Spring Grove Ends Grand Meadow’s Title Run
The Grand Meadow Superlarks won the past four state championships in 9-Man football, but this time the Spring Grove Lions got the best of the Superlarks, getting the win 40-17.
The Superlarks and Lions have met in the past six Section Title games, but this time the squads met in the Section Semifinal. The Lions, this time, were the #1 seed, while the Superlarks were the #4 seed in a stacked section.
The big plays were the key. The Lions had plenty of them, while the Superlarks struggled in the late stages of the game. It started with a 69-yard reverse run by Noah Elton to set up an 8-yard touchdown run from Cullen Patterson to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.
The Superlarks came back with a nice drive, using Zach Myhre often, but couldn't punch the ball in. Eventually in the first half, Kyle Ohelke got into the end zone, to get Superlarks on the board.
Another big play from Spring Grove came when Alex Folz connected with Noah Elton for a 52-yard touchdown in the first half and then Aiden Solum reached the end zone to give the Lions a 22-7 lead at the break.
Grand Meadow would get a kick return touchdown to kickoff the second half to make it a one possession game from Josh Graves, and then the Superlarks got a field goal from Myhre, to make it 22-17.
The Lions then turned it out, getting some huge runs from Folz, one for a touchdown, Patterson ran another one in, and Folz connected with Elton for their second touchdown of the day to get the win 40-17.
Myhre was great on the ground, running for 193 yards on 32 carries, while Ohelke had 85 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. The Superlarks were able to run the ball, but a big goal line stand in the third quarter really swung the momentum into the Lions favor, sending them to the Section Championship for the seventh straight season.
The Lions will take on Cleveland, which will be an epic rematch from week one, where Spring Grove came back from 24 points down to win in OT 52-51.
KFIL Subway Player of the Game (Grand Meadow) - Zach Myhre
KFIL Subway Player of the Game (Spring Grove) - Alex Folz
Kingsley Mercantile Game Ball (Spring Grove) - Cullen Patterson