MN State Football Tournament Preview

Five teams return to defend their 2013 football titles – Grand Meadow in 9-Man, Mahnomen in Class A, St. Croix Lutheran of West St. Paul in Class AAA, Hutchinson in Class AAAA, and Eden Prairie in Class AAAAAA.

Thirty-one teams that competed in the 2013 tournament have qualified again, while East Ridge of Woodbury in Class AAAAAA is the only team making its debut appearance. Fifteen teams enter with unblemished records.

The 2014 tournament has quarterfinals being played over three days, Nov. 6-8, at neutral sites throughout Minnesota. Semifinals will follow also at neutral sites outdoors throughout Minnesota on Nov. 13-15. Prep Bowl XXXIII will be played over two days at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis on Nov. 21 and 22. (Check the League website - http://www.MSHSL.org - for exact times and locations of quarterfinals.)

         Class 9-Man Quarterfinal Highlights
Four teams return from the 2013 field, including the defending champions from Grand Meadow. The others are Nicollet, Underwood, and Kittson County Central. Kelliher/Northome and Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal are the only teams making debut appearances as cooperative programs, and Grand Meadow boasts the only record.
         Section-Team (Record)
8-Kittson County Central (8-2) vs. 5-Cromwell (10-1), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Bemidji State University: Kittson County Central, which includes students from Lancaster, is making its second consecutive and fourth overall appearance under this name. The Bearcats lost in the semifinals in 2013 and were not ranked in the final Associated Press (AP) poll. Kittson Central of Hallock made two additional appearances in 1993 and 1994 and won the 1994 title. Lancaster also made an appearance in 1976. Kittson County Central did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. The No. 10-ranked Cardinals of Cromwell return to tournament action after a three-year absence. This is their 16th appearance and they are looking for their fifth championship. They won previously in 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2010. Cromwell defeated Kelliher/Northome 34-14 during the regular season.

4-Underwood (10-1) vs. 1-Grand Meadow (11-0), 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Irondale High School, New Brighton: This is a rematch of last year's championship game that Grand Meadow won 28-6. The Underwood Rockets are making their second consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They were ranked No. 7 in this year's final AP poll. The top-ranked Superlarks of Grand Meadow are making their third consecutive and seventh overall appearance. If they win, this would be their second championship. Neither team faced any other qualifiers during the regular season.

7-Kelliher/Northome (9-2) vs. 6-Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal (8-3), 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Bemidji State University: Kelliher/Northome is making its first appearance as a co-op program. Kelliher made an appearance in 1979. The Mustangs lost to Cromwell 34-14 during regular-season play. The co-op of Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal is also makings it first appearance. Norman County East, which is located in Twin Valley, made an appearance in 1993. Ulen-Hitterdal made previous back-to-back appearances in 2005 and 2006. The Titans did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. Neither team was ranked in the final AP poll and both are still in the hunt for their elusive first championship.

3-Edgerton/Ellsworth (10-1) vs. 2-Nicollet (10-1), noon on Nov. 8 at Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall: These teams met during the regular season with Edgerton/Ellsworth escaping with a 28-26 victory. Edgerton/Ellsworth is making its third appearance under this name. The Flying Dutchmens' last appearance was in 2011 when they captured their only championship. Edgerton also made three solo appearances between 2004 and 2006. The Nicollet Raiders are making their second consecutive and eighth overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals of the 2013 tournament. Edgerton/Ellsworth was ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll and Nicollet was ranked No. 4.

         Class A Quarterfinal Highlights
Five teams, including the two-time defending champions from Mahnomen, return from the 2013 field. The others are Dawson-Boyd, Braham, Upsala/Swanville, and Minneota. Five teams have unblemished records and all of them have previous tournament experience. Minneota and Dawson-Boyd were the only two qualifying teams to meet during the regular season. Minneota won that game 33-21.

8-Mahnomen (11-0) vs. 5-Dawson-Boyd (10-1), 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Alexandria High School: These two teams met in the 2013 championship game and Mahnomen captured the title with a 46-13 victory. The two-time defending champions from Mahnomen return to make their fifth consecutive and 23^rd overall appearance. They were the top team in this year's final AP poll. In the Indians win it would be their ninth title. In addition to the past two years, they also won in 1980, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1998. TheBlackjacks of Dawson-Boyd return for their fourth consecutive and overall appearance. They won a title in 2011. Dawson-Boyd was ranked No. 8 in this year's final poll.

4-Minneapolis North Community (11-0) vs. 1-Blooming Prairie (11-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Richfield High School: The No. 5-ranked Polars of Minneapolis North Community return for their third appearance, but first since 2009. The No. 6-ranked Awesome Blossoms of Blooming Prairie are making their seventh appearance; their last was in 2011. Neither team has won a state title.         

