October 26, 2015 CONTACT: Kevin Merkle or Tim Leighton / MSHSL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Football Tournament Five teams to defend titles Five teams return to defend their 2014 football titles Grand Meadow in 9-Man, Minneota in Class A, Becker in Class AAAA, Mankato West in Class AAAAA and Eden Prairie in Class AAAAAA. Twenty-five teams that competed in the 2014 tournament have qualified again. Howard Lake- Waverly-Winsted and United North Central, a co-op between Menahga and Sebeka, are both making their debut appearances. Twenty teams enter with unblemished records. The 2015 tournament has quarterfinals being played over three days, Oct. 29-31, at neutral sites throughout Minnesota. Semifinals will follow also at neutral sites outdoors throughout Minnesota on Nov. 5-7. Prep Bowl XXXIV will be played over two days at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis on Nov. 13 and 14. (Check the League website www.mshsl.org for exact times and locations of quarterfinals.) Class 9-Man Quarterfinal Highlights Two teams return from the 2014 field: the two-time defending champions from Grand Meadow and Underwood. All of the teams have previous tournament experience and four teams are undefeated. Section-Team (Record) 3-Madelia (9-2) vs. 4-Underwood (11-0), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Big Cat Stadium, Morris: The Blackhawks of Madelia are making their first appearance under this name. They appeared twice previously as Madelia/Truman in 1993 and 1994. Unranked in the final Associated Press (AP) poll, Madelia lost to Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran 38-30 during the regular season. No. 3-ranked Underwood is making its third consecutive and seventh overall appearance in search of its first title. The Rockets lost in the quarterfinals in 2014. Underwood did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. 7-Ely (11-0) vs. 8-Stephen-Argyle Central (9-2), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Bemidji State University: Ely returns after a one-year hiatus for its sixth overall appearance. The No. 6-ranked Timberwolves defeated Silver Bay 47-15 during the regular season. Stephen-Argyle Central, unranked in the final AP poll, is making its 14th overall appearance and first since 2009. The Storm won seven previous titles in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. During the regular season Stephen-Argyle Central lost to Waubun 41-40 in overtime. 1-Grand Meadow (11-0) vs. 2-Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran (10-1), 1 p.m. on Oct. 31 at New Prague High School: Two-time defending champion Grand Meadow closed the season ranked No. 1 in the final AP poll. The Superlarks are making their fourth consecutive and eighth overall appearance, winning titles in 2013 and 2014. Grand Meadow did not play any other qualifiers during the regular season. Unranked in the final AP poll, the Clippers are making their first tournament appearance as a coop program of Cleveland and Immanuel Lutheran, Mankato. Cleveland made one additional appearance in 2007. Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran defeated Madelia 38-30 in regular-season play. 5-Silver Bay (Wm. Kelley) (9-1) vs. 6-Waubun (10-0), 1 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Bemidji State University: Unranked Silver Bay is making its first appearance since 2011 and fifth overall. The Mariners fell to Ely 47-15 during the regular season. Waubun returns for its third overall appearance and first since 2007. Ranked No. 3 in the final AP poll, the Bombers beat Stephen-Argyle Central 41-40 in overtime during the regular season.
Class A Quarterfinal Highlights Four teams, including the defending champions from Minneota, return from the 2014 field. The others are Braham, Mahnomen and Minneapolis North Community. Five teams have perfect records and all of them have previous tournament experience. Minneota and Tracy-Milroy-Balaton were the only two qualifying teams to meet during the regular season. Minneota won that game 38-14. 3-Tracy-Milroy-Balaton (10-1) vs. 4-Minneapolis North Community (10-0), 11 a.m. on Oct. 31 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter: The No. 7-ranked Panthers of Tracy-Milroy-Balaton are making their second overall appearance and first since 2013. Tracy also made an appearance in 1984. Minneapolis North Community looks to improve on its semifinal loss last year. It is the second consecutive and fifth overall appearance for the Polars, who enter the tournament ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll. 7-Braham (10-0) vs. 8-Mahnomen (10-0) 4 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Bemidji State University: Braham returns for its third consecutive and seventh overall appearance. The Bombers, who lost in the semifinals in 2014, were ranked No. 3 in this year s final AP poll. Braham made one additional appearance with Grace Christian in 2004 and is still looking for its first championship. Mahnomen makes its sixth consecutive and 24th overall appearance, after losing in the quarterfinals last year. The Indians were the No. 2-ranked team in the final AP poll. Mahnomen claimed titles in 1980, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2012 and 2013. 1-Goodhue (8-3) vs. 2-Bethlehem Academy (10-1), 5 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Rochester Community & Technical College: The unranked Wildcats of Goodhue return to tournament play for the first time since 2010. Champions in 2003 and 2007, Goodhue is making its ninth overall appearance. Bethlehem Academy closed the season ranked No. 8 in the final AP poll. This is the third overall appearance for the Cardinals, which is a co-op of Bethlehem Academy in Faribault and Ellendson Home School of Faribault. Bethlehem Academy made its last appearance was in 2013. 