Luverne gets third shot at elusive state football crown

ELIZABETH FLORES , Star Tribune

Luverne Cardinals' Tanner Skattum (53) ran out on the field along with his teammates to celebrate their 21-14 Class 2A semifinal win over Hawley at the Metrodome.

Luverne has lost in the Prep Bowl the past two years, including a 14-7 loss a season ago to Caledonia, which again stands in the Cardinals' way in this year's championship game.

By JOHN MILLEA, Star Tribune

Last update: November 26, 2008 - 7:13 AM

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Today: Brawn and brains at Northfield.

Monday: Houston's five-year plan.

Today: Class 2A championship rematch.

Wednesday: DeLaSalle's state record holder.

Thursday: Royalton rallies around classmate.

Friday: Blaine, Wayzata coaches in for long haul.

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The Luverne Cardinals aren't thinking about the 2007 Prep Bowl. And they aren't thinking about the 2006 Prep Bowl, either. The Cardinals are focusing on the now, which is Friday's Class 2A championship game against Caledonia.

This is Luverne's third consecutive Prep Bowl berth, and the Cardinals are hoping it will be their first championship. They lost to Triton 70-21 in the 2006 Prep Bowl; last year, Caledonia came away with a 14-7 victory. All eyes are looking ahead, even though it's difficult not to look in the rearview mirror.

"I've been saying since the beginning of the year that I'm sick of second," said Luverne senior Sam Dooyema, who plays linebacker and offensive tackle. "There's that one final step to be taken. We just want to go out and play the game and have fun, but in the end you want to get the victory."

The Cardinals (12-1) know something about avenging defeats. After losing to Triton in the Prep Bowl two years ago, they defeated the Cobras in last year's state quarterfinals (and did so again this year). The hump they are trying to get over now is Caledonia (12-1).

The Warriors have been dominant in the state playoffs this year, defeating Norwood Young America 21-0 and Moose Lake-Willow River 44-13. Luverne has pulled out two narrow victories, holding off Triton 48-42 in overtime and edging Hawley 21-14 in a semifinal game that came down to the final play.

"Caledonia was pretty fast last year, and they look a little better than last year," Luverne coach Todd Oye said. "We have to figure out some new things, like how to attack that defense. They're so fast, it seems like they have 12 or 13 guys playing defense."

Caledonia coach Carl Fruechte has a similar view of Luverne.

"I think they're better, they have lots of returning kids," he said. "Todd has done a great job, and we have a lot of respect for what they're doing. They have a nice team and they'll be the toughest opponent we've faced, and rightfully so."

Oye, a 1990 Luverne graduate in his seventh year as coach, has led the Cardinals to a 34-7 record over the past three years. That includes a 6-2 mark in the state tournament.

The Cardinals were in Class 3A until a declining enrollment moved them down to 2A four years ago. Their Southwest Conference opponents include Class 4A Marshall and 3A teams Worthington and Redwood Valley, and the Cardinals' only loss this season was a 28-14 loss to Harrisburg, S.D., a team that reached the state semifinals in South Dakota's second-largest class.

Any team would love to play in three consecutive Prep Bowls, and Luverne is no exception.

"We talked about it at the beginning of the season, how actually doing it three years in a row would be something else," Luverne senior center Tanner Skattum said. "Most people would just like to be there one year."

There are advantages to having experience playing in the Metrodome. For Luverne, television timeouts during the Prep Bowl will mean less full-bore stress on a team that has six two-way players.

"The TV timeouts do affect the flow of the game," Oye said. "The positive side for us is it gives those six guys a break. And I wouldn't sacrifice the opportunity for the kids to play on TV. It's part of the package."

As is the chance to finally clear that final hurdle and win a state title.

"I don't know if it's pressure, it's more that we'd just like to do it," Skattum said. "The fans are saying, 'Let's just get out there and get one more game.' We're all thinking about it every day."