will underscore how quickly lasting relationships are built from playing this great game.

Most of these guys competing may have known of each other via social media or watching highlights on Prep Sports Extra, now will play their final high school football game together or against each other. The teams are split into North and South rosters and will have a handful of practices at best prior to the game. In that short time previous foes will become quick friends by bonding during team meals and other scheduled activities. One common tradition from past “All-Star” games is the exchanging of helmet decals. When it is time to get to work lineman have to gel with a new face on their left and their right, the quarterbacks will have to quickly adjust to throwing to different receivers, defensive players have to learn a

quick scheme, and the list goes on and on. Keep in mind most football teams from the youth to the pros get two to three weeks to practice, run plays, watch film before they take to battle on the gridiron. Like all competitors these guys will quickly want to win the game to gain bragging rights for the South team over the North team or vice versa.

Pregame introductions will take place, the flag will be raised for the national anthem, and the game will kick off at noon. Living up to the event’s name talent will be showcased all over the same field the Minnesota Vikings compete in front of 66,000 fans on Sundays. There will be great plays made on both sides of the ball, replays will be shown on the huge video board, a winning team will emerge, and just like that the experience of playing in the Minnesota Football Showcase will be over.

All the things previously mentioned is nothing new to the reader or lover of football. What will make this a special experience for these young men is how when the game is over they will stay on the field or in the locker room as long as they are al-

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lowed to. They will shake hands and hug each other, share phone numbers, create group texts and follow each other on social media. A week earlier they competed against each other or knew nothing about the other. Some of them may go on to play together in college and further their friendships, and those who don’t will find a way to stay in touch. Having the honor to have played in this game 30 years ago I know they will be successful in life and keep tabs on each other. I know Todd played QB in the NFL, Trent is a successful dentist, Mike painted the interior of my house, Ken is partner of a law firm, Matt is an anesthesiologist, Eric owns a roofing company, and Tony is a Division One head coach. I could easily continue on with another seven to eight names but hopefully you see where I am going with this, and it is all from one week of playing football together. This is a great way for these eighty-eight young men to cap off their high school football careers, and I believe they will always proudly say they playing in the Minnesota Football Showcase 2021 created memories and relationships that they will never forget.

The opinions expressed in LPF are not necessarily those of the publishers or PioneerMedia9192, but are those of the individual columnists themselves.

No articles or features or photos may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers of Let’s Play Football.

Copyright 2019 PioneerMedia9192 All rights reserved LPF is online at www.letsplayfootballmn.com Follow us on Twitter @LetsPlayFB_MN and Facebook

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December 2, 2021

What’s in store after Gopher changes?

by MIKE SONNTAG

Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football

Following the Golden Gophers’ axe claiming victory over Wisconsin Saturday it was announced that starting quarterback Tanner Morgan was going to return for his 6th NCAA season in 2022. Within the next 24 hours it was also announced that head coach PJ Fleck had fired offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. and backup quarterback Zack Annexstad has entered the NCAA transfer portal. There is much to unpack in all three of those decisions, and I will try and do so in reverse order.

As a Gopher fan it is hard not to feel bad for the Mankato native Annexstad, who came into the program at the same time as Tanner Morgan in 2018. It was Annexstad who won the starting quarterback job in 2018 and started seven games before an ankle injury forced him out against Nebraska and Morgan has been the

Gophers starting signal caller ever since.

It says a lot about Annexstad as a person and a player who clearly proved himself a Division I caliber talent as a true freshman to wait in the wings as long as he did for another shot to be the Gopher’s starter.

Wherever Annexstad lands I expect to see him as the starter with the question being will it be at another Division I school or FBS? Regardless his decision is completely understandable and Gophers fans should wish him nothing but the best.

Also understandable is Fleck’s decision to go a different direction on offense and move on from Sanford Jr. In the 2019 season when the Gophers went 11-2 highlighted by wins against Penn State and Auburn the Gophers offense finished the season ranked No. 22 in the nation. Now 8-4 in 2021 and awaiting a bowl invitation the offense has scored on average seven points less per game and 73 fewer yards than 2019 giving them a No. 96 offensive ranking according to

ESPN.com. Though the Gophers will graduate over half of their starting offensive line, the emergence of running backs Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving and the return of Mo Ibriham should give the new OC a running game to be dangerous for opposing defenses in 2022.

Then there is the Tanner Morgan debate. Despite being the all-time winningest quarterback in the history of The University of Minnesota Football Program, it is widely viewed that Morgan has regressed since his fantastic 2019 season. Morgan has proven inconsistent both the last two seasons and chatter of his NFL draft stock, which was very complimentary two years ago has diminished to a whisper. Yes in 2019 Morgan had two of the best Wide Receivers to ever wear the maroon and gold in Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman, but has the system Sanford Jr. run since taking over in 2020 hurt Morgan’s draft stock and public opinion?

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What is Morgan’s motivation for coming back in 2022? He will be losing another high-end receiver in Chris Autman-Bell to graduation. Is there enough coming back in the wide-receiver core to give Morgan down field threats? In answering criticism of Morgan’s erratic play in 2021 Fleck repeatedly defended the quarterback by reminding everyone that the Gophers have won a lot of football games with Tanner Morgan. Considering the Gophers have now finished in the top half of the Big Ten in two of the last three years I think Gophers fans should welcome back his experience and expect a new more explosive offense which hopefully at long last puts them in the Big Ten title game in 2022.

Having high expectations for Gophers football is somewhat new around here and I think Fleck and Morgan together have earned the opportunity to keep raising the bar.

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December 2, 2021

Let’s Play Football

The unstable shoulder

by ERIC KOHN

Have you ever watched a football game from the perspective of only looking at the players use of their shoulders? Think about it for a minute. Think of how important the shoulder is in the game of football. The quarterback throws, the receiver catches, blocking, and tackling. All of those major actions that take place in a football game require the shoulder to be utilized in different ways. The shoulder is truly an amazing joint with the all of its qualities put on display during a football game. The amount of mobility in the shoulder that is needed to perform the movements on the field is nearly 360°. In addition, in order to perform the movements, the shoulder must also be stable. The shoulder has to be able to absorb and deliver forces in order to be successful.

In this article, I will discuss the amazing shoulder, the injuries that can occur to the shoulder and how they can be prevented.

The shoulder complex consists of 2 major bones; the humerus or the upper arm bone and the scapula or the shoulder blade. This complex is held together by a multitude of ligaments, a capsule and muscles. The combination of these in the shoulder create stability but also allow mobility to perform movements. The stability of the shoulder is accomplished by

two types of stabilizers: Dynamic stabilizers which are the muscles surrounding the humeral head and the static stabilizers which include the capsule, ligaments and the labrum. The dynamic stabilizers are the muscles that surround the shoulder, including the rotator cuff muscles and biceps tendon, which can be strengthened with exercise. The static stabilizers are structures that are not under our conscience control but provide stability to the shoulder. These stabilizers work together to keep the ball in the socket. The challenge is that the ball is more like a baseball in size compared to that of a golf tee size of the socket. This size difference allows for significant mobility or movement but creates a significant challenge to keep the ball from sliding off of the tee.

When the shoulder becomes unstable there are two terms that we utilize to described the injury.

The first term is a dislocation. A dislocation is when the ball of the humeral head completely slides off and over the edge of the socket or the tee. This injury can occur when an athlete has the arm in an outstretched position either out to the side or overhead and a force pushes the arm backwards causing the head to slide off the front of the socket.

Football movements include arm tackling, diving on an outstretched arm overhead or the quarterback being sacked with the arm overhead.

The athlete will have immediate pain and limitation of the shoulder holding his arm tightly to the front of his body. Approximately 95% of dislocations will occur with the humeral head moving anteriorly or forward. The sports medicine professional will assess the shoulder on the sideline and determine if the shoulder can be relocated on the field or in the emergency room. This relocation needs to be performed by the sports medicine professional as there can be complications that can occur such as nerve or circulatory damage to the shoulder if performed incorrectly.

The other term associated with shoulder instability is subluxation.

A subluxation occurs when the humeral head slides or moves towards the edge of the socket but does not completely slide out and the stabilizers return the head back to its anatomical resting spot. This episode can occur in any number of movements of the shoulder but most importantly the stabilizers help to prevent the episode to becoming a full dislocation. If the athlete continues to have episodes of subluxation, the shoulder can be classified as unstable. These episodes may start out as painful but with subsequent recurrences become less painful. In some cases, the athlete can actually subluxate the shoulder voluntarily without pain. This means the static structures including the ligaments, cap-

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sule and labrum have become loose and do not perform their job as stabilizers. In these cases, the stability of the shoulder is reliant only upon the dynamic stabilizers or the rotator cuff and biceps tendon.

The dynamic stabilizers of the shoulder can be trained by a progressive strengthening program with emphasis on the rotator cuff and bicep tendon muscles. This can be accomplished with the use of free weights, elastic bands or body weight exercises in push up or plank positions. Make sure not to neglect the muscles that stabilize the shoulder blade to the trunk, these dynamic scapular stabilizing muscles help to create the base of support for the shoulder complex.

The prevention of shoulder injuries begins in the off season with specific shoulder stabilization exercises. Please consult your sports medicine professional or strength and conditioning specialist to help prevent and rehabilitate the amazing shoulder and keep you on the field.

Good luck to all of those teams that are still playing for championships.

Eric is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He practices at St Cloud Orthopedics in Central Minnesota and is an adjunct professor at The College of St. Benedict/St John’s University. He can be reached at ekohn@stcloudorthopedics.com

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December 2, 2021

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St. John’s receiver Alston wins Christopherson Award MIAC announces post-season honors

The 2021 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) football regular season concluded earlier this month and on Tuesday, the conference recognized the top performers from another outstanding campaign with the announcement of the 2021 MIAC Football Awards.

Saint John’s wide receiver Ravi Alston earned the conference’s top prize, being named Jim Christopherson Player of the Year, while Gustavus defensive lineman Zachary Jakes and Saint John’s defensive lineman Seth Morem shared the Mike Stam Award as the most outstanding linemen in the league. Saint John’s head coach Gary Fasching was honored by his peers with the John Gagliardi Coach of the Year.

Alston (Sr. | Lake Elsinore, Calif. | Vista Murrieta) was named the MIAC Jim Christopherson Player of the Year recipient after helping Saint John’s to a perfect 8-0 record in conference play this fall. Alston caught 51 passes for 725 yards and seven touchdowns against MIAC opponents this season.

