“What a game!” exclaimed Barnesville Head Coach Bryan Strand.  “Osakis beat us in every statistical category except the final score.  They were big, fast and had a fantastic offense.  They did so many things well, but we were able to just chip away up the field and got big plays when we needed them.  Gannon Bolgrean was an absolute stud on offense.  Zach Bredman did a great job of taking what the defense was giving us and changed plays when he needed to.  I can't say enough about the team and their diligence and tenacity through that game.  They kept on and battled all night and in the end we came out on top.  Our offensive coaches did a great job of calling what the defense was giving us. Phil Trowbridge does an outstanding job week in and week out as does Nathan Strand, Adam Tonsfeldt and Dain Biewer who all assist Phil.  On the defensive side Kirk Peterson, Jacob Grosz, and Michael Strand help in ways that are so important.  I can't say enough about the staff I have here, put in so much time to get the boys ready each week!”  

Osakis got the scoring started with a 13 yard pass from Kyle Mages to Seth Staloch and a Mages to Blake Bouldin two-point conversion pass as they took an early 8-0 lead.  Barnesville responded when Bolgrean got loose for a 66 yard TD romp.  An Asher O’Brien conversion run pulled the Trojans even at 8-8.  The Silverstreaks got back on top 16-8 when Mages connected on a 53 yard aerial to Grant Mages and then ran in the two-point conversion.  Barnesville cut the lead to 16-14 with a one yard TD run by Cameron Halverson late in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Bouldin hauled in a 6 yard pass from Mages as Osakis took a 22-14 lead.  Barnesville tied the game on a one yard run by Halverson and a two-point conversion run by Bredman, sending the teams to halftime tied at 22-22.

A 34 yard TD pass from Bredman to Peyton Amundson gave the Trojans their first lead with 7:53 left in the third quarter.  They added to the lead with a one yard touchdown run by Bredman and a Halverson two point run put the Trojans lead at 36-22 with just 53 second remaining in the quarter.

Osakis wasn’t done yet, however, as Gaven Cimbura scored on a 14 yard run and Mages hit Wyatt Sell for the two-point conversion, pulling to within 6 at 36-30.  Barnesville responded when Bogrean raced 24 yards for a touchdown with just over five minutes left on the clock, increasing the Barnesville lead to 42-30.  The Silverstreaks got to within one score with 2:17 to go when Cimbura scored again, this time on a 6 yard run, making it a 42-36 game.  There was no additional scoring on the night.

Bolgrean (13 carries, 180 yards) led the rushing attack which finished with 306 yards for the Trojans.  They also passed for 113 yards, giving them a total of 419 yards on the night.  Bredman was 3-for-6 throwing the ball and Amundson caught two passes for 70 yards.  Bogrean had the other reception for 43 yards.  Defensive leaders were Collin Morey (6 solo tackles, 5 assists), O’Brien (7 solo tackles) and Nick Robideau (6 solo tackles, 3 assists).  Christian Lien recorded the only sack.

Osakis had 458 total yards (280 passing, 178 rushing).  The Silverstreaks also played a turnover-free game, while the Trojans turned the ball over twice.

“Ethan Larson went down in the 3rd quarter and that was a huge blow to us as he does so much for us from being a two way starter, on about every special team and is our punter,” reported Coach Strand.  “If he can't go this week it will be some big holes to fill.  We get to play another week and the dream of another state championship is still in front of us.  We match up next with JCC who is a great football team and they beat a great Caledonia team last night in convincing form, shutting them out 41-0.   Very happy to be in the spot we are at but at the same time there are four very, very good teams left in AA.”