| 2007 State Football Tournament |
Four teams defend titles; five teams still perfect
Stephen-Argyle Central, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Totino-Grace, and Eden Prairie have survived the first two rounds of state tournament play and will defend their respective titles at Prep Bowl XXVI. Five teams still have unblemished records.
This is the first year of a new two-day Prep Bowl format. On Friday, November 23, the 9-Man game starts off the day at 10 a.m., followed by the Class A game at 1 p.m., the Class AA game at 4 p.m., and the Class AAAAA game at 7 pm. On Saturday, November 24, the Class AAA game starts at noon and is followed by the Class AAAA game at 3 p.m. The starting times of games following the first game of the day are approximate, and games could start earlier or later.
Class 9-Man Highlights - Stephen-Argyle Central (12-0) vs. Waubun (11-0):
The undefeated Storm of Stephen-Argyle Central, the top-ranked team in the final AP poll, are making their 12th consecutive and overall tournament appearance and are seeking their fifth consecutive title. They also claimed the 9-Man title in 1999. In addition to the Stephen-Argyle Central titles, Argyle made six appearances between 1981 and 1990, and Stephen made two appearances in 1992 and 1995. Argyle won titles in 1981 and 1986, and Stephen won in 1992.Stephen-Argyle Central advanced to the title game with a 44-8 quarterfinal victory over McGregor and a 35-14 semifinal win over Verndale.
The No. 10-ranked Waubun Bombers enter Prep Bowl with an unblemished record in their second appearance. Their last was in 1990. In the quarterfinals the Bombers beat Littlefork-Big Falls 12-6. In the semifinals they defeated last year’s runners-up from Wheaton 14-8.
Class A Highlights - Goodhue (12-1) vs. Adrian (11-2):
The No. 8-ranked Wildcats of Goodhue breezed through their quarterfinal and semifinal games and are making their second consecutive and seventh overall tournament appearance. The Wildcats defeated Royalton 40-14 in the quarterfinals and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 44-12 in the semifinals. They lost in the quarterfinals in 2006 and are in the hunt for their second title. They won previously in 2003.
The Dragons of Adrian, who were not ranked in the final poll, are making their third appearance. They last competed in the tournament in 1998. The Dragons defeated Mankato Loyola 25-14 in the quarterfinals and shut outCook County of Grand Marais 21-0 in the semifinals.
Class AA Highlights - Caledonia (12-1) vs. Luverne (12-1):
The No. 3-ranked Caledonia Warriors return after a one-year absence to make their fourth appearance. They won one previous title in 1976.The Warriors edged Norwood-Young America 16-13 in this year’s quarterfinals. In the semifinals they beat Hawley 35-20.
The Luverne Cardinals, who were No. 9 in the final AP poll, are making their second consecutive and eighth overall tournament appearance. They defeated last year's champion, Triton of Dodge Center, 10-7 in the quarterfinals. The Cardinals advanced to the title game with a 29-22 overtime victory over Pierz. If Luverne wins it will be their first state football championship.
Class AAA Highlights - DeLaSalle, Minneapolis (11-2) vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake (13-0):
The DeLaSalle Islanders are in the hunt for their second title. They won their only other title in 1999. This is their fourth appearance, but their first since that title run in 1999. They beat Rochester Lourdes 35-16 in the quarterfinals and Perham 49-14 in the semifinals.
The No. 1-ranked and undefeated Panthers of Glencoe-Silver Lake return to defend their 2006 title. If they win it would be their third title under this name. In addition to last year they also won in 2000 and 2003. This is their sixth consecutive and eighth overall appearance as a combined school. Silver Lake made seven additional appearances between 1982 and 1991 and won titles in1983 and 1987. In the quarterfinals Glencoe-Silver Lake defeated LeSueur-Henderson 33-12. In the semifinals the Panthers beat Albany 22-8.
Class AAAA Highlights - Mahtomedi (10-3) vs. Totino-Grace, Fridley (12-1):
The Zephyrs of Mahtomedi were unranked in the final AP poll. This is their eighth tournament appearance and they’re returning after a one-year absence. If they Zephyrs win it would be their second title. They won their first in 2005. This year they defeated New Prague 31-15 in the quarterfinals and Sartell-St. Stephen 34-20 in the semifinals.
The Eagles of Totino-Grace, who were the No. 3 team in this year’s final AP poll, return to defend their 2006 title. This is their fifth consecutive and 18th overall appearance. In addition to last year the Eagles also won titles in 1977, 1978, 2003, and 2004. The Eagles defeated Duluth East 31-13 in their quarterfinal game. They advanced to the title game with a 24-8 win over Waconia in the semifinals.
Class AAAAA Highlights - Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul (13-0) vs. Eden Prairie (13-0):
The undefeated Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders are returning after a one-year absence to make their 19th overall appearance. They won one previous title in 1999 and were ranked No. 2 in this year’s final AP poll. The Raiders defeated Lakeville North 26-18 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals they defeated the Warriors of Brainerd 56-14.
The top-ranked and undefeated Eagles from Eden Prairie return to defend their title. This is their third consecutive and 11th overall appearance. In addition to last year they also won titles in 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2002. This year they defeated Andover 42-7 in the quarterfinals and Eastview of Apple Valley 30-0 in the semifinals.
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