2009 MN HS Football

[SkiUMahLaw]

Lakeville South wins, prepares for North (and a new future)

Great quote from Lakeville South's coach.

"Eden Prairie made a choice to be a mega-school," Thompson said. "And we're not mega-schools. I could beat Eden Prairie or be right with them almost every year if I had one team. Now, [South and North are] both doing fine and more kids are playing. I look at what we would be if we had the six or seven best players from North. Wow. And that's what Eden Prairie is."

I have no love for Eden Prairie, and in fact my HS still has the traveling trophy between the schools (back when Eden Prairie actually played St. Anthony Village), but give them credit where it is due. They have used their advantages in their community to develop a very good high school-- academically, athletically, and in activities. It isn't for everyone, but it does a good job at what it does.

I have never been a big Larry Thompson fan-- the guy may be a good coach (didn't he take over the basketball team a few years ago and brought them to the State Tourney in the middle of a very crazy coaching deal?), but he has an excuse for everything. Last I checked there are 11 kids on the field from your side at any one time, and your marginal benefit of an extra 500 or 700 or even 1000 kids in your SCHOOL is not all that great-- considering that equates out to 50-250 in a class-- and at that level, only the seniors would likely be playing anyway-- and those that did not quit earlier because they weren't starting, or economic or family or other reasons prevented them from playing. And that also assumes that he, as a coach, would want to spend money on an extra 100 football players in his program, the vast majority of which may only play a handful of downs in their varsity career. But if you can't take all of Lakeville's advantages and find a way to beat the best once in a while, give the best what they are due-- not find an excuse as to why you can't get it done.

[/rant]

[george]

Shakopee vs the Cake tonight. Go Sabers!

Well the Hornets won the privilege of being the next sacrificial lambs on the Eagles platter tomorrow night. Should be over by end of the first quarter.

[mnwildfan79]

Shakopee vs the Cake tonight. Go Sabers!

Well the Hornets won the privilege of being the next sacrificial lambs on the Eagles platter tomorrow night. Should be over by end of the first quarter.

Nice little preview of the likely new classic lake. EP plays Edina then winner of Hopkins/Tonka and then likely Wayzata.

[jallengarry]

Lakeville South wins, prepares for North (and a new future)

Great quote from Lakeville South's coach.

"Eden Prairie made a choice to be a mega-school," Thompson said. "And we're not mega-schools. I could beat Eden Prairie or be right with them almost every year if I had one team. Now, [South and North are] both doing fine and more kids are playing. I look at what we would be if we had the six or seven best players from North. Wow. And that's what Eden Prairie is."

I have no love for Eden Prairie, and in fact my HS still has the traveling trophy between the schools (back when Eden Prairie actually played St. Anthony Village), but give them credit where it is due. They have used their advantages in their community to develop a very good high school-- academically, athletically, and in activities. It isn't for everyone, but it does a good job at what it does.

I have never been a big Larry Thompson fan-- the guy may be a good coach (didn't he take over the basketball team a few years ago and brought them to the State Tourney in the middle of a very crazy coaching deal?), but he has an excuse for everything. Last I checked there are 11 kids on the field from your side at any one time, and your marginal benefit of an extra 500 or 700 or even 1000 kids in your SCHOOL is not all that great-- considering that equates out to 50-250 in a class-- and at that level, only the seniors would likely be playing anyway-- and those that did not quit earlier because they weren't starting, or economic or family or other reasons prevented them from playing. And that also assumes that he, as a coach, would want to spend money on an extra 100 football players in his program, the vast majority of which may only play a handful of downs in their varsity career. But if you can't take all of Lakeville's advantages and find a way to beat the best once in a while, give the best what they are due-- not find an excuse as to why you can't get it done.

[/rant]

MN High School 2008-2009 enrollments:

EP: 3099
Lake South: 1670

That's over 1400 more kids to choose from or about 350 per class. I'm not saying he should be whining about it or that it's unfair and they should be treated as the Yankee machine or anything, hell I went to a big school too so I can't complain. But the numbers are significant. If even 1% of all students are strong athletes that would give you say 7 top talents from the Jr./Sr. class to choose from, you get 3 or 4 of them to play football and that could change the shape of a team pretty drastically. When the 7 largest schools have 5 teams ranked in the top 10 its a decent advantage.

