PREP BOWL: Eden Prairie, CGB, Caledonia, Hutchinson win titles
Eden Prairie (10-2) beat Lakeville North (11-1) 28-7 Friday night in the class 6A final on the first day of the Prep Bowl, the annual two-day, seven-game high school football state championships at the Metrodome.
The Eagles won their eighth big-school championship under coach Mike Grant, considered a top candidate for the St. John's University coaching job left vacant by legend John Gagliardi, who retired after 60 years leading the team, the Pioneer Press reports.
In the 9-man final, both teams were scoreless in the first quarter in the matchup between Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Grand Meadow. Then the C-G-B Wolverines exploded for six touchdowns and beat the Superlarks 40-22, the Star Tribune reports.
In the 2A final of unbeaten teams, Caledonia (12-0) slipped by Moose Lake-Willow River (13-0), 25-22, on a field goal as time expired. That makes three in a row for Caledonia.
In the 4A final, Hutchinson crushed Holy Family Catholic 67-7, a similar game to the 60-7 Hutchinson win from earlier in the regular season. The 67 points were the second-most in a Prep Bowl, the Star Tribune noted.
About 25,000 to 30,000 fans flock to the Metrodome for the two-day tournament, KSTP reports.
Saturday's games:
1A: Bethlehem Academy (11-2) vs. Mahnomen (13-0) at 10 a.m.
3A: Blue Earth (12-0) vs. Rochester Lourdes (13-0) at 1 p.m.
5A: Owatonna (12-0) vs. Totino-Grace (12-0) at 4 p.m.
