Delaney to Carrier Carries Gophers to 1AA Title Game

It was a game that veered off script, if any football game has a script. The contest had a wild finish. It had two situations where one team was primed to score the clinching touchdown (but didn’t).  The winning team lost its star player, but banded together and proved its metal. That team was the Chatfield Gophers. It wasn’t an easy task to make the 1AA state title game, but Jeff Johnson’s crew did so. They faced a number of adversities; falling behind 12-0, losing Sam Backer, and then falling back 18-6. But the ending was chaotic epic. The Gophers (11-1) played the Barnesville (9-2) in one state semi at U.S. Bank Stadium. Early on, utilizing its double-tight, three-back set (ala Cannon Falls), the Trojans took command. Their first drive went 58 yards in 11 plays. Noah Krause hit Braeden Bredman for a 16-yard TD pass (on 3rd and 14) and a 6-0 lead. On B-ville’s second offensive series, Krause used some over-pursuit to cut back and sprint 70 yards to paydirt. Still in the first, Chatfield trailed 12-0, their first double-digit deficit since at Cannon Falls. But they responded with a 14-play drive that ended early in the second quarter. Sam Backer smashed his way into the end zone from 3 yards out. Backer to Luke Carrier for two was good, leaving the score 12-8 Barnesville. The game, and its script, then changed in the third quarter. After being tackled, Backer kicked at Trojan player who didn’t release his legs. It garnered an unsportsmanlike penalty, the junior’s second of the game. He was ejected. Barnesville blocked Chatfield’s subsequent punt deep in Gopher territory. Bredman scored on their first offensive play (15-yard run). The Backer-less Gophers trailed 18-8 with 7:49 left in the third. Rarely needing an option B, when option A (Backer) had been devastating, a lot of “B’s” stepped up. On their ensuing drive, sophomore QB Parker Delaney hit Cole Johnson for 32 yards, then Isaac Erding for a 32-yard TD. In a gut-check response, the Gophers closed to down 18-14. The Chatfield defense adjusted to Barnesville’s run-heavy attack. B-ville had just three first downs after taking an 18-8 lead. Midway through the fourth, it got nutty. Delaney fumbled on a run play, and the Trojans’ Kaden Zenzen picked it up. He was at the Gopher five when he fumbled. Instead of Barnesville goal-to-goal (up 18-14), Chatfield had possession back. The Gophers had to punt, but only after Delaney hit Johnson for 37 yards, flipping field position. Chatfield’s defense forced a Trojan punt, though a great chance to recover a fumble in B-ville territory was missed. The Gophers took over with 3:06 left. Chatfield’s offense continued taking shots in the passing game. Delaney hit Carrier across the middle for 16 yards to the Barnesville 46. Three plays later, on 3rd and 10, Delaney threw off his back foot under pressure down the middle. Carrier didn’t see the ball until late because of U.S Bank’s lights. It was an improvised play-call to start. It covered 47 yards and ended with Carrier in the end zone; Chatfield’s biggest football play since A.J. Riley’s interception (2013)! A two-point pass from Delaney to Drew O’Connor made it 22-18 Gophers with 2:21 left! The craziness continued. Barnesville replied with kick-off return to near mid-field, but Bredman fumbled! Gopher sophomore Caden Boyum looked to have forced it, Thad Evans recovered it! Three plays later, on 3rd and 6, Delaney went around left end and burst free for a 49-yard gallop, scoring the seemingly game-clinching TD. But a review of the play, over-turned it. The ball was fumbled at the one-yard-line. Barnesville recovered in the end zone. But the Trojans last ditch hopes in the final minute-plus went for naught. Ethan Ruskell got a sack, but got penalized for facemask. Ruskell was right back in there the next play with O’Connor for another sack! Ruskell then got his third straight pressure, helping lead to a game-securing interception by Eli Hopp. The Gophers rallied for a great team win, 22-18, moving on to their first state final since 2013! Delaney, a sophomore who began the season as a backup, did all his work in the second half (7-17, 175 yards, 2 TDs passing; 5-55 rushing). Receivers Carrier (3-72, TD receiving), Johnson (3-71 receiving), and Erding (32-yard TD catch) made big catches. Chatfield’s o-line pass blocked pretty well once the game script changed. Backer (16-71, TD rushing) toughed out yards before he exited. Ruskell, who was a menace, had 1 ½ sacks, a forced fumble, and a recovery. Caden Nolte and Kail Schott were credited with seven tackles each. Krause (10-90, TD rushing; TD passing), John Roller (7-57 rushing), and Bredman (9-40, TD rushing; TD receiving) led the Trojans. Ethan Larson had a team-high 10 tackles. Chatfield (12-1) will face West Central/Ashby (11-1) for the state title.