[gator]

SECTION FINAL - CLASS 5A
(1) Lakeville North 28, Owatonna 18
(2) Mounds View 23, Stillwater 17
(3) Eastview 24, Rosemount 15
(4) Cretin-Derham Hall 30, Henry Sibley 0
(5) Wayzata 21, Champlin Park 7
(6) Eden Prairie 38, Minnetonka 7
(7) Centennial 19, Blaine 14
(8) Brainerd (6-3) vs. Buffalo (8-1),Today @ 11am, St. John's University.

5A QUARTERFINALS (Bracket)
(3) Eastview vs. (4) Cretin-Derham Hall
(7) Centennial vs. (8) Brainerd/Buffalo winner
(1) Lakeville North vs. (2) Mounds View
(5) Wayzata vs. (6) Eden Prairie

SECTION FINAL - CLASS 4A
(1) Northfield 23, New Prague 0
(2) Mankato West 13, Hutchinson 7
(3) St. Thomas Academy 49, South St. Paul 14
(4) Mahtomedi 22, Hill-Murray 14
(5) St. Michael-Albertville (8-2) vs. Rogers (8-1), Today @ 6pm, St. Cloud State.
(6) Totino-Grace 42, Benilde-St. Margaret's 28
(7) Bemidji 40, Duluth Denfeld 14
(8) Alexandria (9-1) vs. Sartell-St. Stephen (10-0), Today @ 1pm, St. John's University

4A QUARTERFINALS (Bracket)
(3) St. Thomas Academy vs. (4) Mahtomedi
(7) Bemidji vs. (8) Alexandria/Sartell-St. Stephen winner
(1) Northfield vs. (2) Mankato West
(5) St. Michael-Albertville/Rogers winner vs. (6) Totino-Grace

[Ben]

4A QUARTERFINALS
(5) St. Michael-Albertville winner vs. (6) Totino-Grace

Normally I'd correct this, but St. Michael-Albertville will be the winner, so there's not really much of a point. They absolutely dominated Rogers in Rogers during the regular season 11-6 thanks to 2 safeties caused by fluky weather.

Either way, I think I'll be cheering for the winner against the machine that is the Pizza kids. That program is good.

[Greyeagle]

4A QUARTERFINALS
(5) St. Michael-Albertville winner vs. (6) Totino-Grace

Normally I'd correct this, but St. Michael-Albertville will be the winner, so there's not really much of a point. They absolutely dominated Rogers in Rogers during the regular season 11-6 thanks to 2 safeties caused by fluky weather.

Either way, I think I'll be cheering for the winner against the machine that is the Pizza kids. That program is good.

The STA-Mahtomedi game should be interesting, these two teams have dominated the (weak) Classic Suburban the past few years but didn't play each other this year.

Good call by the HSL to have the EP-WAY game at Metrodome. If not at the dome they would need to have it at TCF as there could be a record crowd for MN HS football.

[momo]

tough one for my ponies last night, had the lead(17-7) in the 4th,couldn't hold on.

[gator]

4A QUARTERFINALS
(5) St. Michael-Albertville winner vs. (6) Totino-Grace

Normally I'd correct this, but St. Michael-Albertville will be the winner, so there's not really much of a point. They absolutely dominated Rogers in Rogers during the regular season 11-6 thanks to 2 safeties caused by fluky weather.

Either way, I think I'll be cheering for the winner against the machine that is the Pizza kids. That program is good.

Ben, I corrected it. Thanks

(5) St. Michael-Albertville/Rogers winner vs. (6) Totino-Grace

[gator]

Ben, Did you see this one? It surprised me as well.