He is the second Johnnie in the last three seasons to receive top individual MIAC honors, joining his former SJU quarterback Jackson Erdmann, who received the award in 2018. Alston is the first wide receiver to be named MIAC Player of the Year since former St. Thomas standout Fritz Waldvogel in 2011. The award was renamed in honor of former Concordia player and longtime coach Jim Christopherson in 2001.

Jakes (Sr. | Mankato, Minn. | West) was a co-recipient of the MIAC Mike Stam Award for Top Lineman after anchoring the Gustie defensive line with 40 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble in eight MIAC games this fall. In addition to lining up along the defensive line, Jakes also saw time on the offensive line and at fullback in 2021.

He is the second Gustavus lineman ever to receive the Stam Award, joining 1998 recipient Brent Staples. The Mike Stam Award was created in 1990 in memory of the former Carleton All-MIAC defensive lineman who died in a snowmobiling accident after his junior season.

Morem (Sr. | Red Wing, Minn.)

was a co-recipient of the MIAC Mike Stam Award for Top Lineman after leading the conference with 6.5 sacks in league play this season. Morem helped Saint John’s to a perfect 8-0 mark against conference opponents, totaling 31 tackles and 10 tackles for loss on the year. He is the third consecutive Johnnie to receive the Stam Award, joining Nathan Brinker (2018) and current Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Ben Bartch (2019).

Fasching received his fourth consecutive John Gagliardi Coach of the Year honor and the fifth of his career after guiding the Johnnies to an undefeated regular-season record and the program’s 35th MIAC championship.

Saint John’s 2021 MIAC title also earned the team its seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Football Playoffs. A former MIAC student-athlete himself, Fasching was a three-year starter at linebacker for Gagliardi’s Johnnies before spending 17 years as an assistant on the legendary coach’s SJU staff. The MIAC Coach of the Year Award was renamed in honor of Gagliardi - college football’s all-time wins leader - in 2013.

In addition to individual honors, the MIAC also announced First Team, Second Team, and honorable mention All-Conference selections, as well as the members of the 15th annual MIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Thirty-seven players were honored with First Team All-MIAC distinction. The honorees included 22 seniors, nine juniors, three sophomores, and three first-year selections. Saint John’s led all programs with 11 First Team selections, followed by Bethel and Gustavus with eight each. Carleton had three First Team honorees, Hamline and St. Olaf both had two, and Augsburg, Concordia, and Macalester each had one.

Bethel offensive lineman Jack Fiedler became the conference’s tenth man on record to be named to four All-MIAC squads, having been selected to the Second Team in 2017 and the First Team in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Saint Johns’ offensive lineman Nick Neumann received First Team honors for the third consecutive season, while Bethel quarterback Jaran Roste joined Carleton safety Travis Brown as twotime Second Team picks who moved up to the First Team in 2021. Neu-

Ravi Alston was named the MIAC Jim Christopherson Player of the Year. Alston caught 65 passes for 906 yards and 9 TDs in 12 games for the Johnnies.

PHOTO BY LIBBY AUGER

mann, Roste, and Brown now join the exclusive list of just 110 individuals in recorded MIAC history to have earned three First or Second Team All-Conference selections in football.

Eight players also received All-MIAC distinction for the second time in their careers. Saint John’s wide receiver Ravi Alston joined Gustavus defenders Zachary Jakes and Kaleb Scott in being First Team selections in both 2019 and 2021, while Hamline wide receiver Tristan Thomas, Gustavus offensive lineman Gunnar Johnson, and Bethel cornerback Tavian Swanson were all Second Team picks in 2019 and First

Team honorees in 2021. St. Olaf tight end Isaac Coutier and defensive tackle Jordan Bartholomew repeated as Second Team selections in 2019 and 2021.

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC also announced the 15th annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for football. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition.

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December 2, 2021

MIAC award winners announced

2021 MIAC Football Jim Christopherson Player of the Year Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School WR Ravi Alston Saint John’s Sr. Lake Elsinore, Calif. | Vista Murrieta 2021 MIAC Football Mike Stam Award - Co-Linemen of the Year Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School DL Zachary Jakes Gustavus Sr. Mankato, Minn. | West DL Seth Morem Saint John’s Sr. Red Wing, Minn.

2021 MIAC Football John Gagliardi Coach of the Year Name Institution Previous Selections Gary Fasching Saint John’s 2014 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 2021 MIAC Football First Team Offense Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School QB Jaran Roste Bethel Jr. Alexandria, Minn. | Jefferson RB Bryce Kunkle Bethel So. Yuba City, Calif. | Sutter Union RB Henry Trost Saint John’s Sr. Lindstrom, Minn. | Chisago Lakes RB Jordan Embry St. Olaf Jr. Birmingham, Ala. | Ramsay WR Dominic Smith Augsburg Fy. White Bear Lake, Minn.

WR Joey Kidder Bethel Fy. New Richmond, Wis. WR Dalton Thelen Gustavus Sr. Cold Spring, Minn. | Rocori WR Triston Thomas Hamline Sr. Kissimmee, Fla. | Gateway WR Rex Desso Macalester Sr. Evergreen, Colo. | Lakewood WR Ravi Alston Saint John’s Sr. Lake Elsinore, Calif. | Vista Murrieta WR Matt Mohr Saint John’s Sr. Chisago City, Minn. | Chisago Lakes TE Alex Larson Saint John’s Jr. Woodbury, Minn. | East Ridge OL Jack Fiedler Bethel Sr. St. Michael, Minn. | St. Michael-Albertville OL Travis Sinclair Bethel Jr. Rogers, Minn.

-OL Collin Fleisch Concordia Sr. Fall City, Wash. | Mount Si OL Mitchell Borchardt Gustavus Sr. Le Sueur, Minn. | Le Sueur-Henderson OL Gunnar Johnson Gustavus Sr. St. Cloud, Minn. | Tech OL Tyler Johnson Saint John’s Sr. Willmar, Minn.

OL Nick Neumann Saint John’s Sr. Inver Grove Heights, Minn. | Cretin-Derham Hall 2021 MIAC Football First Team Defense Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School DL Zachary Jakes Gustavus Sr. Mankato, Minn. | West DL Metoriah Faoliu Saint John’s Sr. Wildomar, Calif. | Vista Murrieta DL Seth Morem Saint John’s Sr. Red Wing, Minn.

DL Michael Wozniak Saint John’s Jr. New Hope, Minn. | Robbinsdale Armstrong ILB Isaac Simons Carleton Jr. Oconomowoc, Wis. | Lake Country Lutheran ILB Carson Dekam Gustavus So. Owatonna, Minn.

ILB Erik Bjork Saint John’s Jr. Mahtomedi, Minn.

OLB Kyle Kornovich Saint John’s Sr. Rogers, Minn.

CB Tavian Swanson Bethel Sr. Burlington, Wash. | Burlington-Edison CB Kaleb Scott Gustavus Sr. Gardena, Calif. | Verbum Dei CB Adrian Cracolici Hamline Sr. Waddell, Ariz. | Verrado S Nate Farm Bethel So. Arden Hills, Minn. | Mounds View S Matt Feldick Bethel Jr. St. Michael, Minn. | St. Michael-Albertville S Travis Brown Carleton Sr. St. Michael, Minn. | St. Michael-Albertville S Ezekiel Sundberg Gustavus Sr. Lakewood, Colo.

2021 MIAC Football First Team Specialists Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School K Andrew Abegglen Gustavus Jr. Mound, Minn. | Mound-Westonka P Tyler Huettel St. Olaf Fy. McKinney, Texas | North RET Travis Brown Carleton Sr. St. Michael, Minn. | St. Michael-Albertville 2021 MIAC Football Second Team Offense Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School QB Cade Sheehan Augsburg Fy. Rochester, Minn. | Mayo QB Jonathan Singleton Carleton Jr. San Martin, Calif. | Live Oak QB Michael Nadeau Macalester So. Garden Grove, Calif. | La Quinta RB Peyton Mortenson Concordia Sr. Marietta, Minn. | Lac Qui Parle Valley RB David Peal Gustavus Sr. Worcester, Mass. | Holy Name Central Catholic WR Braden Tretter Augsburg Fy. Sauk Rapids, Minn. | Sauk Rapids-Rice WR Jake Breitbach Gustavus So. Golden Valley, Minn. | Armstrong WR Jimmy Buck Saint John’s So. Orono, Minn.

WR Mitchell Adrian St. Scholastica Sr. Altoona, Wis. TE Isaac Coutier St. Olaf So. Minneapolis, Minn. | Kennedy OL Evan Ginter Bethel So. Chisago Lakes, Minn.

OL Matthew Rasmussen Carleton Sr. Oberlin, Ohio OL T.J. Duerr Saint John’s Jr. Buffalo, Minn. | St. Michael-Albertville 2021 MIAC Football Second Team Defense Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School DL Aidan Thomas Bethel Jr. Sioux Falls, S.D. | O’Gorman DL Michael Carey Carleton So. Haddonfield, N.J. | Memorial DL Chase Dockter Concordia Jr. Bismarck, N.D. DL Sam Jones Gustavus Sr. Jacksonville, Fla. | Trinity Christian Academy DL John Newton Macalester Sr. Highland Village, Texas | Coram Deo Academy DL Collin Franz Saint John’s Sr. Otsego, Minn. | Rogers DL Jordan Bartholomew St. Olaf Sr. Kilkenny, Minn. | Tri-City United DL Tandrell Foster St. Scholastica Sr. Hurley, Wis. ILB Thomas Wurdemann Bethel So. North Branch, Minn.

OLB Brayden Finkbeiner Bethel Jr. Gilbert, Ariz. | Christian OLB Jacob Holmen Bethel Fy. Spicer, Minn. | New London-Spicer OLB Nicolas Negron Gustavus Sr. Dallas, Texas | Naaman Forest CB Tommy Deters Saint John’s Sr. Maple Plain, Minn. | Orono S Ryan McGregor Carleton Sr. Ellsworth, Wis. S Ethan Stark Saint John’s Jr. Sartell, Minn. | Sartell-St. Stephen 2021 MIAC Football Second Team Specialist Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School K Damien Silus Concordia Fy. Glencoe, Minn. | Glencoe-Silver Lake P Damien Silus Concordia Fy. Glencoe, Minn. | Glencoe-Silver Lake RET Triston Thomas Hamline Sr. Kissimmee, Fla. | Gateway 2021 MIAC Football Honorable Mention Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School RB Aaron Ellingson Bethel Fy. St. Louis Park, Minn.

