Grand Meadow returns to state for the first time since 2016 with dominating win over Houston in Section 1 Nine Man championship

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For the first time since Grand Meadow won its fourth straight Minnesota Nine Man Prep Bowl title in 2016, the Superlarks are headed back to the state tournament.

Grand Meadow (10-1) imposed its will early and often on the way to a 35-0 win over Houston Friday night in the Section 1 Nine Man championship at Art Hass Stadium.

“It seems like a long, long time,” said head coach Gary Sloan, referring the to the last time the team went to the state tournament. “It’s only been since 2016, but it seems like a long time.”

The win comes as a bit of a statement, as Houston had already rolled over its previous two opponents in Southland and LeRoy-Ostrander who was ranked No. 2 in the state for most of the year.

But the Superlarks put their foot on the pedal and didn’t look back going up 21-0 in the first quarter on the backs of two running plays by quarterback Evan Oehlke and running back Dusty Copley and a deep pass play from Oehlke to Taylor Glynn for 43 yards.

“That’s the best we’ve played all year,” Sloan said. “We picked a good time to do it.”

A lot of Grand Meadow’s big plays game in the air after the Superlarks’ play action softened up the Houston defense. A lot of that credit goes to the offensive line, spread out more to make use of the team’s speed against a stout Hurricanes defense.

“The offensive line — they started looking good and made my gaps,” Copley said. “I really got a thank the line tonight.”

The Superlarks didn’t let up much after the first quarter with Daniel Smith punching a score through early in the second quarter to make it 28-0.

Houston struggled throughout the night to get anything going with one of their best chances coming up short while deep in Grand Meadow territory towards the end of the first half when Luke Speer intercepted a pass from Houston quarterback Mikkel Schutte.

Grand Meadow’s final score game in the third when Copley ran for his second touchdown of the night. He ended the night with two touchdowns on 23 carries for 88 yards.

For players like Copley, following in the footsteps of Superlarks teams before him is a great feeling.

“It feels amazing,” Copley said. “Just to be here right now. I love being a running back for this team … I’m just really happy to be here.”

The Superlarks job, however, doesn’t get any easier. Grand Meadow will now face Mountain Lake Area in the first round of the state tournament at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 at Art Hass Stadium.

Sloan is well aware of the challenge ahead of a team the Superlarks have faced several times before in the state tournament.

“Well, they’re the No. 1 team in the state, and they should be,” Sloan said simply. “They’re very good and we’ve got a big task ahead of us. Monday we’ll get together and start figuring out what we need to do.”

GM STATS

Rushing: Dusty Copley, 23-for-88, 2 TDs; Daniel Smith, 7-for-33, TD; Evan Oehlke, 4-for-32, TD; Nolan Skifter, 6-for-19; Luke Speer, 1-for-5

Passing: Evan Oehlke, 4-for-6, 136, TD

Receiving: Taylor Glynn, 3-for-88, TD; Skifter, 1-for-48

Defense: Nolan Skifter, 1 interception; Luke Speer, 1 interception