"It was great to be back at the Fargodome and playing this game," said Barnesville Head Coach Bryan Strand.  "Last year was such a disappointment not getting to play in this great environment because of COVID.  Pelican Rapids is an outstanding team and Eli Beachy and Ryan Beachy have both done an amazing job with that group this year.   Timmy Guler is an amazing athlete who is going to do some amazing things yet in high school, regardless of what sport he is playing."

Guler connected with Carson McNeal on a 10 yard TD pass to start the second quarter.  Following a successful two-point conversion pass from Guler to Peyton Blakeway the Vikings led 8-0.  A ten yard run by Noah Krause got Barnesville on the board and when they converted their two-point play on a Krause run the game was even at 8-8.  The Trojans took a 14-8 lead when Krause hooked up with Kaden Zenzen on a fourth down pass for 6 points.  An Isaac Maneval 21-yard field goal made it 17-8 at the half.

"We played with passion and at a high pace most of the night," said Coach Strand.  "Defensively, we really settled into our scheme and the entire unit played lights out.  We picked off four passes and caused another turnover form a strip tackle by Braeden Bredman, who also recorded two interceptions. Braeden really played well all night and he, along with Cameron Heng, led the defense and got us into the right spots at the right times."

Andrew Peterson broke loose for a 52 yard TD run on the first play of the second half and a Cameron Heng two-point run made it 25-8, Trojans.  Heng’s 7 yard run and two-point conversion run by Heng with 3:10 remaining in the third quarter pushed the Barnesville lead to 33-8.  Maneval started the fourth quarter with a 27 yard field goal and with 3:51 left in the game the Vikings closed out the scoring with a 29 yard pass from Guler to Blakeway and a successful two-point conversion pass from Guler to Brayden Ecker, making the final score 36-16.

"Offensively, Phil Trowbridge called a very good game," added Strand.  "They were doing a few things early to confuse our guys up front but once we got that under control the line really took over.  Our boys are all really strong from countless hours in the weight room and to me that showed tonight by the grit of our front seven on offense.  They opened up nice holes and all the backs ran extremely hard."

Barnesville had 276 rushing yards in the game, led by John Roller with 56 yards on 8 carries.  Peterson ran for 79 yards, Krause had 54 yards and Heng finished with 77 yards as the Trojans featured an extremely balanced running attack.

Pelican Rapids quarterback Tim Guler completed 15-of-26 passes for 208 yards.  Blakeway was his leading receiver with six catches for 132 yards.  Pelican Rapids had 264 yards of total offense.

"It was fun to see the boys celebrating on the field after the game, again something that was missed last year," said Coach Strand.  "So many smiles and just relief that they got it done and on a big stage such as the Fargodome."

Barnesville will play Eden Valley-Watkins on Thursday night in Alexandria in the Class AA State quarterfinals.  Kick-off is set for 7:00pm.

"This week we are shorted by one day as we have to play on Thursday," added Strand.  "I've seen Eden Valley-Watkins on film and they are very good.  They have nice team size and speed.  They run the ball well and can pass well, too.  We will keep after it and keep seeing how far this team can go.  We aren't happy just to be in the state tourney, we want to make it back to US Bank and fight for that top spot!"