High-school football begins

With the exception of Mankato Loyola, area prep football teams began practicing Monday. Of course, any program with a hint of success has been working out all summer, either at camps or led by captains.

Loyola started a week early, taking advantage of a new rule that allowed teams to schedule a game the last Friday of August, then take a week off during the rest of the season.

Loyola should be in a better place this season, with numbers up to 43 from 27. Last season, the Crusaders won just two games, often times practicing with less than 22 players. But those younger players gained a lot of experience.

At Mankato West, all eyes will be on senior quarterback Philip Nelson, who has committed to the University of Minnesota. Other teams will measures themselves against Nelson, who will likely collect many of the program's passing records by season's end.

But don't forget Hunter Friesen, who caught 50 passes and made nine interceptions to earn some all-state recognition.

Mankato East won three games last season and should be able to build on that. There will be a new quarterback, but there are some veterans in the backfield and on the line.

You should always keep an eye on Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, which has a lot of players returning but must replace all-state quarterback Conrad Masberg.

At Blue Earth Area, 6-9, 290-pound lineman Jonah Pirsig has also committed to the University of Minnesota.

New Ulm Cathedral returns as the defending Class A champions, though there were a lot of seniors on that team. Senior running backs Eric Hauser, Ted Skillings and Nick Simon each played key roles in that championship season.

Surely, many other cool stories will emerge as the season gets rolling. Check back here or keep an eye on the print edition for some of those.

Final thoughts on Cathedral championship

Now that there's been some time to digest what happened during New Ulm Cathedral's run to the Class A football championship, there's a few thoughts that remain.
Obviously, the Greyhounds had a special streak, losing the season-opener against Springfield before rattling off 13 straight victories. The rematch against Springfield in the section championship was the first hurdle to clear, then came an easy victory over Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City in the state quarterfinals.
The 34-33 semifinal victory over Minneota was the most memorable. Two evenly matched teams, with the outcome decided by quarterback Kevin Larson, who wasn't asked to throw much during the regular season.
The championship game seemed like it would be anticlimactic as Cathedral jumped ahead early. But Barnesville responded, and when Larson was unable to play in the second half, the outcome was in jeopardy.
However, Cathedral adjusted, using a running back at quarterback and trusting in an inexperienced junior quarterback later, and the defense stuffed any momentum as the program claimed its first state title.
As I pondered nominations for The Associated Press' all-state team, I figured Cathedral must have players worthy of that honor. But it was hard to single anyone out. This team was truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Cathedral has had some good runs at the state championship in the past, and this one finally was finished.
It's a great accomplishment, one that might be overdue for coach Denny Lux and a talented group of players.

And then there was one; Cathedral still standing

Four area high-school football teams made it to the state tournament, but New Ulm Cathedral is the only one to make it out of the quarterfinal round.
Mankato West lost to Mahtomedi, though that outcome might have been different had the Scarlets added to their 14-7 lead with the first drive of the third quarter.
Nicollet lost to Underwood, which definitely benefitted from poor weather. Nicollet's spread offense struggled in the cold, snow and wind, but that's the deal you make when you choose that offensive style in Minnesota.
Le Sueur-Henderson was rolled by DeLaSalle, but the Giants might have preferred to play outdoors, as scheduled Saturday. Instead, the game was moved Monday to Metrodome, which highlighted DeLaSalle's speed and size.
Cathedral disposed of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City in the quarterfinals, but the Greyhounds' challenge is tougher in the semifinals Saturday against Minneota, which was rated No. 1 for most of the season before taking a loss. Minneota has won four state championships, including last season.
Cathedral will need to rely on its tested formula of a ground game that controls the ball and the clock and a stingy defense that rarely gives up more than one score per game.
Cathedral has only advanced to the championship game once, in 2006, but lost in the finals. Another trip to the championship game wouldn't be out of the question.
You can follow my live blog from Saturday's game.