The Minnesota Star Tribune
The Minnesota Star Tribune
4 of the seven state title video games are performed Friday. Champions checklist: Orono in 4A, Minneota in 1A.
By Jim Paulsen<\/a>, Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/a>, Marcus Fuller<\/a> and Olivia Hicks<\/a>
The Minnesota Star Tribune
November 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM<\/time>
The Prep Bowl \u2014 seven football state championship games over two days at U.S. Bank Stadium<\/a> \u2014 begins Friday.
You may observe dwell scoring of every sport on Strib Varsity<\/a>. All video games will probably be streamed on Ch. 45<\/a>.
Friday\u2019s schedule<\/b>
Class 1A: Minneota 49, Breckenridge 14. Read the recap<\/a>.
Class 4A: 1 p.m., Orono 21, Kasson-Mantorville 14
Class 2A: 4 p.m., Goodhue<\/a> vs. Jackson County Central<\/a>
Class 6A: 7 p.m., Edina<\/a> vs. Moorhead<\/a>
Defending Class 2A champion Jackson County Central pressured a punt on Goodhue\u2019s opening drive to start Friday\u2019s third Prep Bowl sport. Gophers commit Roman Voss almost ended the possession with an interception, however he quickly obtained his first large play on offense. The Huskies put collectively a six-play, 50-yard drive that was capped by a 24-yard landing run from Voss, who broke a couple of tackles on the sideline. A two-point conversion run from Voss was stopped.
\u2014 Marcus Fuller<\/i>
Two dramatic Class 4A semifinals produced two Prep Bowl entrants with a knack for theatrics, and this time it\u2019s Orono (10-3) overcoming 14 unanswered factors by Kasson-Mantorville (11-2) within the second half with a purpose to stroll away with the Spartans\u2019 first Prep Bowl title.
Up 21-0 at halftime, Orono had outgained Kasson-Mantorville 191 yards to 31 within the first half. Then, after halftime, Kasson-Mantorville clicked, placing up 215 yards to Orono\u2019s 40 and coming away with a key fourth-quarter interception by senior linebacker Kaylub White to arrange a remaining likelihood to tie or pull forward. However the Spartans protection held on when it counted most, forcing a turnover on downs.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
Kasson-Mantorville\u2019s comeback try got here up brief.
Orono sophomore center linebacker Grant Eslinger dragged down Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon on third all the way down to arrange fourth-and-2 on the Orono 31-yard line. Kasson-Mantorville seemed deep, quarterback Grady Babcock peeled proper and tossed a go towards a pack of two KoMets teammates and 4 trailing Orono defenders close to the tip zone. In a crowded fray, the go fell incomplete. That\u2019ll appear to do it, as Orono takes the knee and the KoMets empty their pockets of timeouts with simply over a minute to play.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
Needing to chew a while off the clock, Orono gave the ball to sophomore working again Hudson Hirt, who picked up 13- and 12-yard positive aspects, surpassing the Spartans\u2019 third-quarter yardage in simply two performs.
However a 13-yard sack by KoMets junior linebacker Chase Boelter on a midfield first down stifled a number of the Orono offensive momentum. Then, an interception by senior linebacker Kaylub White set the KoMets up on the Orono 49-yard line with an opportunity to tie or take the lead with three minutes to play.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
In case you tuned out of this one at halftime with Orono up 21-0, it\u2019s time to tune again in. With seven minutes to go, Kasson-Mantorville junior Parker Richards dove into the tip zone for a 1-yard rating, arrange by senior Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon dragging a swarm of Spartans to the tip zone\u2019s doorstep on a 3-yard acquire. Richards, now as much as 104 speeding yards at the moment, additionally needed to convert a fourth-and-1 on the Orono 18-yard line earlier on the drive.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
The KoMets are transferring the ball and, simply as essential, stopping the clock.
After selecting up simply 4 first downs within the first half, the KoMets have transformed 9 right here with over 9 minutes to go within the fourth quarter. Speedy sophomore working again Keymoni Bent discovered the sting for one on a 13-yard acquire, quarterback Grady Babcock related with Camryn Tottingham for a 16-yard go and Parker Richards\u2019 14-yard rush picked up one other.