RB Devin Vouk Saint John’s Sr. Sartell, Minn. | Sartell-St. Stephen WR Micah Niewald Bethel Fy. Fridley, Minn.

WR Beau Nelson Carleton Sr. San Diego, Calif. | Westview WR Ty Bruckner Macalester Sr. Bel Aire, Kan. | Wichita North WR Gabe Alada St. Olaf Sr. Minneapolis, Minn. | Benilde-St. Margaret’s TE Ethan Sindelir Gustavus Sr. Wells, Minn. | Maple River TE Charlie Wilson Hamline So. Woodbury, Minn.

OL Paul Lemke Augsburg Jr. Glencoe, Minn. | Glencoe-Silver Lake OL Ben Pham Carleton Jr. Lombard, Ill. | Glenbard East OL Abel Perry Concordia Sr. New Effington, S.D. | Rosholt OL Tommy Bigaouette Gustavus Sr. North Mankato, Minn. | Mankato West OL Will Conzet Hamline Sr. St. Paul, Minn. | Highland Park OL Jarod Fike Saint John’s Sr. White Bear Lake, Minn.

DL Shaquille Young Augsburg So. St. Paul, Minn. | Tartan DL Ethan Herron Bethel So. Weatherford, Texas DL Anthony Vo St. Scholastica Fy. St. Paul, Minn. | Roseville ILB Brandon Sjostrand Augsburg So. Bloomington, Minn. | Kennedy ILB Noah Jenson Concordia Sr. Broomfield, Colo.

ILB Ty Moser Concordia Jr. Perham, Minn.

ILB Sam Fritz Hamline Jr. Blaine, Minn. | Spring Lake Park ILB Brandon Foster St. Olaf Sr. Faribault, Minn. | Northfield ILB Jamari Thompson St. Scholastica Fy. Little Rock, Ark. | Waller OLB Noah Bresson Macalester So. Homosassa, Fla. | Crystal River CB Jackson Cleveland Carleton Jr. River Falls, Wis. CB Andrey Denson Gustavus So. El Paso, Texas | Pebble Hills -S Nick Sabatino St. Olaf Sr. Villa Park, Ill. | Willowbrook -S Jake Kukowski St. Scholastica Jr. Aitkin, Minn.

-K/P Jon Neve Macalester Sr. Minnetrista, Minn. | Mound-Westonka -K Conor Pavelko Saint John’s Fy. Sioux Falls, S.D. | O’Gorman -2021 MIAC Football All-Sportsmanship Team Position Name Institution Class Hometown | High School WR Josiah Ferguson Augsburg Sr. St. Michael, Minn. | St. Michael-Albertville RB Sid Boros Bethel Sr. Becker, Minn.

WR Carl Marvin Carleton Sr. Wilmington, Del. | The Tatnall School OL Collin Fleisch Concordia Sr. Fall City, Wash. | Mount Si WR Brett Hufendick Gustavus Sr. Edina, Minn.

TE Eli Danielson Hamline Sr. Hayward, Wis. OL Jacob Bulling Macalester Sr. Albuquerque, N.M. | Volcano Vista QB Chris Backes Saint John’s Sr. St. Cloud, Minn. | Tech QB Lars Prestemon St. Olaf Sr. Northfield, Minn.

LB Mack Nelson St. Scholastica Jr. Sandstone, Minn. | East Central

Seth Morem DL St. John’s Red Wing, MN

Zachary Jakes DL Gustavus Mankato MN

Jaran Roste QB Bethel Alexandria, MN

Jordan Bartholomew DL St. Olaf Kilkenny, MN

Nate Farm Safety Bethel Arden Hills, MN

Dominic Smith Safety Augsburg White Bear Lake, MN

Travis Brown Safety Carleton St. Michael, MN

Mack Nelson Linebacker St. Scholastica Sandstone, MN

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MINNESOTA FOOTBALL SHOWCASE (MFCA ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME)

DECEMBER 2021 NORTH ALL-STARS ROSTER (White) Updated 11/29/21

★ NORTH

NORTH ALL-STARS ROSTER (White) HEAD COACH

Marc Franz

Rogers North CentralBlack, 5A

ASSISTANT COACHES

Aron Anderson Brainerd North CentralRed, 6A

Chris Moscho BelgradeBrooten-Elrosa Mid StateBlue, 1A

Tom Nelson Two Harbors NortheastWhite, 3A

Justin Reese Fridley Twin CityMaroon, 4A

Anthony Soderberg

DilworthGlyndon-Felton MidwestRed, 3A

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 26 29 38 42 45 50 57 58 61 64 67 68 69 72 74 75 76 77 80 82 97

Name Carter Callahan Gideon Ervasti Anthony Lewis-Royal Levi Lampert Mason Wilson Teagan Pfeffer Mario Sanders Camden Royal Lucas Jansky Spencer Alvarez Jaylon Washington Colton Hackel Nick Ojile Joe Russell Connor Develice Wyatt Sawatzke Amir Everett David Geebli Jarrett Bennett Eli Gillman Nathaniel Staehling Jordan McClom Devin Williams Jamal Dixon Darius Givance Ismael Kante Charlie Stoeckel Mason South Thomas Odenthal Brent Feldewerd Reiken Downs Braden Peterson Reese Turnbull Tait Kongsjord Charlie Brophy Camden Erskine Justin Littlewolf Cole Madsen Ethan Schwab Isaiah Ward Xavier Peltoma Jack Teiken Kaden Zenzen Jayce Walrath

School/City Becker Verndale White Bear Lake Upsala/Swanville Stillwater Alexandria Minneapolis North Robbinsdale Cooper Kimball Area Columbia Heights Minneapolis North Perham Spring Lake Park Robbinsdale Cooper Andover Monticello DeLaSalle, Minneapolis Coon Rapids St. Michael-Albertville Dassel-Cokato Brainerd Robbinsdale Armstrong Fridley Moorhead Champlin Park Park Center St. Anthony Village Maple Grove Albany Melrose Rogers Maple Lake Cloquet Deer River Orono Concordia Academy, Roseville Mahnomen/Waubun Buffalo Willmar Centennial St. Michael-Albertville Moorhead Barnesville Sauk Rapids-Rice

Position LB OLB RB WR DL DB WR RB QB INJD, DL RB DB DL RB QB WR LB OLB DB RB OLB DB WR RB DB OLB LB DL DL DL OL OL OL OL OL OC OC OL OL OL DL DL TE LB

District-Sub District North Central-White 9 - West-South Metro-Maroon-North Mid State-Blue Metro-Maroon-North North Central-Red Twin City-Green Suburban-Blue Mid State-Blue Twin City-Red Twin City-Green Midwest-Red Suburban-Blue Suburban-Blue North Central-Black North Central-Blue Twin City-Green North Central-Black Metro-Gold-North East Central-South North Central-Red Suburban-Blue Twin City-Maroon North Central-Red Metro-Gold-North Twin City-Green Twin City-Maroon Metro-Gold-North East Central-North Mid State-Red North Central-Black Mid State-Blue Northeast-Red Northeast-Silver Suburban-Red Twin City-Blue Northwest-North North Central-Black North Central-White Metro-Gold-North Metro-Gold-North North Central-Red Midwest-White North Central-Blue

Class 4A 9M 6A 1A 6A 5A 2A 5A 2A 4A 2A 3A 5A 5A 5A 5A 4A 6A 6A 3A 6A 5A 4A 5A 6A 5A 4A 6A 3A 3A 5A 2A 4A 1A 4A 2A 1A 5A 4A 6A 6A 5A 2A 5A

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December 2, 2021

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MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 Stadium MINNESOTA FU.S. OOTBBank ALL SHO WCASE (MFCA ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME)

Featuring the best high school athletes from across the state!

DECEMBER 2021 SOUTH ALL-STARS ROSTER (Purple) Updated 11/29/21

★ SOUTH

SOUTH ALL-STARS ROSTER (Purple) HEAD COACH

Ray Betton Shakopee Metro-GoldSouth, 6A

ASSISTANT COACHES

Ryan Galindo Minneapolis Washburn Twin City-Silver, 5A

Jim Gunderson Academy of Holy Angels Richfield SuburbanRed, 4A

Jeff Johnson Chatfield SoutheastWhite, 2A

Matt Lundeen

Redwood Valley South CentralSilver, 2A

Doug Wanous Owatonna Big Southeast-Red, 5A (Butch Nash Award 2014)

# 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 27 28 32 44 50 53 53 55 56 59 60 64 66 70 71 72 75 76 77 78 85 86 87 88

Name Logan Gareis Levi Lindley Emmett Johnson Charlie Boucher Joey Gerlach Chase Carter Ryan Haley Jacob Eggert Jarret Ahlschlager Zach Jorgensen Grant Achterkirch Evan Bearth Joey Gendreau Drew Kittelson Cayden Holcomb Mekhi Collins Chase Johnson Colton Gregersen Noah Smith Tyrique Williams Drew Lundeen Toby Anene Logan Larson Gannon Rosenfeld Clay Nielsen Blake Carlson Ben Laack Bennett Larson Brady Moore Kendrick Otto Ian DeGross Nathaniel Kleven Nolan Buckholtz Martin Koivisto Spencer Opitz Kean Hicks Gavin Falk Zach Cochnauer Devin Lockerby Jackson Esping Zach Juckel Blake Gode Chase Androff Tyler Von Bank

School/City Eden Prairie Jackson County Central Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield Minneapolis Southwest Woodbury SMB Wolfpack Mankato West Mankato East Waseca Fairmont Owatonna Park, Cottage Grove Minnetonka Blooming Prairie Rochester Mayo Mankato West LeRoy-Ostrander Burnsville Rochester Mayo Chanhassen Redwood Valley East Ridge East Ridge Mankato West Randolph Goodhue Rochester John Marshall Eden Prairie Richfield Cannon Falls New Prague Murray County Central, Slayton Maple River Shakopee Shakopee Blue Earth Area Edina Farmington Faribault Minneota Lakeville South Lakeville North Lakeville South Mound Westonka

Position DB OLB RB OLB DB DL LB QB LB DB OLB QB WR WR DB WR WR LB RB DB DB RB DL DL DL INJD, OL OL LB DL OC OC OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OLB DL TE WR

District-Sub District Metro-Gold-South South Central-Silver Suburban-Red Twin City-Silver Metro-Maroon-South Twin City-Green Big Southeast-Red Big Southeast-Blue South Central-White South Central-White Big Southeast-Red Metro-Maroon-South Metro-Gold-North Mid Southeast-White Big Southeast-Red Big Southeast-Red 9 - South-East Metro-Maroon-South Big Southeast-Red Suburban-White South Central-Silver Metro-Maroon-South Metro-Maroon-South Big Southeast-Red Mid Southeast-Blue Southeast-White Big Southeast - Red Metro-Gold-South Twin City-Silver Southeast-Red Big Southeast-Red Southwest-East South Central-Blue Metro-Gold-South Metro-Gold-South South Central-Blue Metro-Gold-South Metro-Gold-South Big Southeast-Blue Southwest-West Metro-Gold-South Metro-Gold-South Metro-Gold-South Twin City-Maroon

Class 6A 2A 4A 5A 6A 4A 5A 5A 3A 3A 5A 6A 6A 2A 5A 5A 9M 6A 5A 5A 2A 6A 6A 5A 1A 2A 5A 6A 4A 3A 5A 1A 2A 6A 6A 2A 6A 6A 4A 1A 6A 6A 6A 4A

12

December 2, 2021

Let’s Play Football

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Prep Bowl 6A: Lakeville South 13, Maple Grove 7

Lakeville South players celebrate after claiming their first 6A football title after beating Maple Grove 13-7 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cougars finished the season unbeaten at 13-0.

