GRAND MEADOW TOOK ON EDGERTON/ELLSWORTH IN THE 9 MAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Grand Meadow went up against Edgerton/Ellsworth in the 9 Man football championship game at TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota.   

Edgerton kicked off to start the game. Grand Meadow started on their 39-yard line. Grand Meadow’s Landon Jacobson looked to keep the ball on the ground. Teammate Michael Stejskal also came up with some huge runs. Jacobson came up with a 13-yard run for a first down. Grand Meadow was able to keep the ball on the ground and Jacobson came up with a 6-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 8:23 left in the first quarter the score was Grand Meadow 7, Ellsworth 0.

Grand Meadow took over on the 16-yard line after the touchdown.

There was a media timeout with 8:17 left in the first quarter.

Edgerton couldn’t move the ball down the field. On 4th-and-6 Edgerton punted the ball.

Grand Meadows Jacobson came up with a 14-yard touchdown run. The extra-point was good.

With 6:27 left in the first quarter the score was Grand Meadow 14, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth moved the ball the field using the run game. The defense was able to turn Ellsworth over on downs.

Jacobson continued to move the ball down the field. Stejskal came up with some receptions that also moved the chains.

The score after one quarter of play was Grand Meadow 14, Ellsworth 0.

Jacobson looked to get into the end zone early in second quarter.  

Grand Meadow’s Wyatt Richardson attempted a 23-yard field goal which was good.

With 9:51 left in the second quarter the score was Grand Meadow 17, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth had the ball and on the first play Jacobson came up with an interception and Grand Meadow took over on the 15-yard line.

Stejskal was able to get Jacobson the ball in different parts of the field. The defense had a hard time bringing Stejskal down. Richardson attempted a 43-yard field goal which was good.

With 6:36 left in the second quarter the score was Grand Meadow 20, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth took over on the 33-yard line. Mason Slius came up with a huge reception for a first down. Grand Meadow intercepted the ball.

Cody Ojulu came up with a 56-yard reception from Stejskal for a touchdown.

The extra-point attempt was good.

With 2:24 left in the second quarter the score was Grand Meadow 27, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth was intercepted by Stejskal. Grand Meadow’s Blake Olson came up with a 56-yard reception for a touchdown.

The extra-point attempt was not good.

With 1:06 left in the second quarter the score was Grand Meadow 33, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth was not able to move the ball down the field as the clock ran out to end the second quarter.

At halftime the score was Grand Meadow 33, Ellsworth 0.

Grand Meadow kicked off to start the third quarter. Ellsworth looked to get their offense going early in the third quarter. Ellsworth was intercepted by Christopher Bain.

There was a media timeout with 9:07 left in the third quarter.

Grand Meadow moved the ball down the field. Stejskal found Ojulu for a 21-yard touchdown reception. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 4:55 left in the third quarter the score was Grand Meadow 40, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth took over near mid field but they were not able to move the ball down the field so they punted the ball on 4th down.

Grand Meadow took over near midfield. Stejskal came up with a 17-yards for a first down. Grand Meadow fumbled the ball and Ellsworth recovered it.

After three quarters of play the score was Grand Meadow 40, Ellsworth 0.

Ellsworth turned the ball over on downs.

Grand Meadow found the end zone on a 7-yard run by Jacobson. The two-point attempt was good.

With 6:57 left in the fourth quarter the score was Grand Meadow 48, Ellsworth 0.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Grand Meadow came away with the 48-0 victory over

Ellsworth to win the 2014 Minnesota State High School Leagues Class 9 Man state championship.

After the game I was able to talk to Grand Meadow’s Ojulu, Stejskal and head coach Gary Slone about the victory.

GRAND CANYON WENT UP AGAINST MINNESOTA IN A WRESTLING MATCH

On Nov. 20 Grand Canyon and Minnesota went up against each other in a wrestling match at the Sports Pavilion on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

125 Grand Canyon’s Jacob Reyes vs. Minnesota’s No. 20 Sam Brancale

Both Reyes and Brancale attacked the upper body early. Brancale scored on a takedown but Reyes popped right back up. Reyes scored a point on an escape.

After one period it was Minnesota 2, Grand Canyon 1.

Brancale pinned Reyes for the win.

133 Grand Canyon Godwin Nyama-Cutler vs Minnesota’s Jordan Kingsley

Nyama-Cutler was able to score on a take down. Kingsley was able to get Nyama-Cutler on his back and tried to pin him.

After one period it was Grand Canyon 2, Minnesota 0.

Nyama-Cutler looked to be in control most of the match.  

After two periods it was Grand Canyon 5, Minnesota 0.

Nyama-Cutler continued to look for ways to pin Kingsley.

Grand Canyon won 9-0.

