Caledonia crushes Z-M for fifth straight 1AA crown

November 05, 2011 at 4:06 AM

CALEDONIA — The Caledonia football team knows how to hold a home-field advantage and not let it go.

Caledonia maintained its uncanny home playoff domination with a resounding 41-6 win over Zumbrota-Mazeppa in the Section 1AA championship game Friday night.

It was Caledonia's third straight win over Z-M in the section final, the Warriors' fifth consecutive section crown overall, and its sixth in seven years.

Caledonia also improved to 20-0 in playoff games at home since their field was rebuilt in 2004.

"We got off to a good start in the first half (with a 27-0 lead by halftime)," said Caledonia head coach Brent Schroeder.

"We blocked three punts, we ran the ball really well, and defensively we played physical and didn't let Z-M have much."

Caledonia got a big game from senior quarterback Kennan Bruening who passed for two touchdowns and ran in three on his own. He finished 5-of-11 for 122 passing, with scoring strikes of 14 and 63 yards, and he rushed 16 times for 69 yards and touchdowns runs of 12, 3 and 1 yards.

Caledonia senior receiver Brandon Drenckhahn had two catches for 96 yards including the long touchdown strike in the second quarter.

Caledonia had most of its 190 yards rushing by halftime. Senior back Connor McCormick had 18 carries for 84 yards, and senior Matt Petersen had seven carries for 36.

Z-M had a tough time running the ball with just 50 yards on 25 attempts. Junior quarterback Nate Rauen was the top rusher with 28 yards on seven carries, including minus yards for sacks, and he accounted for Z-M's only touchdown on a 36-yard run in the third quarter.

Rauen completed 5-of-6 passes for 53 yards, but his first pass of the game was intercepted. Matt Johnson caught two passes for 42 yards.

Z-M, coached by Willie Rauen, finished with a 6-5 record.

Caledonia 41, Zumbrota-Mazeppa 6

Zumbrota-Mazeppa #0#0#6#0#—#6

Caledonia #13#14#7#7#—#41

First quarter

C — Kennan Bruening 12 run (Austin Goergen kick).

C — Adam Buttell 14 pass from Bruening (kick failed).

Second quarter

C — Bruening 3 run (Goergen kick).

C — Adam Drenckhahn 63 pass from Bruening (Goergen kick).

Third quarter