Four teams advance to defend titles
Grand Meadow, Minneota, Becker, and Mankato West have all survived the
first round of tournament play and advance with hopes of defending their
2014 titles. Fourteen teams that made it to their respective semifinal
games still boast unblemished records.
The 2015 state football semifinals will be conducted over three days,
November 5-7, at eight venues across the state. Prep Bowl XXXIV will be
conducted at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday, November 13, and
Saturday, November 14.
Class 9-Man Highlights
[None of this year’s semifinalists faced each other during the regular season.]
Section-Team (Record)
4-Underwood (12-0) vs. 7-Ely (12-0), 5 p.m. on Nov. 6 at St. Cloud
State University: Underwood is making its third consecutive and seventh
overall appearance and is looking its first title. The Rockets, who were
ranked No. 3 in this year’s final Associated Press (AP) poll, lost in
the quarterfinals in 2014. Ely returns after a one-year hiatus for its
sixth overall appearance. The Timberwolves were ranked No. 6 in this
year’s final AP poll and are also looking for their first championship.
Underwood rushed for 4,257 yards this season. Senior Coy Thorson led
the Rockets with 1,723 yards on 181 rush attempts, which was good for 20
touchdowns. Thorson also paced the defense with 70.5 tackles and seven
fumble recoveries. Dylan Kalenze, another senior, added 1,182 rushing
yards on 140 attempts for 19 touchdowns. Kalenze also caught five passes
for an additional 107 yards and one touchdown. Senior quarterback
Justin Masloski completed 23 of his 61 passing attempts for 467 yards
and five touchdowns. Masloski also ran for 605 yards and an additional
11 touchdowns. Underwood averages 41.6 points per game while holding its
opponents to 14.4 points per game.
Ely also prefers to keep the ball on the ground. The Timberwolves
racked up 4,293 rushing yards this season on 599 attempts. Junior Josh
Heiman accounted for 1,698 rushing yards on 206 attempts. His longest
run of the year was 81 yards and he tallied 24 touchdowns. Carter
Gaulke, Ely’s sophomore quarterback, went 26-of-46 on his pass attempts
for 546 yards and seven touchdowns. Seniors Spencer Gaulke and Michael
Lah were Carter Gaulke’s favorite targets. They each caught nine passes
and Lah had three touchdowns with 159 yards. Spencer Gaulke added two
touchdowns and 254 yards. Junior Adam Porthan led the Timberwolves
defense with 107 tackles. Ely did not provide scoring averages.
1-Grand Meadow (12-0) vs. 6-Waubun (11-0), 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 at St.
Cloud State University: Two-time defending champion Grand Meadow closed
the season ranked No. 1 in the final AP poll. The Superlarks are making
their fourth consecutive and eighth overall appearance, winning titles
in 2013 and 2014. No. 3-ranked Waubun returns for its third overall
appearance and first since 2007. The Bombers have never won a state
championship
Grand Meadow likes to keep the ball on the ground. The Superlarks
rushed for 3,051 yards and completed 52-of-106 passing attempts for
1,121 yards this year. Junior Christophor Bain rushed for 1,060 yards
and scored 18 touchdowns. Bain also paced the defense with 97 tackles
and two interceptions. Senior quarterback Michael Stejskal added 524
rushing yards and 13 touchdowns and also ran the passing game with 1,006
yards and 15 additional touchdowns on 47 completions. Grand Meadow
averages 47.8 points per game while holding opponents to 12.6 points per
game.
Waubun also prefers to keep the ball on the ground. The Bombers rushed
for 3,283 yards on 439 attempts this year. They also completed 57-of-105
passing attempts for an additional 1,035 yards. Junior quarterback
Peyton Syverson led the Bombers on the ground and in the air. He had 158
rushing attempts for 1,399 yards and 20 touchdowns and passed for an
additional 747 yards with 11 touchdowns. Syverson also had five
interceptions during the regular season. Senior Darius Woods-Steichen
had 24 receptions for Waubun, which was good for 363 yards and five
touchdowns. Senior Justin Bellefeuille led Waubun’s defense with 34
tackles. As a team, the Bombers average 38.5 points per game and their
opponents’ average 15.5 against them.
