John’s Journal:

John's Journal: Life Lessons In Knowing What’s Important

December 3, 2022 |

John's Journal

“It's a great life lesson to get knocked down and have to get back up and completely buy into something,”

John's Journal: Paying Tribute At The Prep Bowl

December 2, 2022 |

John's Journal

“It's everything. It’s just so emotional. I'm just so happy. I run the weight room and I wake up with these guys every day and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's been a journey and they finally got here.”

John’s Journal: The Year Springfield Didn’t Play A “Home” Game

December 2, 2022 |

John's Journal

Watching the football team from Springfield High School play in the Class A state semifinals, as well as this weekend’s Prep Bowl, brought back memories. I have attended one Springfield home football game, but it was not played on the Tigers’ home field, which had been the victim of severe flooring.

John’s Journal: The Sky’s The Limit For Tackle Cancer

November 29, 2022 |

John's Journal

Tackle Cancer began 10 years ago, and by the time all the participating high schools and colleges in Minnesota send in the funds they have collected this fall, the 2022 total will exceed $400,000. In the decade that Tackle Cancer has existed, nearly $3 million has been raised to fight cancer.

Prep Bowl Schedule Is Set For Dec. 2-3

November 19, 2022 |

John's Journal

John’s Journal: Fillmore Central Gives It Everything They Have

November 19, 2022 |

John's Journal

“These kids were going for the win. We didn't come here to tie, we didn't come here to lose, we came here to win the ballgame. And I have all the faith and confidence in these kids.”

John’s Journal: Chatfield’s Backer Doesn’t Look Back, Ignores Statistics

November 18, 2022 |

John's Journal

Last year was last year and Chatfield senior quarterback Sam Backer is only looking forward --- to the Class 2A Prep Bowl game in two weeks.

John's Journal: Nothing Stops Multi-Sport Official M.J. Wagenson

November 18, 2022 |

John's Journal

Minnesota history was made at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday when M.J. Wagenson of Pine Island became the first female official to work a football state semifinal game. She has proven that nothing stops her.

John’s Journal: Two Weeks Between Games Is A Bonus

November 17, 2022 |

John's Journal

You can be sure that every player, coach and fan whose team wins this weekend will be happy no matter when the Prep Bowl games are played. That time will be precious.

John's Journal: Here's The Schedule For State Football Semifinals

November 14, 2022 |

John's Journal

Here's The Schedule For State Football Semifinals. Winners Will Advance To Prep Bowl Dec.2-3

John's Journal: Marshall Makes History With Eighth State Title

November 13, 2022 |

John's Journal

Marshall made volleyball history by winning their eighth state title, more than any school in state history. Teams that have won seven crowns are Bethlehem Academy, Chaska, Eagan, Robbinsdale Armstrong and Tracy-Milroy (Balaton).

John’s Journal: The Mabel-Canton Family Is Back At State

November 11, 2022 |

John's Journal

Lonnie Morken was in his first decade as a volleyball coach back in 2000 and 2001 when he brought his Mabel-Canton team to the state tournament at the then-new Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. Now, 21 years later, the Cougars are back.

John's Journal: Trip To State Is A Surprise, Even To The Coach

November 10, 2022 |

John's Journal

Barnesville is playing at state volleyball for the first time in 39 years and coach Megan Askegaard admitted that she didn’t expect it. “I think this was one year that my kids really proved me wrong.”

John's Journal: History Is In The Air, But Marshall Stays Focused

November 9, 2022 |

John's Journal

The Marshall High School volleyball team is on the doorstep of history, but you won’t catch any of the Tigers players or coaches bringing it up. They’re just out to play winning volleyball.

John’s Journal: 67 Years Later, Minneapolis Runners Finish 1-2

November 5, 2022 |

John's Journal

When senior Aidan Jones of Minneapolis Washburn and junior Sam Scott of Minneapolis Southwest crossed the finish line in first and second place in the Class 3A boys cross-country state championship race, it made history.

John’s Journal: Stranger Things Work In Holy Angels’ Favor

November 4, 2022 |

John's Journal

Holy Angels won the 2A girls soccer championship in a “Stranger Things” type of game. Among those things were: 1) The Stars goalkeeper scored on a 55-yard shot in the first half, and 2) They celebrated twice, once before they actually won and once after it was official.

John's Journal: Double Duty For Woodbury Soccer-Football Player

November 2, 2022 |

John's Journal

Xander Anderson and his Woodbury soccer teammates will play for the Class 3A state championship Friday morning, and later in the day Anderson will kick for the Royals against Eden Prairie in the football playoffs.

John's Journal: Six Years Of Soccer Excellence In Alexandria

November 1, 2022 |

John's Journal

Six autumns ago, a youngster became the starting goalkeeper for the Alexandria High School girls soccer team. For every game in every season since – 102 consecutive games in all -- Sophia Vinje has been there for the Cardinals.

John’s Journal: Female Football Official Looks To The Future

October 28, 2022 |

John's Journal

The beginning of Leah Berard’s career as a football official could never have been predicted. If things go the way she wants, that career will take her to the National Football League, which would be sort of a full-circle route from how she started.

John's Journal: Surgeries, Screws Can’t Stop Thief River Falls Tennis

October 25, 2022 |

John's Journal

Stephanie Dagg and Ingrid Anderson, senior tennis players from Thief River Falls, know how fortunate they are to be part of the team. Both have endured serious physical issues, and both have had surgical screws inserted into their skeletal structures. Wheelchairs and crutches are also part of their stories.