5-Minneota (11-0) vs. 6-Browerville (10-0), 1 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Alexandria High School: The No. 1-ranked Vikings of Minneota look to defend their 2014 Class A title. They also won championships in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 2009. Minneota is making its second consecutive and 12th overall appearance; it made one additional appearance as a co-op with Lincoln HI of Ivanhoe in 2013. Browerville enters the tournament in search of its first title. The Tigers, ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll, are making their 10th overall appearance and first since 2012. Browerville includes students from Lafreniere Home School of Long Prairie, Sanders Home School of Long Prairie, and Eagle Valley of Clarissa. Class AA Quarterfinal Highlights Four of the qualifying teams from 2014 return: Blue Earth Area, Caledonia, Moose Lake/Willow River and Pipestone Area. Three of the teams boast perfect records. 3-Pipestone Area (11-0) vs. 4-Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (4-7), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at New Prague High School: The No. 2-ranked Arrows of Pipestone Area are making their second consecutive and overall appearance under this name. Last year, the Arrows lost in the semifinals. They made two previous appearances as Pipestone in 1977 and 1980. Pipestone Area defeated Blue Earth Area 35-0 during the regular season. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted is making its first-ever tournament appearance. The Lakers finished the season unranked in the final AP poll and did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. 7-Moose Lake/Willow River (8-3) vs. 8-United North Central (8-2), noon on Oct. 31 at Brainerd High School: The Rebels of Moose Lake/Willow River, who were unranked in the final AP poll, are making their 10th consecutive and 11th overall appearance. Moose Lake also made one appearance in 1977. Moose Lake/Willow River lost in the quarterfinals last year and has never won a state championship. The Rebels did not play any other qualifiers during the regular season. Unranked United North Central is a co-op of Menahga and Sebeka. The Warriors are making their first-ever appearance. United North Central lost to Ottertail Central 45-7 in regular-season play. 1-Caledonia (11-0) vs. 2-Blue Earth Area (7-4), 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Rochester Community & Technical College: The top-ranked Caledonia Warriors are looking for their seventh championship, after
losing in the semifinals in 2014. It is their second consecutive and 11th overall appearance. The Warriors won previously in 1976, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Caledonia did not face any other qualifiers during regular-season play. Blue Earth Area enters the tournament unranked, making its second consecutive and sixth overall appearance. The Buccaneers lost in the Class AAA quarterfinals in 2014 and claimed their only title in 2012. Blue Earth also made one tournament appearance in 1972. During the regular season, the Buccaneers lost to Pipestone Area 35-0. 5-Minnewaska Area, Glenwood (9-1) vs. 6-Ottertail Central (10-0), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Alexandria High School: Minnewaska Area returns for the first time since 2000 to make its third overall tournament appearance. The Lakers were ranked No. 7 in the final AP poll and did not face any other qualifiers during the regular season. Battle Lake and Henning combine forces as a co-op for their sixth overall appearance as Ottertail Central. The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs won their regular-season meeting with United North Central 45-7. Battle Lake has appeared six times and won titles in 1974 and 1977; Henning made two previous tournament appearances in 1972 and 1973. Class AAA Quarterfinal Highlights Three teams return from the 2014 field: St. Croix Lutheran of West St. Paul, Dilworth-Glyndon- Felton, and Pierz. All of the teams have previous tournament experience and Pierz boasts the only perfect record. Tri-City United of Montgomery and Belle Plaine were the only teams to meet during regular-season play and Tri-City United won that contest 25-13. 3-Jackson County Central (8-2) vs. 4 St. Croix Lutheran, West St. Paul (7-3), 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter: Jackson County Central is making its sixth appearance under this name, but first since 2001. The Huskies also made two additional appearances as Jackson in 1985 and 1989. Overall, the Huskies have earned two championships one in 1985 and one in 2001. This year s Jackson County Central squad tied for No. 9 in the final AP poll. Unranked St. Croix Lutheran is making its fifth consecutive and sixth overall appearance. The Crusaders fell in the quarterfinals in 2014 but won two previous titles in 2011 and 2013. 7-Proctor (7-3) vs. 8 Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (9-1), 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Brainerd High School: Unranked Proctor returns to the tournament after a one-year absence to make its eighth appearance. The No. 2-ranked Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels return for their third consecutive and fourth overall appearance. Dilworth made two appearances in 1988 and 1989, and Glyndon-Felton made three consecutive appearances between 1983 and 1985. Glyndon-Felton also claimed a title in 1985. The Rebels bowed out in the quarterfinals of the 2014 tournament. Neither team has won a state title. 