Cougars claw their way to 6A title

by MALIK MITCHELL The Lakeville South Cougars played in their second Prep Bowl game and brought home their first 6A championship in program history.

The Cougars have had seven State Tournament appearances. Head coach Ben Burk led his team to a championship victory after only being head coach for three seasons.

“I just feel fortunate, I’m one piece of a huge operation. I love our players and the tenacity that they show and the work ethic that they have,” said Burk.

“That comes from how they were raised and the community that we live in.”

They finished their season going undefeated with a record of 13-0.

There have been some ups and downs with losing in the 6A semifinals in 2019, and then last season leading the Cougars to a perfect 8-0 record but couldn’t compete for the championship due to COVID. They were named the “mythical” State champions by the Associated Press, but missed out on the U.S Bank Stadium experience.

“It felt a lot better than last year

winning a real championship. Being able to celebrate with the guys and do it in front of the whole community is something I’ll never forget. There is nothing ‘mythical’ about this one” Quarterback Camden Dean said.

Burk’s journey as a Cougar started out as a quarterbacks coach in 2012.

He later moved up to offensive coordinator in 2017 and set the school’s record for rushing yards and points per game in each of his two full seasons as the play-caller.

“It’s tough to break into the head coaching world when you haven’t been one before because there’s plenty of coaches that have head coaching experience,” said Burk. “So to me, it was just you have to be disciplined.

You have to have a work ethic and work super hard and outwork everybody and your time will come.”

The long road led him into receiving the 2020 Kare 11 All-Metro Coach of the Year, 2020 MFCA 6A Coach of the Year and 2020 Section 3AAAAAA Coach of the Year.

Teams were unable to crack Lakeville South’s “Lake-Vinci Code” running out of a Power-T formation finishing the season with a total of

3,990 rushing yards.

“It’s hard to replicate, being that we’re the only team in 6A that runs it.

We’re physical,” said Burk. “So you have a week to prepare for that when you don’t ever see it and the ones that have seen it before usually do the best against it.”

On defense, they had a total of 860 tackles, 33 sacks, 10 interceptions, and recovered 13 fumbles. This season, junior running back Carson Hansen has rushed for 2,012 yards and scored 23 touchdowns, averaging 154 yards a game. He also caught four touchdown passes. Camden Dean has passed for 649 yards and 9 touchdowns and ran for 567 yards for 16 touchdowns. Senior linebacker Zach Juckel has 128 tackles and 8 sacks on the season.

Some seniors that are set to play at the collegiate level next year are tight end/outside linebacker Will Chlebecek, who is committed to St. Thomas University. Quarterback Camden Dean is committed to Minnesota State University, Mankato. Tight end Chase Androff is committed to Nebraska University and Tight end Jack Juckel has eight D1 offers and has not decided where he will be attending next fall.

Lakeville South quarterback Camden Dean celebrates as the Cougars took home the Class 6A title with a 13-7 win over Maple Grove

South’s defense steps up to shut down Maple Grove

by MALIK MITCHELL After going undefeated last season without the chance to compete for the 6A Championship, the Lakeville South Cougars finally got closure after winning their first championship over Maple Grove 13-7.

Lakeville South’s head coach Ben Burk said, “Maple Grove is a super well coached team and coach Lombardi had some good schemes for us that we had to overcome.”

It was a battle from the start, both teams’ defenses prevented each other from scoring in the first quarter. Lakeville South’s dominant run game met their match failing to score time and time again. Maple Grove’s defense had cracked the code on Lakeville South’s Power-T run game that had been troublesome all season. However, Maple Grove’s dynamic offense failed to get a

score after a broken field goal attempt.

Senior quarterback Camden Dean said, “Maple Grove was big up front and was very physical. It’s one of the only ways to stop our offense. You have to be bigger, stronger, faster than us to slow us down. They did a great job, but we made the big plays in the end.”

In the second quarter, Maple Grove muffed a punt which led to a recovery by Lakeville South’s senior wide receiver/ defensive back Hunter Webster which put the Cougars in Maple Grove’s territory. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get things to work on offense and tried to kick a 35-yard field goal but missed the attempt.

A couple drives later, Maple Grove had the same luck after driving down field to set up for a 52-yard field goal but ended up getting blocked with 11 seconds left in the second quarter.

To start the third quarter, Maple Grove seemed to find some rhythm on

offense. Senior running back Derrick Jameson led the way down field after a couple good runs. Then out of nowhere junior quarterback Jacob Kilzer floated a pass to junior fullback Tanner Albeck for a 24-yard touchdown. That touchdown made it 7-0 with eight minutes left in the quarter.

Refusing to back down, Lakeville South responded with senior quarterback Camden Dean making defenders miss off a quarterback run making it 7-7 to end the quarter.

“We stayed confident in what we do and we deal with adversity better than anyone in the state. We come together during hard times and it gave us the edge last night” Dean said.

Dean struck again with another quarterback run breaking a tackle and hitting the races for 52-yards to make it 13-7 after an extra point was missed with three minutes left in the 4th quarter.

“The fact that we run our offense

the way that we do, he hasn’t been able to really show his talent on display like some other quarterbacks get,” said Coach Burk. “He’s just been a trooper and a leader that we needed him to be and willing to put the team first in that regard. For him to step up in that moment and execute I thought was just poetic for him and just shows his tenacity as a leader and you know he wants the big moment and he will do that when it matters.”

Lakeville South kept Maple Grove off their heels after they failed to convert on a 4th-and-10, giving the ball to Lakeville South with 47 seconds left. They ran out the last seconds taking a knee to end the game with a final score of 13-7.

“Winning the championship was a huge sigh of relief. Knowing that all our hard work and passion throughout the year had finally paid off. I love all these guys and no one deserved it more. No one can take this away from us” Dean said.

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December 2, 2021

Prep Bowl 5A: Mankato West 24, Mahtomedi 10

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Mankato West completed their season with a perfect 13-0 record after a 24-10 win over Mahtomedi in the Class AAAAA state title game. It is the school’s fifth state championship.

Mankato West completes perfect season

by MALIK MITCHELL

After seven years, Mankato West won their fifth championship over Mahtomedi after defeating St. Thomas Academy 2114 in the quarterfinals and Rogers 42-7 in the semifinals. Mankato West is now five-for-five in Prep Bowl championship games. The Scarlets finished their undefeated season with a record of 13-0 making this their first full undefeated season in program history. They broke another record, only allowing 4.9 points per game.

The Scarlets have only surrendered 61 points this season while scoring a total of 561 points.

Head coach JJ Helget said, “When you have a defense like that you can have a large differential in scoring because they’re constantly getting you the ball back on offense.”

Teams rushed less than 70 yards per game and 107 total offense per game against the Scarlets. Last season, they were undefeated playing only six games.

They won the Section 2AAAAA Semifinals before their season was cut short due to COVID. “To have that taken from them, really set the tone to realize we can’t take anything for granted,” Helget said. “We have to work and earn everything and we have to be humble and know that when an opportunity arises we have to take advantage of it.”

Helget has been coaching football at Mankato West for the past 16 years. He

spent the first six years as an offensive line coach and then moved up to an offensive coordinator for five years winning two state championships during that run.

During the last five years as head coach, Mankato West has gone 41-7 with 2 Sub-District Championships and one State Tournament Appearance.

Senior Gibson Blackstad said, “He is very honest and he really pushed us to get better. He really cares about his players and winning the state championship would not have been possible without his great coaching.”

Mankato West had chemistry and experience under their belt, returning 15 seniors which led to a dominant season.

“Our senior group set a really good example of what Mankato West football is all about,” said Blackstad. “We all stuck together throughout our four years here at West and everyone had a role and accepted it.”

This season’s stat leaders were Zander Dittbenner threw for 1,805 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also rushed for 457 and six more touchdowns. Walker Britz rushed for 1,185 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 98 yards per game. Mekhi Collins had 43 receptions for 766 yards and 19 touchdowns. Ryan Haley had 136 total tackles, 15 sacks, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

The Scarlets finished the season with 561 points with 1,742 passing yards, and 2,273 rushing yards. On defense, they had a total of 547 total tackles, 44 sacks, 19 interceptions, and recovered eight fumbles.

Some seniors that are set to play at the collegiate level next year are wide receiver Mekhi Collins who is committed to North

Dakota State University. Mr. Football candidate, linebacker/running back Ryan Haley is committed to Brown University.

Brady Haugum making it 14-0 in the last seconds of the 1st quarter.

“We saw them selling out on runs so hard so I told him before the drive, ‘hey we’re probably gonna run glance at some point, Brady’s gonna be wide open,’” said Helget. ‘Sell it and get it over the linebacker.’”

To start the second quarter, out of nowhere Mahtomedi’s sophomore quarterback Charles Brandt hit senior wide receiver Ethan Loss on a corner route which put them into Mankato West’s territory.

On the next play, they received a pass interference call which set them up just inside the 20 yard-line. They were unable to finish the drive settling for a 32-yard field goal but ended up missing the attempt.

