Photo by Paul Trende
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 tackles-for-loss on the drive, but the Huskies compensated with four plays of 10-plus yards. Roman Voss, a 6’4” 195-pound sophomore QB, ended the series with a 6-yard TD run. With PAT, the score was 7-0. Caledonia’s next offensive play was intercepted. JCC then went seven plays to cover 44 yards. Another Voss run, this time from 2-yards out, plus PAT, made it 14-0. The Huskies faced just one third down in their first two scoring series.’ Caledonia made the red zone twice in the first half.
A 40-yard Ethan Stendel to Fischer Wait pass play resulted in a 1st and 10 at the JCC 11 late in the first quarter. But the result was a missed field goal. JCC then critically scored early in the second quarter, a Voss 61-yard pass to Ben Dahlin. It put the Warriors up against it, down 21-0. Cal made the red zone with their next drive. A long 12-play series got to first and 10 at the 15. It ended on 4th and 17 from the 22. JCC took their 21-0 lead into intermission. They then erased all doubt, scoring on the first series of the second half, as Voss scampered 39 yards for the TD. With PAT, the Huskies led 28-0. And Caledonia was deflated. JCC added a couple more scores for the 41-0 final. Voss (19-134, 3 TDs rushing, 4-7, 85 yards, TD passing) and Seth Stai (23-167, 2 TDs rushing) reaped the whirlwind of JCC’s double-tight, mostly between the tackles power running game. Many times, Warrior defenders were clinging to Huskie backs, attempting to make from-behind tackles. All told, JCC ran 50 times for 336 yards. Dahlen (4-85, TD receiving) caught all four of Voss’ completions. He also had the first quarter interception. JCC outgained Caledonia 421 to 137. Owen Denstad (11-59 rushing) led all Warrior offensive players. Stendel was just 4 of 14 passing for 51 yards an interception and garnered just seven yards on nine carries. Mason Banse and Ben Stemper were each credited with 13 tackles to lead the defense.
It is a tough end to the Warriors season. Caledonia finishes with a 10-1 record, but with both Southeast-White and Section 1AA titles to their credit. They have 16 seniors, Denstad, Banse, Lewis Doyle, Hunter Goetzinger, Josh Beardmore, Jason Schock, Isaac Blocker, Owen Klug, Connor Buttell, Jordan Tornstrom, Austin Pronschinske, Landon Frauenkron, Gabe Curley, Tyler Stendel, Mason Schroeder and Drew Yahnke. Said guys endured a tough period of Warrior football, but helped move the program from 4-5 in 2021, to 8-3 and 1AA runner-up last year, to 10-1 1AA champion and state participant this year.
Photo by Paul Trende