The defending Class AAAAA champion Elk River Elks run oriented offense got grounded by a monumental game from Jason Williamson as he scored six touchdowns to lead the Owatonna Huskies to a 63-26 win in the championship game Saturday in the 2017 Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It was the second state title for the southern Minnesota school in their seventh trip to state. Their last state title came in the final Prep Bowl game played at the Metrodome in 2013 with a win over the Brainerd Warriors.
Both teams would tally in the first quarter. The Huskies scored on Williamson's 33 yard run. The Elks would reach the end zone following an encroachment penalty that would put them first and goal at the Owatonna five yard line and a one yard touchdown run from Arik Nordenstrom.
The Elks would take the lead on Adam Nelson's 39 yard run :08 into the second quarter. It would be the last time Elk River would be ahead because on the kickoff, Williamson would return the ball 67 yards for a touchdown to put the Huskies ahead. The junior running back would also score on a nine yard run. Owatonna would conclude the first half scoring as Alex Raichle recovered an Elk River fumble and quarterback Abe Havelka scored on a five yard keeper to give the Huskies a 28-14 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Williamson would open the scoring as he ran down the right side of the field and scored from 43 yards. Defense also played a role for Owatonna when Alex Raichle recovered an Elk River fumble and scored a 29 yard touchdown. Williamson would make his fifth trip to the end zone on a nine yard touchdown run. But lo and behold, the Elks would end the Huskies run of 42 unanswered points as Nelson scampered down the center of the field for a 78 yard touchdown with 1:41 left and Owatonna led 49-20 after the third quarter.
Williamson was not done in the fourth quarter. After a 39 yard gain where he broke through four Elk River tackles, he would score on a five yard run 1:32 into the quarter. The Elks would score their first Prep Bowl touchdown in eight quarters on a passing play as Mitchell Stroh threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Devon Garrison. The Huskies would also go deep to end the scoring on Havelka's 53 yard touchdown pass to Noah Budach to send the game into running time.
Williamson led the Huskies with 23 carries for 213 yards. He also caught three passes for 54 yards. Nelson led the Elks with 17 carries for 172 yards.
Owatonna ended their season with a 12-1 record and Elk River finished with a record of 11-2.
The attendance for the two day Prep Bowl was 37, 454.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Pierz Pioneers Pound St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders for Class AAA Title
Reese Kapsner ran for three touchdowns and Jalen Jansen added two more to lead the Pierz Pioneers to a 34-21 win over the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders 34-21 Saturday afternoon in the Class AAA championship game in the 2017 Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It was the third state title for the Pioneers in their 14th trip to state. Last time Pierz won a state championship was 2015 when the Prep Bowl was held at TCF Bank Stadium.
Neither team would score in the first quarter. The Pioneers would break the scoreless tie in the second quarter following a fourth down Crusader fumble that was recovered by Teryl Scholl and Jansen would cash in with a 52 yard touchdown run up the middle. Kapsner would put Pierz up by 14 as he would cut to the left side and score from 38 yards. St. Croix Lutheran would get on the scoreboard as James Chermohorsky ran like he was headed to Chicago Ave. and scored a 58 yard touchdown run. Pierz would wrap up the first half scoring on Jansen's 49 yard run to the right side with 2:52 left and the Pioneers would lead at halftime 21-7.
Following a turnover plagued first half, it looked like the Crusaders would bounce back as quarterback Jonathan Liesener would throw a 21 yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal to Garett Maag, capping a 7:54 drive.
But fumbleitis would be St. Croix Lutheran's undoing in the fourth quarter as Kapsner would go around left end and score from 10 yards and he would recover a Crusader fumble and score his third touchdown of the game on a one yard run. Mike Stern would wrap up the scoring for St. Croix Lutheran on a one yard run.
Pierz was led by Jansen who ran 16 times for 178 yards and Kapsner with 20 carries for 128 yards. St. Croix Lutheran was led by Chermohorsky with 13 rushes for 92 yards.
The Pioneers conclude the season with a 13-0 record and the Crusaders conclude the season with a record of 12-1.
It was the third state title for the Pioneers in their 14th trip to state. Last time Pierz won a state championship was 2015 when the Prep Bowl was held at TCF Bank Stadium.
Neither team would score in the first quarter. The Pioneers would break the scoreless tie in the second quarter following a fourth down Crusader fumble that was recovered by Teryl Scholl and Jansen would cash in with a 52 yard touchdown run up the middle. Kapsner would put Pierz up by 14 as he would cut to the left side and score from 38 yards. St. Croix Lutheran would get on the scoreboard as James Chermohorsky ran like he was headed to Chicago Ave. and scored a 58 yard touchdown run. Pierz would wrap up the first half scoring on Jansen's 49 yard run to the right side with 2:52 left and the Pioneers would lead at halftime 21-7.