However, the Zephyrs got the ball back after Mankato West fumbled a hand off putting them back into Mankato’s territory. Things didn’t go their way due to Mankato West’s fast defense holding them to just a field goal making it 14-3 with nine minutes left in the quarter.

Mahtomedi fought back with Ethan Loss intercepting a pass in their end zone and took it up the sideline to put them just above the 30 yard-line. He later caught a huge over the shoulder pass by the sideline, spinning some defenders off before going down. Mahtomedi tried to put some

points on the board but Joseph Heinsch’s 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked by senior tight end/defensive end, Gibson Blackstad. That ended the first half with a score of 14-3.

“Our special teams coordinator does a good job, he saw a couple things on tape that he thought we could get one,” Helget said.

In the 3rd quarter, Mahtomedi’s Ethan Loss showed his speed as he beat his defender deep to come down with a diving catch. Mahtomedi then ran a sweep to Senior linebacker/running back Jordan Hull as he broke tackles before going down to land them on the 40-yard line.

The big play led to senior Gunnar Woods wide receiver/defensive back catching an out route that got them inside the 5-yard line. Not long after, Mahtomedi got their first touchdown of the game with Hull pounding it in shortening Mankato’s lead 14-10.

Mankato West responded with Dittbenner throwing to Blackstad after being left wide open, as he trotted into the end zone making it 21-10 with a little under two minutes left in the third quarter.

“That score really just took a lot of pressure off of our defense and it also crushed all hope they had of winning,” said Blackstad.

A few drives later Mahtomedi’s Jordan Hull forced a fumble and was recovered by junior defensive linemen, John Johnson in the last seconds of the quarter.

Their offense continued to struggle, failing to score on the next drive. However, they managed to recover another fumble in the start of the 4th quarter, but failed to score yet again.

“We knew they had to throw the ball to beat us but we didn’t think on film that they could throw it consistently all the way down the field to score,” Helget said.

Mankato West started to get things going again after a big run from Ryan Haley shifting through defenders and landing them on the 40-yard line. After dropping a touchdown pass on a third-and-nine, they kicked a field goal with four minutes left in the fourth quarter making it 24-10.

After Mahtomedi failed to convert on a fourth down, Mankato West got the ball back with one minute left. They brought out the victory formation, taking a knee to end the game with a final score of 24-10.

“Getting that stop helped seal the game and helped us win the game,” said Blackstad.

Zander Dittbenner finished with 11 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Gibson Blackstad breaks free in Mankato West’s 24-10 win over Mahtomedi in the 5A Prep Bowl. Blackstad had a TD in the game as the Scarlets finished the season undefeated at 13-0.

Defense steps up to stop Zephyrs

by MALIK MITCHELL

The Mankato West Scarlets (13-0) beat the Mahtomedi Zephyrs (10-3) 24-10 to win the Class 5A state title. Their solid defense and their offensive play makers led the Scarlets to their best season in school history.

Mankato West’s head coach JJ Helget said, “We knew that we deserved to be in that game, we earned the right to be in that game. Watching the film we knew that we were the better team, we just needed to come out and prove it.”

Mankato West made their presence felt early as junior wide receiver/outside linebacker Elijah Bollman forced a fumble on a punt and was recovered by senior middle linebacker/running back Ryan Haley, who returned it for a touchdown in the opening minutes of the game.

“It kind of fueled us, our defense and our special teams have been making phenomenal plays all year,” said Helget.

They kept the momentum going after stopping Mahtomedi’s offense on the next drive. Senior quarterback Zander Dittbenner had a 30-yard run with the help of some good blocks to put them at the 20 yard-line. He later threw a touchdown pass to senior running back/middle linebacker,

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December 2, 2021

Let’s Play Football

Prep Bowl 4A: Hutchinson 42, Kasson-Mantorville 14

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Hutchinson players celebrate their first state championship since the school won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

Tigers celebrate another title in Hutchinson

by MALIK MITCHELL The Hutchinson Tigers captured their first State Championship since 2013 after defeating Kasson-Mantorville 42-14.

Head coach Andy Rostberg said, “I was looking forward to watching the kids and coaches that had never been on a title team celebrate.”

Junior Alex Elliot said, “It was a dream come true for us because we all grew up watching the 2012 and 2013 team win the state championship two years in a row. Especially for me I wanted to live up to my older brother and take one home as well” Alex Elliot’s older brother, Adam, was a part of the championship teams in 2012 and 2013. He has another brother, Aaron, who played beside him sharing the championship victory together to cap off his senior season. His other older brother, Andrew played for the Tigers in 2017.

Seems like the whole town of Hutchinson was ready for the Tigers to bring back another championship after a long seven years.

“There was energy throughout the whole town leading up to this game and we all felt confident when we had the town on our backs” Elliot said.

The Tigers showed their dominance managing to score 40 or more points in six games this season. Hutchinson high school has built a legacy around its football program for decades. In the past 54 seasons, there have only been two head football coaches at Hutchinson High School. Grady Rostberg started head coaching for Hutchinson in 1970. He led the Tigers to a 277-89-1 record before he retired in 1998. He ranks 13th in Minnesota history in games won and in 2016, he received the John Gagliardi Legacy Award.

“I’m definitely not competing or trying to beat my father’s records. I’d like

to get within one win of him and then retire,” said Andy. “We are about changing lives in a positive way, winning takes care of itself if you go about it in the right way.”

His son, Andy, picked up where his father left off after being named head coach in 1999.

“Taking over for my dad was never really talked about, practiced, or prepped for. When he decided to retire, I was an assistant on his staff and it’s something that just happened,” said Andy.

Andy led the Tigers to two state titles in 2012 and 2013. He also played under his father and won two state titles in 1983 and 1984. They both led Hutchinson to a combination of 24 state tournament appearances. Hutchinson High School has put them on the Wall of Fame, along with other family members.

“I think the Hutch football legacy is what’s important, the Rostberg name is a part of that, but so are many other

names,” said Andy.

Hutchinson finished their season with 483 points scored with a total of 4471 rushing yards and 343 passing yards. On defense, they had a total of 679 tackles, 13 sacks, 11 interceptions, and recovered 13 fumbles. Junior fullback Levi Teetzel accomplished 1,533 yards and 17 touchdowns and averaged 8.7 yards per carry.

AJ Ladwig racked up 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and averaged 83.3 yards per game. Mitchell Piehl rushed for 833 yards for 7 touchdowns and averaged 12 yards a game.

Some seniors that are set to play at the collegiate level next year are defensive back Sam Rensch who is commitmented to Augustana University for basketball.

Quarterback/defensive end Colin Nagel is committed to the University of Minnesota Duluth. Linebacker/Tight end Aaron Elliott has offers from Southwest Minnesota State University and Northern Iowa.

Early lead leads to decisive win over Kasson-Mantorville

by MALIK MITCHELL The No.2 Hutchinson Tigers (12-1) overpowered the No.9 Kasson-Mantorville Komets (9-4) with their dominant ground game at the U.S Bank Stadium on November 27.

The Tigers started out emphasizing their dominant run game, as junior running back Alex Elliott took a handoff to the outside, making one guy miss and scoring a 40-yard touchdown. After a missed 2-point conversion the score was 6-0.

They came back at the start of the 2nd quarter, scoring a goal line touchdown by junior fullback AJ Ladwig making it 14-0 after making a 2-point conversion. Not long after, senior half back Mitchel Piehl took it 90 yards, breaking one tackle and then simply outrunning the Komets defense.

“We were excited to be up, but we knew the job wasn’t done,” Alex Elliot said. “We still knew we were up against an explosive team so we had to stay calm and focused.”

Their unsuccessful 2-point conversion made it 20-0.

Kasson finally found some luck after senior quarterback Matt Donovan made several cuts without being touched before scoring a 30-yard touchdown.

Hutchinson wasn’t phased, scoring a 12-yard touchdown in the last seconds of the quarter by Alex Elliott. After making a two-point conversion the score was 28-7 at half. Hutchinson rolled up 289 rushing yards on 27 carries in the first half.

Hutchinson head coach Andy Rost-

The Tigers are the top team in 4A fotball in 2021 after a convincing 42-14 win over Kasson-Mantorville at U.S. Bank Stadium. berg said, “If they can’t stop the run we certainly aren’t going to throw. When a team gives up a TD pass they just shrug their shoulders and try and not let it happen again, when a defense can’t stop the run, there will come a time that they will surrender.”

Getting into the 3rd quarter, Hutchinson kept the ball rolling as AJ Ladwig pounded in another goal-line touchdown making it 36-7 after a successful 2-point conversion.

Kasson tried to cut the lead as Anthony Moe-Tucker took it up the middle for

14 yards making it 36-14.

“I thought our Defense was outstanding holding a team that averaged close to 40 points a game to 14,” said Rostberg.

“Our Offense was able to control the ball and finish drives.”

The Tigers were just too powerful for the Komets as senior quarterback Colin Nagel ended the game scoring on a quarterback keeper to end the game with a final score of 42-14.

“I feel our defense did outstanding all game long. We went up against a very strong offense but our defense really came

through. The big turnovers caused by our defense gave us some momentum back on offense” Elliott said.

The Tigers had a total of 429 yards on the ground. Alex Elliot finished with 125 yards and 2 touchdowns, Mitchell Piehl rushed for 128 yards and 1 touchdown, and AJ Ladwig scrapped up 78 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“Our O-Line played their butts off in this game opening up huge lanes for our backs to run through. Definitely couldn’t have done it without them” Elliot Said

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December 2, 2021

Prep Bowl 3A : Dassel-Cokato 28, Plainview-Elgin-Millville 21

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After a heartbreaking 28-27 loss in the 2019 Prep Bowl to Pierz, Dassel-Cokato players were able to call themselves No. 1 after defeating Plainview-Elgin-Millville 28-21 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Two years later, Dassel-Cokato gets it done

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Two years ago Dassel-Cokato came as close as you can to winning a state championship. They battled perennial power Pierz in the title game, but unfortunately fell short 28-27 to the Pioneers.

Last season they were poised to return to the Prep Bowl when a pesky virus cut the season short.

That meant 2021 was their year. Eli Gillman, one of the top players in the state, was now a senior. He had said second place just wasn’t going to cut it this time around…and he was right.