141 Grand Canyon Austin Solari vs Minnesota’s Congrad Rangell (spelling?)

Rangell was able to away from Solari. Solari was able to mount Rangell and take him down but Rangell was able to escape.

After one period it was Minnesota 2, Grand Canyon 0.

Rangell was able to take down Solari a few times.

After two periods the score was Minnesota 5, Grand Canyon 0.

Rangell came up with the 11-0 victory over Solari.

149 Grand Canyon Uzo Owuama vs. Minnesota’s Jack Short

Short was able to keep Owuama in control in the first period. Owuama was on defense for most of the first period. He wasn’t able to control Short.

After one period the score was Minnesota 4, Grand Canyon 1

After two periods it was Minnesota 6, Grand Canon again 3.

Short continued to go after Owuama. Owuama dragged Short across the matt as he looked to pin him.

Minnesota’s Short won the match 10-6.

157 Grand Canyon Chayse Jackson vs. Minnesota’s Dylan Ness

Ness was on the attack early. Jackson wasn’t fazed as he continued to look for ways to bring Ness down. Ness was in control throughout the first period.

Ness got a bloody nose.

After one period the score was Minnesota 4, Grand Canyon 1.

Ness looked to attack the legs of Jackson and take him down.

After two periods the score was Minnesota 5, Grand Canyon 1.

Minnesota’s Ness won the match by the score 6-1.

165 Grand Canyon Casey Larson vs. Minnesota’s Nick Wanzek

Wanzek started out quickly he was quicker than Larson.

After one period the score was Minnesota 4, Grand Canyon 0.

After two periods the score was Minnesota 6, Grand Canyon 0.

Wanzek was able to hold on and earn the 11-2 victory.

174 Grand Canyon Trey Ronayne vs. Minnesota’s Logan Storley

Storley came out strong as he was able to flip Ronayne over and was in control as he was able to pin Ronayne with 35 seconds left in the first period.

184 Grand Canyon Austin Gaun vs. Minnesota’s Brett Pfarr

Pfarr came out strong as he looked to be in control in the opening period.

After one period the score was Minnesota 6, Grand Canyon 4.

Pfarr continued to go after Gaun throughout the second period.

After two periods of time the score was Minnesota 14, Grand Canyon 3.

In the third period Pfarr continued to attack Gaun. Gaun attacked right back.

Pfarr won the match by the score of 18-4.

197 Grand Canyon Marcus Haughian vs. Minnesota’s Chris Pfarr

Haughian came out strong as he was able to tie up Pfarr for most of the first period.

After one period the score was Grand Canyon 5, Minnesota 0.

It was more the same in the second period. Pfarr couldn’t get out of Haughian’s grip.

After two periods the score was Grand Canyon 6, Minnesota 2.

Haughian came away with the 9-0 victory.

Minnesota came away with the 36-8 victory over Grand Canyon.  

After the match I was able to talk to Storley about his match. I was also able to talk to Minnesota Gopher head coach J Robinson about the match.

CORY LARSON OF DAWSON-BOYD WON HIS 100TH CAREER FOOTBALL GAME

According to Dave Giles, the Historian for the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA),” Cory Larson, of Dawson-Boyd, won his 100th career game on Nov. 15 with a 28-12 win over Minneapolis North in a Class 1A state semifinal game played at Hopkins High School.

Cory Larson is a graduate of Dawson-Boyd High School and Southwest Minnesota State University. He now has an overall career record of 100-46 in 13 seasons as a head coach (2002-2014), all at Dawson-Boyd. He guided the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks to four consecutive State Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), three Prep Bowl appearances (2011, 2013, 2014) and one Class 1A state championship (2011).”

I was able to talk to Larson after the state semifinal win.

SPRING LAKE PARK BOYS’ BASKETBALL JAMBOREE

On Nov. 19 Spring Lake Park hosted a 12 team boys’ basketball jamboree. There were no rosters available for any of the teams that played. Each team played one 18-minute stop time half.

TOTINO GRACE VS. NORTH BRANCH   

Totino-Grace started in a zone defense. They passed the ball around the three-point line as they took a lot of time off the clock. North Branch also played zone defense.

North Branch was able to attack the defense. They were able to score layups.

Totino-Grace took their time on the offensive end. They did a good job of swinging the ball around

the three-point line and looking inside to get their post players touches inside.

Totino Grace came away with the 26-22 victory over North Branch.

MAPLE GROVE VS. ST. FRANCIS

Both teams raced up and down the floor. They exchanged three-point baskets early.

Maple Grove used a zone defense. They didn’t St. Francis to take open long three-point baskets.

Nether teams went on a run. There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the contest.

Maple Grove was able to make fast break layups.

St. Francis was able to get steals and make fast break layups.

Maple Grove came away with the 33-28 victory over St. Francis.  

SPRING LAKE PARK VS. FOREST LAKE

Spring Lake Park was not afraid to shoot the deep three-point basket. They passed the ball around the perimeter and the guards looked to penetrate the basket as they looked for layups.

