2010 State Football Tournament Preview

Nov
8

Northland Sports Online

When the 2010 Minnesota High School State Football Tournament begins on Friday the Northland will be well represented with
Barnum, Cromwell and Moose Lake-Willow River all vying for state titles. ML-WR
will be making its 5th consecutive trip to state.

The Rebels will be looking to improve on the state runners-up title of a year ago. In what could very well be the state championship game, the #3 state ranked Rebels will face off against #2 ranked Eden Valley Watkins in the first round. Defending state champion and #1 ranked Waterville-Elysian-Morristown lost by a point, 27-26 to Triton in the Section 2AA title game. The previously unbeaten W-E-M Bucs had a state best 19 game winning streak snapped in the process. #4 ranked Caledonia is also in the mix, coming from the opposite side of the Class AA playoff bracket.

The Barnum Bombers will be making their second overall trip to the state tournament. The Bombers will take on the defending Class A champion Minneota Vikings.

Cromwell makes their second consecutive trip to the tourney. The Cards square off against Mountain-Iron-Buhl and will have somewhat of a home field advantage with the game being played at Public Schools Stadium in Duluth. Of the 10 state ranked teams in 9-man, only four made it through to the state tournament.

Three teams return to defend their 2009 football titles — Minneota in Class A, Totino-Grace of Fridley in Class AAAA, and Cretin-Derham Hall of St. Paul in Class AAAAA. Twenty-four teams that competed in the 2009 tournament have qualified again, while two teams are making their first appearances. Eighteen teams enter with unblemished records.

The 2010 tournament has quarterfinals being played over three days at neutral sites and concludes with Prep Bowl XXIX being played over two days at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Quarterfinal games will take place on fields throughout Minnesota and Fargo, N.D., on Nov. 11-13. Semifinals will follow at the Metrodome on Nov. 19 and 20 and the Prep Bowl will be played on Nov. 26 and 27.

Class 9-Man Quarterfinal Highlights:

Three teams return from the 2009 field: Ada-Borup, Nicollet, and Cromwell. All of the teams have previous tournament experience. Three teams boast perfect records, and Ada-Borup and Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke were the only teams that faced each other during the regular season. Ada-Borup won that game 42-22.

3-Edgerton/Ellsworth (11-0) vs. 1-Lanesboro (9-2) 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at Southwest State University, Marshall: The Flying Dutchmen of Edgerton/Ellsworth are making their first appearance as a combined program, although Edgerton made three consecutive appearances between 2004 and 2006. This is the first state appearance for Ellsworth, and the Dutchmen came in at No. 2 in this year’s final Association Press (AP) poll. The unranked Lanesboro Burros return for their fourth appearance, but their first since 2006. Neither team has won a state title.

8-Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke (11-0) vs. 6-Ada-Borup (9-1) 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Fargo Dome: This game is a rematch of the season-opener for both teams that Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke won 42-22. The No. 2-ranked Blue Devils of Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke are making their third appearance as a combined program, but their first since 1991. They have never won a state title. The Ada-Borup Cougars, who were No. 7 in the final AP poll, return for their third consecutive and fourth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals last year and are still in the hunt for their first championship.

4-Underwood (9-2) vs. 2-Nicollet (10-0) Noon Nov. 13 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked Rockets of Underwood will face strong competition when they meet the top-ranked Raiders of Nicollet. The Rockets are making their fourth appearance overall, but first since 2006. The Nicollet Raiders are making their second consecutive appearance and are looking to improve on last year’s runner-up showing. This is their fifth appearance overall. Neither team has won a state title.

7-Mountain Iron-Buhl (10-1) vs. 5-Cromwell (6-4) Noon Nov. 13 at Public School Stadium, Duluth: The Rangers of Mountain Iron-Buhl return to tournament action after a three-year absence. They are making their fifth appearance as a combined program and are still looking for their first championship. Mountain Iron made three additional appearances as a single school between 1972 and 1982 and they won one title in 1972. The Cromwell Cardinals are making their second consecutive and 15th overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals last year and are hoping to win their fourth title. They won previously in 1995, 1996, and 1998. Neither team was ranked in the final AP poll.