Cardinals Soar to 9-Man Title Game

Section 1 has long been known as power in football. Section 1 9-Man arguably is the state’s best. From 2010-2019, eight teams made the state finals and six were state champions. This year’s LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinal football team is flying on a perfect migratory path (figuratively speaking). Trevor Carrier’s group (10-2) moved into the state finals with a crunching win over Kittson County Central (Section 8 champ, 10-2).  Coach Carrier credited his defense with setting the tone, as the Bearcats managed just two first downs their first four drives. L-O had four first half touchdowns. The Cardinals scored on their opening drive. A Chase Johnson to Layne Bird 32-yard connection was key. Johnson capped the series with a 2-yard TD run. Johnson’s conversion run made it 8-0.  K-C-C had a chance later in the 1st quarter. After a 42-yard Braden Faken to Evan Austad completion, the Bearcats were in Cardinal territory. But their very next play was fumble. Card d-end Gavin Sweeney recovered. L-O then went 74 yards in 11 plays, Johnson and Tanner Olson doing all the toting. A Johnson 8-yard TD run and conversion made it 16-0. Then the game’s most critical played occurred. A review of a K-C-C rush overturned the call on the field to a fumble, Sweeney recovery. Seven plays later, Olson plunged in from one yard out. Up 22-0 in the second quarter, the Cardinals were in control. In the end, Johnson cut and juked, spun and powered his way to another big day (21-234, 3 TDs rushing, 4-6, 66 yards passing). Olson, ye of zero rushing attempts until the regular season finale, rumbled and muscled his way to big day, too (22-111, 3 TDs rushing). L-O’s offensive line (Malyk Schaefer, Morgan Jasper, Hayden Sass, Sweeney) and defensive front (Sweeney, Olson, Sass, Jasper, Memphiz Gomez) out-manned KCC’s. Bird (2-38 receiving, 7-56 rushing) and Camden Hungerholt (5-yard TD run) also got in on the offensive onslaught, as L-O prevailed 49-0. The Cardinals had 413 rushing yards and churned out 25 first downs. Their defense held a pair of 1,300-yard rushers, Chisum Schmiedeberg and Ozzie Meyer-Rice, to 21 carries for 74 yards. L-O is averaging 46.4 PPG in the playoffs. The Cardinals (11-2) moved into their first 9-man state title game since 1995. They’ll face Fertile-Beltrami (13-0), which downed Hills-Beaver Creek 30-22.