SECTION FINAL - 4A
(5) Roger 28, St. Michael-Albertville 21

Royals junior linebacker Alex Meixell stripped the ball from a Knights runner at the 6-yard line and carried two defenders with him across the goal line with 15 seconds remaining, giving Rogers (9-1) its first state tournament berth Saturday at St. Cloud State University. Two players earlier, St. Michael-Albertville (8-3) intercepted a Royals pass.

[gator]

Anyone going to the Eden Prairie vs. Wayzata, 5A State Championship, I mean 5A Quarterfinal at the Dome Friday night?

[Hobey Baker]

How are Wayzata and Eden Prairie playing in the quarters? Is it strictly a pre determined sectional match up?

[gator]

How are Wayzata and Eden Prairie playing in the quarters? Is it strictly a pre determined sectional match up?

Yep. I wish they would start seeding the team #1-#4 and draw for #5-#8, like they do for hockey and I'm pretty sure basketball.

[mnwildfan79]

Anyone going to the Eden Prairie vs. Wayzata, 5A State Championship, I mean 5A Quarterfinal at the Dome Friday night?

I'll be there!

Should be a great defensive football game and very evenly matched. And yes, I'd say they winner has a VERY strong chance to take home the State Championship.

[Loc85]

Ben, Did you see this one? It surprised me as well.

SECTION FINAL - 4A
(5) Roger 28, St. Michael-Albertville 21

Royals junior linebacker Alex Meixell stripped the ball from a Knights runner at the 6-yard line and carried two defenders with him across the goal line with 15 seconds remaining, giving Rogers (9-1) its first state tournament berth Saturday at St. Cloud State University. Two players earlier, St. Michael-Albertville (8-3) intercepted a Royals pass.

Wasn't able to see the section final, but Rogers was the better team when they lost earlier this year. Happy to see them win

[Greyeagle]

CADETS!!!!!
STA wins a barnburner over Mahtomedi 20-15.

According to MSBN it's 7-3 EP over WAY late in the 4th.

[Greyeagle]

That's the final from The Metrodome - 7-3 EP over WAY.

Glencoe-Silver Lake and DeLaSalle are heading to OT tied at 0.

[gator]

That's the final from The Metrodome - 7-3 EP over WAY.

Home from the Dome. Both teams had very good defenses. Even though EP won, I still taught Wayzata was the better team. To bad this game had to be in the quarterfinals and not the State Championship.

[ScoobyDoo]

That's the final from The Metrodome - 7-3 EP over WAY.

Home from the Dome. Both teams had very good defenses. Even though EP won, I still taught Wayzata was the better team. To bad this game had to be in the quarterfinals and not the State Championship.

Seems a lot of people did. I read many predictions on the Internet that were for Wayzata. Hardly any for EP. When the rubber hit the road the Eagles won though.

[Greyeagle]

Final from Macallester:
G-SL - 6
DeLaSalle - 3
OT

[streakygopher]

I have never been a big Larry Thompson fan-- the guy may be a good coach (didn't he take over the basketball team a few years ago and brought them to the State Tourney in the middle of a very crazy coaching deal?), but he has an excuse for everything. Last I checked there are 11 kids on the field from your side at any one time, and your marginal benefit of an extra 500 or 700 or even 1000 kids in your SCHOOL is not all that great-- considering that equates out to 50-250 in a class-- and at that level, only the seniors would likely be playing anyway-- and those that did not quit earlier because they weren't starting, or economic or family or other reasons prevented them from playing. And that also assumes that he, as a coach, would want to spend money on an extra 100 football players in his program, the vast majority of which may only play a handful of downs in their varsity career. But if you can't take all of Lakeville's advantages and find a way to beat the best once in a while, give the best what they are due-- not find an excuse as to why you can't get it done.
[/rant]

I got to know Larry personally. His math students like him, and he has a way of coaching that every kid, no matter how insignificant to the outcome of a game, feels like they are a part of the team. Larry makes comments sometimes that might seem brash or even cocky, but if you know him you know that is just his communication style; he states what he believes and what he believes in. In this case, he is right. If L'ville had one school in the 06 prep bowl they probably would have won the 5A championship that year...but we'll never know. He is also right in saying that L'ville chose not to become a super school. And, yes, having an extra 500 to 1,000 kids would mean that a good football team could be a great football team...oh, and he has "beat the best once in awhile." To my knowledge he has at least two state titles, maybe 3.