Following a turnover plagued first half, it looked like the Crusaders would bounce back as quarterback Jonathan Liesener would throw a 21 yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal to Garett Maag, capping a 7:54 drive.
But fumbleitis would be St. Croix Lutheran's undoing in the fourth quarter as Kapsner would go around left end and score from 10 yards and he would recover a Crusader fumble and score his third touchdown of the game on a one yard run. Mike Stern would wrap up the scoring for St. Croix Lutheran on a one yard run.
Pierz was led by Jansen who ran 16 times for 178 yards and Kapsner with 20 carries for 128 yards. St. Croix Lutheran was led by Chermohorsky with 13 rushes for 92 yards.
The Pioneers conclude the season with a 13-0 record and the Crusaders conclude the season with a record of 12-1.
Seven State Titles for Minneota Vikings
A Southwestern Minnesota Shootout opened up the Saturday session of the 2017 Prep Bowl that featured Isaac Hennen rushing for 291 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Minneota Vikings to a 28-13 win over the Wabasso Rabbits in the Class A championship game at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It was the seventh state championship and third in the last four years for the Vikings who played in their 14th state tournament.
Isaac Hennen almost gave Minneota the early lead but his touchdown run was called by due to an illegal shift penalty. The Rabbits would strike first as Nick Altermatt blocked Alex Pohlen's punt and Isaac Schmiesing recovered the ball at the Viking two yard line. Two plays later, Cooper Taylor scored on a one yard touchdown run to put Wabasso ahead 7-0.
Cooper Taylor had an opportunity to increase the Rabbits lead with a 40 yard gain but they would lose the ball to the Vikings on downs. It was Isaac Hennen who would reach the end zone from 24 yards to tie the game at seven and that would be the result at halftime.
Minneota would take the lead in the third quarter on Pohlen's one yard keeper touchdown.
Wabasso would tie the game at 13 in the fourth quarter on Kyle Jacobson's one yard touchdown run :37 into the quarter. Could the Rabbits eventually win their first state title? It wouldn't happen as Isaac Hennen went around left end and ran like he was headed to the light rail tracks and scored a 54 yard touchdown to put Minneota in front and he would send the blue and gold faithful home happy scoring a 15 yard touchdown with 2:22 left in the game.
Cooper Taylor led Wabasso with 16 carries for 74 yards.
The Vikings concluded their season with a 14-0 record and the Rabbits with a record of 13-1.
It was the seventh state championship and third in the last four years for the Vikings who played in their 14th state tournament.
Isaac Hennen almost gave Minneota the early lead but his touchdown run was called by due to an illegal shift penalty. The Rabbits would strike first as Nick Altermatt blocked Alex Pohlen's punt and Isaac Schmiesing recovered the ball at the Viking two yard line. Two plays later, Cooper Taylor scored on a one yard touchdown run to put Wabasso ahead 7-0.
Cooper Taylor had an opportunity to increase the Rabbits lead with a 40 yard gain but they would lose the ball to the Vikings on downs. It was Isaac Hennen who would reach the end zone from 24 yards to tie the game at seven and that would be the result at halftime.
Minneota would take the lead in the third quarter on Pohlen's one yard keeper touchdown.
Wabasso would tie the game at 13 in the fourth quarter on Kyle Jacobson's one yard touchdown run :37 into the quarter. Could the Rabbits eventually win their first state title? It wouldn't happen as Isaac Hennen went around left end and ran like he was headed to the light rail tracks and scored a 54 yard touchdown to put Minneota in front and he would send the blue and gold faithful home happy scoring a 15 yard touchdown with 2:22 left in the game.
Cooper Taylor led Wabasso with 16 carries for 74 yards.
The Vikings concluded their season with a 14-0 record and the Rabbits with a record of 13-1.
Friday, November 24, 2017
It's State Title Number 11 For Eden Prairie Eagles
Antonio Montero, the StarTribune's Metro Player of the Year put on a show for the large throng in attendance Friday night as he scored three touchdowns and booted a field goal to lead the Eden Prairie Eagles to a 38-17 win over the Minnetonka Skippers in the Class 6A championship game in the 2017 Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It was the 11th state championship for the Mike Grant led Eagles in their 21st trip to state. The game was a rematch of a game played October 13 that the Eagles won 39-21.
