The 2009 football postseason moves into the semifinal round and into the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Action takes place Friday and Saturday with games being played all day and through the evening. Here is a look at some news, notes and developments heading into semifinal action:
FIRST AND FIVE
1. MR. FOOTBALL FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: The 10 finalists for the 2009 Mr. Football Award have been announced. Those finalists are: Beau Allen, Minnetonka (NG/FB), Joel Bauman, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg (RB/LB), Jacob Brusehaver, Hutchinson (RB/LB), John Crockett, Totino-Grace (RB), Seantrel Henderson, Cretin-Derham Hall (OL/DL), Ben Henson, Buffalo (OT/NG), Brandon Marquardt, Champlin Park (RB), Ryan Tri, Eden Valley-Watkins, (WR/CB/Return specialist), Zach Vraa, Rosemount (WR), Zach Zenner, Eagan (multiple positions).
The winner will be named at the Mr. Football banquet on Dec. 6.
2. EDEN VALLEY WATKINS WINNING: Ryan Tri of Eden Valley Watkins is a Mr. Football finalist, and he leads the undefeated (12-0) Eagles into the state semifinals against Waterville-Elysian Morristown (11-1) Saturday at 5:45 p.m. Tri does a little bit of everything, and helped the Eagles defeat Pierz 41-7 in the opening round of the state tournament. Other EVW offensive weapons include quarterback Tyler Geislinger, who has thrown over 25 touchdowns, and running back Ryan McCann has rushed for over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns
3. YO ADRIAN!: Adrian moved into the Class 1A state semifinals with a 27-21 win over St. Bernard's. Adrian (10-2) plays undefeated Fosston (12-0) Friday at 10:15 a.m. Quarterback Brett Nowotny led Adrian in the win over the Bulldogs, throwing a touchdown pass and rushing for two touchdowns, including the game-tying and eventual game-winner in overtime.
4. MORE FOR SEANTREL HENDERSON: The career of the nation's No. 1 high school football recruit, Cretin-Derham Hall offensive lineman (and defensive lineman of late) Seantrel Henderson moved to the state semifinals as Cretin defeated Eastview 27-24. Cretin (10-1) faces Brainerd (8-3) Friday at 8:15 p.m. In the win over Eastview, quarterback Mark Alt, who has committed to the Minnesota Gophers hockey team yet is being recruited by numerous Division I schools for football, completed 19 of 30 passes for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns.
5. ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR STOLSKI?: Brainerd head coach Ron Stolski is the all-time winningest football coach in Minnesota high school football history. He has coached for 46 years and with each win, he adds to the record. Heading into the state semifinals Stolski has a career record of 301-141-5. In 2005 Stolski was named the American Football Coaches Association Power of Influence Recipient, the equivalent of being named the national high school coach of the year.
THREE TO WATCH
1. Will Ratelle, St. Thomas Academy: The offensive playmakers aren't the only newsmakers, and Ratelle is proof of that. Ratelle had a whopping 24 tackles in STA's 20-15 Class 4A state quarterfinal win over Mahtomedi last week. St. Thomas (11-0) plays Sartell-St. Stephen (12-0) Friday in a matchup of unbeaten teams.
2. Kyle Crocker, Brainerd: While Seantrel Henderson is considered Minnesota's best football player, Crocker is considered one of Minnesota's top baseball players. An all-around athlete, Crocker will play a key role for the Brainerd football team in its game against Cretin-Derham Hall Friday. Crocker is a special teams threat as a return man, and excels both as a wide receiver and defensive back for Ron Stolski's team. Crocker, meanwhile, has signed with the University of Minnesota to play baseball.
3. Glencoe-Silver Lake: GSL won a close won in the quarterfinals, 6-3 over DeLaSalle - a team it defeated in the past two Prep Bowls - and is driving to its fourth straight state title. Can anyone score on this team? Mora (10-2) gets the next chance to knock off the defending state champs, Friday afternoon in the 3A semi-finals.
TWO HOT TOO HANDLE
1. John Crockett, Totino-Grace: Crockett ran 8 times for 115 yards and a touchdown in Totino-Grace's 56-14 win over Rogers in the 4A state quarterfinals Friday. Crockett has ran for 28 touchdowns and nearly 1,500 yards on the season heading into Saturday's semi-final game against defending state champion Mankato West.
2. J.D. Pride, Totino-Grace: Pride didn't have to do a lot, but when he did, he did it well. The University of Minnesota signee threw only 8 passes, but completed 6, for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran in two more for touchdowns in the Eagles' win over Rogers.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
296 - The yards St. Bernard's quarterback Dan Hartmann passed for in that quarterfinal loss to Adrian. Hartmann completed 23 of 33 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns.
45 - The number of total wins for the 4 remaining teams in Class 4A (St. Thomas, Sartell-St. Stephens, Mankato West and Totino Grace).
6 - The number of consecutive years Eden Valley Watkins has made the state high school football tournament.
0 - The number of combined losses for the 4 teams remaining in Class 4A. That's right - all four teams are undefeated - the only class in the state that can boast that accomplishment.
