The Grand Meadow football team finally got back to the state tournament with a 35-7 win over Houston in GM Friday night.

The top-seeded Superlarks (10-1 overall) held Houston to 60 yards on the ground as they controlled the game.

“That was huge and I was really proud of our defense,” GM head coach Gary Sloan said.

The Larks haven’t been to the state tournament since 1997, but they have played in the Section 1 title game six times since 2001.

“It’s been a long time. We hadn’t been able to get over the hump for awhile,” Sloan said.

GM will play Nicollet at RCTC Stadium in Rochester at noon Saturday.

Houston 0 7 0 0 — 7

GM 6 8 8 13 — 35

GM rushing: Michael Gehling, 23-for-109, 3 TD; Caleb Leichtnam, 24-for-106, TD

GM passing: Leichtnam, 4-for-5, 59, TD

GM receiving: Gehling, 4-for-59, TD