Trojans Fall to Minneota in State Semifinals

The game was between two undefeated, football-strong teams. Rushford-Peterson (12-0) was ranked #3 in the final football poll, Minneota (12-0) #2. The Viking football program sports 15 state qualifications including Class A titles in 2015 and 2017. They entered the 2021 semifinal on a 20-game winning streak. Head Coach Chad Johnston’s career record is 184-38. Coincidentally, he led the Vikings girls b-ball team to a Class A state title last year (including beating Houston in the quarters). Additionally, Minneota entered having given up just 25 total points this season (nine shutouts). And while R-P is also a power, reaching state a 10th time this season, and Davin Thompson’s 11-year record isn’t too shabby (89-40), the Trojans entered as underdogs. They battled, but the Vikings proved the superior team. The game’s first score was its longest play. After Minneota intercepted Trojan QB Malachi Bunke, Connor Sik took a hand-off and trekked 73-yards to paydirt. The PAT made it 7-0 in the first. R-P’s rushing attack in the state quarters struggled, and the state semis were the same. They finished with negative yards. Eight of R-P’s 14 run plays went backwards. The Trojan coaching staff took their shots in the passing game, and they had a couple open receivers deep in the first quarter, but couldn’t connect. A second interception, this time of a tipped pass, led to Minneota’s second points. Starting at the R-P 16-yardline, the Vikings first barely survived a 4th and 3 at the nine (three-yard run), then got a Sik 4-yard TD run for a 14-0 lead. Minneota’s third score was a nine-play, 79-yard drive, capped when Isaac Pohlen hit Peyton Gillund for an 18-yard TD pass on 3rd and 14. At the half, Minneota led 21-0. R-P had just three first downs. Sik scored his third TD (6-yard run) in the third quarter. R-P finally got the scoreboard in the fourth, as Bunke hit Alex Ronnenberg on 31-yard TD strike in the waning minutes. It was only the fifth TD surrendered by Minneota this season. The Vikings moved on to the state finals, 28-8. Bunke (16-35, 153 yards, TD, 3 INT passing) threw a lot. One-hundred-nine of his yards came after halftime. Ruberg (6-67 receiving) was his favorite receiver. Ronnenberg (3-35, TD receiving) had the lone score. Aaron Prinsen was credited with eight tackles to lead the “D.” Senior d-lineman Carson Thompson had two fumble recoveries. He is the son of Head Coach Davin Thompson, who also played on a state qualifying team his senior year (1997). The Vikings were led by the 6’2” 190-pound Sik (19-176, 3 TD rushing), Pohlen (6-16, 121 yards, TD passing), and Cale Sorenson (3-59 receiving). R-P was out-gained 364 to 145. The Trojans finish an excellent year at 12-1, as Mid-Southeast Blue and Section 1A champions. They did so on the backs of a standout 11-man senior class, Bunke, Thompson, Ruberg, Ronnenberg, Prinsen, Hadyn Kahoun, Brady Gile (who missed state with a broken ankle), Logan Skalet, Jacob Meyer, Tommy Ekern, and Rhett Pronschinske.

2021-2021 Girls Basketball Preview

The 2021-2022 girls basketball season starts with just few changes. Section 1A has 20 teams including nine of the 11 covered under the Journal 11 umbrella: Fillmore Central, Grand Meadow, Houston, Kingsland, Lanesboro, LeRoy-Ostrander, Mabel-Canton, Rushford-Peterson, and Spring Grove. Notably moving up to 1AA is Blooming Prairie. Chatfield and Caledonia are the two Journal 11 teams in Section 1AA, which has 16 teams.  Randolph continues its first year of not playing in the SEC. A lot of area teams should be solid or better.

The Houston Hurricanes were the last team left standing a year ago. Dale Moga’s group won its fourth straight SEC-East title, going 13-0. They then beat Kingsland 63-49 for the 1A title, earning Houston its first ever state berth. The Hurricanes’ only defeat was to Minneota (the eventual state champ) in the state quarters. Team double-H finished 18-1. But the ‘Canes lost four full-time seniors. The biggest two were three-time All-SEC 1st or 2nd team selection, All-State HM pick Emma Geiwitz (5’9” G > 22.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 6.3 SPG), a 1,600-plus-point career scorer, and Becca Rostad (5’5” G > 11.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 3.7 SPG), who was 2nd Team All-SEC. They do return a big cog in Sydney Torgerson (5’9” Jr. F). Already in her fourth year on varsity, Torgerson was 1st Team All-SEC last year (15.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 3.4 SPG) after being 2nd Team as a frosh. Priya Kingsley (5’7” Jr. G > 6.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 3.8 SPG), an All-SEC HM pick, is a second key returning starter. Key reserves last year Olivia Beckman (5’4” Jr. G) and Lilly Car (5’5” Jr. F) also return. The ‘Canes have their SEC schedule (open at home with M-C). They have the Tri-City United holiday tourney. Other road non-con tilts are Alma, Hayfield, Glenwood City, Cochrane-Fountain City, R-P, FC, and Pine Island. Only nine of Houston’s 26 games are at home.  They play seven of their final nine on the road. Home non-con tilts are with Westby and La Crescent/Hokah. 

