From the moment Grace Drietz won the first race of the year, until she finished in 17th place out of 174 runners at the state meet on Saturday, she was in control as the leader of her Canby-Minneot
Minneota setter Morgan Kockelman, who was surprised, was awarded a signed game ball for attaining 1,000 sets. She actually has 1,017 going into the state tournament.
The bracket is complete for the Class A Football State Championships.
Here are the Class A Section champions and who they beat:
1. GOODHUE over Blooming Prairie, 19-14.
The field is set for the 2017 Girls' Class A Volleyball Tournament.
Minneota was ranked second in the state pairings with Mayer Lutheran No. 1.
There was a game plan.
"We had a different game plan, taking some risks, but the girls executed it well," said Coach Hayley Fruin.
Like a general directing the troops, Morgan Kockelman methodically moved her players around the floor, set the ball to them and watched miracles being performed.
Nobody believed — not even many of their fans. The odds were too tough ... Tracy-Milroy-Balaton had dominated Section 3A for three years and the 29-3 Panthers were expected to do it again.
While Minneota totaled 411 yards on offense Friday against BOLD, it wasn't just the passers, runners and receivers who made it happen.
Minneota looked like wagon with its wheels coming off in the first quarter Friday against BOLD.
When you've got a big horse, you climb on and ride it home.