The Grand Meadow football team has done a lot of winning over the last four years. They’ve won conference titles, section titles and state titles.

In all, GM has won 35 straight games as it looks to capture its third straight Minnesota Class 9-Man state title when it plays Underwood at 10 a.m. on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

To win, so many games in a row the Larks have had to rely on coaching, talent and leadership.

GM has had plenty of good players come through and it seems to be developing new stars every season. After Trenton Blefius graduated from GM’s first state title team, Michael Stejskal moved in at quarterback and never missed a beat. Then Landon Jacobson graduated after last year’s state championship and Christophor Bain and Zach Myhre have helped replace him on both sides of the ball.

This year the Larks were tested even more when standout lineman Blake Benson was lost for the season in the first game of the year. While Benson is still supporting the team from the sideline, the Larks have been able to find players to step up on the field in his absence.

But lots of teams have talent and they don’t win 35 games in a row. One huge advantage GM has in its corner is it’s coaching staff. I’m not sure I’ve seen two coaches work better together than GM head coach Gary Sloan, defensive coordinator Anthony Stejskal assistant coach Deke Stejskal. In the past three years I’ve never seen either of them panic in any situation and they always seem to be in control of things.

In Saturday’s win over Waubun, the Bombers were moving the ball with ease in the first half with an option rushing attack. But Sloan and Stejskal made the proper halftime adjustments and GM’s defense dominated the second frame.

Finally, the Larks have been lucky enough to have players who double as solid leaders. Michael Stejskal, Brenn Olson and Connor Hartson have all emerged as vocal leaders on this year’s team and there’s plenty of other players who have stepped up in that role as well.

When you have every player on the same page and you have guidance, that will turn a talented team into a winning team.

That’s what’s happening in Grand Meadow right now.