Caledonia will look to keep its strong tradition going. The Warriors went 9-3 in the TRC (East 2nd place), 12-7 overall last season. Scott Sorenson’s group fell to Cotter 57-41 in the 1AA quarters. The Warriors return a lot, and will look to be TRC-East and 1AA contenders. They had three All-TRC picks last season and all three return, Ava Privet (5’11” Jr. F/C > 14.6 PPG), Paige Klug (5’9” Jr. G/F > 9.7 PPG), and Alexis Schroeder (5’4” Jr. G > 9.6 PPG). Most of their scoring production is back. Privet and Schroeder were key contributors on Cal’s 2019 state runner-up team. Additionally, Jovial King (5’8” Jr. G/F) and Sadie Treptow (5’10” Sr. F) return. King was All-TRC HM last year. Treptow is highly experienced dating back to her Lancer days. Amber Stemper (5’7” G) and Madisyn Tessmer (5’10” F) round out three-girl senior class. Six Warriors are listed right around 5’10”. Caledonia has its TRC games, including opening at home with R-P. They have the Decorah Border Battle (Decorah), plus other road non-con games with Kingsland, Cannon Falls, and Triton. They have home non-con games with Waukon, Lourdes, Lake City, and Goodhue. Key “TRC-East” match-ups with Cotter are December 14 (home) and February 15 (away).

Hoping for a strong season are the Chatfield Gophers. Brian Baum’s group went 7-6 in the TRC last year, 9-7 overall. They fell to Lourdes 68-39 in the 1AA Round of 16. The Gophers return six of nine every-game players from last year, including four experienced starters. Heading the cast are a pair of returning All-TRC selections in senior Jaiden Zimmerman (5’8” G) and junior Kara Goetzinger (5’9” F). Zimmerman led the Gophers in scoring (13.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.1 SPG), making 35.4% of her threes. Goetzinger was the second-leading scorer and top rebounder (11.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG). Chatfield’s other two returning starters, Peyton Berg (5’7” G/F > 6.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG) and Tessa McMahon (5’5” Sr. G > 6.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.3 SPG), were each All-TRC HM. From there, Sydney Allen (5’5” Sr. G) and Anna Kivimagi (5’4” Jr. G) return after playing in all 16 games a season ago. Zayda Priebe (6’2” Sr. C) is back out. She averaged 6.7 PPG and 6.4 RPG as a sophomore in 2019-2020. Autumn Allen (5’5” G) and Devann Clemens (5’6” G) round out a seven-girl senior class. The Gophers have their TRC games. They open after Thanksgiving with the St. Charles Tourney, then host SC at home. They have road non-con tilts with BP, Triton, and Kingsland. Home non-con tilts are with Z-M, Pine Island, L/P, Lake City, and Waseca.

Kingsland progressed all the way to the 1A finals last year. Steve Hauser’s group went 12-1 in the SEC, winning the West. Houston spelled the Knights demise in the section title game, 63-49. Kingsland finished 17-3. The Knights notably lost a trio of key contributors, the biggest was three-time All-SEC 1st or 2nd team pick Ellie Buchholtz (5’8” G > 18.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 4.5 SPG). She led the team in scoring and rebounding, finishing as Kingsland’s all-time leading scorer (1,549), twice making All-State HM. Also notably graduated was 1st team All-SEC pick Sam Wernimont (5’4” G > 9.9 PPG). But Kingsland returns six experience girls, a list headed by speedy All-SEC HM pick Anika Reiland (5’5” Jr. G > 7.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 4.7 SPG). Shelby Beck (5’9” F > 5.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.1 SPG), Audrey Webster (5’4” G > 4.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.4 APG), Alexys Harwood (5’6” F > 3.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG), Emily Miner (5’9” F/C > 4.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG), and Kennedy Fenske (5’5” F/G) head a battled tested senior class. Kingsland has its SEC schedule. They open with three tough road games, BP, Southland, and Hayfield. They then play six straight at home. Other road non-con games are with LC/H, FC, Cannon Falls, and R-P. Home non-con games are with St. Charles, Cotter, K-W, Caledonia, Maple River, and Chatfield.

