Top seed Spring Grove remained undefeated at 10-0 while storming into the 9-man section title game for the first time in four years with a season-sweeping, 47-6 semi-final win over No. 4 seed Grand Meadow on Oct. 29 at Blayne Onsgard Memorial Field. It set up another rematch versus No. 2 seed Lanesboro (9-1) in the Section 1 championship game. The Lion defense dominated … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past A dyed-in-the-wool voter wavered in 1956
Some families have had long-standing church and political affiliations, and local historian David Beckman realized it was so for his father’s family in Mound Prairie Township of Houston County in the 1950s. While the Bible Belt across the South was staunchly religious and Democrat, the members of the Evangelical Church on South Ridge in Houston County associated being a good … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Something sinister? The four legends of Ghost Hollow
Was it just the wind or something more sinister? “Never would I venture alone into the dreaded Ghost Hollow,” wrote David Beckman about his 1940s boyhood on a farm between Houston and La Crescent. His father told him the story of a hanging in Ghost Hollow, where the man’s ghost still roamed throughout that coulee, “spooking all who dared intrude into his domain.” David’s uncle … [Read more...]
Lions advance, turn back Hurricanes, 48-16
It was not close at the finish of state-ranked Spring Grove’s 48-16 playoff win on Oct. 25, but the first half was tight until Tysen Grinde took an interception 97 yards, the Lions’ second touchdown in the final 46 seconds before halftime. No. 1 section seed Spring Grove (9-0) scored first, but No. 8 seed Houston led 8-7 after the first quarter. But it would be 48-8 before the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove defense shows up for state-ranked showdown
The Spring Grove defense delivered as the Lions defeated Lanesboro, 28-6, in a state-ranked showdown and Oct. 19 regular-season finale that decided the 2022 East Sub-District championship. It was the Lions’ first regular-season title in four years, while the Burros were unable to defend their 2021 championship. As expected, the teams then received the top two seeds for the … [Read more...]
Lions strike early, quickly in runaway road win over Kingsland
Spring Grove blitzed Kingsland with 35 first-half points on the way to an eventual 41-20 decision on Oct. 14 at Spring Valley. Elijah Solum (13-for 17, 266 yards passing) threw four touchdown passes over the Kingsland secondary to four different receivers. Also, a 27-yard pass and run to Tysen Grinde went to the Knight 12-yard-line. Solum scored on the next play, one of his two … [Read more...]
State-ranked rematch follows similar script
The state-ranked volleyball rematch between No. 8 Spring Grove at No. 5 Mabel-Canton went much like their previous conference clash. The gymnasium was wall-to-wall and stage-packed with fans. The Lions again won the first set before the Cougars captured the final three sets and the match, 3-1 (SG 25-21, MC 25-23, 25-21, 25-14). The two middle sets were much more competitive … [Read more...]
Spring Grove grabs Goodhue Tourney title
The Spring Grove girls claimed their second tournament championship of the season, winning all five matches at Goodhue without dropping a set. The Lions were efficient at the net and served more aces than errors in all five matches. It began with a 2-0 (25-14, 25-18) win against Hayfield that featured 25 kills and only 4 hitting errors (a strong 35% efficiency). Addyson … [Read more...]
Lion girls collar Cardinals in regular-season finale
Eight Spring Grove girls had kills as they closed the regular season with a straight-set, home win over LeRoy-Ostrander, 3-0 (25-18, 25-11, 25-17). The Lions had almost twice as many kills (39 to 20) and more than twice as many service aces (10 to 4) as did the Cardinals. Spring Grove improved to 26-4 (12-2 SEC), while L-O will enter the playoffs at 10-17 (8-6 SEC). On … [Read more...]
Lion girls earn 20th win at Hurricane Homecoming
Visiting Spring Grove claimed its 20th volleyball victory of the season with a 20th consecutive victory against Houston, 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-17) on Oct. 11. Completing the season sweep, the state-ranked No. 8 Lions improved to 20-3 (11-1 SEC) while the Homecoming setback left the Hurricanes at 7-10 (6-6 SEC). The three most active Spring Grove hitters all performed … [Read more...]