Caledonia, Rushford-Peterson, Winona all looking to get to state title

Caledonia looking for win No. 27 in a row

It’s been 29 years since Winona Senior High School’s football team has been to the state tournament.

After, not just beating the No. 1-ranked team in the Class 4A state opener, but shutting it out 24-0 at East Ridge High School, the Winhawks (10-1) now move on to the big stadium.

“We’re going to get there early, look around, try to get that, ‘Oh my gosh, this is where the Vikings play. This is a big stadium. This is really cool,'” Winona coach John Cassellius said. “Give them an opportunity for that to sink in and then give them time to focus in.”

At 4:30 p.m. today, Winona, which ended the regular season ranked No. 6 in the class, takes on unranked Rocori (9-3) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Rocori defeated unranked Orono 30-7 in the quarterfinals.

The Winhawks have given up just 11.2 points per game, while the Spartans’ offense averages 25.4 points.

Winona’s offense averages 30.4 points, while Rocori gives up 14.8.

Statistically, heading into the quarterfinals, Rocori quarterback Connor Schoborg was 109-for-157 for 1,283 yards with 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

“They run multiple formations,” Cassellius said. “They have three backs that all do a really nice job. They have a 6-8 wide receiver who is going to Bemidji State to play basketball.

“And they’re team’s been to the state tournament a handful of times in the last five years.”

That receiver coach is talking about is Derek Thompson, who has 55 catches for 790 yards and 12 touchdowns. Matthew Koshiol leads the team in rushing with 790 yards on 138 carries and four touchdowns. Running back Nick Warne has eight touchdowns on 101 carries for 457 yards.

CLASS 2A
CALEDONIA (12-0) vs. BARNESVILLE (12-0)

It’s a battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 at 11:30 a.m. today, as the defending state champion Warriors try to get back to the state title game.

Caledonia is looking for its 27th consecutive win. You can listen to the game live online on Classic Hits 94.7 (click here), beginning at 11:15 a.m. The Warriors have won state six times dating back to 2007.

Barnesville averages 42.3 points offensively and gives up 16 a game. Caledonia, which has outscored opponents 186-22 in the state playoffs this season and last, averages 45.1 points and gives up just 10.2 a game.

Offensively, the Trojans headed into the state playoffs led by running back Brady Tweeton, who had 1,593 yards on 132 carries with 24 touchdowns. They also have running backs with 713 and 635 yards.

Caledonia quarterback Owen King headed into the state playoffs 133-for-217 for 2,084 yards with 34 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Running back Ben McCabe has 1,259 yards on 170 carries with 17 touchdowns.

McCabe rushed 25 times for 212 yards, including touchdown runs of 42, 2 and 31 yards in the quarterfinal win, while King was 19-for-25 for 256 yards with four touchdown passes and one interception.

CLASS 1A SATURDAY’S GAME
RUSHFORD-PETERSON (11-2) vs. BROWERVILLE-EAGLE VALLEY (8-3)

At 9 a.m. Saturday, ninth-ranked R-P looks to get back to the state title game for the first time since winning it all back in 2006. 

Last week, Browerville-Eagle Valley defeated sixth-ranked Mahnomen 40-28 in the quarterfinals. The team did not provide stats heading into state, like every other high school.

For R-P last week, running back Noah Carlson (right, photo by TheMediaOX) had 265 yards and five touchdowns on 36 carries, giving him over 2,100 yards on the season. That makes him the 31st player in Minnesota to ever do that.

The Trojans hadn’t been to state since 2008 when it was under coach Jim Reinhardt. During his tenure, they won state titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and finished runners-up in 1989, 1997, 1999. Before consolidation with Peterson, Rushford won a state title, as well, back in 1988.