“Hands down that was the most focused and determined the boys have been all year,” commented Barnesville Head Coach Bryan Strand.  “We knew that Park Rapids had been having a great season (4-1 coming into the game) and were tied with us on top of the district.  Boys put in a lot of work this past week preparing for this game and as coaches we could tell before the game that they were dialed in.  Wasn't the most ideal weather conditions or field conditions but it is what it is.  Field was very wet and sloppy, not generally a great condition for us that like to run.”  

The Trojans got Gannon Bolgrean back from an injury and made an immediate impact with 95 rushing yards on 5 carries and a pair of TD’s.  He was also on the receiving end of a 25 yard TD pass from Bredman.  Bredman had his best rushing game of the season, going for 67 yards on 8 carries.  He also completed 2-of-4 passes for 32 yards.

“We are getting closer each week to being at full strength,” said Coach Strand.  “We rushed for over 330 yards and so much of that lies with the guys up front, Justin Krueger, Nick Robideau, Aiden Kent, Noah Stanford, Tyler Drees, as well as the tight ends, Peyton Amundson, Jack Maesse and Brendon Thorkildson.  They all did great in this win.  The team was very balanced.”

Bredman scored on first quarter runs of 12 and 15 yards, respectively, and scored on a two-point conversion run following his second TD as Barnesville jumped to a 14-0 lead.  A 33 yard run by Bolgrean put the score at 20-0 at the end of one quarter of play.

Bredman scored on a one yard run and added another two-point conversion run in the second quarter for a 28-0 lead.  Bolgrean’s second touchdown of the night came on a 43 yard run and Bredman’s two-point conversion gave the Trojans a 36-0 halftime advantage.

In the third quarter it was Bredman to Bolgrean on a 25 yard scoring toss, followed by a fourth conversion run by Bredman, and a 10 yard TD run by Cameron Halverson, with Asher O’Brien finding the end zone on the conversion try for the final 52-0 score.  The fourth quarter was scoreless.

Joining Bolgrean and Bredman as top rushers for the Trojans were Major Ness (6 carries, 73 yards) and Halverson (5 carries, 47 yards).

In addition to Amundson, other top defensive performers were O’Brien with an interception, Levi Eickenbrock with a fumble recovery and Jay Tschumperlin with a forced fumble.  Robideau (2 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles), Hunter Blilie (3 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles) and Ethan Larson (3 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles) were among the tackle leaders.

“The job the defensive backs did playing lock down coverage on the night was great,” noted Coach Strand, “but the linebackers had to jump out to cover as well, so basically everyone really did a nice job.  We forced 3 turnovers on the night with two interceptions and a fumble.”

Barnesville held Park Rapids to just 16 passing yards and 123 yards of total offense.  The Trojans will play Crookston on Friday night. “They are having a tough year,” stated Coach Strand, “as they lost a lot of their pieces from last year to graduation.  We need to keep getting health and improving on the small things.”