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.

EDEN PRAIRIE WENT UP AGAINST MAPLE GROVE IN THE CLASS 6A SEMIFINALS OF THE STATE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Eden Prairie kicked an onside kick and they recovered it. Eden Prairie took over on the Maple Grove’s 39-yard line. Eden Prairie quarterback Grantham Gillard looked to get the ball into the hands of his receivers. On 4th-and-5 Eden Prairie punted the ball.

Maple Grove’s Brad Davison came up with a huge reception for a first down. Isaac Collins came up
with some nice runs down the field. On 4th-and-10 they went for it. Sam Franta came up with a huge catch for a first down. Kyle Anderson came up with a 1-yard run for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 5:19 left in the first quarter the score was Maple Grove 7, Eden Prairie 0.

Eden Prairie took over on their own 20-yard line. Gillard was able to come up with some big plays as he was able to fend off defenders and pick up rushing first downs. J.D. Spielman came up with a big run for a first down.

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 1:34 left in the first quarter. The score was Maple Grove 7, Eden Prairie 0.

Eden Prairie kept the ball on the ground. They were not able to come up with a first down. On 4th-and-long they punted the ball.

Maple Grove took over on their own 17-yard line.

After one quarter of play the score was Maple Grove 7, Eden Prairie 0.

Maple Grove’s Clark Wieneke came up with some huge runs. Davison came up with some nice passes to his receivers. If Wieneke thought that he had room to run he would blow by the defense.

On 4th-and-6 Maple Grove punted the ball.

Eden Prairie took over on their own 45-yard line. Spielman was slippery on offense as the defense had a hard time tackling him. Will Rains came up with big runs for short yards that kept the offense on the field.

Maple Grove called a timeout with 6:41 left in the second quarter. The score was Maple Grove 7, Eden Prairie 0.

Gillard came up with a 4-yard run after being chased in the back field. Gillard switched up between passing and running plays. He was able to get everyone involved in the offense. On 4th-and-1 Rains came up with a 1-yard run for a first down.

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 2:01 left in the second quarter. The score was Maple Grove 7, Eden Prairie 0.

Spielman came up with huge reception that got Eden Prairie into the red zone. On 4th-and-4 Eden
Prairie went for it. Gillard fumbled the ball and that caused a turnover on downs.


Maple Grove was intercepted. Eden Prairie took over on the Maple Grove’s 45-yard line.

At halftime the score was Maple Grove 7, Eden Prairie 0.

Maple Grove kicked off to start the third quarter. Eden Prairie got the ball into the hands of Rains on the first series. Rains did a good job of getting past defenders. Spielman came up with a 14-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt by Brandon Gould was good.

With 9:30 left in the third quarter the score was tied at 7.

Maple Grove took over on their own 44-yard line. Spielman almost incepted a pass. On 4th _and-8 Maple Grove punted the ball.

Eden Prairie took over their 23-yard line. Rains continued to get the ball as he looked to get first down. Gillard also came up with some big plays.

Spielman came out with an injury. He was attended to by medical personnel. Rains got past defenders. On 4th-and-13 Eden Prairie punted the ball.

Maple Grove took over on their own 24-yard line. Davison was able to escape defensive pressure and come up with reception. Wieneke came up with a huge run for a first down. On 4th-and-7 Maple Grove punted the ball.


After three quarters of play the score was tied at 7.

Gillard continued to get the ball into the hands of Rains. Rains continued to pick up huge yards. Alec Hetherington came up with a huge run for a first down.

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 8:18 left in the fourth quarter. The score remained tied at 7.

Eden Prairie continued to try to move the ball down the field. Rains came up with a 5-yard run for a first down. On 4th-and-1 Eden Prairie went for it. Rains came up with it for a first down. Gillard ran 13 yards for a touchdown.


The extra-point attempt was no good.

With 4:22 left in the fourth quarter the score was Eden Prairie 13. Maple Grove 7.

Maple Grove started on their own 39-yard line. Eden Prairie came up with an interception.


Eden Prairie came away with the 13-7 victory over Maple Grove.

After the game I was able to talk to Gillard and Eden Prairie head coach Mike Grant about the game.

I was also able to talk to Maple Grove head coach Matt Lombardi about the game.

TOTINO-GRACE WENT UP AGAINST LAKEVILLE NORTH IN THE CLASS 6A SEMIFINALS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

On Nov. 13 Totino-Grace and Lakeville North went up against each other in the Class 6A semifinals of the Minnesota State High School League tournament.

Lakeville North kicked off to start the game. Totino-Grace started on their own 30-yard line.  Totino-Grace kept the ball on the ground on their first drive. On 4th-and-5, Totino-Grace punted the ball.

Lakeville North took over on the Totino-Grace 44-yard line. Lakeville North kept the ball on the ground on the first drive. Lakeville North’s Luke Branson came up with a 36-yard touchdown run.