Solo Faliniko was an asset in Eden Prairie's first touchdown. He gained 12 yards to set up first and goal at the Minnetonka seven yard line. He reached the end zone on his next carry. It looked like Grant Harstad would score the Eagles net touchdown. But the replay official ruled that he was stopped at the one yard line which would enable Montero to score on a one yard run. The Skippers would get on the scoreboard on a 21 yard field goal from Grant Altman and the Eagles led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Montero would open the second quarter scoring for Eden Prairie with his second one yard touchdown. Aaron Syverson's 33 yard touchdown pass to Owen Freese would trim the Eagles lead to 21-10. Defense would also prevail for Eden Prairie as Kyler Kluge would intercept a Syverson pass. Montero would also excel with his foot as he sent the ball toward the goal posts and it would go over from 42 yards with :44 left in the half. The Skippers had the last possession of the first half so Syverson threw a long pass toward the end zone and Jackson Owens would make a great catch as the clock hit 0:00 and Eden Prairie led 21-17 at halftime.
Running back depth has been the key to the Eagles success and it showed when DJ Johnson ran left side six yards for the lone third quarter touchdown.
Montero would wrap up the scoring and his Eden Prairie football career with a one yard touchdown run. With the game decided late in the fourth quarter. Grant gave the reserve players a chance to shine on the US Bank Stadium turf.
The Eagles ended their season with a 13-0 record and the Skippers finish with a record of 11-2.
It was the 11th state championship for the Mike Grant led Eagles in their 21st trip to state. The game was a rematch of a game played October 13 that the Eagles won 39-21.
Solo Faliniko was an asset in Eden Prairie's first touchdown. He gained 12 yards to set up first and goal at the Minnetonka seven yard line. He reached the end zone on his next carry. It looked like Grant Harstad would score the Eagles net touchdown. But the replay official ruled that he was stopped at the one yard line which would enable Montero to score on a one yard run. The Skippers would get on the scoreboard on a 21 yard field goal from Grant Altman and the Eagles led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Montero would open the second quarter scoring for Eden Prairie with his second one yard touchdown. Aaron Syverson's 33 yard touchdown pass to Owen Freese would trim the Eagles lead to 21-10. Defense would also prevail for Eden Prairie as Kyler Kluge would intercept a Syverson pass. Montero would also excel with his foot as he sent the ball toward the goal posts and it would go over from 42 yards with :44 left in the half. The Skippers had the last possession of the first half so Syverson threw a long pass toward the end zone and Jackson Owens would make a great catch as the clock hit 0:00 and Eden Prairie led 21-17 at halftime.
Running back depth has been the key to the Eagles success and it showed when DJ Johnson ran left side six yards for the lone third quarter touchdown.
Montero would wrap up the scoring and his Eden Prairie football career with a one yard touchdown run. With the game decided late in the fourth quarter. Grant gave the reserve players a chance to shine on the US Bank Stadium turf.
The Eagles ended their season with a 13-0 record and the Skippers finish with a record of 11-2.
Holy Angels Stars Win Class AAAA Championship
Despite committing five turnovers, the Holy Angels Stars still managed to reach the end zone on a touchdown pass from Joseph Heimbold and a run from Thomas Shelstad that propelled them to a 14-0 win over the unbeaten Cloquet Lumberjacks Friday night in the Class AAAA championship in the 2017 Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It was the first state title for the Richfield school in their sixth state tournament appearance.
Both teams had trouble reaching the end zone in the first quarter. The Stars lost their first possession on a fumble that was recovered by the Lumberjacks. Cloquet couldn't convert on fourth and five so the ball went back to Holy Angels. There would be good news for the blue clad Stars fans when Heimbold threw a 46 yard touchdown pass to Ryan Mazurek and they would go up 7-0.
The margin would remain at seven the remainder of the first half. Holy Angels would attempt a field goal but an errant snap turned into a pass play for holder Jason Kraus as he completed a pass to Reed Lewis for a first down. The Stars would get another field goal opportunity but Aaron Sanchez's kick bounced off the right upright. Shelstad would score from one yard with :58 left to eventually wrap up the scoring. The Lumberjacks had a chance to get on the scoreboard as Tim Pokornowski had a 19 yard keeper run but his pass on fourth and goal was incomplete.
Shelstad would lead Holy Angels with 15 carries for 91 yards. Tim Pokornowski gained 113 yards on 22 carries.
The Stars wrapped up their season with a 12-1 record and Cloquet ended their year with an identical record of 12-1.
It was the first state title for the Richfield school in their sixth state tournament appearance.
