AN EYE FOR THE END ZONE as Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley junior running back Nate Vogt carries the ball in their semi-final game against Kittson County Central last Saturday at the Metrodome. Vogt scored the only touchdown in the game for the Wolverines as they defeated the Bearcats 8-7. The Wolverines will play the Houston Hurricanes on Friday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. in the Metrodome for the State 9-Man Championship. (Photo courtesy of Denese Gustafson-Northern Star.)
CGB Wolverines to play for State 9-Man Championship
The Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (13- 0) Wolverines displayed a tough, defense, forcing the Bearcats of Kittson County Central (10-2) into six turnovers and then held on to an 8-7 victory and the right to meet the Houston Hurricanes in the Prep Bowl on Friday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m.
The Bearcats were their own worst enemy, fumbling the ball six times and losing four, and having two passes intercepted. When not giving up the ball up, the Bearcats averaged 5.1 yards per offensive play, twice that of the winning Wolverines (2.5).
Kittson County Central’s only score came in the first quarter when Dylan Kent hit Trevor Austin on a 55 yard pass play for a touchdown. The extra point was good and the Bearcats held the early lead at 7-0.
After halftime, Kittson County Central got across mid-field into Wolverines territory only once, to the 49-yard line, before losing the ball on a fumble. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley did retain the ball with five drives of six plays or more.
The drive that resulted in the only Wolverines touchdown went only 47 yards but took 14 plays. Junior Nate Vogt ran the ball in from one yard out at 8:20 of the second quarter for the Wolverine touchdown. CGB then went for the two point conversion where Zach McNally hit Colter Combellick in the end zone for the conversion and took the lead at 8-7 which would end up being the final score.
For the game the Wolverines had the ball for 33:02, versus only 14:58 for the Bearcats. The Wolverines’ Zach McNally was a force on both sides of the ball. Defensively he had 10 tackles, forced four fumbles, and sacked Bearcats quarterback Dylan Kent three times.
Levi Nelson was the leading rusher for the Wolverines with 58 yards on 13 carries.
The Wolverines will now face the undefeated Houston Hurricanes (13-0), who defeated Ada-Borup 54-14 in the other semi-final match up. The winner will be the new 9-man State Champions.
Prep Bowl set for Nov. 28-29 at HHH Metrodome
The Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley Wolverines will face the Houston Hurricanes for the 9-Man State Title to start out the Prep Bowl games on Friday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
Other games that Friday will be Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg vs Royalton in Class A at 1 p.m. In Class AA at 4 p.m. Caledonia will face Luverne and at 7 p.m., Blaine will face Wayzata for the Class AAAA Title.
On Saturday, Nov. 29, DeLaSalle will face Glencoe-Silver Lake for the Class AAA Championship at noon, while Northfield will battle Mankato West for the Class AAAA at 3 p.m.
Dan Schmeichel starter for USF Cougar football team
It was a match up of the NAIA Division, #2 ranked University of Sioux Falls Cougars and #4 ranked Morningside College (Iowa) Mustangs last Saturday in Sioux Falls. The winner would not only win the GPAC Conference, but would likely have an easier route to the National Championship game in Rome, GA.
What made the game even that more interesting was the fact Dan Schmeichel, a 2006 graduate of Ortonville High School was the starting strong safety for the Cougars.
Dan played mostly special teams last season as a red-shirt freshman, but according to USF Head Football Coach Kalen DeBoer, the sophomore earned his starting spot with hard work.
“Dan is having a great year for us,” said DeBoer. “He is one of the hardest working kids in the weight room and has turned into a big time player for us.”
Not only does Dan start on defense, he is also on the kick-off team and the punt and punt return teams.
“Our special teams coaches have a great deal of confidence in Dan,” said DeBoer. “He doesn’t want to come off the field. He truly loves to play the game of football.”
Under Coach DeBoer, the Cougars have a 47-3 record and one National Championship.
The game went back and forth with Morningside gaining the early lead. However, the Cougars displayed their potent offense and went on to win the game 34-31.
In the game, Schmeichel lead the Cougar defense with five solo tackles and two assists and also had one pass break up. As was typical during his high school days with OHS, Dan has a nose for the football.
In visiting with Dan at the end of last season, he knew he had to get in the weight room and continue to work hard, something that he has always done. The extra work has payed off according to Coach DeBoer.
“We really count on him to be a leader in the defensive backfield,” said DeBoer. “Dan has had to battle through a thumb injury during the course of the season, but that hasn’t slowed down his play.”
The No. 2-ranked University of Sioux Falls football team will face No. 15 Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) in the first round of the NAIA Football Championship Series, the NAIA announced Sunday. It will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.
The game will be played at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls on Saturday, Nov. 22 beginning at noon at the USF Sanford Health Sports Complex.
The Fighting Bees are the 2008 winners of the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League and will enter the contest with an 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 conference mark.
Saint Ambrose moved up five spots in the 10th and final regular season NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, announced Sunday.
The number one ranked team in the NAIA football rankings are the defending National Champions Carroll College of Montana who are 11-0. The Cougars are not overlooking their next opponents, but they would like the chance for a rematch with the team that defeated them in last years National Championship game 17-9.
