Blossoms win big to get No. 2 seed
Published 11:50 pm Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Blooming Prairie's Cooper Nelson turns to run after a reception in the second quarter Wednesday night against St. Clair in Blooming Prairie. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BLOOMING PRAIRIE – The Awesome Blossoms (6-2 overall) also locked down the No. 2 seed in Section 1A after Goodhue defeated Winona Cotter to secure the No. 1 seed.
“They went out and executed,” coach Chad Gimbel said. “We tried some things a little different in the second and third quarters that would get us ready for the postseason.”
Blooming Prairie running back Joh Kraling pushes his way into the endzone for the Blossom's first score against St. Clair Wednesday night in Blooming Prairie. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Blossoms scored on three straight possessions to take a 21-0 lead over the Cyclones in the first quarter and doubled that score by halftime for a 42-0 lead.
Quarterback Luc Zellmer was 8-for-14 for 160 yards and four touchdowns, three times finding Gabe Kartes and connecting for a fourth with Dylan Hatch.
If the Blossoms weren’t throwing for points they were running for points. Jon Kraling scored on two seperate three-yard plunges and racked up 109 yards on the ground. A third rushing touchdown was added by Kyle Novitski in the second quarter who fumbled the ball and then pounced on it again to complete the score.
Defensively, Blooming Prairie stifled the Cyclones and their counter offense.
“That counter is tough,” Gimbel said. “A lot of teams have trouble with it, but we did a good job in stopping it.”
“Our linebackers filled like they’re supposed to and our line shot the gaps,” linebacker Ryan McCabe said. “We only had two days of practice, but we were as prepared as we could be in those two days.
“When we get up by alot we like to keep that goose-egg up, so when the B-team came in, they showed a lot of pride.”
Blooming Prairie’s first score came quickly on the heals of an attempted on-side kick by St. Clair on their opening kick of the game. The Blossoms recovered and scored just moments later on Kraling’s first running touchdown.
After a quick three and out by St. Clair Blooming Prairie quickly drove down the field in what ended with Zellmer finding Kartes from 21 yards out. The two connected up again at the 5:38 mark of the quarter on a seven-yard swing pass and the Blossoms were off to the races.
Blooming Prairie's Luc Zellmer rolls out to throw during the second quarter Wednesday night against St. Clair in Blooming Prairie. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Kartes finished the game with 102 yards receiving.
BP will host Wabasha-Kellogg Tuesday night in the first round of the section playoffs in Blooming Prairie.
STATS
St. Clair 0 0 0 0 — 0
BP 21 21 7 0 — 49
Individual
Passing: Luc Zellmer — 8 for 14, 60 yards two interceptions; Receiving: Gabe Kartes — 102 yards; Rushing: Jon Kraling, 109 yards; Gabe Kartes, 99. Tackles: Alex Fieberger, 7; Pat Jones, 6.5; Jon Kraling, 5.5.
Team
Total yards: 447; Passing yards: 160; Rushing yards: 287; Receiving yards: 160.
Scoring
First quarter
Blooming Prairie's Gabe Kartes heads down the sideline on a carry in the first quarter against St. Clair Wednesday night in Blooming Prairie. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
(BP) 10:08 — Jon Kraling, three yard run.
(BP) 7: 27 — Luc Zellmer, 21 yard pass to Dylan Hatch.
(BP) 5:38 — Zellmer, seven-yard pass to Gabe Kartes.
Second quarter
(BP) 10:18 — Zellmer, 53 yard pass to Kartes.
(BP) 9:02 — Kyle Novitski, five-yard run.
(BP) 5:57 – Zellmer, 27 yard pass to Kartes.
Third quarter
(BP) 6:33 — Kraling, three yard run.
Fourth quarter
No scoring