7-Braham (9-1) vs. 6-Upsala/Swanville (11-0), noon on Nov. 8 at Brainerd High School: Braham returns for its second consecutive and sixth overall appearance. The Bombers, who lost in the quarterfinals in 2013, were tied for No. 9 in this year's final poll. Braham made one additional appearance with Grace Christian in 2004 and is still looking for its first championship. No. 4-ranked Upsala/Swanville is making its second consecutive and overall appearance. The Cardinals lost in the quarterfinals last year. Swanville made two solo appearances in 1978 and 1984 and two more as a co-op with Grey Eagle in 1986 and 1987, but never claimed a state title.

3-Minneota (10-0) vs. 2-New Ulm Cathedral (11-0), 3 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall: The Vikings of Minneota are making their second consecutive and 12th overall appearance. In 2013 the Vikings earned runner-up honors in Class AA as a co-op with Lincoln HI. Minneota also made 11 solo appearances between 1985 and 2010. The Vikings won previous titles in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 2009. Minneota was ranked No. 2 in this year's final AP poll. The Greyhounds of New Ulm Cathedral, who were No. 3 in the final AP poll, are making their eighth appearance. Their last was in 2010. The Greyhounds also captured their only state championship in 2010.

         Class AA Quarterfinal Highlights
Four of the qualifying teams from 2013 return: Hawley, Maple Lake, Moose Lake/Willow River, and Holdingford. All of the teams have previous tournament experience and two boast perfect records. Holdingford and Maple Lake were the only two Class AA teams that met during the regular season and Holdingford won that game 35-8.

8-Hawley (10-0) vs. 5-BOLD, Olivia (10-1), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Alexandria High School: The Hawley Nuggets, who were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, return to make their third consecutive and 15th overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals of the 2013 tournament and are still in the hunt
for their first title. The BOLD Warriors are making their 10th appearance, but first since 2012. Olivia also made an appearance in 1980. BOLD is in the hunt for its third title, having won previously in 1990 and 1991. The Warriors were ranked No. 7 in this year's final AP poll.

4-Maple Lake (10-1) vs. 1-Caledonia (11-0), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Rochester Community and Technical College: The Maple Lake Irish return to the tournament for a second consecutive year and are making their fourth overall appearance. The Irish lost in the semifinals in 2013 and were ranked No. 6 in this year's final AP poll. They are still looking for their first title. The Caledonia Warriors return to tournament action after a one-year hiatus to make their 10th appearance. The Warriors, who were ranked No. 2 in this year's poll, are looking for their seventh championship. They won previously in 1976, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

7-Moose Lake/Willow River (9-1) vs. 6-Holdingford (8-3), 3 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Brainerd High School: The Rebels of Moose Lake/Willow River, who were No. 5 in the final AP poll, are making their ninth consecutive and 10^th overall appearance. Moose Lake made one appearance in 1977. Moose Lake/Willow River lost in the quarterfinals last year and has never won a state championship. The unranked Huskers of Holdingford return to make their third consecutive and 12th overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2013. If the Huskers win it would be their second championship, winning their first in 1981.

3-Pipestone Area (10-1) vs. 2-Norwood-Young America (10-1), 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter: The Arrows of Pipestone Area are making their first appearance under this name. They made two previous appearances as Pipestone in 1977 and 1980. The Raiders of Norwood-Young America are making their fifth appearance, but first since 2008. Neither team was ranked in the final AP poll and neither has won a state championship.

         Class AAA Quarterfinal Highlights
Six teams return from the 2013 field, including the defending champions from St. Croix Lutheran of West St. Paul. The others are Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Pierz, Rochester Lourdes, New London-Spicer, and Glencoe-Silver Lake. All of the teams have previous tournament experience and two teams have perfect records. Glencoe-Silver Lake and New London-Spicer were the only teams to meet during regular-season play and New London-Spicer won that contest 20-7.

8-Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (8-2) vs. 5-Pierz (10-0), 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Brainerd High School: The No. 7-ranked Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels return for their second consecutive and third 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 2013 tournament. The Pioneers of Pierz return to make their second consecutive and 10th appearance overall appearance. The Pioneers, who lost in the quarterfinals last year, were ranked No. 4 in this year's final AP poll. Pierz won one previous title in 2004.

4-St. Croix Lutheran, West St. Paul (8-2) vs. 1-Rochester Lourdes (10-0), 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Farmington High School: The defending champions from St. Croix Lutheran are making their fourth consecutive and fifth overall appearance. In addition to last year the Crusaders also captured a championship in 2011. St. Croix Lutheran came in at No. 5 in this year's final poll. Top-ranked Rochester Lourdes returns for its third consecutive and 11th overall appearance. The Eagles lost in the semifinals last year and won previous titles in 1979 and 2010.

