After giving up an early touchdown, the Spring Grove defense took control of the 9-man state semi-final between undefeated teams on Nov. 17 at U. S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. During the 27-6 Lion win against state-ranked No. 2 Fertile-Beltrami, Tysen Grinde logged 198 yards of all-purpose running, including a stunning 76-yard punt return. Despite Elijah Solum completing 12 … [Read more...]
Cross Country: LARPH and Six Individuals Take on State Meet
The Journal 11 cross country programs were again well represented (as a whole) at the 2022 State Cross County Meet in Northfield. All five sent at least one individual to compete. Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson/Houston’s boys made their fourth straight trip to the state meet behind Coach Matt Kingsbury. For a second straight year, Kingsland sent Garrison Hubka and Cole … [Read more...]
Football: Fourth Down Domination, Balanced Attack Sends #3 SG into Semis
Elijah Solum broke Spring Grove single-season records for both passing yardage and passing touchdowns during a 40-22 win over Hancock in a 9-man state quarterfinal at St. Paul. Solum was responsible for all six Lion touchdowns, running for three and passing for three. Third-ranked Spring Grove (12-0) will face #2 Fertile-Beltrami (11-0) in the semis. The Lions won nine of the … [Read more...]
Football: #1 Gophers Ride #2 All-Time Rusher to The Bank
Top-ranked Chatfield (Section 1AA champ, 11-0) scored on its first two second half drives, to blow open a 14-0 halftime lead in downing Blue Earth Area (Section 2AA Champ, 9-2) in the state quarters. The first half was denoted by two Gopher TDs, three Gopher turnovers, and two Chatfield defensive stands. It took the Gophers just six plays to score, as Sam Backer capped their … [Read more...]
Football: #2 FC Tops #1 Lester Prairie 18-16 to Make State Semis
It won’t just be a state season. Fillmore Central football, in uncharted territory (it’s first state playoff), will get a chance to play in the state semis at U.S. Bank Stadium. In a battle of undefeated teams in the state quarters, the #2 in Class A Falcons (Section 1 Champ, 11-0) stopped #1 Lester Prairie (Section 2 Champ, 11-0) on 4th and three at the Falcon 38 with 1:13 in … [Read more...]
Volleyball: Cougars Take Third at State
It was and will always be a memorable and monumental year for Mabel-Canton volleyball. The Cougars finally got to showcase their skills on the state stage, an overdue occurrence. M-C didn’t have the length and depth of hitter to make the championship match, but they battled and ended the year as one of just two teams in Class A to win their final game. A state trophy will come … [Read more...]
Fourth-down domination, balanced attack send Spring Grove into state semi-finals
Elijah Solum broke Spring Grove single-season records for both passing yardage and passing touchdowns during the Lions’ 40-22 win over Hancock in the 9-man state quarterfinals at St. Paul on Nov. 10. Solum was statistically responsible for all six Spring Grove touchdowns, running for three and passing for three. State-ranked No. 3 Spring Grove (12-0) moved on to a Nov. 17 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove unable to topple top-seed Bethlehem Academy
No. 4 seed Spring Grove stayed with top seed Bethlehem Academy for most of the section semi-final match on Nov. 3 at Rochester. The Lions held a lead in all four sets with two sets going into extended play. After the heartbreak of falling short 29-27 in set one, followed by another competitive 25-20 setback in set two, the Lions survived three match points to take set three, … [Read more...]
Lions blank Burros for section crown, head to state
Spring Grove (1-seed, 10-0) scored on the game’s third play and never allowed Lanesboro (2-seed, 9-1) to get closer than 19 yards to the Lion goal line. With the 35-0 decision on Nov. 4 at Dodge Center, the state-ranked No. 3 Lions return to state for the first time since their 2018 state championship. For the first time in four years, the regular-season champion was also able … [Read more...]
Volleyball: Gophers Serve Past LCH… Fall to #6 Cannon Falls in Semis
Young Chatfield got its feet wet in the 1AA playoffs, making the semis. In the quarters, Molly Thomas’ Gophers (3-seed, 25-2) matched up with La Crescent/Hokah (6-seed, 11-6). Chatfield lived by its serving and the hops and swing of its star hitter. In game one, the Gophers had seven service errors. And yet, they still led 19-13. But Lancer sophomore Abbi Ernster served six … [Read more...]