Class A Highlights
[None of this year’s semifinalists faced each other during the regular season.]
Section-Team (Record)
4-Minneapolis North Community (11-0) vs. 7-Braham (11-0), 8 p.m. on
Nov. 7 at St. Cloud State University: Minneapolis North Community looks
to improve on its semifinal loss last year. It is the second consecutive
and fifth overall appearance for the Polars, who enter the tournament
ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll. Braham returns for its third
consecutive and seventh overall appearance. The Bombers, who also lost
in the semifinals in 2014, were ranked No. 3 in this year’s final AP
poll. Braham made one additional appearance with Grace Christian in
2004. Neither team has won a state title.
Minneapolis North Community did not provide team or individual statistics.
Braham averages 49.4 points per game this year while holding their
opponents to an average of 8.9. The Bombers put up almost identical
numbers on the ground (2,328 yards) and in the air (2,332 yards) and
senior quarterback John Larson led them in both places. Larson rushed
for 831 yards and 15 touchdowns and passed for another 2,292 yards and
34 touchdowns. Senior Solomon Overton added another 501 rushing yards
and 10 touchdowns. Sophomore Ryan Larson accumulated 813 yards and 10
touchdowns on 48 receptions. Senior Sonny Foote led Braham with 64.5
tackles.
1-Goodhue (9-3) vs. 5-Minneota (12-0), 3 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Prior Lake
High School: The unranked Wildcats of Goodhue return to tournament play
for the first time since 2010. Champions in 2003 and 2007, Goodhue is
making its ninth overall appearance. The No. 1-ranked Vikings of
Minneota look to defend their 2014 Class A title. They also won
championships in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 2009. Minneota is making its
second consecutive and 12th overall appearance; it made one additional
appearance as a co-op with Lincoln HI of Ivanhoe in 2013.
The Goodhue Wildcats gained more twice as many yards on the ground
(2,757) as they did in the air (1,276). Mason Huemann, a sophomore,
rushed for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns on 163 attempts. Senior
Garett Huemann added eight rushing touchdowns on 222 carries. Senior
quarterback Jacob Pasch completed 95-of-162 pass attempts and tallied 18
touchdowns and 1,232 yards. Junior Bailee O’Reilly paced Goodhue’s
defense with 136 tackles and one interception. As a team, the Wildcats
average 28.6 points per and their opponents score an average of 10.6
against them.
The Vikings of Minneota gained 3,673 yards on the ground this season.
They also completed 100-of-191 pass attempts for another 1,356 yards.
Senior Garrett Hennen led the rushing charge with 1,911 yards and 26
touchdowns on 242 carries. Hennen also had a team-high 100 tackles for
Minneota. Bryce Bruner, another senior, added eight rushing touchdown
and three receiving touchdowns with combined yardage of 1,010. Sophomore
quarterback Alex Pohlen completed 86 of his 158 pass attempts for 1,207
yards and 16 touchdowns. The Vikings average 43.8 points per game this
season to their opponents’ 11.2 points per game.
Class AA Highlights
Section-Team (Record)
3-Pipestone Area (12-0) vs. 8-United North Central (9-2), 8 p.m. on
Nov. 6 at St. Cloud State University: The No. 2-ranked Arrows of
Pipestone Area are making their second consecutive and overall
appearance under this name. Last year, the Arrows lost in the
semifinals. Pipestone made two additional appearances in 1977 and 1980.
The Arrows did not face any other semifinalists during the regular
season. Unranked United North Central is a co-op of Menahga and Sebeka.
The Warriors are making their debut appearance. United North Central
lost to Ottertail Central 45-7 in regular-season play.
Pipestone Area prefers to keep the ball on the ground and amassed 3,532
rushing yards this year. Senior Austin Moeller had 17 rushing
touchdowns for the Arrows and totaled 1,142 yards on 157 attempts.