1-Tri-City United, Montgomery (9-1) vs. 2-Belle Plaine (9-2), 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Lakeville North High School: Tri-City United, which includes the communities of Montgomery, Lonsdale, and LeCenter, is making its first appearance under this name. Montgomery-Lonsdale made one additional appearance in 1981 and LeCenter made four additional appearances between 1982 and 1999. LeCenter also won a championship in 1982. Tri-City United tied for No. 3 in this year s final AP poll. Belle Plaine, which includes students from Holy Family Academy of Belle Plaine, is making its fourth appearance. The Tigers, who were No. 7 in this year s final poll, made their last appearance in 1993. Belle Plaine is still looking for its elusive first title. 5-Pierz (10-0) vs. 6-Albany (9-1), 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 at St. Cloud State University: The Pioneers of Pierz return to make their third consecutive and 11th appearance overall appearance. The Pioneers, who lost in the semifinals last year, were ranked No. 1 in this year s final AP poll. Pierz won one previous title in 2004. The Albany Huskies, who tied for No. 3 in the final poll, return for their 20th appearance. They made their last appearance in 2010 and won previous championships in 1989 and 1997. Class AAAA Quarterfinal Highlights Four of last year s qualifying teams return: the defending champions from Becker, South St. Paul, Rocori of Cold Spring, and Stewartville. All of the teams have previous tournament experience and three boast unblemished records. None of the qualifying teams met during the regular season.
3-South St. Paul (9-1) vs. 4-Fridley (8-2), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Macalester College, St. Paul: South St. Paul, which was ranked No. 5 in the final poll, returns for its third consecutive and sixth overall appearance. The Packers bowed out in the quarterfinals last year and are still looking for their first championship. The unranked Fridley Tigers are making their fourth appearance, but first since 1990. They also won their only championship in 1990. This year s team includes students from Calvin Christian High School in Fridley. 7-Hermantown (10-0) vs. 8-Rocori, Cold Spring (8-3), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Brainerd High School: The Hawks of Hermantown return for their sixth appearance, but first since 2003. The Hawks were ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll and are still looking for their elusive first title. The unranked Rocori Spartans return for their second consecutive appearance and their seventh overall. They fell in the quarterfinals of the 2014 tournament and are in the hunt for their second championship. They won their first in 2011. 1-Stewartville (10-0) vs. 2-Marshall (9-1), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Farmington High School: The Tigers of Stewartville are making their second consecutive appearance and their fifth overall. The Stewartville Tigers, who were No. 2 in this year s final AP poll, fell in the semifinals in 2014. The Tigers of Marshall, who were ranked No. 8 in the final poll, are making their second appearance. They made their only other appearance in 1991. Neither team has won a state title. 5-Benilde-St. Margaret s, St. Louis Park (5-5) vs. 6-Becker (10-0), 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Osseo High School: The unranked Red Knights of Benilde-St. Margaret s are making their second appearance as a single school; they made their first in 1987. Benilde-St. Margaret s made one additional appearance as a co-op with Groves Academy of St. Louis Park in 2006. If the Red Knights win, it would be their first title. The No. 1-ranked Becker Bulldogs return to defend their 2014 title. They are making their second consecutive and 15th overall appearance. In addition to last year, the Bulldogs also claimed a title in 2005. Class AAAAA Quarterfinal Highlights The defending champions from Mankato West are one of three returning teams from the 2014 field. The other two teams are Spring Lake Park and St. Michael-Albertville. Three teams have perfect records and all of them have previous tournament experience. 3-St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights (9-1) vs. 4-North, North St. Paul (8-2), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Woodbury High School: These teams met in late August and St. Thomas Academy won 35-14. The Cadets of St. Thomas Academy return for their 22nd appearance, but first since 2012. They were ranked No. 5 in this year s final AP poll and are in the hunt for their second title. They claimed their first in 1975. The North Polars, who were not ranked in the final AP poll, return for their second appearance. They made their last appearance in 1998 and are still looking for their first title. Neither team faced any other qualifiers during the regular season. 7-Andover (6-4) vs. 8-Moorhead (10-0), 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at St. Cloud State University: The Huskies of Andover, who were not ranked in the final poll, return for their third appearance. They made their last in 2013. Andover has never won a state title and did not face any other qualifiers this year. The No. 2-ranked Moorhead Spuds are making their 15th appearance. They made their last appearance in 2012 and are looking for their second title. They won their only other championship in 1987. During regular-season play, Moorhead defeated St. Michael-Albertville 26-16. 1-Rochester John Marshall (8-3) vs. 2-Mankato West (10-0), 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Lakeville North High School: These teams met in early September with Mankato West winning 24-14. The unranked Rochester John Marshall Rockets are making their 13th appearance; their last was in 2004. The Rockets won two previous titles in 1973 and 1974. The defending champion Mankato West Scarlets return to make their second consecutive appearance and their 10th overall. The Scarlets were No. 1 in the final AP poll and are looking for fifth championship. In addition to last year, they also won in 1999, 2002, and 2008. Neither team faced any other qualifiers this season. 5-Spring Lake Park (10-0) vs. 6-St. Michael-Albertville (9-1), 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Osseo High School: The Panthers of Spring Lake Park, who were ranked No. 3 in the final poll, return for their second consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They fell in the semifinals in 2014. If the Panthers