Returning a good crop of players are the Grand Meadow Superlarks. A year after making the section final four, GM went 8-4 in the SEC last year (2nd place West), 9-8 overall. They fell to Lanesboro 46-38 in the 1A Round of 16. GM lost just a couple key seniors. They return their top five scorers. Heading the cast are senior River Landers (6’2” C > 10.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG) and junior Kendyl Queensland (5’8” F/G > 10.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG), who each were All-SEC 2nd Team. Sydney Cotten (5’5” Jr. G > 7.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.1 APG) is back at the point after making All-SEC HM. From there, Lexy Foster (5’10” So. C/F > 6.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG), the team’s top returning rebounder, McKenna Hendrickson (5’4” Jr. G > 4.2 PPG), and Rebecca Hoffman (5’9” Jr. C/F) each played in all 17 games. The Larks have their normal SEC games. They open with four noteworthy home games (L-O, FC, Southland, Randolph). They have Decorah Border Battle (Crestwood) next, and the Hayfield Holiday Tourney (Z-M, K-W).  L-A is their only other road non-con game. They have other home non-con games with Hayfield, Pine Island, BP, R-P, and AC/G-E.

Looking to move toward the success of 2019-2020 are the Fillmore Central Falcons. Coming off a state qualification, FC went 2-8 in the TRC, 5-10 overall last year. They battled Houston in the 1A quarters but fell 61-52.  The Falcons had no All-TRC picks. No player averaged over 10.0 PPG. Kammry Broadwater (5’9” So. F/G > 8.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 7.0 RPG, 2.7 SPG) and Lauren Mensink (5’6” Sr. G > 5.9 PPG) are the top returnees, as each was All-TRC HM. Broadwater led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. Courtney Hershberger (5’3” Jr. G > 7.5 PPG), Alyssa Britton (5’11” So. C/F > 5.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG), and Regan Hanson (5’7” Jr. F > 4.6 PPG) are three more key players while Madison Simon (5’7” Jr. F) and Abby Bothun (5’9” Jr. F) also saw a lot of action. Head Coach Levi Olstad got 11 players into at least 13 games last year. FC has its TRC games. They have the Decorah Border Battle (North Fayette) and other road non-con games with GM, Lanesboro, L-O, and SG. Home non-con games are with Hayfield, Kingsland, Schaeffer Academy, L/P, Houston, Southland, and M-C.

Lanesboro won as many games as it lost last season. The Burros went 8-7 in the SEC, 10-10 overall.  They upset 7-seed GM in a Round of 16 game, but fell to Blooming Prairie 45-34 in the 1A quarters. Coach Bret Klaehn returns five of his top seven players. Brielle Ruen (5’8” Sr. G > 11.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.6 SPG) heads the cast, as she led the team in scoring and made All-SEC 2nd team. Kaci Ruen (5’11” Jr. C > 10.2. PPG, 10.4 RPG) was the only Journal 11 player to average a double-double. She made All-SEC HM. Jessie Schreiber (5’11” Jr. F > 9.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Malia Tessum (5’4” Sr. G > 7.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 3.1 SPG) give the Burros four key returning players. Schreiber was All-SEC HM in 2019-2020. Ella Cambern (5’5” Sr. G) is a fifth full-time returner. The Burros have their normal SEC schedule. They open after Thanksgiving with the St. Charles tourney. They then get Hayfield and Houston at home. They have the Border Battle in Decorah (MFL Mar-Mac). Other road non-con games are L-A and Randolph. Other home non-con games are United Christian Academy, FC, Alden-Conger, and R-P.

Spring Grove, experienced but still young, will be improved with all key contributors returning – all five starters and the two most active reserves. Last year was a 3-13 campaign, 3-11 SEC; the Lions finished fifth out of six teams in the SEC East. The only statistical advantage was fewer fouls and more free throw attempts than the opponents. Jordian Leahy (5’6” Sr. G > 11.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG) was the Lion MVP and All-SEC HM while leading SG scorers. She is a three-year letter winner who will start for the third year. The other four returning starters have all lettered twice. Katelyn Kraus (5’10” So. F > 4.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG) was the leading rebounder as a freshman. Addyson McHugh (5’10” Jr. G/F > 8.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG) was the second leading scorer and rebounder. Emerson Ingvalson (5’7” Fr. G > 6.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG) was the starting point guard as an eighth grader. Lydia Solum (5’9” Jr. G/F > 1.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG) can play inside and out. Two reserve guards, senior Ava Olerud and freshman Sydney Holland, played in all 16 games. The schedule includes at least seven games versus larger-class schools. The Lions play their first five games on the road versus Schaeffer Academy, Decorah, New Hampton, Triton, and Houston.