Senior quarterback Brayden Baartman added 16 rushing touchdowns with 853
yards on 116 carries. Baartman also completed 29-of-65 pass attempts
for 597 yards and seven touchdowns. Brad Hillard, another senior, paced
Pipestone Area’s defense with 75 tackles and two fumble recoveries. As a
team, the Arrows average 40.7 points per game while their opponents
score an average of 6.3 points per game.
United North Central did not provide team or individual statistics.
1-Caledonia (12-0) vs. 6-Ottertail Central (11-0), 1 p.m. on Nov. 7 at
Mounds View High School: The top-ranked Caledonia Warriors are looking
for their seventh championship, after losing in the semifinals in 2014.
It is their second consecutive and 11th overall appearance. The Warriors
won previously in 1976, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Caledonia did
not face any other qualifiers during regular-season play. Battle Lake
and Henning combine forces as a co-op for their sixth overall appearance
as Ottertail Central. The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs won their
regular-season meeting with United North Central 45-7. Battle Lake has
appeared six times and won titles in 1974 and 1977; Henning made two
previous tournament appearances in 1972 and 1973.
Senior Sam Stemper led the ground game for Caledonia. He gained 1,107
yards on 135 carries and scored 20 touchdowns. Stemper also had 49
tackles with one fumble recovery and one interception. The Warriors’
sophomore quarterback, Owen King, completed 112 of his 173 pass attempts
for 1,978 yards and 35 touchdowns. King’s favorite target was senior
Tanner Gran. Gran tallied 45 receptions this year for 876 yards and 15
touchdowns. Junior Alex Goergen led Caledonia’s defense with 58 tackles
and one fumble recovery. The Warriors did not provide team or scoring
statistics.
This year’s Ottertail Central squad has a stellar ground game with
2,935 yards. Senior Cody Seedorf notched 1,096 rushing yards and 17
touchdowns on 181 attempts. Senior quarterback Tony Ukkelberg connected
on 58 percent of his pass attempts for 779 yards and 12 touchdowns. He
tossed 16 of those passes to junior Eric Van Erp, who tallied seven
additional touchdowns and 392 yards. The Bulldogs average 46.4 points
per game this year and their opponents scored an average of 5.4 points
against them.
Class AAA Highlights
[None of this year’s semifinalists faced each other during the regular season.]
Section-Team (Record)
3-Jackson County Central (9-2) vs. 8-Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (10-1), 1
p.m. on Nov. 7 at Maple Grove High School: Jackson County Central is
making its sixth appearance under this name, but first since 2001. The
Huskies also made two additional appearances as Jackson in 1985 and
1989. Overall, the Huskies have earned two championships – one in 1985
and one in 2001. This year’s Jackson County Central squad tied for No. 9
in the final AP poll. The No. 2-ranked Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels
return for their third consecutive and fourth overall appearance.
Dilworth made two appearances in 1988 and 1989, and Glyndon-Felton made
three consecutive appearances between 1983 and 1985. Glyndon-Felton also
claimed a title in 1985. The Rebels bowed out in the quarterfinals of
the 2014 tournament.
Jackson County Central accumulated more than twice as many yards on the
ground (3,355) as in the air (1,302). Senior Keegan Moore led the
Huskies with 24 rushing touchdowns on 164 carries for 1,396 yards. Moore
also had two interceptions this year. Avery Henderson, another senior,
added 13 rushing touchdowns with 813 yards on 100 attempts. Jackson
County Central’s senior quarterback, Easton Bahr, went 55-of-94 on his
pass attempts and tallied 1,163 yards with 15 touchdowns. The Huskies
average 46.1 points per game this year while holding their opponents to
an average of 13.8 points per game.
The Rebels of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton also prefer to keep the ball on
the ground. They accumulated 3,097 rushing yards this year and 1,014
passing yards. Senior Tyler Oberg led the rushing game for the Rebels,
gaining 1,064 yards on 146 attempts and scoring 12 touchdowns. Senior
quarterback Blake Kragnes added five rushing touchdowns and 475 yards on
60 carries. Kragnes also completed 47 percent of his pass attempts for
950 yards and 15 additional touchdowns. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton averages
40.0 points per game and their opponents average 8.3 points per game.
