Jackson County Central captured the Minnesota Class 2A football title Friday by defeating Staples-Motley 42-26 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Grant Freking, playing at quarterback as a result of an injury to Roman Voss at the start of the playoffs, threw for three touchdown passes and 212 yards. Clay Malchow carried 19 times for 123 yards and three TDs, scoring on runs of one, 39 and 21 yards.
After falling behind 6-0, the 13-0 Huskies scored 28 unanswered points on their way to their first Prep Bowl win since 2001. JCC, which was beaten in the state semifinals in 2022 and 2023, had Ben Dahlin snare five catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns, which came on 70- and 67-yard pass plays. Carson Pohlman had the other TD reception.
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In the 9-Man football state title game Saturday, Hills-Beaver Creek's unbeaten season came to an end with a 20-8 loss to 13-0 Fertile Beltrami.
After a scoreless first half, Fertile-Beltrami scored a pair of short touchdowns on the ground to go ahead 14-0. Just 22 seconds after that second TD, the Patriots got on the board on a 53-yard scoring connection between quarterback Jamin Metzger and James VanDenBosch, and Beau Bakken then ran in the two-point conversion.
Fertile-Beltrami, though, got another short TD run in the early fourth quarter.
Bakken and Micah Bush each had 11 total tackles to lead the Hills-Beaver Creek defense.
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In women's basketball Friday night, Sadie Krahling led four Minnesota West players in double figures scoring as the Lady Jays won at home over Lakes Region State College, 69-65.
Krahling also pulled down 10 rebounds as Minnesota West improved to 5-2. Madie Kamm had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Lady Jays, while Katrina Schutz contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds and Rhea Tucker 13 points and eight rebounds.
In men's basketball, Lakes Region led Minnesota West by 12 at the half and went on to hold off the Bluejays 86-81. Karasharo Ojullo led the way in scoring and on the boards with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Keion Irvin had 16 points, Dylan Marshall added 13 and Zackery Rigg chipped in with 12 for Minnesota West, which is now 6-2.
The Bluejay men play at Bethany Lutheran on Monday, while the women host Minnesota North College-Vermillion.
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In girls hockey Saturday, Worthington High School was defeated on the road at Waseca 3-1. Eighth-grader Victoria Bush scored the Trojans' first goal of the season, as she tied the game early in the second period. Worthington outshot Waseca 33-29 in the game, as Trojan goalie Macie Mahlberg made 26 saves. WHS is 0-3.
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In boys hockey, the Trojans began their season on the road Friday at LeCrescent and were defeated 7-0. WHS was outshot 31-18 in the game. WHS head coach Tyler Nienkerk commented that his squad had some good stretches each period, but a short bench really hurts.
On Saturday, the Trojan boys were in action again and lost 12-1 at Winona. AJ Jimenez scored the lone Worthington goal on an assist from Lucas Hohenstein.
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The Worthington Trojans girls basketball team was beaten on the road Friday night in its season opener, as Redwood Valley won 86-43. The Trojans play their home opener Tuesday against Mankato West.
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In area girls basketball Saturday, it was:
MACCRAY 49, Murray County Central 39
Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 62, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 45
Westbrook-Walnut Grove 67, Wabasso 28
United South Central 59, Luverne 51
Windom at Adrian-Ellsworth
In area girls basketball Friday night, it was:
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 52, Murray County Central 47
MACCRAY 47, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 33
Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 50, Wabasso 33
Yellow Medicine East 73, Red Rock Central 38
Marshall 75, Alexandria 70
In area boys hockey Friday, it was:
New Ulm 14, Windom Area 0
In area boys hockey Saturday, it was:
Luverne 5, Minnesota River 2
In area girls hockey Saturday, it was:
Mound Westonka-SWC 6, Luverne 1
New Prague 2, Windom Area 1
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