Just Plain Awesome: Blooming Prairie claims first football title in school history
Published 2:14 pm Friday, November 29, 2019
- The Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms hoist the championship trophy after defeating BOLD in the Class A Prep Bowl riday at US Bank Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Read more on Blooming Prairie’s historic win here: Making History: BP locks down BOLD in powerful championship statement
MINNEAPOLIS – The Blooming Prairie football family suffered an unimaginable loss this past summer and it responded with its best season in school history as the Awesome Blossoms won their first ever Prep Bowl with a 41-15 win over BOLD in U.S. Bank Stadium Friday.
Blooming Prairie’s Karson Vigeland pulls himself to a touchdown agaisnt BOLD in the Class A Prep Bowl Friday at US Bank Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BP dedicated its season to Anthony Nelson, a former Blossom, who passed away in a car crash over the summer, and it delivered in a big way, capping off an undefeated season with a dominating win over the Warriors, who defeated BP 37-7 in last year’s state semifinals.
“We dedicated this season to Anthony and it meant a ton. A lot of these kids were mentored by him,” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said. “These guys are great football players, but even better people.”
Blooming Prairie’s Bradley Simon (7) and Mitchell Fiebiger (81) combine for the tackle in the Class A Prep Bowl Friday at US Bank Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Gabe Hagen had an interception for a TD to get things started for BP and he also had 125 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
This was Gimbel’s fifth time leading the Blossoms to state in the last nine years and it is certainly one that he will relish.
Blooming Prairie’s Alex Baldwin finds the edge against BOLD in the Class A Prep Bowl Friday at US Bank Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“I’ve been doing this a long time. These guys set a goal to win this last year and they worked the process,” Gimbel said. “Our kids did the work in the weight room and they were committed to each other all year. They never complained and they were focused the whole time.
Blooming Prairie UNDEFEATED
- Blooming Prairie 46, Rushford-Peterson 0
- Blooming Prairie 49, Wabasha-Kellogg 0
- Blooming Prairie 50, Wabasha-Kellogg 12
- Blooming Prairie 27, Goodhue 6
- Blooming Prairie 62, Randolph 15
- Blooming Prairie 61, Kenyon-Wanamingo 6
- Blooming Prairie 48, Faribault BA 6
- Blooming Prairie 44, Medford 0
SECTION 1A TOURNAMENT
- Blooming Prairie 56, Randolph 27
- Blooming Prairie 59, Goodhue 12
STATE TOURNAMENT
- Blooming Prairie 42, Springfield 20
- Blooming Prairie 41, Ada-Borup, 0
- Blooming Prairie 41, BOLD 15