The Chargers were not going to settle for anything less, and they didn’t, defeating Plainview-Elgin-Millville 28-21 to claim the Class AAA championship. After the game, head Coach Ryan Weinandt had one thing to say to his team: “Thank you.”

“We just told them this was something they worked hard for and earned,” he said. “We told them they will forever have this bond now, and us coaches are excited for them and just happy to be a part of it.”

Located about 60 miles west of Minneapolis and 40 miles south of St. Cloud, Dassel-Cokato High Senior High School has about 625 students. The communi-

ty rallied around their football team after their close call in 2019 and the unfortunate circumstances of last season.

“We had people lining the streets on the way to every one of our state tournament games,” said Weinandt. “Our fans show up big time, whether its home or away.”

After they won the Prep Bowl the streets were packed as the team bus returned to town. The school filled up welcoming back the team that had worked tirelessly to accomplish their goal.

“It was surreal,” said Weinandt. “We have always had such great support here, which I am grateful for.”

Nobody thought about their 2019 defeat to Pierz more than Coach Weinandt.

“There probably hasn’t been a day, or at least a week that has gone by since then that I haven’t thought about it,” he said. “I think that really drove us to get there again and finish this time around.”

Just five years ago the Chargers were 2-7. This year they finished 14-0. Wienandt said playing in such a tough conference has made it tough in years past. But this year’s team emerged, defeating conference rivals Annandale, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Watertown-Mayer and Litchfield.

They had to get past a very good Fair-

mont team in the state quarterfinals and then edged out an undefeated Esko squad 21-14 to get to the Prep Bowl.

“We have been in four section final games previously so we have had some really good teams, just never able to get to this level,” said Weinandt.

A big reason they got to the level they did was because of their running game.

Gillman, who is committed to play Division 1 football at Montana, rushed for 2,211 yards and 42 touchdowns. But he wasn’t the only back who helped lead the charge. His younger brother Monte carried the ball 103 times and averaged 7.3 yards per carry. Keyton Johnson, who had a huge TD in the title game, also averaged more than seven yards a carry and was handed off to 130 times.

“Eli is a special player, there is no question about that,” said Weinandt. “His impact is great. But he will be the first to tell you he has a great team around him that has pushed him, made holes for him and played at a high level.”

Johnson scored 14 touchdowns for the Chargers. Having three-plus backs able to run the ball effectively was a huge advantage for the Chargers, as evidenced by their time of possession in the championship game where they doubled up on

P-E-M. “Keyton is an outstanding running back and so is Monte Gillman,” Weinandt said. “He is also very dangerous. We know if teams overload to stop Eli, the other two are great weapons.”

Of course those backs can’t do their thing without a strong line up front. In the championship game there was only one play form scrimmage that went for negative yardage, and that was on a mishandle.

“The crazy thing is six of our front seven were new starters this year,” he said.

“They worked extremely hard at their craft every week. You could just see them getting better and better. They played disciplined and sound ball.”

The defense can’t go unmentioned either.

“Our D coordinator, Pat Schuette, really really did a fantastic job,” said Weinandt. We were the bend but don’t break defense.”

The defense also had a slew of new starters — nine to be exact.

The loss of Gillman and Johnson in the backfield will hurt, but Monte Gillman returns with an experienced offensive line and an experienced defense.

So chances are these Chargers aren’t done putting a charge into their opponents.

Timing was right for Chargers’ run to title

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN When a team has possession of the ball twice as much as the other it usually results in victory.

This was the case in Dassel-Cokato’s 28-21 win over Plainview-Elgin-Millville.

The Chargers had the ball for 32 minutes while the Bulldogs were half that.

But Dassel-Cokato Head Coach Ryan Weinandt said the reason for the disparity wasn’t so much a plan as it was how good P-E-M’s defense was.

“The time of possession thing was more because we had to run a lot of plays,” said Weinandt. “We didn’t break big ones.

We just had the mindset that we are going to try to score on every drive, because that might be what it takes, which was true.”

The teams traded possessions early until D-C’s Eli Gillman scored and with an extra point put the Chargers up 7-0 with just under two minutes to play in the first quarter.

But P-E-M’s Connor McGuire capped off an impressive drive with a TD run and with an extra point tied ther game 7-7.

Before the quarter closed out, Gillman scored his second TD of the game with 57 seconds left and a 14-7 lead.

But McGuire utilized the few seconds

Dassel-Cokato’s Eli Gillman makes a tackle on P-E-M’s Kyler Lamb in D-C’s 28-21 Prep Bowl win. he had to make something happen by conand play recognition. After that we knew necting on a 46-yard toss to Jason Feils to we couldn’t give up big plays. They had a tie the game 14-14 with just eight seconds lot of long touchdowns over the year and left. we wanted to try to make them line up and “We couldn’t really key on one playearn it. Which was very hard because they er. Maybe the biggest thing was adjusting are extremely well coached, have great to their formations, motions, etcetera,” schemes and have speed and talent all over said Weinandt. “With correct alignment the place.”

Gillman ran for his third touchdown fo the game and 42nd of the season to cap off a nother marathon drive that ultimately proved the deciding factor.

“Our Offense was very disciplined with no penalties, very few missed assignments and our guys ran hard,” said Coach Weinandt. “Greg also had two key completions on third and longs. I know he only threw two passes, but both were instrumental in our win.”

Keyton Johnson willed his way into the end zone on a 10-yard run and with an extra point gave the Chargers a 28-14 lead. That was all they needed. P-E-M scored with just over five minutes to play, but first downs became a necessity for the Chargers as they ate up the clock for much of the game, leading to victory.

Gillman led the Chargers with 150 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns.

Johnson rushed 20 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. In all the Chargers rushed for 311 yards.

Greg Clark’s two passes both were completions for 43 yards to Gillman and as Coach Weinandt stated, extended drives that led to scores.

P-E-M’s McGuire was 20-for-31 for 264 yards and tow touchdowns. Feils ans Hunter Tentis caught both TD strikes.

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December 2, 2021

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Prep Bowl Class 2A: Chatfield 14, West Central Area/Ashby 13

Senior Grady Schott hoists the state championship trophy with fellow senior teammates (from left) Dylan Cocker, Campbell Berge, Ethan Ruskell, Mason Clemens and Caden Nolte.

Chatfield overcomes adversity to win 2A title

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN The Chatfield Gophers were no strangers to relying on decisions out of their control that would determine the success of their season.

Prior to their kickoff against West Central Area/Ashby in the Class AA Prep Bowl, they were awaiting a judge’s decision on whether or not suspended quarterback Sam Backer would be allowed to play. Backer, an instrumental player in Chatfield’s season-long success, received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the team’s semifinal win. Minnesota State High School rules indicate that because he received an ejection, he had to sit out the next game as well.

The judge denied the family’s request and Backer was forced to watch from the sidelines.

Then, in the fourth quarter, hanging on to a 14-13 lead, they were also hanging onto the decision whether West Central Area/Ashby indeed converted for two to take a 15-14 lead. The initial call was that they did, but the call was overturned and they held onto the lead for the final three minutes to claim the AA title.

So yes, the Gophers had one call not go their way, but another one did. In the end, they were able to bring home the state title.

Chatfield got on board midway through the first quarter when backup quarterback Parker Delaney ran in from six yards out for a 6-0 lead. The two-point conversion failed and West Central Area/ Ashby answered when QB Evan Paulson connected with Cole Anderson on a 30yard score. Paulson kicked the extra point for a 7-6 lead after the first quarter. At this

point it appeared the game would be close and perhaps come down to a final play.

Chatfield’s defense gave them a boost midway through the second quarter when Carter Daniels scooped up a fumble and jaunted 31 yards to the end zone. This time they converted on the two-point conversion when Drew O’Connor found Grady Schott for a 14-7 lead.

It stayed that way until there was 3:51 left in the game. That’s when West Central’s Paulson scored from a yard out to make it 14-13. Anthony Sykora then tried to score on the two-point conversion and while the initial ruling was that he did score, it was overturned.

The Gophers were able to keep WCA/A from scoring in the waning minutes to claim the AA title.

Delaney turned in a solid performance on quick notice for the Gophers by completing five passes for 67 yards. He also rushed for 35 yards and did not have a turnover. Kailan Schott led the Gophers in rushing with 71 yards on 10 carries. In all, the Gophers rushed for 143 yards on 38 carries and finished with 210 yards of total offense.

West Central only managed 68 yards on the ground thanks to a stingy Chatfield defense. Paulson was 15-for-29 in the air for 203 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off three times. Anderson had four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown while Hunter Norby also caught four passes for 71 yards.

Chatfield finished their 2021 campaign with a 13-1 record. Their lone loss came to Plainview-Elgin-Millville in the season opener. P-E-M played in the Class AAA title game, losing to Dassel-Cokato.

West Central Area/Ashby finished 112.

Chatfield running back Jackson Schild gets past a West Central Area/Ashby defender in Chatfield’s 14-13 win to claim the Class 2A Prep Bowl title.

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December 2, 2021

Prep Bowl Class A: Mayer Lutheran 20, Minneota 14

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There was plenty of reason to smile for Mayer Lutheran players following their hard-fought 20-14 victory over Minneota in the Class A Prep Bowl.

Mayer Lutheran brings home first state championship

by MALIK MITCHELL After having a dominant season going (7-0) being taken away from them last year, Mayer Lutheran, a school of 170 kids and football team of 49 players brought home their first Class 1A Championship to Mayer, Minnesota, located 37 miles west of Minneapolis.

Mayer Lutheran head coach, Dean Aurich said “The first time I saw them was about 5th or 6th grade, we have a little Knights football program and we just kept picking up a few kids from here and there.

Some of them were surprises even. About the time they got to 8th grade they were already talking like, ‘when we get to high school we’re gonna win it all.’ ” Ty Hoese said, “It felt amazing to win the first Prep Bowl for our school. It means a lot to us, our coaches, and our school community as a whole. It was just an awesome day.”

Four years ago they faced a devastating loss against Minneota in the semi-finals and never forgot what it was going to take

to beat them.

“They absolutely beat us up, Aurich said. “I mean they beat us at every level.

This was Mayer Lutheran’s first Prep Bowl appearance and they have been in seven state tournament appearances. Aurich, who has been head coach for the Knights for the past 34 years, led his team to a championship win with the help of 16 seniors.

“Because I’ve been here for so long in some ways it was almost like, it’s about time the poor guy gets a victory,” Aurich said jokingly.

