The 2009 Minnesota high school football season is complete, and what a season it was. Six state champions were crowned, and lifelong memories – both exhilarating and heartbreaking – were made over two days at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Here is a look at all six games:
Class 5A: Cretin-Derham Hall 16, Eden Prairie 5
Cretin-Derham Hall’s offense received all the attention this season, but it was the defense that carried the Raiders to the second state championship in school history, and one of the bigger upsets of the Prep Bowl. Cretin’s defense continually stopped Eden Prairie’s run-oriented attack, and the offense did just enough to win. Matt Biagini was one of many standouts for the Raiders defense. He had eight tackles, as did Kevin Hanson. Those with five tackles for the Raiders were Riley Dombek, Willie Roller, James McGuire, Jack Link, Sean Barrett, Joey Schneider and Tyler Hamblin. Jonathan Harden had two tackles for loss.
Seantrel Henderson, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, along with 6-foot-2, 290-pound Shea Walker, were strong on the offensive line and also contributed on the defensive side of things. Henderson had one tackle for a loss and one pass breakup.
Cretin all-state quarterback Mark Alt finished 10-of-19 passing for 216 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Brooks Hitchcock was the big playmaker in this game, catching five passes for 152 yards. Hitchcock scored on a 75-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, then caught a long pass late in the game to help seal the win. He was named the Player of the Game.
For Eden Prairie, sophomore Andrew Larson rushed 15 times for 59 yards. It was the first time in six games that Eden Prairie had lost in the Prep Bowl. 
Seantrel Henderson, right, helped lead Cretin-Derham Hall to the Class 5A title.
File photo by Greg Smith
Class 4A: Totino Grace 45, Sartell-St. Stephen 7
Wow. While the score might surprise people – both teams were undefeated – what is more impressive is just how good John Crockett and Totino Grace were in this game. Crockett – who now has Division I scouts' attention – carried 17 times for 145 yards and four touchdowns. Ashford Kromah ran for 103 yards and a touchdown as TG racked up 338 rushing yards.
Jeremy Klein returned a dropped lateral pass 76 yards to open the scoring for TG, who led 31-0 at halftime. Collin Hustad led TG with seven tackles and Gabe Mezzenga had 4 tackles, one sack and one interception. Josh Kremer led Sartell with 23 carries for 113 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Class 3A: New London-Spicer 28, Glencoe-Silver Lake 21
In what may have been the biggest upset of the season, NLS upset the three-time defending state champions behind 22 fourth-quarter points. It was the first state title for NLS. NLS quarterback Jamie Moten finished the game 14-for-17 for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Aaron Jenny caught five passes for 100 yards, including the game winning touchdown and a pair of two-point conversions, and running back Jake Essler ran for a touchdown in the win.
GSL had only given up 33 points all season before NLS scored 28 points in the Prep Bowl. GLS quarterback Kyler Anderson completed four of eight passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. John Nething led the NLS defense with 9 tackles.
Class AA: Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 33, Moose Lake/Willow River 22
WEM won its second state at the 2009 Prep Bowl. Reid Roemhildt WEM with 19 carries for 138 yards, Roemhildt, Zach Geyer, and Brady Ayers all scored on touchdown runs. WEM quarterback Conrad Masberg completed 4-of-5 for 129 yards and two touchdown passes (68 and 42 yards), both to Jordan Gregor. Michael Unzen led the Rebels with nine rushes for 132 yards and a touchdown. MLWR scored 22 fourth quarter after falling behind 33-0 through three quarters.
Class A: Minneota 42, Adrian 21
Minneota racked up 399 yards of offense to defeat Adrian in 1A action. Minneota quarterback Sam Derynck completed 9-of-11 passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Vikings to its fourth state title. Brandon Anderson led the ground game with 17 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Brendon Kopplow gained ran 13 times for 56 yards and a touchdown in the loss for Adrian.
9-Man: Stephen-Argyle Central 37, Nicollet 22
SAC won its seventh state title, behind 193 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Jamison St. Germain, and 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Evan Schindele. SAC set six Prep Bowl team records with 33 first downs rushing, 34 total first downs, 94 total plays, 88 rushing attempts, 569 rushing yards, and 616 total yards of offense. The Storm gained positive yards from scrimmage on 34 of their first 35 rushing attempts in the game.
Nicollet quarterback Jordan Rudenick completed 12-of-24 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown and Jared Blackwell had 17 tackles, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, and an interception for the Raiders.