Forest Lake played mostly zone. They did a good job of making Spring Lake Park take deep three-point shots.

The Forest Lake defense made it hard for Spring Lake Park to hit shots that they put up.

Forest Lake was able to hit more shots than Spring Lake Park. Spring Lake Park struggled throughout the contest.

Forest Lake came away with the 41-14 victory over Spring Lake Park.

IRONDALE VS. COON RAPIDS

Irondale pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to score layups in transition.

Both teams started in zone defense.

Coon Rapids was able make fast-break baskets.

Irondale went to a full court press and was able to wreak havoc for the Coon Rapids offense.

The score went back and forth for a period of time.

Irondale strung some baskets together late.

Irondale came away with the 30-21 victory over Coon Rapids.

FRIDLEY VS OSSEO                

Fridley went up against Osseo. Osseo looked to set the tempo early. Fridley started out in a zone defense. They wanted to force Osseo to take deep three-point shots.

Osseo went to a full court press man-to-man.

Fridley wasn’t afraid to shoot deep three-point baskets. They were able to hit shots.

Osseo looked to score baskets on fast break chances.

The Osseo defense made it hard for the Fridley offense to hit their shots. Fridley’s zone defense made Osseo take deep three-point shots.

Osseo was a little quicker than Fridley. In the end Osseo came away with the 42-19 victory over Fridley.

MOUNDS VIEW VS. BLAINE

In the final contest of the event Mounds View went up against Blaine. Mounds View started out in a zone defense. That made Blaine take deep three-point shots.

Mounds View was able to take their time on the offense and come up with mid-range jump shots.

Blaine had a difficult time getting their shots to drop throughout.

Mounds View did a good job of swinging the ball around the three-point line and keeping the ball out of the Blaine player’s hands.

Mounds View came away with the 31-10 victory over Blaine.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Overall I thought that the event went well. It gave fans a chance to see their team in action. It also gave teams to go against other teams that they wouldn’t usually face.

2014 MINNESOTA MR. FOOTBALL FINALISTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association have announced the 10 finalists for the 2014 Mr. Football Award (in alphabetical order).

Name                            School                       Position             Conference                                     

Dalton Elliott                 Nicollet                      QB                    Southern Confederacy - East          

Jackson Erdmann          Rosemount                 QB                    South Suburban                               

Kez Flomo                    Totino Grace               RB                     Northwest Suburban - West              

Robbie Grimsley          Hutchinson                  RB/FS                Wright County                                  

Alex Hart                       Prior Lake                   LB/RB               South Suburban                                   

Will Rains                      Eden Prairie                RB                     Lake                                                        

John Rumpza                Blooming Prairie          QB                    Gopher Valley A                               

John Santiago               St. Francis                  RB/DB/Ret         Mississippi 8                                     

Ryan Schlichte              Mankato West             QB                     Big 9                                                    

Michael Veldman           Becker                        QB                     Granite Ridge                                     

The 2014 Mr. Football Award will be presented at the Mr. Football Banquet on Sunday Nov. 30, 2014 at 8:30 AM at the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Park Place Hotel. The hotel is located at 1500 Park Place Blvd., Minneapolis, Minn., 55416.

SIMLEY WENT UP AGAINST SPRING LAKE PARK IN THE SEMIFINALS OF THE STATE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Simley and Spring Lake Park squared off against each together in the state semifinals. Spring Lake Park kicked off to Simley to start the game. 

Simley’s Michael Busch came up with some huge runs. On 4th-and-1 went for it but Busch came up short. Simley turned the ball over on downs.

Spring Lake Park couldn’t move the ball down the field and they punted on 4th down.

After one quarter of play the score was tied at 0.

Sinley punted the ball on 4th-and-long.

Spring Lake Park got the ball back and Josh Bauer came up with a 64-yard run. That set up a 1-yard run touchdown by Isley Carrington.

The score with 9:26 left in the first quarter the score was Spring Lake Park 7, Simley 0.

Spring Lake Park’s Josh Bower couldn’t find a receiver and as a result he couldn't get a first down and turned it over on downs.

Simley took over on their own 25-yard line. Simley did a good job of moving the ball down the field but fumbled the ball and Spring Lake Park recovered it.

At halftime the score was Spring Lake Park 7, Simley 0. 

 Simley kicked off to start the third quarter. Spring Lake Park continued to get the ball into the hands of Carrington. Carrington was stopped on third down. On 4th-and-6 Spring Lake Park punted the ball.

Simley continued to get the ball into the hands of Busch. Simley kept on pounding the ball down the field. Busch came up with a 2-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 4:30 left in the third quarter the score was tied at 7.

