RICHFIELD — The Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms had plenty of chances, but they couldn’t produce any offense after the first quarter as their season came to an end in the Class A Minnesota State Football quarterfinals, 14-6 Friday.

Blooming Prairie forced six turnovers and stopped the Polars (12-0 overall) on downs twice at mid-field.

The Awesome Blossoms (11-1 overall) had the ball in North territory throughout the second half and they had a first and goal from the Polars’ seven-yard line when quarterback John Rumpza threw an interception in the end zone on BP’s final offensive play of the night.

BP had four of their five second half drives end in North territory as they struggled get into an offensive rhythm.

“We just couldn’t make a play in the passing game, which is uncharacteristic for us,” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t make plays when we had to.”

BP opened the scoring when Rumpza eluded pressure and threw a 5-yard TD pass to Jake Decker with 6:11 left in the first quarter, but the Blossoms would get in the red zone just once more the rest of the night. North took an 8-6 lead when Tyler Johnson hit Malik Matthew on a 9-yard TD pass with 3:05 left in the first quarter. Johnson then scrambled for a 91-yard TD run with 4:05 left in the first half to make it 14-6.

Gimbel said that the Polars speed was a factor and they also did a good job of switching up their defenses.

“They were mixing up who was coming and who wasn’t,” he said. “We were expecting to get shallow routes and they were dropping linemen, taking away the shallows. We couldn’t get off their jams and that hurt us.”

BP junior wide receiver Anthony Nelson said it was difficult to get separation from the Polars’ speedy secondary.

“I could get past the guy, but they were so quick that the guy would catch up to me before the ball was there. They played well,” he said. “They gave us opportunities, but we couldn’t capitalize.”

After Johnson’s long TD run, the Blossoms’ defense answered the bell. They stopped Johnson on the 1-yard line to end the first half and they held the high-powered Polar offense scoreless in the second half.

“The kids showed heart and determination on the defensive side of the ball,” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said. “If you would’ve told me we’re going to hold this team to 14 points, I would’ve said we’re going to come out on top. That’s a credit to the defense and a credit to [coach Matt] Kittelson for getting those guys ready.”

BP senior Jake Decker had 143 yards of offense and a TD and he also picked off two passes.

Rumpza went 9-for-32 with 107 yards on Friday, but he finishes his high school career with 112 TD passes, which will likely put him in second place in Minnesota history.

Nelson said he learned a lot from playing with BP’s senior class over the past few seasons.

“It was wonderful playing with them and I was happy to play with them for three years,” Nelson said. “They were great leaders to look up to and to be around in school and on the field. I thank God for the opportunities that he’s given me to play with them and the coaching staff that we had.”

SCORING SUMMARY

Minn. North    8  6  0  0  —  14

B. Prairie        6  0  0  0  —  6

First quarter

(BP) Jake Decker 5 pass from John Rumpza (pass failed) (7 plays, 58 yards) 6:11

(N) Malik Matthew 9 pass from Tyler Johnson (Keyon Thomas from Johnson) 3:05

Second quarter

(N) Johnson 91 run (pass failed) (3 plays, 92 yards) 4:05

Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter

No scoring

BP STATS

Rushing: Jake Decker, 20-for-104; Cole Byers-Sunde, 3-for-9; Jon Hatch, 1-for-2; Rumpza, 3-for-(-6); Passing: Rumpza, 9-for-32, 107, TD, INT; receiving: Decker, 6-for-39, TD; Tristen Haberman, 1-for-29;  Anthony Nelson, 1-for-21; Byers-Sunde, 1-for-12; Mitchell Jones, 1-for-10; Sacks: Collin Wobschall (2); Hatch (1); Jones (1); Interceptions: Decker (2); Haberman (1); Fumble recoveries: Wobschall (1); Hatch (1); Sunde (1); Penalties: 2-for-10

NORTH STATS

Rushing: 320; Passing: 128; Penalties: 8-for-55