Warriors are 19-3 since 2005 in state tournament
The Caledonia High School football team is, once again, a win away from a Class 2A state championship berth.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, the No. 1-ranked Warriors (11-0) take on No. 4 Ottertail Central (11-0) in the state semifinals at Mounds View High School in the Twin Cities.
The last time the Warriors and Bulldogs met, it was this same round back in 2010. Caledonia won that game 55-7 and went on to win the title 27-7 over Triton in the Metrodome. It was the first of three consecutive state championships for the football powerhouse.
In the last eight years, the Warriors have won state five times. Since 2005, Caledonia is 5-1 in the state championship – losing 21-7 to Eden Valley Watkins in 2005, ending the Warriors’ season 13-1.
Since that season, Caledonia has missed the MSHSL state tournament – being one of the final eight teams in the class – twice. The last, in 2013 when it lost in the section finals to Chatfield 13-10 at WSU, as well as in 2006 when it lost to Cotter 21-10 at WSU.
Since 2005, Caledonia is 19-3 in the state tournament.
The Bulldogs are led by running back Cody Seedorf. The 190-pound senior running back has 1,096 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 181 carries. Caledonia is led in rushing by Sam Stemper’s 1,107 yards, 20 touchdowns on 135 carries.
Passing wise, Bulldogs’ quarterback Tony Ukkelberg was injured last week and will not play. He was 44-for-76 for 779 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Ukkelberg did run the ball, too. He has 557 yards and nine TDs on 62 carries.
His passing stats pale in comparison to Caledonia’s Owen King, however. The sophomore QB is 112-for-173 (65%) for 1,978 yards with 35 touchdowns and four interceptions.
On the edges, Ottertail Central is led by the Van Erps. Eric has 15 catches for 392 yards and seven scores, while Andrew has 16 catches for 302 yards and six TDs. Tanner Gran leads Caledonia with 45 receptions for 876 yards and 15 scores, while teammate Colten Lampert has 11 touchdowns on just 23 catches for 514 yards.