State Football Tournament

Nov. 9, 2009
CONTACT: Kevin Merkle or Howard W. Voigt / MSHSL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State Football Tournament
Four teams to defend titles; four teams make first appearances

Four teams return to defend their 2008 titles: Caledonia in Class AA, Glencoe-Silver Lake in Class AAA, Mankato West in Class AAAA, and Wayzata in Class AAAAA. Twenty-one teams that competed in the 2008 tournament have qualified again, while four teams are making their first appearances. Twenty-one teams also enter with unblemished records.

The 2009 tournament has quarterfinals being played over three days at neutral sites and concludes with Prep Bowl XXVIII 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. 12-14. Semifinals will follow at the Metrodome on Nov. 20 and 21 and the Prep Bowl will be played on Nov. 27 and 28. (Check the League Web site — www.MSHSL .org — for exact times and locations.)

Class 9-Man Quarterfinal Highlights
Three teams return from the 2008 field: Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Verndale, and Ada-Borup. All of the teams have previous tournament experience. Three teams boast perfect records, and none of the 9-Man qualifiers faced each other during the regular season.
[Section-Team (Record)]
3-Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (11-0) vs. 4-Verndale (11-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Big Cat Stadium, Morris: The Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley Wolverines return for their second consecutive and third overall appearance. They placed second last year and finished at No. 2 in this year’s final Association Press (AP) poll. If they win it would be their first title. The Verndale Pirates are making their third consecutive and 15th overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals last year and were the No. 3 team in this year’s final poll. The Pirates are looking for their third championship; they won previously in 1997 and 2002.

7-Orr (9-2) vs. 8-Stephen-Argyle Central (10-1) 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Fargo Dome: The unranked Orr Braves are returning for their third appearance, but first since 1999. They have never won a state title. Stephen-Argyle Central returns to tournament action after a one-year hiatus. The Storm are making their 13th appearance under this name and they won five consecutive titles between 2003 and 2007. Stephen made two additional appearances as a single school and won a title in 1992. Argyle also made six additional appearances and won championships in 1981, 1986, and 1990. This year’s team was ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll.

1-Grand Meadow (10-1) vs. 2-Nicollet (8-2) Noon Nov. 14 at Rochester Community & Technical College: Grand Meadow is making its fourth appearance, but first since 1997. The Super Larks, who finished at No. 9 in the final AP poll, have never won a state championship. The unranked Raiders of Nicollet return for their fourth appearance, but first since 2002. They are also in the hunt for their first title.

5-Cromwell (10-1) vs. 6-Ada-Borup (10-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Public School Stadium, Duluth: The Cromwell Cardinals return to the tournament after a two-year absence. This is their 14th appearance and they were not ranked in the final AP poll. If they win it would be their fourth title; they won previously in 1995, 1996, and 1998. The Cougars of Ada-Borup return for the second consecutive appearance and their third overall. They were No. 4 in the final poll and are still looking for their first title.

Class A Quarterfinal Highlights
Fosston and New Ulm Cathedral are the only teams returning from the 2008 field, and St. Bernard’s of St. Paul is the only school making its first appearance. Five teams have perfect records coming into the tournament. Minneota and Adrian were the only Class A qualifiers to meet during the regular season. The Minneota Vikings won that contest 43-13.

3-Adrian (9-2) vs. 4-St. Bernard’s, St. Paul (7-3) 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter: The Dragons of Adrian return after a one-year hiatus to make their fourth appearance. They have never won a state championship. The St. Bernard’s Bulldogs are making their debut appearance at this year’s tournament. Neither team was ranked in the final AP poll.

7-East Central, Finlayson (10-0) vs. 8-Fosston (11-0) Noon Nov. 14 at Public School Stadium, Duluth: The No. 9-ranked Eagles of East Central are making their first appearance under this name. The co-op program of Sandstone and Finlayson made one additional appearance in 1982. The Fosston Greyhounds, who lost in the quarterfinals last year, return to make their second consecutive and overall appearance. They were ranked No. 2 in this year’s final poll. Neither team has won a state title.

1-Blooming Prairie (10-1) vs. 2-New Ulm Cathedral (11-0) 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at Rochester Community & Technical College: The Awesome Blossoms of Blooming Prairie are making their fifth tournament appearance, but first since 1983. They were ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll and are still looking for their elusive first title. New Ulm Cathedral returns for its second consecutive appearance and its sixth overall. The Greyhounds, who were ranked No. 1 in the final poll, lost in the quarterfinals of the 2008 tournament. They are also in the hunt for their first championship.

5-Minneota (11-0) vs. 6-Barnesville (11-0) 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Big Cat Stadium, Morris: The Minneota Vikings return for their ninth appearance, but first since 1994. They were ranked No. 3 in the final poll and they’re looking for their fourth championship. They won previously in 1986, 1987, and 1988. The Trojans of Barnesville, who were No. 4 in the final poll, are making their second appearance. Their last was in 1978. Barnesville is competing for its first championship.