I also don't understand the logic with your numbers. Yes there are only 11 kids on the field from your side at one time...which is why the addition of only one or two blue chip skill players or one big lineman could make all the difference! It's also not rational to think that only seniors would likely be playing- the evidence does not support it. On any given high school team the skill positions are often filled by Juniors and sometimes Sophomores. Linemen are usually Seniors because of their size, but there are even exceptions at that position. I heard Thompson give a consolation talk to his team after they lost by a touchdown to EP after the 06 prep bowl...not a single excuse, just that he was proud of his kids and that they had everything to be proud of. I respect him as a coach and as a man.

[Greyeagle]

Just saw the highlights of the MV-LN game, wow. If I heard the news correctly MV goes down the field in two plays to score as time expires to win and after Lakeville had kicked a FG to take the lead with under a minute to play.

[streakygopher]

Just saw the highlights of the MV-LN game, wow.

If I heard the news correctly MV goes down the field in two plays to score as time expires to win and after Lakeville had kicked a FG to take the lead with under a minute to play.

Yeah, a friend of mine went to the game and said that MV scored on two pass plays with 28 sec. left. After the TD, there was 8 sec. left on the clock. Apparently, the TD pass was to a tight end who was inexplicably UNCOVERED.

[Greyeagle]

Just saw the highlights of the MV-LN game, wow.

If I heard the news correctly MV goes down the field in two plays to score as time expires to win and after Lakeville had kicked a FG to take the lead with under a minute to play.

Yeah, a friend of mine went to the game and said that MV scored on two pass plays with 28 sec. left. After the TD, there was 8 sec. left on the clock. Apparently, the TD pass was to a tight end who was inexplicably UNCOVERED.

I just read the story in the Strib, MV completed exactly two passes during the game. Holy schnickies!

[streakygopher]

Just saw the highlights of the MV-LN game, wow.

If I heard the news correctly MV goes down the field in two plays to score as time expires to win and after Lakeville had kicked a FG to take the lead with under a minute to play.

Yeah, a friend of mine went to the game and said that MV scored on two pass plays with 28 sec. left. After the TD, there was 8 sec. left on the clock. Apparently, the TD pass was to a tight end who was inexplicably UNCOVERED.

I just read the story in the Strib, MV completed exactlu two passes during the game.

I'm sure LVN will have a hard time letting this one go...saw Channel 9's crack coverage of the game...two early touchdown highlights and then no video as she says "but Moundsview would win this one...blah blah blah" Obviously they took their cameras and left early, which is typical of high school football coverage, but they might at least have covered the outcome properly....

[Greyeagle]

That one had to hurt. Saw that on KMSP too. We flipped over to KARE and actually got the whole story, what a concept. KARE still rules the HS TV coverage in the area. My wife asked if they played two different games.

[gator]

That's the final from The Metrodome - 7-3 EP over WAY.

Home from the Dome. Both teams had very good defenses. Even though EP won, I still taught Wayzata was the better team. To bad this game had to be in the quarterfinals and not the State Championship.

Seems a lot of people did. I read many predictions on the Internet that were for Wayzata. Hardly any for EP. When the rubber hit the road the Eagles won though.

The one thing that stood out was EP's punting game. EP pinned Wayzata deep a couple of times and Wayzata's punting game was average EP's punter is Div 1 calibar.

[mnwildfan79]

That's the final from The Metrodome - 7-3 EP over WAY.

Home from the Dome. Both teams had very good defenses. Even though EP won, I still taught Wayzata was the better team. To bad this game had to be in the quarterfinals and not the State Championship.

Seems a lot of people did. I read many predictions on the Internet that were for Wayzata. Hardly any for EP. When the rubber hit the road the Eagles won though.