Kasson-Mantorville has the ball on the Orono 23-yard line on third-and-5 as a timeout is named.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
Fifty-one third-quarter speeding yards from Parker Richards and Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon\u2019s receiving landing, his second of the season, breathes some life into the KoMets\u2019 offense. Their protection was capable of maintain the Spartans scoreless and to simply 17 yards within the third quarter. However Orono has the ball on their very own 46-yard line to begin the fourth because the Spartans look to see out their first Prep Bowl look with a win.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
Kasson-Mantorville broke into the tip zone for the primary time this afternoon after quarterback Grady Babcock dropped again and located do-everything St. Thomas commit Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon for a 38-yard landing go. The drive, ending with simply over two minutes left within the quarter, got here largely from the legs of junior working again Parker Richards, who\u2019s as much as 86 speeding yards on 18 makes an attempt at the moment.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
With Orono seeking to deal one other blow within the remaining minute of the primary half, Kasson-Mantorville junior cornerback Camryn Tottingham got here away with a choose on a deep third-and-12 throw downfield. However the KoMets, beginning on their very own 16-yard line, couldn\u2019t get on the scoreboard, as a substitute buying and selling one other heaving interception to Orono\u2019s Dane Kanwischer that ended the second quarter.
Kasson-Mantorville was capable of come again from a 21-10 halftime deficit in its eventual part championship win over top-ranked Byron weeks in the past, however this one, thus far, has been dominated by Orono. The Spartans have outgained the KoMets 191 yards to 31, with 10 first downs to the KoMets\u2019 4, helped by 5.3 yards per rush and some explosive throws from quarterback Griffin Mauer (3-for-5 for 68 yards via the air).
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
It\u2019s as if Orono\u2019s main receiver, junior Bennett Halverson, has eyes at the back of his head, primarily based on these state event video games. Up the best flank, Halverson twisted and leapt, bringing down a 29-yard go from Griffin Mauer to enter KoMets territory.
Hudson Hirt \u2014 now as much as 47 speeding yards on eight makes an attempt for Orono \u2014 picked up back-to-back first downs and arrange Mauer for his second speeding landing of the sport, this one from 12 yards out. The Spartans have had loads of room speeding, their offensive line doing a stellar job right here with 2:23 to go within the first half.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
If the Class 4A Prep Bowl\u2019s first drive didn\u2019t give Orono a large burst of momentum, the tip of the primary quarter absolutely did.
A deep KoMets go was damaged up by Spartans sophomore Hudson Hirt \u2014 so shut {that a} packed blue sideline of Kasson-Mantorville followers cheered as if the foray into the Orono purple zone was a certain factor, because it seemed like from a distance. Then, Orono\u2019s Simon Vinton swarmed Kasson-Mantorville quarterback Grady Babcock within the KoMets backfield, and a wayward pitch to a KoMets again was recovered by Max Spronk.
From the KoMets 42-yard line, the Spartans whipped up one other scoring drive, as quarterback Griffin Mauer discovered Adrian Licursi for a 37-yard acquire, then rushed in a 1-yard rating.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
Orono senior quarterback Griffin Mauer got here into Friday\u2019s Prep Bowl as certainly one of three Spartans rushers with greater than 500 yards on the bottom this season, with a team-high 598. He picked up one other 41 speeding yards through 5 makes an attempt on Orono\u2019s seven-minute game-opening drive, which ended with a 13-yard speeding landing from senior Dane Kanwischer.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
If the Class 4A Prep Bowl between Kasson-Mantorville (11-1) and Orono (9-3) is half as thrilling as both staff\u2019s state semifinal, followers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium are in for a deal with.
Orono, unranked coming into the event, wanted an extra-lengthy two-point conversion in overtime<\/u><\/a> and, earlier, an unbelievable tipped landing catch by junior receiver Bennett Halverson to avenge a regular-season loss to Marshall in final week\u2019s 15-14 semifinal.
