By Guy N. Limbeck
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
MINNEAPOLIS — Caledonia will get a chance to defend its Class AA state championship.
The Warriors reached the Prep Bowl finals with a convincing victory in the semifinals on Friday, toppling previously unbeaten Moose Lake/Willow River 44-13.
"It’s really great," Caledonia senior running back Alex Schleich said. "It’s not too often a team gets here three out of four years."
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The Warriors lost the championship game in 2005 before winning the title last fall.
Coach Carl Fruechte’s career record at Caledonia improved to 82-21 with the win Friday.
Schleich rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown in the game. Casey Bauer threw for 107 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of scores to his cousin, Andy Bauer. Andy Bauer also threw a touchdown pass.
Andy Bauer was all over the field in the first half. He caught six passes for 59 yards, rushed five times for 37 yards, and tossed a 34-yard scoring pass late in the half to Isaac Fruechte. Bauer also set up a touchdown with a 39-yard kick return.
Kevin Lindh rushed for 195 yards and scored three touchdowns in Houston’s victory. He also returned a kick for a touchdown.
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (12-0) and Kittson (10-1) will play in the other Nine-Man semifinal game today at 8 a.m. Houston will play the winner for the state championship at 10 a.m. Nov. 28.
Ninth-ranked Caledonia (11-1) will face the Luverne (11-1) and Hawley (12-0) winner for the Class AA title on Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. A Luverne victory would create a rematch of last year’s title game, won by Caledonia 14-7.
