MSHSL Announces 2016 Prep Bowl Playoff Semifinals Schedule

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn., (Nov. 14, 2016) – The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) announced today the 28 schools that have advanced to the semifinals of the Prep Bowl Playoff. The games will be played Nov. 17-19 at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

This is the inaugural season of the Prep Bowl era at U.S. Bank Stadium, which is the new home of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

From 1982-2013, the Prep Bowl was played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. During construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, the 2014 and 2015 Prep Bowl championship games were played at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The MSHSL state football tournament format began in 1972.

“This is an exciting year for the Prep Bowl and high school football in Minnesota,” said Kevin Merkle, the MSHSL Associate Director that oversees football. “We’re celebrating 45 years of the state high school football tournament and we are thrilled to be able to give players and fans the chance to watch our state’s best teams compete at a brand new state-of-the-art facility.”

Blaine, the 1988 Class AA Prep Bowl champion, is one of three top seeds in the Class 6A field that have advanced to the semifinals.

“The team, the school, the community, everyone, really, is ecstatic about being in the semifinals and having the opportunity to play at U.S. Bank Stadium,” Blaine head coach Tom Develice said.

Tickets for semifinal and championship games are available for $14 for adults and $9 for students. A two-day Prep Bowl Pass (for championship games played Nov. 25-26) is available for $20. For more information, or to purchase tickets visit www.MSHSL.org/FanCentral.


The Schedule

Class Nine Man
Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. --- Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran (12-0) vs. Cromwell-Wright (12-0)
Nov. 18, 9 a.m. --- Grand Meadow (12-0) vs. Waubun (12-0)
Prep Bowl Championship game
Nov. 25, 10 a.m. --- Semifinal winners


Class A
Nov. 19, 9 a.m.  --- Rushford-Peterson (11-1) vs. Browerville-Eagle Valley (9-3)
Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. --- Minneapolis North (11-0) vs. Wabasso (11-1)
Prep Bowl championship game
Nov. 26, 10 a.m. --- Semifinal winners

Class AA
Nov. 17, 2 p.m. --- Maple River (10-2) vs. Eden Valley-Watkins (10-1)
Nov. 18, 11:30 a.m.  --- Caledonia (12-0) vs. Barnesville (11-0)
Prep Bowl championship game
Nov. 25, 1 p.m. --- Semifinal winners

Class AAA
Nov. 19, 2 p.m. --- Rochester Lourdes (11-0) vs. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (10-1)
Nov. 19, 4:30 p.m. --- St. Croix Lutheran (11-0) vs. Pierz (10-1)
Prep Bowl championship game
Nov. 26, 1 p.m. --- Semifinal winners

Class AAAA
Nov. 17, 4:30 p.m. --- Marshall (11-0) vs. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (8-3)
Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m.  --- Winona (10-1) vs. Rocori (9-3)
Prep Bowl championship game
Nov. 25, 4 p.m. --- Semifinal winners

Class AAAAA
Nov. 18, 2 p.m. --- Owatonna (9-2) vs. Elk River (11-0)
Nov. 19, 7 p.m. --- Mankato West (11-0) vs. Spring Lake Park (11-0)
Prep Bowl championship game
Nov. 26, 4 p.m. --- Semifinal winners

Class AAAAAA
Nov. 17, 7 p.m. --- Totino-Grace (11-0) vs. Blaine (9-2)
Nov. 18, 7 p.m. --- Eden Prairie (10-1) vs. Champlin Park (8-3)
Prep Bowl championship game
Nov. 25, 7 p.m. --- Semifinal winners

KSTC, 45TV will broadcast live the Prep Bowl championship games on Nov. 25 and 26. The Minnesota State High School League will update brackets with results on the League’s website at www.mshsl.org.  Follow the tournament on the League’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @MSHSL and @MSHSLJohn.

Special Events
In honor of a new Prep Bowl era at U.S. Bank Stadium, the League has special events planned. They include honoring Prep Bowl record holders during halftime of the Class AAAAAA championship game on Nov. 25, and recognizing state championship coaches at the half of the Class AAAAA championship game on Nov. 26.

For more information on these special events, please visit www.mshsl.org/prepbowl