Class AA Quarterfinal Highlights
The two-time defending champions from Caledonia return in search of more gold. Luverne, Moose Lake/Willow River, Hawley, and Eden Valley-Watkins also return from the 2008 field. All of the teams have previous experience, and three boast perfect records.

3-Luverne (9-2) vs. 4-Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, Winthrop (8-3) 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter: The unranked Cardinals of Luverne return for their fourth consecutive and 10th overall appearance. They have been the runners-up for the past three years and are still looking for their first title. Luverne did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. The Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Thunderbirds are making their fourth appearance, but first since 1995. They won one previous championship in 1995. During the regular season the unranked Thunderbirds lost to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 41-14.

7-Moose Lake/Willow River (11-0) vs. 8-Hawley (10-1) 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Fargo Dome: The No. 3-ranked Rebels of Moose Lake/Willow River are making their fourth consecutive and fifth overall appearance under this name. Moose Lake made one additional appearance in 1977. In 2008 Moose Lake/Willow River lost in the semifinals. The Rebels have never won a state title. The Hawley Nuggets, who were No. 6 in the final poll, are returning for their fifth consecutive and 12th overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals last year and have never won a state championship. Hawley did not face any other qualifiers during regular-season play.

1-Caledonia (11-0) vs. 2-Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (10-1) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Rochester Community & Technical College: The two-time defending champions from Caledonia enter the tournament as the top team in the final AP poll. The Warriors are making their third consecutive and sixth overall appearance. In addition to the past two years, they also won a title in 1976. The Warriors did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is making its ninth appearance under this name, but first since 2005. The Buccaneers also won their one previous title 1999. Waterville made four additional appearances and won a title in 1989, and Morristown made two additional appearances in 1987 and 1988. This year’s squad tied for 10th place in the final AP poll. The Bucs defeated Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 41-14 during the regular season this year.

5-Eden Valley-Watkins (11-0) vs. 6-Pierz (10-1) 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at St. Cloud State University: These teams met during the regular season with Eden Valley-Watkins winning 36-7. The Eagles of Eden Valley-Watkins are making their sixth consecutive and seventh overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals 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. The Pierz Pioneers return to tournament action after a one-year absence to make their eighth appearance. They tied for No. 7 in this year’s final poll and they’re also in the hunt for their second title. They won their previous championship in 2004. Neither team faced any other qualifiers during the regular season.

Class AAA Quarterfinal Highlights
Three teams played in last year’s tournament, including the three-time defending champions from Glencoe-Silver Lake. DeLaSalle of Minneapolis and New London-Spicer also return from the 2008 field. Pequot Lakes and Waseca are both making their first tournament appearances and four teams have perfect records.

Mora and New London-Spicer were the only teams that met during the regular season. The Wildcats of New London-Spicer won that contest 14-6.

3-Glencoe-Silver Lake (11-0) vs. 4–DeLaSalle, Minneapolis (11-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Macalester College, St. Paul: These two teams have met in the Class AAA title game for the past two years, with Glencoe-Silver Lake winning both times. The Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers are making their eighth consecutive and 10th overall appearance under this name. In addition to the past three years, they also won titles in 2000 and 2003. Silver Lake also made eight additional appearances as a single school and won titles in 1983 and 1987. The Panthers are also the No. 1 team in this year’s final AP poll. The Islanders of DeLaSalle, who were ranked No. 2 in the final poll, are making their third consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They won one previous championship in 1999.

7-Mora (9-2) vs. 8–Pequot Lakes (10-1) 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at Public School Stadium, Duluth: The unranked Mora Mustangs are making their seventh tournament appearance, but their first since 1996. They also claimed their one previous championship in 1996. The Patriots of Pequot Lakes, who were No. 8 in the final AP poll, are making their first tournament appearance.

1–Kasson-Mantorville (11-0) vs. 2-Waseca (8-3) 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Lakeville North High School: Kasson-Manorville returns to make its eighth appearance, but first since 2000. The Komets were ranked No. 4 in the final poll and are still looking for their first title. The unranked Waseca Bluejays are making their debut appearance.

5-Minneapolis North Community (8-2) vs. 6-New London-Spicer (11-0) 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked Polars of Minneapolis North Community are making their third appearance. Their last was in 2003. The New London-Spicer Wildcats return for their second consecutive and overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals in 2008 and were ranked No. 3 in this year’s final AP poll. Neither team has won a state title.

Class AAAA Quarterfinal Highlights
St. Thomas Academy of Mendota Heights, Mahtomedi, Northfield, and the defending champions from Mankato West return from the 2008 field. Four teams have unblemished records and Rogers is the only team making its first appearance. Two of this year’s quarterfinal games are rematches of regular-season games: Sartell-St. Stephen defeated Bemidji 28-0, and Mankato West beat Northfield 35-17. They were the only qualifiers to meet during the regular season.

