Facing first deficit of season Caledonia responds with monster rally

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WKBT) — With 9:26 to play in the 2nd quarter Barnesville scored a touchdown to take a 13-7 lead against Caledonia in the MSHSL Class AA state semifinal.

“I haven’t ever been down before in a football game as a starter at quarterback,” said Owen King.

King helped lead a rally that included three 2nd quarter touchdown passes to Andrew Goergen. Warriors scored 34 unanswered points to end the half and take a 41-13 lead.

Two more Caledonia scores in the 3rd quarter put the Warriors ahead 55-13, a 48 point rally after that short lived Barnesville lead.

“I am just proud of the way we got it back and got it rolling,” said King who finished with four passing touchdowns and one rushing score.

“We know we are not always going to be up, so we talk a lot about it,” said head coach Carl Fruechte.  “We do a lot of mental thinking on how we are going to handle it. Couldn’t be prouder.”

Ezekiel Ott led a defensive effort against a Barnesville squad that relied on their size. Ott had three tackles for a loss and a sack.

“Just remembered everything we had been practicing for. What we were fighting for and just calm down and take a deep breath and know what you are going to do. We plan every week to play a good game, play a close game so we were ready for it.”

Caledonia advances to next Friday’s state championship game against Eden Valley-Watkins.

“You know we played them in 2005 so… um…. we are looking forward to it,” said Fruechte who gave a slight grin in recalling a 21-7 loss in the 2005 championship game.