The one thing that stood out was EP's punting game. EP pinned Wayzata deep a couple of times and Wayzata's punting game was average EP's punter is Div 1 calibar.

Yes, the punter was clearly the MVP of the game.

When the Wayzata returner showed him respect and went deep he kicked it short and got the huge roll, when the Wayzata returner came in close to prevent it hitting the ground he boomed it over his head. His punt pinned inside the 10 followed by an EP stop and a bad punt by Wayzata lead to EP starting at the Wayzata 30 and their only score of the game.

Very questionable offensive playcalling by Wayzata, IMO. Especially at the end of the game with a little less than 2 minutes left after hitting on a big slant play to get it to the EP 40 they throw a WR screen double pass. Of course EP stayed home, there were less than 2 minutes left and they were up 4. Interception... game over.

[Six Hole]

I have never been a big Larry Thompson fan-- the guy may be a good coach (didn't he take over the basketball team a few years ago and brought them to the State Tourney in the middle of a very crazy coaching deal?), but he has an excuse for everything. Last I checked there are 11 kids on the field from your side at any one time, and your marginal benefit of an extra 500 or 700 or even 1000 kids in your SCHOOL is not all that great-- considering that equates out to 50-250 in a class-- and at that level, only the seniors would likely be playing anyway-- and those that did not quit earlier because they weren't starting, or economic or family or other reasons prevented them from playing. And that also assumes that he, as a coach, would want to spend money on an extra 100 football players in his program, the vast majority of which may only play a handful of downs in their varsity career. But if you can't take all of Lakeville's advantages and find a way to beat the best once in a while, give the best what they are due-- not find an excuse as to why you can't get it done.
[/rant]

I got to know Larry personally. His math students like him, and he has a way of coaching that every kid, no matter how insignificant to the outcome of a game, feels like they are a part of the team. Larry makes comments sometimes that might seem brash or even cocky, but if you know him you know that is just his communication style; he states what he believes and what he believes in. In this case, he is right. If L'ville had one school in the 06 prep bowl they probably would have won the 5A championship that year...but we'll never know. He is also right in saying that L'ville chose not to become a super school. And, yes, having an extra 500 to 1,000 kids would mean that a good football team could be a great football team...oh, and he has "beat the best once in awhile." To my knowledge he has at least two state titles, maybe 3.

I also don't understand the logic with your numbers. Yes there are only 11 kids on the field from your side at one time...which is why the addition of only one or two blue chip skill players or one big lineman could make all the difference! It's also not rational to think that only seniors would likely be playing- the evidence does not support it. On any given high school team the skill positions are often filled by Juniors and sometimes Sophomores. Linemen are usually Seniors because of their size, but there are even exceptions at that position. I heard Thompson give a consolation talk to his team after they lost by a touchdown to EP after the 06 prep bowl...not a single excuse, just that he was proud of his kids and that they had everything to be proud of. I respect him as a coach and as a man.

[Perhaps] ignorant question for both you and everyone else with an opinion: Don't the taxpayers vote on adding or not adding a new high school? Is it really up to the football coaches or athletic directors of cities of 80,000+ people whether they have one high school or two? Or is it up to taxpayers/residents/voters who have less of a vested interest in high school football and more of an interst in their own pocketbook? Do they vote on football lines?

Serious question.

[SouthTexGopher]

Is it really up to the football coaches or athletic directors of cities of 80,000+ people whether they have one high school or two? Or is it up to taxpayers/residents/voters who have less of a vested interest in high school football and more of an interst in their own pocketbook? Do they vote on football lines?

Serious question.

I don't know about Minnesota, having grown up in a small southern Minny town of 575 people.

But here in Texas, the answer is a resounding "YES."

Just in the South-Central Texas area alone, one need only look at Austin Westlake or Converse Judson for examples. Both are massive high schools, with not a chance of ever adding a second school...just for fear of affecting the football program. They look to schools like Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City's Clemens HS and the impact on the FB team that allowing SCUC's Steele HS has had. What was a competitive program is now diluted and that's had a huge impact.