Class A Quarterfinal Highlights:

Minneota returns in search of its second consecutive and fifth overall title. Adrian, Barnesville, and New Ulm Cathedral also return from the 2009 field, and all of the teams have previous tournament experience. Two teams have perfect records coming into the tournament. Minneota and Adrian were the only Class A qualifiers to meet during the regular season, with Minneota winning that contest 49-12.

3-Adrian (9-2) vs. 1-Goodhue (8-3) 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Southwest State University, Marshall: The Dragons of Adrian return to make their second consecutive and fifth overall appearance. They took runner-up honors last year and have never won a state championship. The Goodhue Wildcats return to the tournament after a two-year absence to make their eighth appearance. If they win it would be their third championship; they won previously in 2003 and 2007. Neither team was ranked in the final AP poll.

8-Mahnomen (11-0) vs. 6-Barnesville (11-0) 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Fargo Dome: The No. 4-ranked Indians of Mahnomen return to make their 19th overall appearance, but first since 2007. They are looking for their seventh state title, having won previously in 1980, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1998. The Barnesville Trojans, who lost in the quarterfinals last year, return to make their second consecutive and third overall appearance. They were ranked No. 2 in this year’s final poll and are still in the hunt for their first championship.

4-Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (6-4) vs. 2-New Ulm Cathedral (10-1) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Chaska High School: The unranked Falcons of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City are making their third tournament appearance, but first since 2001. They won their only championship in 2001. New Ulm Cathedral returns for its third consecutive and seventh overall appearance. The Greyhounds, who were ranked No. 7 in the final poll, lost in the quarterfinals of the 2009 tournament. They are looking for their first title.

7-Barnum (9-1) vs. 5-Minneota (10-1) 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at St. Cloud State University: The Barnum Bombers, who were not ranked in the final AP poll, return for their second appearance. They made their only other appearance in 2006. The defending champions from Minneota return in search of their fifth championship. In addition to last year the Vikings also won in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Minneota was ranked No. 6 in this year’s final poll and the Vikings are making their second consecutive and 10th overall appearance.

Class AA Quarterfinal Highlights:

Luverne, Caledonia, Moose Lake/Willow River, and Eden Valley-Watkins return from the 2009 field. Maple Lake is the only team making its debut appearance, and four teams boast perfect records. Eden Valley-Watkins and Maple Lake were the only two Class AA teams that met during the regular season and Eden Valley-Watkins won that game 28-0.

3-Luverne (9-2) vs. 1-Caledonia (11-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Rochester Community & Technical College: The unranked Cardinals of Luverne return for their fifth consecutive and 11th overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals last year and are still looking for their first title. The Caledonia Warriors are making their fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals last year, but won two previous championships in 2007 and 2008. They were ranked No. 4 in this year’s final AP poll.

8-Pelican Rapids (7-4) vs. 6-Ottertail Central (11-0) 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Fargo Dome: The unranked Vikings of Pelican Rapids are making their third appearance, but first since 1997. The Vikings won their only championship in 1997. The Ottertail Central Bulldogs, who were No. 7 in the final poll, are returning for their fifth appearance as a co-op between Battle Lake and Henning, but first since 2004. Battle Lake made six additional appearances as a single school between 1974 and 1988 and won titles in 1974 and 1977. Henning also made appearances in 1972 and 1973. The Bulldogs have never won a title as a combined program.

4-Maple Lake (9-2) vs. 2-Triton, Dodge Center (11-0) 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Lakeville North High School: The Maple Lake Irish, who were not ranked in the final poll, are making their debut tournament appearance. Triton returns to tournament action after a one-year hiatus and is making its ninth appearance. The Cobras were ranked No. 6 in this year’s final poll and are searching for their third championship. They won previously in 2000 and 2006.

