By Howard Voigt
MSHSL
MINNEAPOLIS -- Totino-Grace (13-0) scored 35 unanswered points to seize control of a game that was close early to claim a 49-21 win over Owatonna for the Class AAAAA championship at Prep Bowl XXXI at the Metrodome. The Eagles won their ninth state championship with the victory, including seven titles since 2003.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with the Eagles striking first on a 32-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback A.J. LaPanta to sophomore tight end Lance Benick. The Huskies answered with a 22-yard scoring strike from senior quarterback Colton Schock to senior tight end Mason Bloomquist.
Totino-Grace opened the second quarter scoring with a four-yard touchdown run by senior halfback Mason Kaliszewski. Owatonna forced a key turnover when Bloomquist sacked LaPanta, causing a fumble which was recovered by the Huskies deep in Eagles territory. Schock cashed in with a one-yard touchdown plunge to tie the game at 14-14. Totino-Grace reclaimed the lead shortly before halftime on a 49-yard touchdown connection from LaPanta to senior wide receiver Charlie Miller.
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LaPanta and Miller connected again to open the second half scoring on a 65-yard touchdown pass which extended the Eagles lead to 28-14. Sophomore halfback Kez Flomo scampered 43 yards for a touchdown, followed by an 11-yard score by junior fullback Kai Barber to make the score 42-14 after three quarters. A portion of the fourth quarter was played in running time after Totino-Grace extended its lead to 35 points.
LaPanta finished 8-of-11 for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Flomo rushed 11 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. For the Huskies, Schock completed 20-of-30 passes for 144 yards.
Totino-Grace was ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll. Owatonna was ranked No. 3 and finished the season with a record of 12-1.