Maybe it's different back in God's Country. We were lucky to get 150-200 people out for a game back in Lyle, MN. The nearest HS to my house (SA Madison) routinely draws 5000+ fans for a game. That makes HS football a genuine revenue sport.

[GOPHERFAN119]

Congrats to EP on the 7 to 3 win.

In the future, I would like to see the MSHL change the football format and seed the top four teams each year. They do this in other sports - soccer, volleyball, and hockey.

It is time for a change.

Congrats Trojans on a fine year !!! Can you say powerhouse for the Trojans in Fall Sports this year !!!!
1st in Girls Soccer
2nd in Boys Soccer
2nd in Boys Country
1st or 2nd in Girls Volleyball today
Quarterfinals in Football

Very impressive and an Excellent Job !!!

[streakygopher]

[/quote="Six Hole"]Is it really up to the football coaches or athletic directors of cities of 80,000+ people whether they have one high school or two? Or is it up to taxpayers/residents/voters who have less of a vested interest in high school football and more of an interst in their own pocketbook? Do they vote on football lines?

Serious question.[/quote]

I doubt seriously that football coaches have any say about another high school is built! On the other hand, maybe the ADs of both schools have a say about combining their sports programs - I have no idea about that. Getting back to the EP thing, I don't think anybody is blaming Grant for a single school/ single football program. It's just tiring that, because they have a single school, they hold an unfair advantage. Ski's comment that other schools ought to be able to rise up once and awhile and knock off the best actually identifies the problem, not the solution: What is it that makes EP the best? The answer is that extra one kid, two kids or 8 blue chip kids they can pick from that other schools can't.

[gator]

5A QUARTERFINAL:
CDH 27, Eastview 24

5A SEMIFINALS:
CDH vs. Brainerd
Mounds View vs. Eden Prairie

[streakygopher]

5A QUARTERFINAL:
CDH 27, Eastview 24

5A SEMIFINALS:
CDH vs. Brainerd
Mounds View vs. Eden Prairie

Knowing what I do about Eastview and Moundsview's win over Lakeville North, I'd say that despite being a little down this year, EP should win easily....don't know a thing about Brainerd. Lakeville North split with South this year and South lost to EP by 35-0 or some ridiculous thing...Eastview was decent buy a good CDH team should have buried them.

[Bert]

Go Brainerd and MV.

Brainerd has a D-1 prospect at WR but he is choosing baseball at the UofM instead.

[dxmnkd316]

Go Brainerd and MV.

Brainerd has a D-1 prospect at WR but he is choosing baseball at the UofM instead.

Smart choice. No cap, live 20 years longer, less chance of injury.

[Chris83]

Well, I have to admit I gave Cretin-DH NO shot against Eden Prairie this past Friday in the AAAAA title game. Their defense played an amazing game. I figured they would have to win a shootout style game.

As for the calls that will now come for Totino-Grace to move up a class after they obliterated previously undefeated Sartell-St. Stephen 45-7, I don't think they should be "forced" to do so...but if I were them, I would. In all the organized sports I played, my goal was always to become good enough to move up to the NEXT level and compete successfully THERE.

[streakygopher]

Well, I have to admit I gave Cretin-DH NO shot against Eden Prairie this past Friday in the AAAAA title game. Their defense played an amazing game. I figured they would have to win a shootout style game.

As for the calls that will now come for Totino-Grace to move up a class after they obliterated previously undefeated Sartell-St. Stephen 45-7, I don't think they should be "forced" to do so...but if I were them, I would. In all the organized sports I played, my goal was always to become good enough to move up to the NEXT level and compete successfully THERE.

Yeah, high school sports is just flawed, leaving serious questions each year as to the legitimacy of any champion named EP, Cretin, Totino-Grace, or, in hockey, AHA, Hill Murray or St. Thomas.

I actually thought that 5A high school talent this year was down a notch. There were some nice players - Alt basically willed a win for Cretin and their big man is a monster. EP's offensive line was definitely not what they have been in the past (giving Cretin a chance for a change) and they didn't have some of the huge names as past rosters, such as Blake Sorrenson, Willie Mobley, Bryce McNaul et. al.

