Bend but donít break.

Thatís what Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) coach Jim Buboltz is hoping from his team this Friday.

The Chargers play Caledonia in the quarterfinals of the state football tournament at 7 p.m. in Caledonia.

MVL beat Pipestone 28-12 to win the Section 3AA title on November 4. Like Caledonia, MVL trailed at the half by five points, but came back to win. They were the sectional runner-up last year.

ìBy what Iíve seen on film and the size and the power and speed of Caledonia, itís going to be a real task for our defense to make sure that we can try to contain [them],î Buboltz said on November 7. ìWe may have to bend a couple times, but weíre not going to break. This is an an incredibly talented football team from Caledonia. That coach has got a very good thing going there.î

Buboltz sees a lot of similarities between the two teams. They both have many seniors (18 for MVL, 15 for Caledonia), and they even run many of the same plays.

MVL is defense-oriented, led by linebackers Mike Compart, David Nass, and Luke Belke. The three seniors have played together for three years, and have combined for 300 tackles this year, Buboltz said. The Charger defense gives up an average of 6.9 points per game. Caledonia is averaging 39 points per game. ìSomethingís got to give there,î Buboltz said.

MVL held Pipestone, which had been averaging 48 points, to 12 in the section finals. Caledonia gives up an average of 10 points per game.

Buboltz likes to see his defense set up the offense with good field position, which is another trademark of Caledonia football.

MVL has become more of a balanced team in the past three weeks, Buboltz added. ìWe are primarily a running team like Caledonia, but weíre starting to throw the ball a lot more,î he said.

The team made a shift in personnel late in the season, moving quarterback Jake Unke to receiver and put Greg Holzhueter in as QB. ìHe does a very nice job throwing the ball and running our offense,î Buboltz said of his new quarterback. Holzhueter has thrown 18-20 passes per game the past three games, and Unke has had 11 catches in four games. Other good receivers are Ben Olson (a team-leading 25 catches), Sam Siemers, and Matt Schaffer.

The new-found passing approach has helped open up the running game, Buboltz added. Ryan Timm is the leading rusher, with just under 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. Luke Beilke has gained about 500 yards from the fullback position.

ìWeíve had three very good sectional match ups coming into this game,î Buboltz said. Two of the victories came against teams that played in class 3A last year, La Verne and Pipestone. Caledonia played in class 3A last year too. Another similarity.

Caledonia coach Carl Fruechte calls MVL a good ball club from a tough section.

ìTheyíre big and physical and theyíre fast,î he said.

MVL runs a veer offense and a 5-3 defense. Caledonia will have to stop their dive and veer pitch, Fruechte said. ìTheyíre running back is pretty big and fast,î Fruechte said.

Caledonia will need to get a body on their middle linebacker, Fruechte added, referring to Mike Compart.

MVL was ranked 15th in the final Associated Press poll. Caledonia was ranked third.

Against Pipestone, running back Ryan Timm had 24 carries for 114 yards, Luke Beilke had seven carries for 61 yards, and QB Greg Holzhueter was 10 for 16 in passing for 112 yards. Receiver Ben Olson was a big part of the victory too, with some great catches including one for a touchdown.

ï Caledonia connection: Tim Hoscheit, a Caledonia High School graduate, is a varsity assistant coach for MVL. His son, Jared, is a senior lineman on the team, and his son, Seth, is a freshman quarterback.

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