After two years at TCF Bank Stadium, the 2016 Prep Bowl will be back inside at the new US Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. In the first of a two part preview, here are the championship games that will be played on Friday, November 25.
The first championship game at US Bank Stadium will be the Nine Man title game as the three time champion Grand Meadow Superlarks and the Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran Clippers at 10 AM. The Superlarks have had another super season as they extended their winning streak to 49 games. Grand Meadow has a strong running back tandem in Christopher Bain and Zach Myhre who have scored a combined total of 54 touchdowns this season. They could face one of their toughest tests in the Clippers, led by junior quarterback Carter Kopet. In the semifinal game against Cromwell-Wright, he threw three touchdown passes, two to his fellow junior Austin Plonsky. It should be a dandy of a game as the Superlarks look to become the third team in state history to win 50 consecutive games, joining Stephen-Argyle Central and Minneapolis Washburn.
The 1 PM game is the Class AA championship as the defending champion Caledonia Warriors battle the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles. Both teams won decisively in their semifinal contests. The Warriors blasted the Barnesville Trojans 55-20 and the Eagles took care of the Maple River Eagles 46-13. Caledonia's high powered offense has scored more than 40 points in 10 of their 13 games this season. They are led by junior quarterback Owen King, who is also a member of the Warrior basketball team. The Warriors have won six state titles. Can they make it number seven?
At 4 PM is the Class AAAA final that features the Winona Winhawks and the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights. The Winhawks return to the Prep Bowl for the first time since 1987 while the Red Knights make their first quest for a state title. Winona came from behind in the semifinals to beat the Rocori Spartans. Their path to an unbeaten season was blocked by the Mankato West Scarlets. Benilde-St. Margaret's got into their first title game thank's to the outstanding running game of Ricky Floyd. He rushed for 273 yards and scored three touchdowns in the semifinal game against the unbeaten Marshall Tigers. In the quarterfinals against the Cloquet Lumberjacks, Floyd rushed for 227 yards, giving him a total of 500 rushing yards in the tournament. The offensive line needs to give Floyd running room and shut down the Winhawk defense in order to bring their first state championship trophy back to St. Louis Park.
Wrapping up the first day of championship games will be the Class AAAAAA championship at 7 PM between the Eden Prairie Eagles and the Totino-Grace Eagles. It has all the makings of a classic match up with two programs that have combined for a total of 17 state titles with Totino-Grace winning nine and Eden Prairie eight. The first "Battle of the Eagles" took place on September 1 with Totino-Grace on top 17-14. If you can make it to only one game on Friday, take time out from your Black Friday shopping and come see two great programs in action en route to yet another state title. You won't be disappointed and you'll get your $14 worth seeing many talented athletes in action.
In Part Two, a look at Saturday's title games.
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