7-Moose Lake/Willow River (11-0) vs. 5-Eden Valley-Watkins (11-0) 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at St. Cloud State University: The No. 3-ranked Rebels of Moose Lake/Willow River are making their fifth consecutive and sixth overall appearance under this name. Moose Lake made one additional appearance in 1977. In 2009 Moose Lake/Willow River earned runner-up honors. The Rebels have never won a state title. The Eagles of Eden Valley-Watkins are making their seventh consecutive and eighth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals last year and were ranked No. 2 in this year’s final AP poll. If they win it would be their second title; they won previously in 2005.

Class AAA Quarterfinal Highlights:

DeLaSalle of Minneapolis and Glencoe-Silver Lake are the only teams to return from the 2009 field. Milaca is the only team to make its first appearance and two teams have perfect records.

Albany defeated Milaca 19-0 during the regular season, and Holy Family Catholic defeated LeSueur-Henderson 35-12.

3-Glencoe-Silver Lake (9-2) vs. 1–Rochester Lourdes (10-1) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Burnsville High School: The Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers are making their ninth consecutive and 11th overall appearance under this name. They earned runner-up honors in 2009 and won titles in 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Silver Lake also made eight additional appearances as a single school and won titles in 1983 and 1987. The Panthers are the No. 9 team in this year’s final AP poll. The Eagles of Rochester Lourdes, who were ranked No. 2 in the final poll, are making their eighth appearance. Their last appearance was in 2008, and they won their only previous championship in 1979.

8-East Grand Forks (8-3) vs. 6–Albany (11-0) 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked East Grand Forks Green Wave is making its fourth tournament appearance, but its first since 2004. East Grand Forks also claimed its one previous championship in 2004. The Huskies of Albany, who were No. 1 in the final AP poll, are making their 19th tournament appearance, but their first since 2007. If they win it would be their third title; they won previously in 1989 and 1997.

4-DeLaSalle, Minneapolis (10-1) vs. 2-LeSueur-Henderson (7-4) 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Farmington High School: The Islanders of DeLaSalle, who were ranked No. 6 in the final poll, are making their fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2009 and won one previous championship in 1999. The unranked Giants of LeSueur-Henderson return after a one-year break to make their third tournament appearance. Henderson made three additional appearances as a single school between 1977 and 1981. The Giants have never won a state title.

7-Milaca (9-2) vs. 5-Holy Family Catholic, Victoria (11-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Chisago Lakes Area High School, Lindstrom: The unranked Wolves of Milaca are making their first appearance. The Fire of Holy Family Catholic return for their second appearance, but the first since 2008. They were ranked No. 5 in this year’s final AP poll, and are still in the hunt for their first championship.

Class AAAA Quarterfinal Highlights:

Seven of last year’s qualifying teams, including the defending champions from Totino-Grace of Fridley, return. The others are St. Thomas Academy of Mendota Heights, Northfield, Mahtomedi, Mankato West, Bemidji, and Rogers. Three teams have unblemished records and all of them have previous tournament experience.

3-St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights (10-0) vs. 1-Northfield (8-2) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Lakeville North High School: The top-ranked St. Thomas Academy Cadets are making their third consecutive and 20th overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals of the 2009 tournament and are looking for their second title. They won their one previous championship in 1975. During the regular season St. Thomas Academy defeated Mahtomedi 22-21. The unranked Northfield Raiders are making their third consecutive and 10th overall appearance. They also made one additional appearance as a co-op with ARTech of Northfield in 2006. The Raiders lost in the quarterfinals last year and are in the hunt for their second championship; they claimed their first in 1997. This year Northfield lost to Mankato West 20-0 during the regular season.

8–Sauk Rapids-Rice (7-4) vs. 6-Totino-Grace, Fridley (9-1) 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked Storm of Sauk Rapids-Rice is making its second appearance, but their first since 1980. This year the Storm lost to Bemidji 20-16 during regular-season play. Sauk Rapids-Rice is still in the hunt for its first title. The defending champions from Totino-Grace are making their second consecutive and 20th overall appearance. They tied for No. 4 in this year’s final poll and are looking for their eighth championship crown. During the regular season the Eagles lost to Mahtomedi 30-20. In addition to last year, Totino-Grace also won titles in 1977, 1978, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007.

