State football: Blossoms will face a tall task in Ada-Borup

Published 6:56 pm Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Blooming Prairie football team has seen Minnesota State University commit Gabe Hagen bruise through and run around many opponents over the past few years.

Now the Awesome Blossoms are going to have to survive a taste of their own medicine as they will take on Ada-Borup in the Minnesota Class A State Football Tournament semifinals in U.S. Bank Stadium at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

A-B has an effective weapon in Mason Miller, a 6-foot, 8-inch and 240-pound tight end and defensive end who is sure to catch some attention from BP. Miller is a North Dakota State University commit for football.

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A-B beat Underwood 20-8 in the state quarterfinals to win its 10th straight game. Verdis Barber had an 80-yard TD run in the win.

“They’re physical up front on the offensive and defensive lines. They’ve got a couple of really good running backs and a capable thrower,” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said of A-B. “The biggest thing is to be physical up front and win in the trenches. We have to stay balanced on offense and tackle on defense. One running back is quick and shifty and one runs downhill hard with speed. We have to cover up that big tight end and their tall receivers.”

The Awesome Blossoms saw their season end in the state semifinals last season and they’re hoping to finally get over that hump and make it to the title game for the first time under Gimbel.

“I think our kids will be locked in and ready to go by the end of the week,” Gimbel said.


HOW THEY MATCHUP

Blooming Prairie

  • Record: 11-0 overall
  • Points per game: 49.5
  • Points allowed per game: 9.5

Ada-Borup

  • Record: 10-1 overall
  • Points per game: 34.0
  • Points allowed per game: 12.5