The Rushford-Peterson Trojans will look to up their wins in season two under Coach Joe Hatch. R-P went 0-12 in the TRC, 4-15 overall last year. They fell to Southland 58-40 in the 1A Round of 16.  The Trojans graduated four full-time seniors, most notably All-TRC HM pick Alayna Helgemoe (5’5” G > 6.7 PPG). R-P returns six key players, a cast headed by Kaylee Ruberg (5’10” Jr. F). Entering her fifth year on varsity, Ruberg led the Trojans with 13.6 PPG and made All-TRC HM.  Senior Emarie Jacobson (5’8” F > 5.4 PPG) is R-P’s second leading returning scorer. She also was All-TRC HM. Isabelle Kahoun (5’5” Jr. G), Hannah Ronnenberg (5’6” Jr. F/G), and Brie Papenfuss (5’9” Sr. F) played in most games last year. Freshman Ellie Ekern (5’4” G > 3.4 PPG) was a late call up, but provided production.  The Trojans have their TRC games (open at Caledonia). They have a two-game home holiday tourney. Road non-con tilts are with Hayfield, L/P, GM, M-C, Lanesboro, and L-O. Home non-con tilts are with Schaeffer Academy, Kingsland, and Houston. R-P plays a “home” game with L-A at the Target Center.

Last season the Mabel-Canton Cougars went 4-11 in the SEC, 4-15 overall. They fell to Kingsland 77-26 in a 1A Round of 16 game. Adam Wilder graduated a couple key seniors including 2nd team All-SEC pick Jordyn Newgard (5’6” G/F > 5.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.9 SPG). He returns everyone else and the top scorer from last year was very young.  Kinley Soiney (5’8” 8th > 7.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.2 SPG) led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding as a 7th grader. She joins with MaKenzie Kelly (5’5” Jr. F > 5.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG) as the two most notable offensive returnees. Camryn Cox (5’4” Sr. G/F > 3.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG), Hope Erickson (5’5” Fr. F), and Gwen Tollefsrud (5’3” Sr. G) are three other key veterans. Emma Tollefsrud (5’3” Sr. G) and Thea Snyder (5’5” Sr. F) round out a four-girl senior class. The Cougars have their SEC games, including opening at Houston. They have the Decorah Border Battle (South Winneshiek). Other road non-con tilts include LC/H, Decorah, and FC. Home non-con games are L-A, St. Charles, Postville, Kee, and R-P.

Down highway 56, the LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinals went 5-8 in the SEC, 5-11 overall last year. They fell to Randolph 88-40 in a 1A Round of 16 game. The Cardinals start the year with a new coach, Cori Ronnenberg. She inherits a team that lost just two relied-upon seniors, the main one, All-SEC 2nd Team pick Kelly Hanson (5’10” F/C > 13.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG), the team’s leading scorer. But a trio of key players from last year aren’t out. Four girls return who played in at least 13 games. Jordan Runde (5’8” F > 11.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.1 SPG) heads the cast. The junior was All-SEC HM a season ago. Benita Nolt (5’9” Fr. > 6.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.1 SPG) is also back after leading L-O in rebounding.  Kylie Welsh (5’4” G), the team’s only senior, and sophomore Jenna Olson (5’6” G), are the other two full-time returnees. The Cardinals have their SEC schedule (open at GM). They have the Decorah Border Battle. Home non-con games are with FC and R-P. Other road non-con games are with Faribault B.A., USC, St. Charles, JWP, and Alden-Conger. L-O has road trips of four and five games at two points in the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The Fillmore County Journal Sports page is a written collaboration of Paul Trende and Lee Epps.