4A: Totino-Grace's domination of field complete

After outcomes many would consider upsets in the Class 5A and 3A title games, Totino-Grace completed its domination of the Class 4A field Saturday with a 45-7 victory over previously undefeated Sartell-St. Stephen.

It was the Eagles' fifth state title in seven years and confirmed that the private school in Fridley has less to prove in Class 4A than ever before.

Saturday's game turned on a controversial play. Sabres quarterback Cole Jenkins threw what appeared to be a forward pass, but it was ruled a backward pass -- a fumble. It bounced to Jeremy Klein, who took it 76 yards for the first TD of the game.

But while that play established momentum, it didn't determine the champion. A 66-yard run by Ashford Kromah and a Gabe Mezzenga interception set up a pair of short TD runs by John Crockett that pushed the Eagles' lead to 21-0 in the first quarter. By the end of the third, it was 45-0.

"They're the best team we played this year. There's no question in my mind," said Sabres coach John Ross, whose team defeated Class 5A semifinalist Brainerd 28-0 this year.

All three of Totino-Grace's state tournament games involved running time, which means the Eagles led by at least 35 in the fourth quarter. They clearly peaked at the right time, but the lopsided nature of the games still brings us to a bigger question: Should Totino-Grace move up from Class 4A?

The Eagles play in their assigned class based on enrollment (955 according to the state tournament program), but they can choose to "opt up" to compete in 5A with the likes of Eden Prairie, Wayzata and Cretin-Derham Hall. That process coincides with the competitive placement cycle, according to Minnesota State High School League bylaws. Competitive sections are set for two-year periods and were just set this year, meaning Totino-Grace has to play in Class 4A again next season. But the Eagles could apply for Class 5A status in 2011.

It would mean a four-year commitment in Class 5A, also a bylaw. That's no small decision. It might require the Eagles to play in a more consistently competitive conference than the North Suburban.

Some think private schools such as Totino-Grace should, by rule, play one class above what enrollment dictates, because they attract talented student-athletes from many districts. While I wouldn't go that far, I certainly would encourage programs with little left to prove to take the next step up.

When asked about opting up, coach Jeff Ferguson, who is 93-10 in eight years at Totino-Grace, said he thinks there's still a big difference between Totino-Grace and Cretin-Derham Hall (1,300-plus enrollment), a private school that won the 5A title Friday.

"We're where we belong," Ferguson said. "If anyone wants to diminish it that way, I'm sorry to hear that."

That wasn't the intent, Fergie. No one should diminish the Eagles' state titles, including this year's impressive run. Rather, it's a compliment to the program he and his staff have built and an acknowledgement that his Eagles are ready for a new challenge.

Michael Rand • mrand@startribune.com