Both teams had trouble reaching the end zone in the first quarter. The Stars lost their first possession on a fumble that was recovered by the Lumberjacks. Cloquet couldn't convert on fourth and five so the ball went back to Holy Angels. There would be good news for the blue clad Stars fans when Heimbold threw a 46 yard touchdown pass to Ryan Mazurek and they would go up 7-0.
The margin would remain at seven the remainder of the first half. Holy Angels would attempt a field goal but an errant snap turned into a pass play for holder Jason Kraus as he completed a pass to Reed Lewis for a first down. The Stars would get another field goal opportunity but Aaron Sanchez's kick bounced off the right upright. Shelstad would score from one yard with :58 left to eventually wrap up the scoring. The Lumberjacks had a chance to get on the scoreboard as Tim Pokornowski had a 19 yard keeper run but his pass on fourth and goal was incomplete.
Shelstad would lead Holy Angels with 15 carries for 91 yards. Tim Pokornowski gained 113 yards on 22 carries.
The Stars wrapped up their season with a 12-1 record and Cloquet ended their year with an identical record of 12-1.
Spring Grove Lions Spring Shutout to Nine Man Title
The Spring Grove Lions got many volt of offensive power from junior quarterback Alex Volz as he threw three touchdown passes and ran one in to lead them to a 32-0 shut out of the Nevis Tigers Friday in the Nine Man championship game of the 2017 Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
It was the first state title for the southeastern Minnesota school in their third trip to state.
The Lions, with only 26 rostered players got their first touchdown that was set up by Cullen Patterson's 43 yard run and third and one and Volz capped the drive with a 15 yard left side run. Volz would be a factor in the second touchdown when he looked downfield and threw a 28 yard pass to Ethan Matzke with :47 left in the quarter and Spring Grove would lead 14-0.
Luke Schneider opened the second quarter scoring for the Lions, hauling in a 25 yard pass from Volz. Volz would complete a pass to Noah Elton and he broke threw a couple of Tiger tackles to reach the end zone and give Spring Grove a 26-0 halftime lead.
Neither team would tally in the third quarter. The Lions would conclude the scoring on Patterson's six yard touchdown run :24 into the fourth quarter. Nevis couldn't get the ball toward the goal line though quarterback Jack DeWulf would through a 32 yard completion but it was intercepted by Aden Solum.
Volz led Spring Grove with 16 completions in 22 attempts for 196 yards and rushed for112. Jack DeWulf was the bright spot for Nevis, rushing for 110 yards.
The Lions conclude their season 14-0 and the Tigers end their season with a record of 10-3.
It was the first state title for the southeastern Minnesota school in their third trip to state.
The Lions, with only 26 rostered players got their first touchdown that was set up by Cullen Patterson's 43 yard run and third and one and Volz capped the drive with a 15 yard left side run. Volz would be a factor in the second touchdown when he looked downfield and threw a 28 yard pass to Ethan Matzke with :47 left in the quarter and Spring Grove would lead 14-0.
Luke Schneider opened the second quarter scoring for the Lions, hauling in a 25 yard pass from Volz. Volz would complete a pass to Noah Elton and he broke threw a couple of Tiger tackles to reach the end zone and give Spring Grove a 26-0 halftime lead.
Neither team would tally in the third quarter. The Lions would conclude the scoring on Patterson's six yard touchdown run :24 into the fourth quarter. Nevis couldn't get the ball toward the goal line though quarterback Jack DeWulf would through a 32 yard completion but it was intercepted by Aden Solum.
Volz led Spring Grove with 16 completions in 22 attempts for 196 yards and rushed for112. Jack DeWulf was the bright spot for Nevis, rushing for 110 yards.
The Lions conclude their season 14-0 and the Tigers end their season with a record of 10-3.
Monday, November 20, 2017
2017 Prep Bowl Preview Part Two
The 2017 Prep Bowl wraps up on Saturday, November 25 with three championship games at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Here's a preview of the three title games.
10 AM: A pair of southwestern Minnesota teams battle for the Class A championship as the Minneota Vikings battle the Wabasso Rabbits (sometimes referred to as the Wabbits). Though the two towns are 41 miles apart, they didn't play each other in the regular season. The Vikings took home the Class A championship trophy in 2015 and have an experienced quarterback in senior Alex Pohlen. Pohlen has been a part of the Minneota varsity since the eighth grade and also led the team to the 2014 Class A title. Also a key to the Vikings success is running back Isaac Hennen who has reached the end zone 24 times. The Rabbits are led by running back Cooper Taylor who also is a receiver. In the semifinal game against Ada-Borup/Norman county West, he scored a rushing and receiving touchdown. Both teams have high powered offenses so there could be a lot of scoring going on.
