The 2010 Minnesota high school football season kicked off Thursday and Friday last week. Let's get right into the action and some of the top storylines from Week 1:
4A power Totino-Grace (Fridley, Minn.) rolls over 5A power Minnetonka (Minn.)Many fans of high school football often wonder how the schools from the smaller classes would fare against teams from bigger classes. The opening night of the 2010 season provided a classic example of that when defending 4A state champion and top-ranked Totino Grace traveled to play Minnetonka, a traditionally strong 5A program.
Led by the play of quarterback
Alex Kreuser, Totino Grace showed why it's the top team in the state - and why they haven't lost since the early 2008 season - in a 21-0 win over the Skippers. Kreuser didn't put up huge numbers, but was efficient. He passed for two touchdowns and 96 yards and
Tom Laventure added 73 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead the Eagles. Kreuser threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to
Andy Moritko and 21 yards to Nick Frandsen.
Minnetonka head coach and Totino-Grace head coach Jeff Ferguson once coached together. When Nelson was the head coach at Blaine, Ferguson was the defensive coordinator. These two teams - and coaches - will renew their rivalry again next year in a rematch.
Things don't get any easier for Totino-Grace. It faces Benilde-St. Margaret's, the fifth-ranked team in 4A on Friday.
East Ridge (Woodbury) earns first win in school historyIt took exactly one year and one game for the East Ridge football team to get its first win. For the players who suffered through last year’s winless season - and the opening of a new school, the reward was worth the wait. Friday, led by Ezekiel Okeleye's 156 yards and a touchdown, the Raptors earned a 47-27 win over district rival Woodbury. East Ridge went 0-9 last season. Against Woodbury, the Raptors ran for five touchdowns and 291 yards.
South St. Paul (South St. Paul, Minn.)Sura surges for South St. PaulIn a season-opening preview, it was mentioned that one team to watch was South Saint Paul. The Packers were 7-4 last year and head coach Charlie Sexauer's team returned a ton of talent - and size - including a mammoth and experienced offensive line. The person who reaped the rewards of the talented front line was junior Sam Sura, who ran 35 times for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-13 win over Henry Sibley Friday. The win helped the Packers jump into a No. 8 ranking in the Class 4A state poll. The Classic Suburban Conference will be one to watch this season. In addition to the Packers, St. Thomas Academy, a 57-6 winner over Simley, is ranked No. 2 in the state and Mahtomedi is No. 4.
Kline - The Other OneBlaine quarterback
Eric Kline has been making headlines throughout his career and is already at it again this fall. He was his usual self in the season opener, passing for 305 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 93 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-23 win over Anoka.
But there is also another Kline in the Twin Cities to be reckoned with. He plays quarterback too - and plays it well.
His name is Conner Kline, a junior for
Blake (Minneapolis). The Bears lost to St. Croix Lutheran 61-43 Friday, but Kline did his best to bring the team back. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 377 yards and four touchdowns. He also added a short touchdown run in the loss.
Skibness gives team the businessAustin Skibness was a dual threat last week, playing a key role in Ottertail Central's 36-8 win over Upsala/Swanville Area. The senior scored three touchdowns, kicked a 25-yard field goal and added four extra points in the win.
Byron star out for season - backup also hurtThe opening week wasn't full of good memories for every team and player. That includes Byron senior quarterback Kyle Krings. In the midst of an outstanding game, where he had already thrown for 250 yards and three touchdowns - and also caught a touchdown pass, Krings tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the 2010 football season (as well as the 2009-2010 basketball season). Byron won the game 28-6, but lost a leader and one of its best players. Making things worse, backup Brady Fuchs broke some ribs and will be out two games - possibly more.
Got a story idea or some news to share? Was a record broke, or did a player do something beyond expectations? We’d love to hear from you. Email mattkrum@yahoo.com for news related to Minnesota football.
