Prep Bowl: 7 Titles in 33 Hours
Over the course of a-day-and-a-half, seven high school football teams will hoist a championship trophy at US Bank Stadium Friday and Saturday. Two teams are trying to repeat as champs, several have won a title in the past, and a handful are getting their first opportunity in the Prep Bowl.
The flurry of footballs begins Friday, November 29 with Blooming Prairie (12-0) in their first Prep Bowl against BOLD (Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian District) (13-0). BOLD won back-to-back titles in the early 90's and have finished as the runner-up four times including last year. The game will be heard on Kat Kountry 105 FM and the Kat Kountry app. Pregame starts at 9:15 am. Kick off is shortly after 10 am.
Caledonia (13-0) is riding a 67-game winning streak which includes the last four Class AA titles. Overall, the Warriors have won a championship nine times. Their opponent for the scheduled 1:00 pm kick off is Minneapolis North (12-0) who played in the finals in 2015 and 2016, winning the Prep Bowl in the latter year.
SMB (St. Paul Academy/Minnehaha Academy/Blake) (12-0) is back to defend their Class AAAA title on 2018. The Wolfpack faces Rocori (10-2) who won a title in 2011. Kick off is around 4 pm. SMB is led by Mr. Football finalist and likely future Division I basketball player Jalen Suggs.
The nightcap Friday is the Class 6A game at 7 pm. Champlin Park (10-1) is a two-time runner-up. Wayzata (12-0) has won the title three times, most recently in 2010.
Saturday, November 30 opens with the nine-man game where a first-time champ will prevail. Hancock is in the Prep Bowl for the first time. Mountain Lake Area (13-0) has finished second twice. Kick off is just past 10 am.
Dassel-Cokato (10-3) is in the finals for the first time. Their Class AAA opponent Pierz (13-0) won championships in 2004 and 2015. They were the runner-up two years ago. Game time is roughly 1 pm.
The final game is the Class 5A Prep Bowl between Chaska (11-1) and St. Thomas Academy (11-1). The Hawks were state runner-up in 1974. The Cadets won the title in 1975 and have finished second four times since, including last year to Owatonna. STA is in their 24th appearance at the state football tournament The Hawks beat the Cadets 20-0 during the regular season.
Go to the Minnesota State High School League website to order your tickets in advance. A ticket is good for the entire schedule for each day.