7-Esko (8-2) vs. 6-New London-Spicer (9-1), noon on Nov. 8 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked Esko Eskomos are making their 11^th appearance, but first since 2012. They have never won a state championship. The Wildcats of New London-Spicer are making their third consecutive and fifth overall appearance. They won one previous championship in 2009 and claimed runner-up honors last year. New London-Spicer was ranked No. 3 in this year's final AP poll.

3-Blue Earth Area (9-1) vs. 2-Glencoe-Sliver Lake (8-3), 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Burnsville High School: Blue Earth Area is making its fifth appearance under this name, but first since 2012. The Buccaneers, who won one previous championship in 2012, were No. 6 in the final AP poll. The Bucs also made one previous appearance as Blue Earth in 1972. The Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers, who were ranked No. 10 in the final poll, return for their second consecutive appearance. This is the 13th appearance for the Panthers under this name and they won previous championships in 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Silver Lake also made seven appearances between 1982 and 1991 and won titles in 1983 and 1987. Glencoe-Silver Lake lost in the quarterfinals in 2013.

         Class AAAA Quarterfinal Highlights
Five of last year's qualifying teams return: the two-time defending champions from Hutchinson, DeLaSalle of Minneapolis, Cloquet, South St. Paul, and Academy of Holy Angels of Richfield. All of the teams have previous tournament experience and three boast unblemished records. DeLaSalle and Academy of Holy Angels were the only teams to meet during the regular season. Academy of Holy Angels won that game 16-12.

8-Rocori, Cold Spring (7-4) vs. 5-Becker (9-1), 3 p.m. on Nov. 8 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked Rocori Spartans return for their sixth appearance, but first since 2011. They also won their only championship in 2011. The No. 5-ranked Becker Bulldogs are making their 14^th appearance. They made their last appearance in 2012 and won their only title in 2005.

4-South St. Paul (9-1) vs. 1-Stewartville (9-1), 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Rochester Community and Technical College: South St. Paul, which was ranked No. 4 in the final poll, returns for its second consecutive and fifth overall appearance. The Packers bowed out in the quarterfinals last year. The Tigers of Stewartville are making their fourth appearance, but first since 1986. The Tigers were tied for No. 9 in this year's final AP poll. Neither team has won a state title.

7-Cloquet (10-0) vs. 6-DeLaSalle, Minneapolis (9-1), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Chisago Lakes High School, Lindstrom: The No. 6-ranked Cloquet Lumberjacks are making their second consecutive and sixth overall appearance. The Lumberjacks lost in the quarterfinals of the 2013 tournament and have never won a state championship. The Islanders of DeLaSalle, who were ranked No. 7 in the final poll, are making their third consecutive and 10th overall appearance. They lost in the 2013 semifinals. If the Islanders win it would be their second title. They won their first in 1999. 3-Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield (10-0) vs. 2-Hutchinson (10-0), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Minneapolis Washburn High School: This is a rematch of last year's championship game that Hutchinson won 49-7. The No. 2-ranked Stars of Academy of Holy Angels return for their second consecutive and fifth overall appearance. If the Stars win it would be their first title. The two-time defending champions from Hutchinson are making their third consecutive and 19th appearance under this name. In addition to the past two years, the Tigers also won titles in 1983, 1984, and 1998. Hutchinson also made three
consecutive appearances as a co-op with New Century Charter School between 2003 and 2005. The Tigers were the top team in this year's final AP poll.

         Class AAAAA Quarterfinal Highlights
Sartell-St. Stephen and St. Michael-Albertville are the only teams returning from the 2013 field. There are no perfect records and all of the teams have previous tournament experience. Bemidji and Sartell-St. Stephen met during the regular season with Bemidji winning 31-0.

8-Sartell-St. Stephen (9-1) vs. 5-Simley, Inver Grove Heights (8-3), 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at St. Cloud State University: The Sartell-St. Stephen Sabres are making their second consecutive and seventh overall appearance under this name. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2013. Sartell made five additional appearances between 1976 and 1994 and the Sabres won their only title in 1994. Sartell-St. Stephen tied for No. 4 in this year's final AP poll. The Simley Spartans, who were not ranked in the final AP poll, return for their second appearance. They made their last appearance in 2002 and are still looking for their first title.