3-St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights (10-0) vs. 4-Mahtomedi (10-1) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Woodbury High School: The No. 3-ranked St. Thomas Academy Cadets are making their second consecutive and 19th overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals of the 2008 tournament and are looking for their second title. They won their one previous championship in 1975. The Mahtomedi Zephyrs return for their third consecutive and 10th overall appearance. Last year they lost in the quarterfinals. Mahtomedi won one previous championship in 2005 and was ranked No. 6 in this year’s final AP poll.

7–Bemidji (6-5) vs. 8-Sartell-St. Stephen (11-0) 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at St. Cloud State University: The unranked Lumberjacks of Bemidji are making their third appearance, but their first since 2000. They are still in the hunt for their first title. Sartell-St. Stephen, which was ranked No. 4 in the final poll, returns to tournament action after a one-year hiatus. The Sabres are making their fifth appearance under this name, but Sartell made five additional appearances and won a title in 1994.

1–Northfield (8-2) vs. 2–Mankato West (10-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Lakeville North High School: This game is a rematch of last year’s championship that Mankato West won 33-14. The unranked Northfield Raiders are making their second consecutive and ninth overall appearance. They are in the hunt for their second championship; they claimed their first in 1997. The Mankato West Scarlets are making their second consecutive and fifth overall appearance. They were the top team in the final AP poll and they’re looking for their third title. In addition to last year, Mankato West also won in 1999.

5-Rogers (9-1) vs. 6-Totino-Grace, Fridley (10-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Maple Grove High School: The Royals of Rogers are making their first tournament appearance. They tied for No. 6 in this year’s final poll. The Totino-Grace Eagles are making their 19th appearance and return to the tournament after a one-year absence. They were ranked No. 2 in this year’s final poll and are looking for their seventh championship crown. They won previously in 1977, 1978, 2003, 2004, and 2007.

Class AAAAA Quarterfinal Highlights
Four qualifiers from the 2008 field, including the defending champions from Wayzata, return for the 2009 tournament. The other returning teams are Cretin-Derham Hall of St. Paul, Mounds View, and Eden Prairie. Two teams have perfect records, and all of the teams have previous tournament experience.

3-Eastview, Apple Valley (7-3) vs. 4-Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul (9-1) 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Griffin Stadium, St. Paul: The unranked Eastview Lightning return to tournament action after a one-year absence. This is their fourth appearance overall. During the regular season, Eastview lost to Wayzata 34-7 and Eden Prairie 21-0. The Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders are making their third consecutive and 21st overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals last year. The Raiders tied for No. 4 in the final AP poll and they’re looking for the second championship. They won their first in 1999. During regular-season play Cretin-Derham Hall defeated Mounds View 20-0.

7-Centennial, Circle Pines (10-1) vs. 8-Brainerd (7-3) 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at St. Cloud State University: The No. 6-ranked Centennial Cougars return after a four-year absence to make their third appearance. The Warriors of Brainerd, who were not ranked in the final poll, are making their seventh tournament appearance. Their last was in 2007. Neither team has won a state title nor faced any other qualifiers during the regular season.

1-Lakeville North (9-2) vs. 2-Mounds View (9-2) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Griffin Stadium, St. Paul: The Lakeville North Panthers, who tied for No. 10 in the final AP poll, are making their second appearance. Their last was in 2007. During this year’s regular season the Panthers lost to Wayzata 35-7. The Mustangs of Mounds View are making their third consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals of the 2008 tournament and were also tied for No. 10 on this year’s final poll. During the regular season the Mustangs lost to Cretin-Derham Hall 20-0. Both teams are still looking for their first championship.

5-Wayzata (9-1) vs. 6-Eden Prairie (10-0) 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Metrodome, Minneapolis: The Wayzata Trojans, who were No. 4 in the final poll, return to defend their 2008 championship. This is their third consecutive and ninth overall appearance. In addition to last year, Wayzata also won a championship in 2005. During the regular season the Trojans defeated Eastview 34-7 and Lakeville North 35-7. The Eagles of Eden Prairie are making their fifth consecutive and 13th overall appearance. They lost in the quarterfinals last year. During regular-season play Eden Prairie defeated Eastview 21-0. If they win it would be their seventh championship; they won previously in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, and 2007.
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Tournament results will be posted on the League’s Web site — www.MSHSL.org.

ATTENTION RADIO STATIONS: The Minnesota Broadcasters Association has again arranged for installation of two telephone lines in each of five radio booths at the Metrodome for the semifinal and Prep Bowl games. The League will make booth assignments. The two phone lines will accommodate two stations due to the tight schedule between games (15 minutes) and to allow radio stations to share booths if necessary. The MBA will later bill stations based on their usage of the lines.