Dispatches from the Dome: One last carry for Underwood fullback

A senior season that held high promise for Underwood captain A.J. Montgomery, then became what he called his "worst nightmare'' in a preseason scrimmage, ended Friday with "a dream come true.''

Sure, it hurt that his Rockets were defeated by Grand Meadow in the Nine-Man championship game.

But on the last play, Montgomery carried the ball for a 9-yard gain.

"That was a special moment,'' Underwood coach Chuck Ross said. "It's one that he's going to remember for a long time.''

Montgomery was supposed to be Underwood's starting running back this season. Then he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees in the scrimmage. After starting the previous two seasons as a linebacker and fullback, earning all-conference honors, Montgomery was told his high school career was over.

"I was devastated,'' he said.

Still, he attended every practice and game, providing enthusiasm and helping out where he could. Underwood recovered from a slow start in the regular season and won its first playoff game.

Wearing a knee brace at linebacker, he contributed significantly to playoff victories over Wheaton and Verndale, teams that had defeated the Rockets earlier in the season. Ross said the team "fed off'' Montgomery's return "and they picked it up.

Montgomery "tweaked'' his knee in the next game against Nicollet, he said, and had to sit out the state semifinal victory over Ely.

But he was on the field Friday, playing defense on most plays. Even before he got hurt, he had never envisioned Underwood, after losing so many seniors last year, getting to the championship game.

"This group's got a lot to be proud of,'' Ross said.

That final carry? "It felt great,'' Montgomery said.

Last spring Koestler and classmates Andrew Smeed and Zack Eichten took up a teacher's challenge to make their mark beyond sports and academics. Hanging out in Smeed's basement, they hatched a peer tutoring program, providing homework help and studying smarts to anyone who asked from the 2,000-student school.

With about 20 friends, they offered their availability three days a week for 45 minutes before and after school. About 20 students showed up seeking help on a consistent basis last spring, Koestler said. This fall the numbers have ranged from 30 to 50 students, depending on the time of the semester.

"We've all learned how to study,'' said Koestler, who takes five AP classes and two college-in-the-schools classes for University of Minnesota credit. "As much as we can pass that onto others, that's what we try to exemplify in the tutoring sessions.''

The tutors provide expertise within their area of interest. Koestler, who watched more Discovery Channel than "Sesame Street'' as a youngster, is the science guy, especially chemistry and physics.

Some of those getting help are football players, he added. Some teammates also provide assistance.

In Saturday's championship games, junior Noah Stelter will play for Dawson-Boyd in Class 1A and cousin Andrew Stelter will start at defensive end for Owatonna in Class 5A. Andrew Stelter has committed to play for the Gophers next season.

Andrew Stelter also played in the title game last year with the Huskies, but Noah's team lost in the state semifinals. In 2011, Noah and his brother Zachary were on the Dawson-Boyd state championship team.

• Owatonna assistant coach and English teacher Doug Wanous played in the first Prep Bowl in 1982 against Stillwater. His son, Luke, will suit up at running back for the Huskies in the last Prep Bowl game to be played in the Metrodome on Saturday afternoon.

PREP BOWL recap DAY 1

Hutchinson junior running back Robbie Grimsley, who rushed six times for 261 yards and three touchdowns early in the Tigers' 49-7 rout of Holy Angels.

92 Yards on touchdown run by Hutchinson's Robbie Grimsley, longest in Prep Bowl history.

1:48 First-quarter time of possession for Hutchinson, which scored three touchdowns on six plays.