4-Spring Lake Park (7-3) vs. 1-Faribault (8-2), 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Lakeville North High School: The Panthers of Spring Lake Park, who were not ranked in the final poll, return for their fifth appearance. They made their last in 2011. If the Panthers win it would be their second title. They won their first in 1991. The unranked Faribault Falcons are making their second appearance. They made their only other appearance in 2011 and are still looking for their first championship.

7-Bemidji (9-1) vs. 6-St. Michael-Albertville (9-1), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at St. Cloud State University: The No. 7-ranked Bemidji Lumberjacks are making their sixth appearance; their last was in 2011. The Knights of St. Michael-Albertville return for their second consecutive and seventh overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2013 and came in at No. 1 in this year's final AP poll. Neither team has won a state championship.

3-Bloomington Jefferson (7-3) vs. 2-Mankato West (9-1), 2 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Lakeville North High School: The Jaguars of Bloomington Jefferson, who were not ranked in the final AP poll, return for their fourth appearance. They made their last appearance in 1994 and are still in the hunt for their first championship. The No. 3-ranked Mankato West Scarlets return to tournament action after a one-year absence to make their ninth appearance. If the Scarlets win it would be their fourth title; they won previously in 1999, 2002, and 2008.

         Class AAAAAA Quarterfinal Highlights
This is the third year that a seventh class of the 32 largest schools was added to the tournament format. The Class AAAAAA tournament is also the first to be seeded. The seeding process had all eight coaches of the section qualifiers log onto a special page of the League website. Each coach then ranked the other teams one through seven. The highest and lowest rankings for each team were discarded, leaving five rankings for each team. From those rankings, the top five teams were seeded. In a conference call with all eight head coaches, League Associate Director Kevin Merkle announced the top five seeds. A coaches association representative then blindly drew three teams to establish the opponent for the top three seeded teams. Numbers four and five automatically play each other.

The qualifiers for Class AAAAAA are determined by cross-over games between sections, a format unlike all of the other classes. The pairings were determined by matching the highest seeded team from each section against the lowest seeded team of the other; then second highest to second lowest; then third highest to third lowest; and finally fourth highest to fourth lowest. The higher seeded team from either section hosted the final game. The eight teams that emerged from these cross-over qualifying games earned a state tournament berth and were then seeded.

Five teams return from the 2013 Class AAAAAA field. Eden Prairie returns as the two-time defending champion. The other returning teams are Maple Grove, Totino-Grace of Fridley, Rosemount, and Lakeville North. East Ridge of Woodbury is the only team making its debut appearance and two teams boast perfect records.

(No. 1 Seed) Eden Prairie (10-0) vs. East Ridge, Woodbury (9-1), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Woodbury High School: The two-time defending champions from Eden Prairie are making their 10th consecutive and 18th overall appearance. They were the top-ranked team in this year's final AP poll and also won titles in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2011. The Eagles did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. East Ridge is making its first tournament appearance and was ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll. During the regular season the Raptors lost to Mounds View 21-6.

(No. 4 Seed) Maple Grove (9-1) vs. (No. 5 Seed) Prior Lake (9-1), 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Minnetonka High School: The Maple Grove Crimson, who were ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll, return for their second consecutive and fifth overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2013. During regular-season play the Crimson defeated Totino-Grace 28-0. The Lakers of Prior Lake return to the tournament after a one-year absence. This is their third appearance and they were ranked No. 4 in this year's final AP poll. During the regular season Prior Lake lost to Rosemount 21-0 and defeated Lakeville North 10-7. Neither Maple Grove nor Prior Lake has won a state title.

(No. 3 Seed) Mounds View (9-1) vs. Totino-Grace, Fridley (9-1), 7 p.m. on Nov 6 at Maple Grove High School: The No. 3-ranked Mounds View Mustangs are making their eighth appearance, but first since 2010. During regular-season play Mounds View defeated East Ridge 21-6. The Mustangs are still looking for their first championship. Totino-Grace, which lost in the semifinals last year, was ranked No. 8 in this year's final poll. The Eagles are making their sixth consecutive and 24th overall appearance. The Eagles won previous championships in 1977, 1978, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Totino-Grace lost to Maple Grove 28-0 during the regular season.

(No. 2 Seed) Rosemount (10-0) vs. Lakeville North (9-1), 7:30 p.m. on Nov 6 at Edina High School: The Irish of Rosemount return to make their third consecutive and ninth overall appearance. They were No. 2 in the final AP poll and are looking to improve on last year's runner-up showing. Rosemount won one previous championship in 1981. The Irish defeated Prior Lake 21-0 in regular-season play. The Panthers of Lakeville North, who tied for No. 5 in the final AP poll, are making their fourth consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2013 and have never won a state title. During the regular season Lakeville North lost to Prior Lake 10-7.

(information provided by mshsl)