The Kingsland football program ran its state quarterfinal record to 4-0 all-time with a win over Hills-Beaver Creek at Albert Lea High School. The Section 1 9-Man champion #5 Knights (11-0) used scores on either side of the half to take control versus the Section 3 champion #7 Patriots (10-0). The teams had two common opponents. HBC beat Lanesboro 22-14 in the regular season … [Read more...]
Volleyball: Cougars Second Straight State Run Ends in Fourth Place Finish
After taking third place at state last year, including rallying from down 2-1 for a 3-2 win in their last match, Mabel-Canton’s 2023 experience was just a tad below their 2022 trip. Instead of rallying from down 2-1 for a 3-2 in the third-place match, they almost rallied from down 2-1 for a 3-2 win in the third-place match. They fell narrowly and were disappointed. But it … [Read more...]
Volleyball: Warriors Push For Finals, Take Fourth Place
After it was all completed, the top four teams in state in Class AA volleyball were Pequot Lakes, Rush City, Southwest Christian and Caledonia. Each took home a trophy. And yet it took Pequot Lakes five sets to overcome the Warriors, before beating Rush City in a sweep. Rush City swept Southwest Christian, which then beat Caledonia in four! It sometimes does not quite add … [Read more...]
Football: Falcons Fall to Springfield 22-12 in State Quarters
A year ago, on the same field in Jordan, Fillmore Central snuck by Lester Prairie 18-16 in the state quarterfinals to make the state semis and a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The same site at this year’s 1A state quarterfinal versus #7 Springfield (Section 3A Champ, 10-1) was not so kind to the #2 Falcons (Section 1A Champ, 11-0). The beginning of FC’s fate being doomed could be … [Read more...]
Football: Jackson County Central Ends Caledonia’s Season
In a state quarterfinal at Mayo High, Section 3AA champion #4 Jackson County Central (10-0) majorly controlled the trenches in taking down 1AA champion #2 Caledonia (10-0). The Huskies piled up over 300 yards rushing with two 100-yard rushers in a 41-0 victory. After stopping Cal’s first series, JCC went 68 yards in 11 plays. The Warrior defense had a trio of … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Board Certifies Referendum Results
At the November 16 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the board approved a resolution canvassing and certifying the referendum vote results. The vote, which took place on November 7, asked the voters to revoke the district’s current referendum of $292.15 per pupil and replace it with a new one of $783.36 per pupil. The proposed increase was due to a number of factors … [Read more...]
Volleyball: Two Comebacks Thrillingly Lead Caledonia to State
Caledonia volleyball had a week they will not ever forget, posting two huge hard-fought wins in come-back fashion. Scott Koepke’s Warriors were super resilient in fighting their way to the moniker of 2023 1AA champions. Team Cal (2-seed, 24-5) started its week with an easy 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-17) win over Cotter (10-seed, 10-9) in the 1AA quarters. Logan Koepke (17 kills), … [Read more...]
Football: #2 Warriors Are Back… in the State Tourney
After a three-year hiatus (that followed five straight state titles), Caledonia football is back in the state tournament. The #2-ranked Warriors beat Lewiston-Altura and Dover-Eyota to reclaim the 1AA throne. The moved Monday night semifinal game versus the Cardinals (5-seed, 4-5) was not a work of art. The Warriors (1-seed, 8-0) had not played in 12 days and struggled with a … [Read more...]
Volleyball: #2 M-C Tops #7 FC, Cougars Repeat as 1A Champions
Ten years after the teams met for a 1A final (2013), Fillmore Central and Mabel-Canton did so again. Both teams battled hard to get there. The finals match was then an anti-climactic sweep after a wild week of action. Cougars Trek Through Goodhue, Defend Past Upstart Alden-Conger in Five Sets Defending 1A champ #2 Mabel-Canton (1-seed, 32-1) downed Goodhue (9-seed, 12-13) … [Read more...]
Football: Undefeated #5 Kingsland Heads to State for First Time in 20 Years
Kaaleem Reiland rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns while also passing for 135 yards and two more scores as Kingsland sped past Spring Grove, 44-14, in the 9-player football Section One championship game at Austin. The sophomore quarterback also ran and passed conversions. Beau Wiersma (25-130 rushing) scored three TDs – two rushing and one pass reception – plus added a … [Read more...]