He has a record of 240-108 at Mayer Lutheran and ranks 29th in Minnesota history in career victories and sixth among active coaches. He also has two grandkids on the team, freshmen Seth Aurich and Parker Aurich. The city of Mayer also brought home a championship after Mayer Lutheran’s volleyball team beat Minneota in the Class 1A championship as well.

“The funny part is, during that game their football players said, ‘lets play football.’” Aurich said. “I actually congratulated our volleyball coach and said, wouldn’t

it be funny if we really would be able to play these guys in the state championship and sure enough it happened.”

Mayer Lutheran’s beautiful ending to their season did not start out so sweet. In their season opener, they had a tough loss against Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 32-27.

They managed to beat them later in the season for the Section 2A Championship 48-12. After their opening loss, they went undefeated without letting teams score over 14 points a game.

“After losing the first game, we didn’t lose any confidence. We knew we were a good team and could go far,” Hoese said.

“We just continued to take the season one game at a time.”

The Crusaders finished the season (141) with a total of 515 points scored. On offense they had a total of 1267 passing yards, 1572 rushing yards, 1466 receiving yards, and 64 touchdowns. On defense, they had a total of 443 tackles, 18 sacks, 12 interceptions, and recovered 5 fumbles.

“We were so dominant this season because of our balance on offense,” Hoese said. “That made us really hard to defend.

Our defense was also lights out and extremely physical.”

Ty Hoese threw for 961 yards and 18 touchdowns. Dylan Nelson rushed for 668 yards and nine touchdowns. Teigan Martin caught 23 passes for 420 yards and six touchdowns. Tyler Neitzel had 61 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery.

Some seniors that are looking to play at the collegiate level next year are Teigan Martin, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound tight end/ defensive end, who accounted for two touchdowns in the victory over New York Mills in the semifinals. He caught a touchdown pass and moments later returned a blocked punt 40 yards for another TD. He is committed to Liberty University. Elijah Jopp who is committed to Northern State University, and Abram Jopp who has offers from MSUM, Dordt University, and University of Mary are also hoping to play college football.

The Knights will lose 16 seniors going into next season. Rebuilding and continuing their tradition is what’s next for Mayer Lutheran.

Key turnovers, strong defense lead Crusaders to 20-14 win

by MALIK MITCHELL The Mayer Lutheran Knights (121) secured the victory against undefeated Minneota Vikings (13-0) for the Class 1A Championship. This was their first Championship game appearance and win in program history.

Mayer Lutheran Head coach, Dean Aurich said, “The big thing was just hugging all the seniors. The overwhelming feeling of success from the hard work being paid off and the challenges we overcame that made us better. The trails we went through, it was worth it all.”

Minneota’s offense started out making play after play with senior quarterback Isaac Pohlen completing a play action pass to junior Anthony Rybinski to put them in good field position. They punched it the rest of the way to get their first score, ending the first quarter with a score of 7-0.

To start the second quarter, Mayer Lutheran started to get things going on offense, overpowering Minneota’s defensive line. They responded with senior quarterback Ty Hoese throwing a 41-yard touchdown pass to senior Sam Dennis that left him untouched to make it 7-6.

On the next drive, Mayer Lutheran’s defense recovered a fumble that was forced by junior Jack Baumann and recovered by senior Elijah Jopp.

The forced turnover by the Knights’ defense led to a 13-yard touchdown run by

The Crusaders line up after their Class A title win over Minneota. Mayer Lutheran finished the season 13-1, and handed the Vikings their first loss of the 2021 campaign.

fullback Cole Neitzel as he weaved his way through Minneota’s defense. Mayer Lutheran took the lead 13-7 with seven minutes left in the second quarter.

“We knew this was going to be a close game and we knew they were a good team,” Ty Hoese said. “Forcing the turnovers was huge for us. It helped to

swing the momentum in our favor.”

The Knights dominant defense recovered another fumble after Minneota’s Pohlen lost control of the ball quickly after the snap and accidentally kicked it towards Mayer Lutheran’s defense for them to fall on.

However, Minneota refused to lose

hope after forcing a fumble on a punt to put them in good field position. Pohlen threw a 22-yard pass to senior Jonah Gruenes who ended up being swarmed by defenders and pushed from behind by his teammates into the endzone. The Vikings would go back up 14-13 to end the first half.

To start the third quarter, the Knights offense began marching downfield. Knights QB Hoese threw a dagger to senior tight end Teigan Martin who snagged it with one hand. With good field position, the Knights punched it in with Neitzel pounding it in with the push of his teammates to go up 20-14.

“We snuck in a few passes when we needed to and the puzzle pieces kind of worked to get us ahead and our defense played an outstanding second half,” Aurich said.

Minnesota’s offense struggled to get anything going in the third quarter.

However, the Knights also struggled to score any points regardless of the big plays they were able to get.

In the fourth quarter Minneota’s defense managed to get an interception late in the quarter. They couldn’t get anything going on offense, failing to convert on a 4th and 24.

“We knew we had to stand tall defensively in the final minutes. And we did,” Hoese said.

Mayer Lutheran managed to fight off Minneota in the last minutes of the game to win the Class A state title 20-14.

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December 2, 2021

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Prep Bowl 9-Man: LeRoy-Ostrander 58, Fertile-Beltrami 8

LeRoy-Ostrander brings it home

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Section 1 in 9-man football has become a state tournament in itself.

Seven of the last 9-man state titles have come from that section. But LeRoy-Ostrander was not one of them, until now.

The Cardinals defeated Fertile-Beltrami handily in the 9-man Prep Bowl, bringing yet another title home for Section 1.

“It’s a very strong section,” said LeRoy-Ostrander Head Coach Trevor Carrier. “Every Friday night you have to bring it.”

That preparation and competition helped the Cardinals reach the Prep Bowl. They saw much improve-

ment after early losses to section rivals Lanesboro and Grand Meadow.

But they avenged those losses with wins during section playoffs, defeating Grand Meadow 39-34 in the semifinals and Lanesboro 30-6 in the finals.

Come state tourney time things became a bit easier. The Cardinals put up 57 against Wheaton-Herman-Norcross in a 57-26 win, and followed up with a 49-0 shutout against Kittson County Central.

But the Cardinals success didn’t come without changes. Early on they lost their starting running back to an injury, which led to Coach Carrier pulling Tanner Olson off the line and into the backfield. It proved to be a great decision.

“He stepped up big,” said Carrier.

“And in the playoffs he became a monster.”

Of course, the Cardinals had Chase Johnson, their senior quarterback who ran the option with Olson to near perfection. Johnson set a Prep Bowl record for total yards in their 58-8 win.

“Chase’s athleticism is off the charts,” said Carrier. “His passing game has developed and he has managed our offense extremely well.”

Johnson racked up 412 yards, 272 of them on the ground and 140 in the air. Just 5’6”, Johnson played larger than life when it mattered most. On the season he was part of 60 touchdowns and ran for 2,800 yards while passing for more than 1,600.

“Everyone puts a game plan together to stop Chase, but he always finds a way,” said Carrier.

Johnson’s was part of five touchdowns in the Prep Bowl win. He doesn’t just do it on the field. He is No. 1 in his class and his coach says he is as humble as the day is long.

“He’s a great kid,” said Carrier.

“Always positive.”

Tkhe Cardinals had 557 total yards in the 58-8 win.

It is LeRoy-Ostrander’s first title.

Carrier said the community support was incredible.

“It’s been phenomenal.” Carrier said. “Everyone was on our side.”

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December 2, 2021

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Minnesota Prep Bowl History 2020* Due to COVID-19, only Section Winners were awarded.

No Prep Bowl was played.

2019 AAAAAA AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Wayzata, Champlin Park 35-20 Chaska, St. Thomas Academy 0-7 Rocori, SMB 22-21 Pierz, Dassel-Cokato 28-27 Caledonia, MPLS North 26-0 Blooming Prairie, BOLD 41-15 Mountain Lake, Hancock 22-14

2018 AAAAAA AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Lakeville North, Eden Prairie 28-21 Owatonna, St. Thomas Academy 14-3 SMB, Willmar 44-18 Rochester Lourdes, Fairmont 24-7 Caledonia, Barnesville 21-0 BOLD, Mahnomen/Waubun 22-21 Spring Grove, Mountain Lake Area 40-18

2017 AAAAAA AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Minnetonka 38-17 Owatonna, Elk River 63-26 Academy of Holy Angels, Cloquet 14-0 Pierz, St. Croix Lutheran 34-21 Caledonia, Pipestone Area 57-6 Minneota, Wabasso 28-13 Spring Grove, Nevis 32-0

2016 AAAAAA AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Totino Grace, Eden Prairie 28-20 Elk River, Spring Lake Park 42-14 Benilde-St. Margaret, Winona 31-28 Rochester Lourdes, St. Croix Lutheran 42-35 Caledonia, Pipestone Area 40-0 Minneota, MPLS North 35-18 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 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Totino Grace 28-27 Mankato West, Simley 42-19 Becker, DeLaSalle 24-6 Rochester Lourdes, New London Spicer 35-14 Holdingford, BOLD 20-18 (2OT) Minneota, Dawson-Boyd 28 -14 Grand Meadow, Edgerton-Ellsworth 48-0

2013 AAAAAA AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Rosemount 28-7 Owatonna, Brainerd 24-0 Hutchinson, Academy of Holy Angels, 49-7 St. Croix Lutheran, New London-Spicer 48-44 Chatfield, *Minneota/Lincoln HI 17-7 Mahnomen, Dawson-Boyd 46-13 Grand Meadow, Underwood 28-6

2012 AAAAAA AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man 2011 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

2010 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Lakevile North 28-7 Totino-Grace, Owatonna 49-21 Hutchinson Holy Family Catholic 67-7 Blue Earth, Rochester Lourdes 30-7 Caledonia, *Moose Lake/Willow River 25-22 Mahnomen, Bethlehem Academy 20-14 Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Grand Meadow 40-22 Eden Prairie, Wayzata 13-3 Rocori/Cold Spring, Bemidji 17-10 St. Croix Lutheran, Fairmont 34-32 Caledonia, *Moose Lake/Willow River 27-0 Dawson-Boyd, Mahnomen 35-20 *Edgerton/Ellsworth, *Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 36-28 Wayzata, Rosemount 31-14 Totino-Grace, Fridley Rogers 34-14 Rochester Lourdes Holy Family Catholic, Victoria 41-13 Caledonia Triton, Dodge Center 28-7 New Ulm Cathedral, Barnesville 19-13 Cromwell, Lanesboro 49-42

