Jaxon Strinmoen spurred Spring Grove with two punt returns and a 30-yard reception as the state-ranked No. 2 Lions (3-0, 2-0 dist.) came from behind to gash visiting Grand Meadow, 34-12. The Superlarks (0-2. 0-2 dist.) dominated the clock with 69 plays to only 27 for the Lions, outgained SG 256 yards to 201 and earned twice as many first downs. But SG prevailed with superior speed and a few big plays.
Photo by Lee Epps
On the game’s second play, Lion quarterback Bryce Berns sprinted 62 yards to the endzone. On the next play from scrimmage, Superlark Dalton Pischke bolted 61 yards to the one yard-line, and Corbin Ludemann scored on the next play. SG still led 7-6 but lost a fumble to set up Ludemann’s 19-yard TD run for a 12-7 GM lead still in the first quarter.
Strinmoen put SG ahead to stay with a 70-yard punt return touchdown, and the Lions led 14-12 after two Ben Udstuen PAT kicks. A 30-yard, fourth-down, deep pass from Berns to Strinmoen went to the one; Strinmoen then scored with a one-yard catch (SG 20-12).
In the third quarter, Strinmoen returned a punt 56 yards to set up Jacob Olerud’s 14-yard TD run (SG 28-12). In the fourth period, Zach Brumm made a leaping 22-yard grab in the end zone to close scoring, 34-12. Berns (3-11-0, 53 yds.) completed three passes, two for touchdowns. All five GM pass attempts were incomplete.
The Larks operated out of a throwback two-tight end, four-man backfield formation that depended on deceptive fakes and handoffs. Once the Lion “D” adjusted, neither Pischke nor Ludemann were able to break free again. Brumm had 25 tackles for SG, Olerud 21. The SG defense forced three punts, held on downs three times and came up with one fumble recovery. Time expired to halt a 16-play, 4-yard GM possession. SG improved to 2-0, 3-0 while GM dropped to 0-2, 0-2.
The state 9-man poll began as last season closed with state champion Mountain Iron-Buhl and state runner-up Spring Grove ranked one-two. Houston came in at No. 10 with Kingsland, LeRoy-Ostrander and Southland also receiving votes.
Th Lion B-team opened with a 14-6 road win at Kingsland, a game that ended at halftime due to lightning. In their season opener, the junior high boys trailed 13-0 before routing the Knights, 33-13.
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Spring Grove Varsity Football 2023
3-0 (2-0 East Sub-District)
W at Mountain Lake Area 28-7
W vs. Southland 13-12
W vs. Grand Meadow 34-12
09/15 at Lanesboro (SG won both games last year, leads series 29-22 w/3 ties)
09/23 Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons (SG is 1-0 versus the combined program)
09/29 at Mabel-Canton (SG has won the last 18, but M-C leads all-time)
10/06 open
10/13 Kingsland (SG has won all four games against the Knights)
19/18 at Houston (SG has won their last 18 meetings)
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Spring Grove B-team Football 2023
W at Kingsland 14-6
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Spring Grove Junior High Football 2023
W at Kingsland 33-13