1-Tri-City United, Montgomery (10-1) vs. 5-Pierz (11-0), 7 p.m. on Nov.
6 at Park Center High School, Brooklyn Center: Tri-City United, which
includes the communities of Montgomery, Lonsdale, and LeCenter, is
making its first appearance under this name. Montgomery-Lonsdale made
one additional appearance in 1981 and LeCenter made four additional
appearances between 1982 and 1999. LeCenter also won a championship in
1982. Tri-City United tied for No. 3 in this year’s final AP poll. The
Pioneers of Pierz return to make their third consecutive and 11th
appearance overall appearance. The Pioneers, who lost in the semifinals
last year, were ranked No. 1 in this year’s final AP poll. Pierz won one
previous title in 2004.
The Tri-City United Titans like to keep the ball on the ground and they
accumulated 2,646 rushing yards this year. Senior Aaron Chimal carried
the ball 200 times and tallied 1,189 yards and 13 touchdowns. Michael
McCrady, another senior, gained 460 yards on 57 rushing attempts and
added nine touchdowns. Senior Trevor Smisek is the quarterback for
Tri-City United. He completed 49-of-95 pass attempts this season and
racked up 832 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Jordan Simonette led the
Titans’ defense with 120 tackles and three interceptions. Tri-City
United averages 33.1 points per game this season and their opponents
average 10.0 against them.
Pierz also prefers to keep the ball on the ground. The Pioneers rushed
for 3,065 yards and completed 35-of-72 passing attempts for 795 yards
this year. Junior Lane Girtz rushed for 820 yards and scored 13
touchdowns. Bain also had 81 tackles and one fumble recovery on the
defensive side. Senior quarterback Aaron Weber ran the passing game with
799 yards and 10 touchdowns on 36 completions. Senior Michael Meyer was
Weber’s favorite target. He caught 12 passes for 281 yards and four
touchdowns. Pierz averages 39.7 points per game while holding opponents
to 7.7 points per game.
Class AAAA Highlights
[None of this year’s semifinalists faced each other during the regular season.]
Section-Team (Record)
3-South St. Paul (10-1) vs. 8-Rocori, Cold Spring (9-3), 4 p.m. on Nov.
7 at Maple Grove High School: South St. Paul, which was ranked No. 5 in
the final poll, returns for its third consecutive and sixth overall
appearance. The Packers bowed out in the quarterfinals last year and are
still looking for their first championship. The unranked Rocori
Spartans return for their second consecutive appearance and their
seventh overall. They fell in the quarterfinals of the 2014 tournament
and are in the hunt for their second championship. They won their first
in 2011.
The Packers of South St. Paul run a stellar ground game and they
accumulated 3,412 rushing yards this season. Senior quarterback Dan
Pietruszewski scored 22 rushing touchdowns on 158 carries for 1,082
yards. Pietruszewski also completed 37 of his 60 pass attempts for an
additional 847 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jesus Cortez, another senior,
paced South St. Paul’s defense with 67 tackles and one fumble recovery.
Junior Ryan Duffy added 33 tackles for the Packers with one fumble
recovery and three interceptions. South St. Paul averages 35.3 points
this season to their opponents’ 15.2.
The Rocori Spartans prefer to throw the ball and they racked up 2,347
yards in the air this year. Junior quarterback Connor Schoborg
completed 187-of-301 passing attempts for 2,332 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Senior Alec Anderson and junior Derek Thompson are Schoborg’s favorite
targets. Anderson had 47 receptions for 610 yards and 10 touchdowns and
Thompson had 46 receptions for 569 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior
Nick Warne led Rocori’s ground game with 671 yards on 152 carries with
eight touchdowns. On the defensive side, junior Nathan Thorpe tallied
136.5 tackles with two fumble recoveries and one interception. Rocori
posts an average of 28.5 points per game to their opponents’ 14.5 points
per game.