win, it would be their second title. They won their first in 1991. Spring Lake Park did not face any other qualifiers this year. The Knights of St. Michael-Albertville, who have never won a state title, return for their third consecutive and eighth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals in 2014 and came in at No. 4 in this year s final AP poll. During regular-season play, St. Michael-Albertville lost to Moorhead 26-16. Class AAAAAA Quarterfinal Highlights This is the first year that a 32-team, single-elimination bracket was created for Class AAAAAA. The four Class AAAAAA sections seeded the eight teams in their section. After that seeding was determined, a random draw was conducted to select one of six pre-determined brackets. The seeds from each original section were then placed in the pre-determined bracket. The top four teams in each section then hosted first-round games on Oct. 16. A second round of games was played at the high seed on Friday, Oct. 23. The winners of the second-round games then advanced to what are considered the quarterfinals of the state tournament. The three-time defending champions from Eden Prairie lead this year s contenders. Four additional teams also return from the 2014 field; Lakeville North, Totino-Grace of Fridley, East Ridge of Woodbury, and Maple Grove. All of the teams have previous experience and Eden Prairie has the only perfect record. Lakeville North (9-1) vs. Osseo (7-3), 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Eden Prairie High School: The Panthers of Lakeville North, who were No. 4 in the final AP poll, are making their fifth consecutive and seventh overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals in 2014 and have never won a state title. During the regular season, Lakeville North defeated East Ridge 21-7 and Burnsville 29-18. The unranked Orioles of Osseo return to make their second appearance as a co-op with Maranatha Christian Academy of Brooklyn Park. They made their first appearance in 2013. Osseo also made seven additional appearances as a single school between 1982 and 1993. The Orioles have never won a state title. Eden Prairie (10-0) vs. Totino-Grace, Fridley (8-2), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Osseo High School: This is the third time these two teams have faced each other in the past year. They met in last year s Prep Bowl final with Eden Prairie winning 28-27. They also met in the season-opener this year with Eden Prairie winning 38-20. The three-time defending champions from Eden Prairie are making their 11th consecutive and 19th overall appearance. They were the top-ranked team in this year s final AP poll and also won titles in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2011. In addition to Totino-Grace, the Eagles also defeated Maple Grove 28-20 and Wayzata 33-13 during the regular season. Totino-Grace, which claimed runner-up honors last year, was ranked No. 7 in this year s final poll. The Eagles are making their seventh consecutive and 25th overall appearance. The Eagles won previous championships in 1977, 1978, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Totino-Grace also faced Osseo this year, winning 35-14. East Ridge, Woodbury (9-1) vs. Wayzata (8-2), 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Edina High School: East Ridge is making its second consecutive and overall appearance. The Raptors fell in the quarterfinals last year and tied for No. 2 on this year s final AP poll. During the regular season, the Raptors lost to Lakeville North 21-7. The Trojans of Wayzata return to the tournament after a two-year absence. This is their 13th appearance and they were ranked No. 8 in this year s final AP poll. If the Trojans win, it would be their fourth title; they won previously in 2005, 2008, and 2010. During the regular season, Wayzata lost to Maple Grove 24-6 and Eden Prairie 33-13. Maple Grove (8-2) vs. Burnsville (9-1), 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Hopkins High School: The Maple Grove Crimson, who were ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll, return for their third consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They lost in the semifinals in 2014. During regular-season play, the Crimson defeated Wayzata 24-6 and lost to Osseo 22-15 and Eden Prairie 28-20. Maple Grove is still looking for its first championship. The Burnsville Blaze return for their 12th appearance, but first since 1995. They tied for No. 2 in this year s final AP poll and won previous titles in 1980, 1985, 1989, and 1991. During regular-season play, Burnsville lost to Lakeville North 29-18. 30
Tournament results will be posted on the League s website www.mshsl.org. ATTENTION RADIO STATIONS: Since the semifinals are primarily at high schools, stations should plan on using cell phones. At TCF Bank Stadium for the Prep Bowl, complimentary telephone lines will be available. However, if ISDN or Internet lines are required, advance arrangements must be made.