Pohlen gets 49th win in 50 games

Four years ago Alex Pohlen got his first win against Lakeview as a starting quarterback.

Two state titles and over 7,000 yards later he playedin his 50th game Saturday at US Bank Stadium against Mayer Lutheran in the state Class A Semifinals, and won his 49th out of the 50 he's played.

"I give a lot of credit to alot of others guys," Pohlen told Radio Announcer Paul Raymo of KQ92 Radio of Madison.

At this point Pohlen is 49-1 and will have a chance to, "Get revenge" on the only team that's blemished Minneota's record in the last four years — Wabasso.

The Rabbits were a 21-14 winner over Ada-Borup/Norman County West.

Pohlen, in his interview on KQ92 said, "I live 300 feet from the field, so I've always been right there, so I have no exuse."

Going into Saturday's game Pohlen has 7,212 yards passing after throwing for 216 yards on Saturday and has thrown 93 touchdown passes and has rushed for five more.

"This is Minneota's 14th State Tournament Appearance and they've won six state championships," said Activities Director and Offensive Coordinator Matt Myrvik.

When picking out people who have influenced his life, Pohlen told Raymo, "I look up to my parents," and on the field, "Myrvik, who has been ny quarterback coach and he's always been my coach."

Recently the Minneota players honored Myrvik with a special shirt with the coaches photo on it and the saying, "Myrv is my Homeboy."

"Myrvik laughed when he saw it, then said, take them off," Pohlen related.

Raymo thought it was special to talk about the fact Pohlen will have played in three different locations for the Vikings — The Metrodome; TCF Stadium and now US Bank Stadium."

"We'll be playing a team we've never played before," said Pohlen about Saturday's encounter with Mayer Lutheran.

He indicated Mayer Lutheran is a team with, "Great Athletes," and he said, "I have to be smart because they like to blitz."

Raymo pointed to the fact Pohlen has hooked up with Thomas Hennen on quite a few occasions. Hennen has 43 catches for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns this year.

"He and I went to passing/receiving camp together and we've had a lot of extra time to practice together."

Any quarterback worth his salt knows he never does it alone and Pohlen is one of those.

"The big thing is our work ethic. Each and every day we work hard ... we went to camps, worked on weights and had seven-on-seven practices this summer," he said.

The linemen, starting with TJ Esping and Cole VanOverbeke at guards, Ty Lipinski at center and Ethan Krier and Mitchell Rost have, "Blown holes open and protected for me all year."

He said Lipinski has been the leader of the line and has done a great job.

He credits sophomore Cole Sanow with doing a great job running and said about senior All-Star and Mr. Football Candidate Isaac Hennen, "He's put us on his shoulders all year long."

Thehe 50th game  and 49th win is not the end.

Fifty-one, and an even 50 career wins would mean a state championship — and that would be just fine for Alex Pohlen.