1-Stewartville (11-0) vs. 6-Becker (11-0), 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at
Chanhassen High School: The Tigers of Stewartville are making their
second consecutive appearance and their fifth overall. They were No. 2
in this year’s final AP poll and fell in the semifinals in 2014.
Stewartville is still looking for its first title. The No. 1-ranked
Becker Bulldogs return to defend their 2014 title. They are making their
second consecutive and 15th overall appearance. In addition to last
year, the Bulldogs also claimed a title in 2005.
Stewartville boasts a nice balance between its rushing and passing
games. The Tigers compiled 2,380 yards on the ground and 2,027 through
the air. Junior quarterback Andrew Quandt completed 146-of-239 passing
attempts for 1,983 yards and 29 touchdowns. Senior Jordan Johnson
notched 1,100 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 162 attempts. Johnson
also paced the defense with 68 tackles. Senior Joe Garrett Nosbisch
added 48 tackles for Stewartville with three fumble recoveries. As a
team, the Tigers average 38.7 points per game. Their opponents score an
average of 6.2 against them.
The Becker Bulldogs prefer to keep the ball on the ground this season.
They gained 2,623 yards on 376 rushing attempts and another 1,716 yards
on 103 completed passes. Senior quarterback Andrew Stanger completed 94
passes and netted 1,641 yards and 23 touchdowns. Senior Gabe Dertinger
added 1,056 yards and 11 touchdowns on 105 rushing attempts. Senior Beau
Pauly and junior Jaylin Hildebrandt paced Becker’s defense with 67
tackles apiece. Pauly added two interceptions and Hildebrandt had one.
The Bulldogs average 45.0 points per game this season and their
opponents average 8.0 against them.
Class AAAAA Highlights
Section-Team (Record)
3-St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights (10-1) vs. 8-Moorhead (11-0), 7
p.m. on Nov. 6 at Minnetonka High School: The Cadets of St. Thomas
Academy return for their 22nd appearance, but first since 2012. They
were ranked No. 5 in this year’s final AP poll and are in the hunt for
their second title. They claimed their first in 1975. St. Thomas Academy
did not face any other semifinalists during the regular season. The No.
2-ranked Moorhead Spuds are making their 15th appearance. They made
their last appearance in 2012 and are looking for their second title.
They won their only other championship in 1987. During regular-season
play, Moorhead defeated St. Michael-Albertville 26-16.
St. Thomas Academy rushed for 2,384 yards this season while netting
1,269 yards passing. Senior Sean McFadden led the ground game for the
Cadets. He scored nine touchdowns on 174 rushing attempts and gained
1,070 yards. Senior Woody Hubbell added 10 rushing touchdowns for the
Cadets on 100 carries. Senior quarterback Andrew Tri completed 53
percent of his pass attempts and threw for 10 touchdowns. Senior Mac
Brown caught 32 of Tri’s passes and turned them into 564 yards and four
touchdowns. Junior TJ Wright led St. Thomas Academy’s defense with 71
tackles and one fumble recovery. The Cadets did not provide scoring
averages.
Moorhead also prefers to keep the ball on the ground. The Spuds rushed
for 2,322 yards this year. They also completed 80-of-136 passing
attempts for an additional 1,438 yards. Senior Mike Diginski had 124
rushing attempts for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior quarterback
Matt Bye threw 12 touchdown passes while completing 74-of-125 attempts
for 1,415 yards. Junior Carter Howell had 19 receptions for Moorhead
which was good for 419 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Nate Stich led
the Spuds’ defense with 82 tackles, one fumble recovery, and two
interceptions. As a team, Moorhead average 37.5 points per game and
their opponents average 12.7 against them.
2-Mankato West (11-0) vs. 6-St. Michael-Albertville (10-1), 6 p.m. on
Nov. 7 at Prior Lake High School: The defending champion Mankato West
Scarlets return to make their second consecutive appearance and their
10th overall. The Scarlets were No. 1 in the final AP poll and are
looking for fifth championship. In addition to last year, they also won
in 1999, 2002, and 2008. Mankato West did not face any other
semifinalists during the regular season. The Knights of St.
