Posted: 11/27/07
Caledonia 14 Luverne 7
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
While they were physically outsized in nearly every football game they played this season, the Caledonia Warriors had the guts, the heart, and the mental toughness to win the 2007 Class AA State Championship. And they did so in exciting fashion.
The Warriors topped a much larger Luverne Cardinal team 14-7 in the championship game played Friday, Nov. 23 at the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis. A very large contingency of Warrior fans made the 300-mile round trip to the Dome to watch the CHS gridders bring home the championship trophy and gold medals.
The Warriors scored in the first quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kody Moore to junior wideout Andy Bauer. The Ryan Goetzinger kick was good and with 1:50 remaining in the opening period, the Warriors had a 7-0 lead.
Luverne answered with 6:59 remaining in the second quarter on a two-yard run by senior running back Mitch Bauman to cap a 16-play, 80-yard drive.
The Warriors took the lead back in the third period when Moore hit Zach Gran on a 11-yard swing pass. Goetzingerís kick was once again good, and with 2:15 left in the third period, the Warriors had the 14-7 lead.
Caledoniaís defense stymied the Luverne offense in the second half, forcing four punts and not allowing the Cardinals any deep penetration in Warrior territory. Once Caledonia took the lead, Luverne never got the ball past their own 45 yard-line.
The Warriors salted the game away in the fourth quarter with a 15-play, 48-yard drive that consumed the final 7:12 on the game clock.
The state champs had a police escort Friday night from the I-90/Highway 76 exit all the way to Caledonia. Sunday afternoon, the team, coaches, and staff were honored with an event at the high school, attended by a capacity crowd.
For the complete game write-up and photos, see page nine.
For an in-depth look at the Warriorsí championship season, see the 2007 commemorative special section in this weekís Argus.
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