2009 AAAAA AAAA AAA

A 9-Man

Cretin-Derham Hall, Eden Prairie 16-5 Totino-Grace, Sartell-Saint Stephen 45-7 New London-Spicer, Glencoe-Silver Lake 28-21 Moose Lake/Willow River, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 33-22 Minneota, Adrian 42-21 Stephen-Argyle, Nicollet 37-22

2008 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Wayzata, Blaine 27-7 Mankato West, Northfield 33-14 Glencoe-Silver Lake, DeLaSalle 42-21 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Royalton 33-22 Caledonia, Luverne 47-7 Houston, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 22-16

2007 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, St.Paul Cretin 50-21 Totino Grace, Mahtomedi 14-8 Glencoe-Silver Lake, DeLaSalle 56-20 Caledonia, Luverne 14-7 Goodhue, Adrian 28-7 Stephen-Argyle, Waubun 43-21

2006 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Lakeville South 21-14 Totino Grace, St. Thomas Academy 40-25 Glencoe-Silver Lake, Becker 42-20 Triton, Luverne 70-21 Rushford-Peterson, New Ulm Cathedral 20Stephen-Argyle, Wheaton 42-15

AA

2005 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Wayzata, Cretin-Derham Hall 28-24 Mahtomedi, Holy Angels 27-26 OT Becker, Albany 28-0 Eden Valley-Watkins, Caledonia 21-16 Springfield, Goodhue 21-16 Stephen-Argyle, Cromwell 45-15

2004 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Minnetonka, Wayzata 23-14 Totino-Grace, Sartell-St. Stephen 27-6 East Grand Forks, Becker 31-14 Pierz, Eden Valley-Watkins 39-14 Rushford-Peterson, Otter Tail Central 20-6 Stephen-Argyle, Bertha-Hewitt 25-6

2003 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Lakeville, Hastings 34-9 Totino-Grace, Hutchinson 57-13 Glencoe-Silver, Delano 21-0 Breck, Kingsland 51-14 Goodhue, Medford/El Shaddai 20-8 Stephen-Argyle, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 7

2002 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A

9-Man 2001 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man 2000 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man 1999 AAAAA AAAA AAA

Eden Prairie, Champlin Park 21-0 Mankato West, Mahtomedi 17-7 Plainview/Elgin-Millville, Glencoe-Silver Lake 24-21 Kingsland, Spring Valley Norwood-Young America 35-7 Rushford-Peterson, Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin 14-7 Verndale, Nicollet 21-14 Hastings, Blaine 28-9 Detroit Lakes, Mankato East 36-34 Jackson County, Central Becker 42-7 Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Windom Area 27-20 McLeod West, Brownton Pillager 30-22 Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Ada-Borup 37-7 Eden Prairie, Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul 24-14 Cambridge-Isanti, Saint Thomas Academy 24-14 Glencoe-Silver Lake, Albany 21-0 Triton, Dodge Center *Otter Tail Central 31-12 Sleepy Eye Public, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 13-12 Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Cromwell 42-20

A 9-Man

Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul Hastings 42-21 Mankato West, Cambridge-Isanti 35-28 De LaSalle, Minneapolis Saint Michael-Albertville 28-7 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown West Central Area, Barrett 34-0 Cook County, Grand Marais LeCenter 14-6 Stephen-Argyle, Nicollet 18-8

1998 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Woodbury, Champlin Park 28-7 Hutchinson, Owatonna 21-20 Foley, Jackson County Central 21-7 Mahnomen B O L D, Olivia 27-26 Cook County, Grand Marais Adrian 15-8 Cromwell, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 40-22

AA

Source:

1997 AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Blaine 32-28 Northfield, Detroit Lakes 28-0 Albany, Jackson County Central 55-7 Pelican Rapids, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 34-32 Cook County, Grand Marais Adrian 13-12 Verndale, Cromwell 18-12

1996 AA A B C 9-Man

Eden Prairie, Blaine 23-22 Mora, Northfield 7-3 Breck School, Golden Valley Windom Area 24-7 Chatfield, Hawley 12-7 Cromwell, Verndale 46-44

1995 AA A B C 9-Man

Stillwater Area, Rochester Mayo 31-7 Detroit Lakes, Saint Peter 30-15 Kingsland, Spring Valley Breckenridge 22-3 Chatfield, Hawley 12-6 Cromwell, LeRoy-Ostrander 26-18

1994 AA A B C 9-Man

Anoka, Alexandria 34-7 Sartell, Northfield 24-21 Triton, Dodge Center Becker 40-21 Chatfield, Red Lake Falls 34-14 Kittson Central, Hallock Verndale 36-16

1993 AA A B C 9-Man

Apple Valley, Rochester John Marshall 29-7 Detroit Lakes, Northfield 21-14 Saint Cloud Cathedral, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 28-6 Mahnomen, Minneota 43-23 Chokio-Alberta, LeRoy-Ostrander 35-0

1992 AA A B C 9-Man

Lakeville, Cretin-Derham Hall 19-7 Detroit Lakes, Farmington 21-0 Saint Cloud Cathedral, B O L D, Olivia 7-6 Mahnomen, Mankato Loyola 20-13 (2 OT) Stephen, Cromwell 36-20

1991 AA A B C 9-Man

Burnsville, Lakeville 10-7 Spring Lake Park, Rocori/Cold Spring 20-0 B O L D, Olivia, Deer River 14-0 Mahnomen, Mankato Loyola 42-0 Chokio-Alberta, Grygla/Goodridge 7-6

1990 AA A B C 9-Man

Anok,a Elk River 19-14 Fridley, Sartell 34-12 B O L D, Olivia, DeLaSalle, Minneapolis 15-14 Mahnomen, Becker 27-7 Hills-Beaver Creek, Argyle 28-21

1989 AA A B C 9-Man

Burnsville, Stillwater 21-7 Albany, Totino-Grace, Fridley 41-32 Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, Perham 27-15 Waterville-Elysian, Mahnomen 14-7 St. Clair, Albrook 47-12

1988 AA A B C 9-Man

Blaine, Cretin-Derham Hall 25-24 Lakeville, Staples-Motley 35-28 Breckenridge, Morris 21-7 Minneota, Rushford 42-28 Hallock ,Stewart 35-24

1987 AA A B C 9-Man

Moorhead, Winona 13-7 Cambridge, Lakeville 28-14 Granite Falls, Ely 43-20 Minneota, Grand Meadow 27-7 Silver Lake, Verndale 30-14

1986 AA A B C 9-Man

Apple Valley, Osseo 35-6 Cambridge, Stewartville 24-0 Watertown-Mayer, Granite Falls 29-6 Minneota, Sherburn-Dunnell 52-19 Argyle, Silver Lake 32-7

1985 AA A B C 9-Man

Burnsville, Apple Valley 27-21 New Prague, Mora 16-12 Jackson, Mahnomen 26-20 Glyndon-Felton, Zumbrota 38-14 Westbrook, Norman County West 45-18

1984 AA A B C 9-Man

Stillwater, Burnsville 36-33 Hutchinson Centennial, Circle Pines 32-7 Granite Falls, Breckenridge 13-7 Harmony, Glyndon-Felton 20-14 Norman County West, Silver Lake 37-20

1983 AA A B C 9-Man

Coon Rapids, Bloomington Jefferson 34-31 Hutchinson, Park Rapids 36-14 Jordan, Breckenridge 27-0 Southland, Adams Bird Island-Lake Lillian 28-0 Silver Lake, Norman County West/Climax 27-12

1982 AA A B C 9-Man

Stillwater, Owatonna 34-27 Brooklyn Center, East Grand Forks 30-8 LeCenter, Mahnomen 12-6 Truman, Belgrade 16-14 Westbrook, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 34-12

1981 AA A B C 9-Man

Rosemount, Moorhead 40-14 Saint Peter, Hermantown 18-14 Holdingford, Pine Island 39-0 Medford, Clarkfield 33-28 Argyle, Starbuck 31-19

1980 AA A B C 9-Man

Burnsville, Cambridge 23-6 Crookston, Pipestone 32-6 Mahnomen, Austin Pacelli 34-0 Bird Island-Lake Lillian, Mountain Lake 20-7 Hoffman-Kensington, Toivola-Meadowlands 18-14

1979 AA A B C 9-Man

Columbia Heights, Richfield 8-3 Rochester Lourdes, Apple Valley 22-6 Gaylord, Mahnomen 15-6 Bird Island-Lake Lillian, Harmony 34-6 Russell, Toivola-Meadowlands 17-14

1978 AA A B C 9-Man

Edina, West Fridley 21-0 Fridley, Grace Apple Valley 17-14 New Richland-Hartland, Barnesville 48-8 Alden-Conger ,Battle Lake 15-14 Hoffman Albrook, Saginaw 44-28

1977 AA A B C 9-Man

Minneapolis Washburn, Stillwater 13-0 Fridley Grace, Rocori/Cold Spring 36-12 Granite Falls, Stewartville 44-6 Battle Lake, Henderson 22-20 (OT) Deer Creek, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 20-0

1976 AA A B C 9-Man

White Bear Lake, Cloquet 14-13 (OT) Saint Peter, Mora 56-12 Caledonia, Sartell 38-7 New Richland-Hartland, Bird Island 21-19 Deer Creek, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, 57-14

1975 AA A B C 9-Man

Stillwater, Richfield 20-17 Saint Thomas Academy, Saint Peter 21-14 Gaylord, Onamia 14-13 Esko, Karlstad 62-0 Ruthton, Audubon 42-20

1974 AA A B C 9-Man 1973 AA

Rochester John Marshall, Bloomington Jefferson 41-19 Alexandria ,Chaska 26-7 New Prague, Caledonia 41-12 Battle Lake, Bird Island 34-26 (2 OT) Lake Benton, Fisher 36-6

A B C 9-Man

Rochester John Marshall, Saint Paul Harding 25-0 Eveleth, Willmar 28-18 New Prague, Appleton 13-7 Gaylord, Holdingford 29-6 Lake Benton, Brandon 50-12

1972 AA A B C 9-Man

Minneapolis Washburn, Moorhead 26-6 Burnsville, Sauk Centre 46-19 Mountain Iron, Dassel-Cokato 54-6 Gaylord, Preston 26-6 Rothsay, Cotton 64-12

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