This would have been a good year for a real public high school to rise up, but Wayzata just wasn't quite there (unfortunately) and I guess I'll take Cretin over EP, but not by much....

[Bladepuller]

Retiring isoOne of the best people I have had the pleasure of knowing. 9 out of the 10 boys in the senior class are on the team. Actually he has about 90% of the boys in any class on the team and he wins 90% of his games. A class act. From the GF Herald:

GRAND FORKS — Mark Kroulik, who has coached seven Minnesota 9-man high school football championship teams, announced his retirement from coaching Monday.


In 15 seasons as a head coach, the 58-year-old Kroulik pasted a 168-12 won-loss record for a gaudy 93.3 winning percentage. His teams won 11 section 9-man titles.


Kroulik's first state championship team was with Stephen in 1992. The Stephen and Argyle schools consolidated prior to the 1996-97 school year and became a football power. The most famous run for the Storm came from the 2003 through the 2007 seasons, during which Kroulik’s Stephen-Argyle teams set state records with 76 consecutive wins and five consecutive state championships. The team also won the 2009 state championship.


Kroulik said there’s no one reason why he is leaving the coaching profession.


"It just feels right,” Kroulik said. "Coaching takes a lot of energy, a lot of time. It’s not just a fall job. I want to do some other things — watch my sons’ teams, do more work with my principal’s job, golf, have more time with my grandson, just other things. Football takes a lot of time.”


Two of his sons coach high school football in Minnesota — Casey is head coach at Clearbrook-Gonvick and Matt is an assistant at Red Lake County.

[evegoe]

Well, I have to admit I gave Cretin-DH NO shot against Eden Prairie this past Friday in the AAAAA title game. Their defense played an amazing game. I figured they would have to win a shootout style game.

As for the calls that will now come for Totino-Grace to move up a class after they obliterated previously undefeated Sartell-St. Stephen 45-7, I don't think they should be "forced" to do so...but if I were them, I would. In all the organized sports I played, my goal was always to become good enough to move up to the NEXT level and compete successfully THERE.

Yeah, high school sports is just flawed, leaving serious questions each year as to the legitimacy of any champion named EP, Cretin, Totino-Grace, or, in hockey, AHA, Hill Murray or St. Thomas.

I actually thought that 5A high school talent this year was down a notch. There were some nice players - Alt basically willed a win for Cretin and their big man is a monster. EP's offensive line was definitely not what they have been in the past (giving Cretin a chance for a change) and they didn't have some of the huge names as past rosters, such as Blake Sorrenson, Willie Mobley, Bryce McNaul et. al.

This would have been a good year for a real public high school to rise up, but Wayzata just wasn't quite there (unfortunately) and I guess I'll take Cretin over EP, but not by much....

I guess I don't understand the hate toward the legitimacy of these championships. EP has a huge enrollment and Grant has control over their playbooks from age 8 to 18. He should have a pretty nice advantage built up by controlling the entire youth system there. Jefferson did the same thing with their hockey program. It's basically up to the coach to show the kids that playing in their program is what's best for them. It's not like the kids owe their city anything for playing youth hockey there. When you look at basketball, open enrollment can best be seen in Hopkins' historical records. They seem to import kids all the time. Maybe, football and hockey kids just don't seem to transfer as often, so the public school teams don't take advantage of open enrollment as much as basketball teams do.

[Greyeagle]

Ben will find this interesting - AHA has a new coach.

http://www.woodburybulletin.com/event/a ... roup/home/

[Ben]

Ben will find this interesting - AHA has a new coach.

http://www.woodburybulletin.com/event/a ... roup/home/

RAY RAY! I can't come up with enough good things to say about Mr. Betton. He really knows his football, and used to get me fired up enough to run through a wall (and I was coaching with him) before practices. There's also some interesting potential with his coaching staff, too. He's had Mike Pendino coaching with him for a few years, and he was the HC at AHA and left at the same time as Ray a few years ago.