Paynesville Is Next Challenge For Caledonia’s Title Defense
It is a familiar foe for the #1 ranked Caledonia Warriors in the Class AA semifinals. They are will take on Paynesville, a team they knocked out of the State Tournament a year ago.
The Warriors' defense has been the story of the season. They have allowed just 54 points this season, translating to just under five points per game. The defense is fast, athletic and puts a lot of pressure on the opposing offense.
The Warriors are led on the ground by Nick McCabe, who is one of the finalists for Mr. Football in Minnesota. He shares the backfield with Quarterback Noah King and Jack Beardmore that gives the Warriors three different looks when it comes to running the football.
The defense is fast everywhere and the pressure they generate can could any offense. Paynesville is a team that wants to establish the run behind Zach Schroeder and Daltin Christinsen who have run for at least 10 touchdowns. They can throw the football a little bit, too, but they will be without their standout QB Max Weidner, who has thrown for 20 touchdowns and over 1,400 yards. He broke his leg in the Section Finals.
Paynesville comes in with a 9-2 record and their lone losses have come against the #2 team in Class A, BOLD, who actually beat #1 Minneota 49-7 in the Section Championship game. Their other loss has come to the #1 team in Class AAA in Priez, who is the defending State Champion in AAA.
That means that Bulldogs have some talent, and have proven to be more athletic than the team that lost to Caledonia last year in the State Semifinals 49-16.
It should be a great showdown the Warriors are on the quest for their fourth-straight state title and their 52nd straight win.
You will be able to hear the Class AA Semifinal between Caledonia and Paynesville on 103.1 KFIL live from U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
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