The Spring Grove boys (3-1) improved to 2-0 in Southeast Conference play with a 59-37 road rout of Southland on Dec. 17 in Adams. The ultimate point spread was somewhat surprising after a first half that saw six-lead-changes, three tie scores and the Lions’ modest 26-22 halftime lead. But the Lions then revved up the running game and quieted the home crowd by tallying 26 of the … [Read more...]
Seven All-State Players Denote All 9-Man South-East
Area nine-man football teams had a fabulous year. It could be argued that three Journal 11 teams were amongst the top five in the state. The South-East All-District team is littered with stand-outs. In fact, seven area guys even made 9-Man All-State: L-O’s Chase Johnson (QB), Gavin Sweeney (DL), and Tanner Olson (DL), Lanesboro’s J.T. Rein (RB) and Seth Semmen (S), and GM’s … [Read more...]
Spring Grove girls cannot contain Cobras, ‘Canes
The Spring Grove girls suffered a third straight lopsided loss to a larger school with a 70-38 setback against Class AA Triton at Dodge Center on Dec. 7. Two nights later, it was back to Class A competition, but the Lions could not contain defending conference champion Houston in a 58-32 road loss. It was the first-ever meeting with the Cobras but the 102nd clash with the … [Read more...]
Grinde is Spring Grove MVP, among four Lions named All-District football
Tysen Grinde was voted Spring Grove football Most Valuable Player, one of four Lions named to the 2021 coaches All-District Football Team along with two receiving Honorable Mention. Sophomore Elijah Solum was All-District and the Lions’ Defensive Player of the Year. All-District senior Carson Gerard was both the Lion’s Lineman of the Year and the Rookie of the Year. Jaxon … [Read more...]
Lion boys coast past ‘Canes, fall to top-ranked Iowa team
Daylight and darkness, rags and riches – there was considerable contrast between the Spring Grove boys’ two opponents and outcomes last week. It began at home on Dec. 7 against Houston, a team suffering through a losing streak that was extended to 24 games. The week ended Saturday on the road against the top-ranked Class 1A team in Iowa (the smallest enrollment class). North … [Read more...]
Wrestling Preview
The 2021-2022 wrestling season begins with Caledonia/Houston joining the Journal coverage group. Five teams are now under the Journal Sports umbrella; Cal/Hou, GMLOS, LARP, FCLMC, and Chatfield. Combined, those squads have 11 Super-Section final four slash state qualifiers returning. Chatfield should again be strong as a team. Cal/Hou returns the most state qualifiers. … [Read more...]
Grove girls open with win versus Schaeffer, followed by two losses to Iowans
The Spring Grove girls won once and lost twice as they opened the 2021-22 basketball season with three games in five days – first on the road, then at home and at a neutral site. Neither of the three contests were closely contested at the end. The Lions (1-2, 1-0 SEC) prevailed, 60-27, in a Nov. 3 battle with another young Lion team. After that conference conquest over … [Read more...]
Lion boys hold off New Hampton in season lid-lifter
The Spring Grove boys opened the basketball season with a 45-51 win against New Hampton (Iowa Class 2A out of four classes). With a Dec. 4, Saturday morning tip-off, it was the first game at the annual Iowa-Minnesota Border Battle at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The Lions opened the second half with a 17-to-4-point run for a seven-point lead. After New Hampton (0-3) … [Read more...]
Spring Grove’s Lile, McHugh repeat, joined by Gerard for All-SEC volleyball honors
Spring Grove’s Addyson McHugh and Maggie Lile were repeat all-conference volleyball honorees and were joined by Kenadee Gerard on the coaches’ 2021 All-Southeast Conference Team. Lydia Solum received Honorable Mention. It was the third All-SEC season for McHugh, and Lile was a First Team selection for a second year after receiving Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2019. All … [Read more...]
B-boys’ season ends with deflating second-half versus Lanesboro
While it rained during the B-team football finale in Spring Grove, there was no lightning from the sky. But there were four lightning-quick touchdowns that brought Lanesboro from behind to stun Spring Grove, 30-6. Both B-teams had four turnovers, but Lanesboro converted two interceptions into touchdowns. The Lions led 6-0 at halftime before the Burros dominated the second … [Read more...]