1 PM: There could be a lot of red and white clad fans populating US Bank Stadium's purple seats as the two previous Class AAA champions the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders and the Pierz Pioneers. The Crusaders are the defending Class AAA champions and the Pioneers won the last Class AAA title played at TCF Bank Stadium in 2015. St. Croix Lutheran can pile on the points and they have played only one game this season where they scored less than 40 points. It was a 35-0 over the St. Paul Highland Park Scots on October 7. The Crusaders won a rematch of last year's Class AAA final against Rochester Lourdes in the quarterfinals and routed the Pequot Lakes Patriots in the semifinals. The Pioneers derailed the Proctor Rails in the quarterfinals and the Jordan Hubmen in the semifinals. Both teams run like the thoroughbred horses at Canterbury Park as the Crusaders are led by Mike Stern and the Pioneers have a deep and talent backfield led by Reese Kapsner, Alex funk and Jalen Jansen. Two unbeaten teams. Two outstanding coaches in Carl Lemke of St. Croix Lutheran and Leo Pohlkamp of Pierz. But there can be only one winner and it could come down to one play in the closing moments that could be the clincher for the Class AAA title.
Wrapping up the 2017 Prep Bowl is the Class AAAAA championship between the Owatonna Huskies and the defending champion Elk River Elks. Two disparate offenses will be showcased . The Huskies run a pass oriented attack that's led by senior quarterback Abe Havelka in the semifinal game against the Brainerd Warriors, Havelka completed 21 of 25 passes for 451 yards and seven touchdowns. Alex Raischle and Dalton Kubista accounted for six of Havelka's seven touchdown passes. As for the Elks, it's run run run run baby run as they rrely on a high powered rushing attack and rarely pass. Such was the case last year in the Class AAAAA final against the Spring Lake Park Panthers where all of the yardage was was on the ground. It could be another high scoring affair.
So those are the previews of the seven championship games. Both days have the makings of great Minnesota high school football.
10 AM: A pair of southwestern Minnesota teams battle for the Class A championship as the Minneota Vikings battle the Wabasso Rabbits (sometimes referred to as the Wabbits). Though the two towns are 41 miles apart, they didn't play each other in the regular season. The Vikings took home the Class A championship trophy in 2015 and have an experienced quarterback in senior Alex Pohlen. Pohlen has been a part of the Minneota varsity since the eighth grade and also led the team to the 2014 Class A title. Also a key to the Vikings success is running back Isaac Hennen who has reached the end zone 24 times. The Rabbits are led by running back Cooper Taylor who also is a receiver. In the semifinal game against Ada-Borup/Norman county West, he scored a rushing and receiving touchdown. Both teams have high powered offenses so there could be a lot of scoring going on.
1 PM: There could be a lot of red and white clad fans populating US Bank Stadium's purple seats as the two previous Class AAA champions the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders and the Pierz Pioneers. The Crusaders are the defending Class AAA champions and the Pioneers won the last Class AAA title played at TCF Bank Stadium in 2015. St. Croix Lutheran can pile on the points and they have played only one game this season where they scored less than 40 points. It was a 35-0 over the St. Paul Highland Park Scots on October 7. The Crusaders won a rematch of last year's Class AAA final against Rochester Lourdes in the quarterfinals and routed the Pequot Lakes Patriots in the semifinals. The Pioneers derailed the Proctor Rails in the quarterfinals and the Jordan Hubmen in the semifinals. Both teams run like the thoroughbred horses at Canterbury Park as the Crusaders are led by Mike Stern and the Pioneers have a deep and talent backfield led by Reese Kapsner, Alex funk and Jalen Jansen. Two unbeaten teams. Two outstanding coaches in Carl Lemke of St. Croix Lutheran and Leo Pohlkamp of Pierz. But there can be only one winner and it could come down to one play in the closing moments that could be the clincher for the Class AAA title.
Wrapping up the 2017 Prep Bowl is the Class AAAAA championship between the Owatonna Huskies and the defending champion Elk River Elks. Two disparate offenses will be showcased . The Huskies run a pass oriented attack that's led by senior quarterback Abe Havelka in the semifinal game against the Brainerd Warriors, Havelka completed 21 of 25 passes for 451 yards and seven touchdowns. Alex Raischle and Dalton Kubista accounted for six of Havelka's seven touchdown passes. As for the Elks, it's run run run run baby run as they rrely on a high powered rushing attack and rarely pass. Such was the case last year in the Class AAAAA final against the Spring Lake Park Panthers where all of the yardage was was on the ground. It could be another high scoring affair.
So those are the previews of the seven championship games. Both days have the makings of great Minnesota high school football.
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