The extra-point attempt point attempt was good.

With 9:31 left in the first quarter the score was Lakeville North 7, Totino-Grace 0.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 27-yard line. Totino-Grace was intercepted on the 30-yard line.

Lakeville North took over on the 30-yard line. On 4th-and-1 they went for it. Quarterback Drew Stewart came up with a 1-yard run to pick up a first down. Branson came up with another first drive. Branson came up with a touchdown on a 1-yard dive. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 5:16 left in the first quarter the score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 0.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 30-yard line. Totino-Grace fumbled the ball and Lakeville North recovered it.

Lakeville North recovered it on the 35-yard line. Lakeville North’s Connor Flack came up with a huge reception that kept the chains moving down the field. On 4th-and-22 Lakeville North attempted a fake field goal but came up short.

Lakeville North turned it over on downs. Totino-Grace took over on their own 22-yard line. Totino-Grace’s Ben came up with a 76 yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With two seconds left in the first quarter the score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 7.

Lakeville North did a good job of getting Branson the ball. The defense was not able to get to the Lakeville North’s offense.

Totino-Grace’s Jake Pinc came up with some big runs to help move the chains. On 4th-and-1 Flomo came up with a 5-yard run for a first down.  Flomo kept on coming up with the ball and was able to keep his feet moving as he looked to get first downs. Totino Grace’s Ben Mezzenga came up with some big runs late in the second quarter. Totino-Grace was intercepted.

Lakeville North took over on their own 4-yard line. Lakeville North was not able to get a first down so they elected to punt the ball on 4th-and-1.

Totino-Grace took over on the Lakeville North’s 34-yard line. The Lakeville North defense came up big and slowed down the Totino-Grace offense.

Lakeville North took over on a punt on their own 1-yard line.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 44 seconds left in the second quarter. The score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 7.

Totino-Grace took over on the 18-yard line. Max Walker came up with a big reception for a first down. Totino-Grace’s Billy Walker attempted a 26-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the second quarter. Walker’s attempt was good.

At halftime the score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 10.

Lakeville North received the kickoff to start the third quarter. Lakeville North started on their own 27-yard line. Branson kept the ball as he was looked to get down field. On 4th-and-1 they punted the ball.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 45-yard line. Gayflor Flomo came up with a huge run for a first down.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 9:27 left in the third quarter. The score remained Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 10.

Mezzenga came up with some big runs in the third quarter. Gayflor Flomo came up with a first down on a run. Kez Flomo came up with a 5-yard run for a first down.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 7:44 left in the third quarter. The score was Lakeville North 14,

Totino-Grace 10.

Brady Bertram came up with a 6-yard run that set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Kez Flomo. The extra-point attempt by Walker was good.

With 6:55 left in the third quarter the score was Totino-Grace 17, Lakeville North 14.

Lakeville North took over on their own 27-yard line. Branson picked up some yards but was a yard short of a first down. Branson came up with a 68-yard touchdown run.

The extra-point attempt was good.

With 5:19 left in the third quarter the score was Lakeville North 21, Totino-Grace 17.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 37-yard line. Max Walker came up with some big runs in the third quarter.  Totino-Grace’s Kez Flomo came up with a 2-yard run as he was able to elude the defenders. Mezzenga came up with a huge run for a first down. Mezzenga came up with an 11-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 2:12 the third quarter the score was Totino-Grace 23, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North took over on their own 21-yard line. Stewart was able to find some open field and get away from the defenders and was able to gain five yards on a scamper. Lakeville North punted on 4th-and-1.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 43-yard line.

After three quarters of play the score was Totino-Grace 23, Lakeville North 21.

Totino-Grace kept the ball on the ground on the first series of the fourth quarter as Kez Flomo came up with a first down on a short run. Mezzenga came up with the ball as he was able to come with a 14-yard run for a first down. Totino-Grace looked to get into the end zone.

Mezzenga came up with a 5-yard touchdown run.

The extra-point attempt was good.

With 7:28 left in the 4th quarter the score was Totino-Grace 30, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North took over on the 31-yard line. They had trouble moving the ball down the field. On 4th-and-10 they punted the ball.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 7:09 left in the 4th quarter. The score was Totino-Grace 30, Lakeville North 21.

Totino-Grace took over on the 48-yard line. Mezzenga came up with a 2-yard run. Totino-Grace went for it on 4th-and-2. Bertram came up with a huge reception for a first down. Kez Flomo came up an 18-yard run.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 3:04 left in the 4th quarter. The score was Totino-Grace 30, Lakeville North 21.

Mezzenga came up with an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 2:30 left in the fourth quarter the score was Totino-Grace 37, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North took over on their own 31-yard line. Lakeville North was not able to move the ball on the next possession.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 1:51 left in regulation. The score remained Totino-Grace 37, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North tuned the ball over on downs.

Totino-Grace came away with the 37-21 victory over Lakeville North.