Football: #2 Warriors Make Statement in 28-8 Win Over #5 Bombers

When Caledonia football was almost unbeatable in the 2010s, great quarterbacking was one big reason. Guys like brothers Owen and Noah King flung the football around to the Warriors fleet athletes, the defense played fast and stout, and Caledonia was a dominant force, winning five straight state titles (and eight in the decade). Caledonia (2-0, 3-0) is looking like the Caledonia of old. A week four win over #5 in AA Cannon Falls (1-0, 3-0) was a big statement, as junior quarterback Ethan Stendel led the way. He blasted free for first quarter TD runs of 20 and 37 yards. The first TD was preceded by a 57-yard run. The Warriors scored on their first two possessions to lead 13-0. Stendel then hit Owen Denstad for a 24-yard second quarter TD pass and Josh Beardmore for a 71-yard third quarter TD pass. Carl Fruechte’s group built a 28-0 lead. The Bombers struggled until very late to do much versus the Warrior defense. CF’s vaunted running game was held to just 127 yards on 40 carries. Their only score came with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter. The #2 in AA Warriors passed their biggest test of the season, posting a big 28-8 win. Stendel (11 of 20, 188 yards, 2 TDs, INT passing, 13-130, 2 TDs rushing) accounted for all four Warrior scores. He was their leading rusher with Denstad (12-31 rushing, 2-20, TD receiving) the only other Cal player to carry the ball more than once. The speedy Beardmore (4-129, TD receiving) was Stendel’s favorite target, though five Warriors had receptions of over 10 yards. Stendel kept his big-play passing going. He is averaging 19.5 yards per connection on 67% completion rate. Brawny lineman Jordan Tornstrom (15 total tackles, two sacks) and Mason Banse (12 total tackles) led the way in containing the Bombers three-running-back Power-T-offense. CF came in averaging almost 50 PPG. The Warrior defense has now given up just three total TDs and no more than one per game. The Southeast-White is now topped by #2 Caledonia (3-0, 4-0) and #3 Chatfield (3-0, 4-0), making a week six matchup must see. CF won in Caledonia last year 38-20.