Michael-Albertville, who have never won a state title, return for their
third consecutive and eighth overall appearance. They lost in the
semifinals in 2014 and came in at No. 4 in this year’s final AP poll.
During regular-season play, St. Michael-Albertville lost to Moorhead
26-16.
The Scarlets of Mankato West play a well-rounded game. They tallied
2,842 rushing yards and 1,328 passing yards this season. Junior Robert
Meidl completed 59-of-105 passing attempts while accumulating 790 yards
and scoring 11 touchdowns. Meidl also likes to run the ball and garnered
an additional 640 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Senior Van
Neils led the rushing charge for Mankato West. He racked up 1,347 yards
and 18 touchdowns on 192 carries. Sophomore Zachary Jakes and senior
Brandon Marsh each had 65 tackles during the regular season. Mankato
West scored an average of 41.6 points per game and their opponents
scored an average of 13.9.
St. Michael-Albertville prefers to keep the ball on the ground and
compiled 2,380 rushing yards this year. Senior Erik Sjelin and sophomore
Mitchell Kartes gained 1,125 and 992 yards on the ground, respectively.
Sjelin carried the ball 160 times and ran for 13 touchdowns and Kartes
carried the ball 162 times and tallied 11 touchdowns. Senior quarterback
Jacob Viere completed 51 percent of his pass attempts for 1,511 yards
and 14 touchdowns. Senior Evan Rosen anchored St. Michael-Albertville’s
defense with 101 tackles. The Knights average 31.4 points per game and
their opponents average 14.2 against them.
Class AAAAAA Highlights
Team (Record)
Osseo (8-3) vs. Totino-Grace, Fridley (9-2), 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 at
Minnetonka High School: These teams met in mid-September with
Totino-Grace winning 35-14. The unranked Orioles of Osseo return to make
their second appearance as a co-op with Maranatha Christian Academy of
Brooklyn Park. They made their first appearance in 2013. Osseo also made
seven additional appearances as a single school between 1982 and 1993.
In addition to playing Totino-Grace, Osseo also faced Maple Grove this
year; the Orioles won that game 22-15. Osseo never won a state title.
Totino-Grace, which claimed runner-up honors last year, was ranked No. 7
in this year’s final poll. The Eagles are making their seventh
consecutive and 25th overall appearance. The Eagles won previous
championships in 1977, 1978, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and
2012. Totino-Grace did not face another other semifinalists this year.
The Osseo Orioles like to keep the ball on the ground and they
accumulated 2,631 rushing yards this year. Senior Prince Kruah carried
the ball 230 times and tallied 1,539 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior
Malik Gaillard is the quarterback for Osseo. He completed 121-of-204
pass attempts this season and racked up 1,601 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Senior Damario Armstrong caught 58 passes this year for 891 yards and 13
touchdowns. Senior Jack Kraemer led the Orioles’ defense with 98
tackles. Osseo averages 32.3 points per game this season and their
opponents’ average 23.5 against them.
The Eagles of Totino-Grace also prefer to keep the ball on the ground.
They accumulated 2,906 rushing yards this year and 1,063 passing yards.
Junior Ivan Burlak led the rushing game for the Eagles, gaining 1,251
yards on 178 attempts and scoring 16 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Kyle
Halverson completed 60 percent of his pass attempts for 1,063 yards and
11 touchdowns. Junior Charlie Waters paced Totino’s defense with 89
tackles. The Eagles averaged 30.0 points per game and their opponents
averaged 15.0 points per game.
East Ridge, Woodbury (10-1) vs. Maple Grove (9-2), 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at
Eden Prairie High School: East Ridge is making its second consecutive
and overall appearance. The Raptors fell in the quarterfinals last year
and tied for No. 2 on this year’s final AP poll. East Ridge did not face
any other semifinalists this season. The Maple Grove Crimson, who were
ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll, return for their third consecutive
and sixth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals in 2014.
During regular-season play, the Crimson lost to Osseo 22-15. Neither
team has won a state championship and neither team provided team or
individual statistics.
Neither team provided team or individual statistics.
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