The KoMets, who ended the common season ranked No. 3 of their class, needed to maintain off Grand Rapids\u2019 try at a late comeback of their 16-14 semifinal because the Thunderhawks recovered two onside kicks within the remaining two minutes of the sport.
Each squads run well-balanced offenses and are on the lookout for their program\u2019s first state title. Orono broke via to make its Prep Bowl debut after reaching state 4 occasions previously 5 seasons. Kasson-Mantorville, in the meantime, was the Class 4A runner-up in 2021.
\u2014 Cassidy Hettesheimer<\/i>
Minneota takes house its fourth consecutive Class 1A soccer state title with a 35-point win over Breckenridge.
Led by quarterback Tristen Sussner, the Vikings wrapped arms round one another with grins stretched throughout their faces because the seconds ticked down.
Sussner completed with 112 passing yards and three touchdowns whereas Cowboys quarterback Riley Kappes had 167 passing yards.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Breckenridge\u2019s five-play, 50-yards drive \u2014<\/i> together with two 14-yard rushes from David Erlandson, the sport\u2019s main rusher with 123 yards \u2014 halted when Minneota senior Joey Lacek intercepted Erlandson\u2019s go to return the ball 30 yards.
With slightly below 4 minutes left within the sport, Minneota controls the play with a state championship trophy in sight.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Simply three seconds into the fourth quarter, Breckenridge got here again combating. Operating again David Erlandson\u2019s fast 3-yard go to quarterback Riley Kappes allowed the Cowboys to achieve some traction on Vikings\u2019 turf.
The staff\u2019s landing got here on a five-play, 66-yard drive.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Minneota\u2019s Kellen Bradley made it two consecutive touchdowns because the third quarter got here to an in depth.
The senior\u2019s 25-yard landing run adopted a sequence of first downs by Vikings seniors. Joey Lacek\u2019s 23-yard rush and first down and Easton Johnston\u2019s 18-yard rush and first down occurred on the earlier performs.
As Breckenridge tried to achieve a bonus, Riley Kappes\u2019 41-yard go to Cooper Roberts arrange a 15-yard rush from David Erlandson. The staff accomplished three performs in 60 yards.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Kellen Bradley secured Minneota a fourth landing after Vikings teammate Joey Lacek\u2019s 58-yard rush introduced the staff throughout the purple zone. Lacek\u2019s run was interrupted by Cowboys junior Aiden Sanchez who sprinted after Lacek and stopped what may have been a two-play landing.
In response, Breckenridge quarterback Riley Kappes launched a 41-yard go to Cooper Roberts to carry the staff an eighth first down.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Easton Johnston\u2019s interception and 21-yard return within the second quarter was only a glimpse of what was but to come back.
As quickly because the clock resumed within the third quarter, Johnston snatched a go from Breckenridge quarterback Riley Kappes out of the air and ran. The 67-yard return right into a wide-open endzone allowed the Vikings to inch nearer to a fourth state title with a 28-point lead.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Minneota opened up the second half of the Class 1A state title sport with a 3rd landing. Tristen Sussner\u2019s 23-yard rush into the endzone was arrange by a Breckenridge penalty.
Cowboys junior Aiden Sanchez obtained a face masks penalty on Kellen Bradley, who leads Minneota with 53 speeding yards. The penalty resulted in a 13-yard acquire and first down for the Vikings.
Breckenridge working again David Erlandson leads the sport in speeding yards with 79. Erlandson\u2019s 49-yard run, dodging the reaching fingers of Minneota\u2019s gamers, introduced the Cowboys their seventh first down of the sport.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Because the second quarter ticked down, Minneota stopped Breckenridge\u2019s makes an attempt so as to add extra to the scoreboard.
Cowboys quarterback Riley Kappes threw a go that discovered a Vikings participant as a substitute. Senior Easton Johnston\u2019s interception and 21-yard return prevented Breckenridge from making any additional progress within the first half because the blue and gold staff eyes its fourth consecutive soccer state title and forty sixth consecutive win.
Whereas the Vikings might have began the primary quarter on the again foot, the staff recovered and now leads in first downs (9), speeding yards (61) and passing yards (112) in simply over eight minutes of time possession. In quarter-hour of ball possession, the Cowboys achieved six first downs, 20 speeding yards and 85 passing yards.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
The Vikings did it once more.