Spring Lake Park got the ball back but came up just short on 4th down. Simley took over on the 45-yard line. Simley did a good job of moving the ball down the field. Simley’s Michael Avwunuma came up with a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 1:13 left in the third quarter the score was Simley 14, Spring Lake Park 7.

Spring Lake kept the ball on the ground late in the third quarter.

After three quarters of play the score was Simley 14, Spring Lake Park 7. 

 Carrington got the ball back in his hands as he looked to get the ball into the end zone. They did that as Zach Ojile came up with a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 8:04 left in the fourth quarter the score was tied at 14.

Simley continued to pound the ball on the ground. Busch kept on coming up with huge runs late in the game. Avwunuuma kept on coming up with huge plays. Simley got the first down on an penalty on Spring Lake Park. Avwunuuma came up with a 5-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 1:12 left in the fourth quarter the score was Simley 21 Spring Lake Park 14. That would be the final of the game. 

 After the game I was able to talk to Avwunuuma and Simley head coach Rex King about the game.

DAWSON-BOYD TOOK ON MINNEAPOLIS NORTH IN THE SEMIFINALS OF THE STATE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Dawson-Boyd and North went up against each other in the state semifinals in Class 1A of the state football tournament.

Dawson-Boyd took over on the North’s 25-yard line. Dawson-Boyd kept the ball on the ground on their first drive. Karson Lindblad  came up with a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt by Eston Popma was good.

With 7:13 left in the first quarter the score was Dawson-Boyd 7, North 0.

North fumbled the kickoff and Popma recovered it. Dawson-Boyd took over on the North’s 28-yard line.

North called a timeout with 7:05 left in the first quarter, the score was Dawson-Boyd 7, North 0.

Dawson-Boyd fumbled the ball and North took over. North took over on their own 27-yard line. North’s quarterback Tyler Johnson was able to get the ball into the hands of running back Josh Cunningham. Cunningham was able to get past the defenders. North turned the ball over on downs.

Dawson-Boyd took over on their own 33-yard line.

Dawson-Boyd’s Dylan Palmer came up with some huge runs for first downs. Lindblad came up with another huge run for a first down.

Dawson-Boyd called a timeout with 1:06 left in the first quarter. The score was Dawson-Boyd 7, North 0.

North’s Martice Clark intercepted the gall. Keyon Thomas came up with a 58-yard touchdown run.

The two-point conversion was no good.

With one second left in the first quarter the score was Dawson-Boyd 7, North 6. That was the score after one quarter of play.

Dawson-Boyd’s Michael Lee came up with a 38-yard reception for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 9:58 left in the second quarter the score was Dawson-Boyd 14, North 6.

North took over on their own 33-yard line. North was not able to move the ball on offense. On 4th-and-12 North punted the ball.

Dawson-Boyd took over on their own 30-yard line. Palmer continued to make big plays for Dawson-Boyd. The North defense had a difficult time of tackling him. Lindblad came up with catches for first downs. On 4th-and-7 Dawson attempted a 17-yard field goal which was no good.

North’s Josh Cunningham came up with some huge rushes that resulted in first downs. Johnson was very mobile on his feet.

At halftime the score was Dawson-Boyd 14, North 6.

Dawson-Boyd kicked off to start the third quarter. North took over on their own 27-yard line.  North continued to look to pound the ball on the ground on the first series. Thomas came up with a huge rush to help move the chains. North did a good job of attacking the Dawson-Boyd defense. Dawson-Boyd’s Dalton Kolstad came up with a huge tackle on Tyler Johnson. North’s Azerick Rodgers came up with a huge reception that brought the ball to the 2-yard line. Johnson came up with a 2-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion no good

With 8:18 left in the third quarter the score was Dawson-Boyd 14, North 12.

Dawson-Boyd took over on their own 42-yard line. Palmer once again came up with a 14-yard run

for a first down. Dawson-Boyd looked to keep the ball on the ground. On 4th-and-4 Dawson Boyd called a timeout with 3:40 left in the third quarter. Noah Stelter came up with a 10-yard touchdown reception. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 3:34 left in the third quarter the score was Dawson-Boyd 21, North 12.

North moved the ball down the field. North tuned the ball over at midfield. Dawson-Boyd continued to move the ball down the field. The defense stepped up on fourth down and stopped the offense.

After three quarters of play the score was Dawson-Boyd 21, North 12.

Palmer kept marching down the field as Dawson-Boyd used a lot of clock in the fourth quarter. Palmer moved the ball down the field effectively throughout the game.

North called a timeout with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter.

Lee caught an 8-yard pass for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 3:25 left in the fourth quarter the score was Dawson-Boyd 28, North 12.

North took over on their own 20-yard line.

North killed the clock to end the game.

Dawson-Boyd came away with the 28-12 victory over North.

After the game I was able to talk to Dawson-Boyd’s head coach Cory Larson, Lee and Palmer about the game.