This year there is no conflict with the Vikings playing on Thanksgiving night as the 2023 Prep Bowl returns to its regular dates after the holiday of Friday and Saturday, the 24th and 25th. Here's Part One of the Prep Bowl Preview, with all seven games taking place at US Bank Stadium.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24
10:00: Class A: Springfield vs. Minneota. The 2023 Prep Bowl opens with a Southern Minnesota Shootout as the Springfield Tigers battle the Minneota Vikings. It's a rematch of last year's Class A final that was won by the Vikings 28-21. Defense would be a key for Springfield as they capitalized on five Mahnomen/Waubun turnovers to beat the Thunderbirds 36-12. Minneota, playing in their 16th state tournament and 11tWill the Tigers battle back from last year's title loss or will Chad Johnston lead the Vikings to another state championship trophy?
1:00: Class AA: Barnesville vs/ Eden Valley-Watkins: Last year, the fourth time turned out to be a charm for the Trojans as they took home the Class AA title trophy with a 35-20 win over the Chatfield Gophers. This year, Barnesville earned it's fifth trip down I-94 with a 35-20 victory over the Jackson County Central Huskies. Cameron Halvorson and Major Ness scored two touchdowns apiece. The Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles are back to the Prep Bowl for the first time since 2016 and in the hunt for their first state title since 2005 when they beat the perennial power the Caledonia Warriors. Wyatt Moehrle was they key to the Eagles success, catching three touchdown passes and running for one more. It should be an outstanding Class AA final.
4:00: Class AAAA: Rocori vs. Hutchinson. The Class AAAA final is a regular season rematch between the Spartans and the Tigers on September 29 that was won by the Rocori 11-0. But this is the state tournament and the stakes are even higher for both teams. Rocori, whose touchdown by Will Steil was enough to beat the Byron Bears 7-0 in the semifinals. Hutchinson's road to their seventh state title was no contest for the North Branch Vikings as they got four touchdowns from Nathan Thode that led them to a 56-28 semifinal win. Who will win the rematch?
7:00: Class AAAAAA: Centennial vs. Eden Prairie: Two first time title teams head to US Bank Stadium to wrap up the Prep Bowl's first day. The Centennial Cougars return to the Prep Bowl for the first time since 1984 when the lost to the Hutchinson Tigers in the Class A final. The Cougars advanced to the finals with a 20-13 win over the Lakeville South Cougars. As for the Edina Hornets, they pulled the biggest upset of the tournament with a 28-7 rout of the Eden Prairie Eagles. Last time an Edina team played for a state football title was 1978 as the Edina West Cougars, under the veteran leadership of Stav Canakes shutout the Fridley Tigers 21-0. Keep an eye on sophomore quarterback Mason West, who threw three touchdown passes against the Eagles and senior running back John Warpinski who ran for 194 yards and a trip to the end zone. Can the Hornets end their long title drought or will the Cougars finally bring a title trophy back to Circle Pines.
Next: Saturday title games in Part Two.
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