On the \u201cOk\u201d in \u201cVikings\u201d painted onto the U.S. Financial institution Stadium area, a huddle of gold helmets surrounded Minneota quarterback Tristen Sussner. A ten-yard rush carried the junior into the endzone to stretch the staff\u2019s lead.
Minneota\u2019s 21-yard, three-play landing drive took simply 40 seconds to finish.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
The Cowboys loved a quick minute of possession earlier than Minneota\u2019s one-play, 44-yard landing put the Vikings on high.
Breckenridge quarterback Riley Kappes\u2019 go didn\u2019t discover the fingers of a participant carrying white and inexperienced, however as a substitute lofted towards sophomore Randy Sorensen\u2019s blue and gold uniform. The interception set the Vikings up for the subsequent play: a flea flicker from quarterback Tristen Sussner to a large open Landon Esping, who bumped into the endzone unopposed. PAT was good to carry Minneota up seven factors.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Trailing by a landing, Minneota entered the second quarter with one thing to show.
Quarterback Tristen Sussner\u2019s 23-yard go to Brock Fier gave the Vikings the primary down lower than a minute into the second quarter and set the staff up for landing success afterward.
Sussner\u2019s 1-yard rush into the endzone accomplished a 10-play, 67-yard drive in simply over 5 minutes.
With simply over six minutes of sport management, Minneota has recorded 59 passing yards and 29 speeding yards. In 9 minutes of possession time, the Cowboys have compiled 49 passing yards and 29 speeding yards.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Breckenridge scored first with simply over a minute left within the first quarter. Quarterback Riley Kappes\u2019 12-yard go discovered Cooper Roberts\u2019 gloves contained in the endzone to present the Cowboys the 7-0 benefit.
Minutes earlier, Aiden Sanchez interrupted Minneota\u2019s possibilities but once more. The junior positioned himself in a chief place to intercept a near-identical go from Vikings quarterback Tristen Sussner to senior Brock Fier.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
The Breckenridge Cowboys gained the toss and maintained management in opening minutes of the primary quarter.
The Cowboys have been solely initially capable of obtain one first down with working again David Erlandson controlling the sport, finishing the staff\u2019s solely first down fewer than two minutes into the primary quarter.
Minneota seemed primed to make one thing occur when quarterback Tristen Sussner launched a go to senior Brock Fier. Fier, carrying No. 35, crouched down and tried to run via Breckenridge\u2019s gamers earlier than shedding the ball. Junior Cowboy Aiden Sanchez snatched up the fumble and put Breckenridge firmly again in management.
Nonetheless, the Cowboys nonetheless solely have seven passing yards to Minneota\u2019s 25.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
The Class 1A championship is upon us right here at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
The Minneota Vikings (12-0) will take the Minnesota Vikings area, led by quarterback Tristen Sussner, in an try to show three consecutive state soccer titles into 4.
However undefeated Breckenridge (13-0) gained\u2019t go down straightforward. Cowboys working again David Erlandson leads the staff in speeding yards, simply shy of two,000, and quarterback Riley Kappes is ready to surpass the 1,500 passing yards mark on this morning\u2019s sport. If the inexperienced and white roster can pull off a win, it will be Breckenridge\u2019s first soccer state title since 1988.
When the stadium doorways opened, rival marching bands started tuning their devices, and followers in blue and inexperienced trickled in for the Friday morning championship sport.
\u2014 Olivia Hicks<\/i>
Jim Paulsen
Reporter
Jim Paulsen is a highschool sports activities reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Cassidy Hettesheimer
Sports activities reporter
Cassidy Hettesheimer is a highschool sports activities reporter on the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Marcus Fuller
Reporter
Marcus Fuller is Strib Varsity's Insider reporter, offering highschool beat protection, options, evaluation and recruiting updates. He's a former longtime Gophers and school sports activities author for the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Olivia Hicks
Strib Varsity Reporter
Olivia Hicks is a reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.
\u00a9 2025 StarTribune. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

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