CHAMPS - 7 teams achieve a dream

18

December 2, 2021

www.letsplayfootballmn.com

Let’s Play Football

Prep Bowl 9-Man: LeRoy-Ostrander 58, Fertile-Beltrami 8

LeRoy-Ostrander brings it home

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Section 1 in 9-man football has become a state tournament in itself.

Seven of the last 9-man state titles have come from that section. But LeRoy-Ostrander was not one of them, until now.

The Cardinals defeated Fertile-Beltrami handily in the 9-man Prep Bowl, bringing yet another title home for Section 1.

“It’s a very strong section,” said LeRoy-Ostrander Head Coach Trevor Carrier. “Every Friday night you have to bring it.”

That preparation and competition helped the Cardinals reach the Prep Bowl. They saw much improve-

ment after early losses to section rivals Lanesboro and Grand Meadow.

But they avenged those losses with wins during section playoffs, defeating Grand Meadow 39-34 in the semifinals and Lanesboro 30-6 in the finals.

Come state tourney time things became a bit easier. The Cardinals put up 57 against Wheaton-Herman-Norcross in a 57-26 win, and followed up with a 49-0 shutout against Kittson County Central.

But the Cardinals success didn’t come without changes. Early on they lost their starting running back to an injury, which led to Coach Carrier pulling Tanner Olson off the line and into the backfield. It proved to be a great decision.

“He stepped up big,” said Carrier.

“And in the playoffs he became a monster.”

Of course, the Cardinals had Chase Johnson, their senior quarterback who ran the option with Olson to near perfection. Johnson set a Prep Bowl record for total yards in their 58-8 win.

“Chase’s athleticism is off the charts,” said Carrier. “His passing game has developed and he has managed our offense extremely well.”

Johnson racked up 412 yards, 272 of them on the ground and 140 in the air. Just 5’6”, Johnson played larger than life when it mattered most. On the season he was part of 60 touchdowns and ran for 2,800 yards while passing for more than 1,600.

“Everyone puts a game plan together to stop Chase, but he always finds a way,” said Carrier.

Johnson’s was part of five touchdowns in the Prep Bowl win. He doesn’t just do it on the field. He is No. 1 in his class and his coach says he is as humble as the day is long.

“He’s a great kid,” said Carrier.

“Always positive.”

Tkhe Cardinals had 557 total yards in the 58-8 win.

It is LeRoy-Ostrander’s first title.

Carrier said the community support was incredible.

“It’s been phenomenal.” Carrier said. “Everyone was on our side.”