4–Mahtomedi (9-2) vs. 2–Mankato West (10-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Chanhassen High School: The Mahtomedi Zephyrs return for their fourth consecutive and 11th overall appearance. Last year they lost in the quarterfinals. Mahtomedi won one previous championship in 2005 and tied for eighth place in this year’s final AP poll. This year the Zephyrs defeated Totino-Grace 30-20 and lost to St. Thomas Academy 22-21. The Mankato West Scarlets are making their third consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals last year and were the No. 2 team in this year’s final AP poll. During the regular season Mankato West defeated Northfield 20-0. If the Scarlets win it would be their fourth championship. They won previously in 1999, 2002, and 2008.

7-Bemidji (8-1) vs. 5-Rogers (10-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Public School Stadium, Duluth: The Lumberjacks of Bemidji, who tied for No. 8 in the final AP poll, return for their second consecutive and fourth overall appearance. They defeated Sauk Rapids-Rice 20-16 during regular-season play this year. The Lumberjacks, who lost in the quarterfinals last year, are still in the hunt for their first title. The Royals of Rogers are making their second consecutive and overall tournament appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals last year and were No. 3 in this year’s final poll. The Royals did not face any other tournament qualifiers during the regular season.

Class AAAAA Quarterfinal Highlights:

Five qualifiers return from the 2009 field, including the defending champions from Cretin-Derham Hall of St. Paul. The other returning teams are Brainerd, Eden Prairie, Mounds View, and Wayzata. Four teams have unblemished records, and all of them have previous tournament experience.

3-Rosemount (10-0) vs. 1-Lakeville South (8-3) 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Griffin Stadium, St. Paul: This game is rematch of a regular-season contest that Rosemount won 35-3. The No. 4-ranked Rosemount Irish return to tournament action after a one-year absence. This is their sixth appearance. If they win it would be their second championship; they won previously in 1981. Lakeville South was the only qualifying team the Irish faced this year. The unranked Lakeville South Cougars are making their fourth tournament appearance, but their first since 2008. In addition to Rosemount, the Cougars also faced Wayzata during the regular season, losing 45-20. Lakeville South is still in the hunt for its first title.

8-Brainerd (10-0) vs. 6-Eden Prairie (9-1) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Maple Grove High School: The Warriors of Brainerd, who tied for No. 7 in the final poll, are making their second consecutive and eighth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals of the 2009 tournament. The Warriors did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season and they’re still looking for their first championship. The Eagles of Eden Prairie are making their sixth consecutive and 14th overall appearance. They earned runner-up honors last year and were No. 3 in this year’s final poll. During regular-season play Eden Prairie lost to Wayzata 28-27 in overtime. If they win it would be their seventh championship; they won previously in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, and 2007.

4-Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul (10-1) vs. 2-Mounds View (10-1) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Griffin Stadium, St. Paul: These two teams met during the regular season with Cretin-Derham Hall winning 17-7. The Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders return to defend their 2009 title. They are making their fourth consecutive and 22nd overall appearance. The Raiders were No. 5 in the final AP poll and they’re looking for the third championship. In addition to last year they also won in 1999. The Mustangs of Mounds View are making their fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals of the 2009 tournament and were No. 6 this year’s final poll. The Mustangs have never won a state title. Neither team faced any other qualifiers during the regular season.

7-Blaine (10-0) vs. 5-Wayzata (8-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Osseo High School: The Blaine Bengals, who were No. 2 in the final AP poll, return to tournament action after a one-year hiatus. This is their 11th appearance and they won one previous championship in 1988. The Bengals did not face any other qualifiers this season. The Wayzata Trojans, who were No. 1 in the final poll, are making their fourth consecutive and 10th overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals last year. During the regular season Wayzata defeated Lakeville South 45-20 and Eden Prairie 28-27 in overtime. The Trojans are looking for their third championship. They won previously in 2005 and 2008.

Comments can be sent to sports@northlandsportsonline.com