After approaching slowly, Minneapolis North found the success it sought
50 years in the making: The Polars became the first City Conference team to win a state title since 1977.
October 19, 2022 at 10:36PM
![The Minneapolis North Polars celebrated with their championship trophy after defeating Rushford-Peterson 30-14 in the Class 1A title game. ] Shari L. Gross / sgross@startribune.com Minneapolis North defeated Rushford-Peterson 30-14 to earn their first title in the 1A football championship at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QZ25P52A64K2EJVFADO2KIB33I.jpg?&w=712)
Over the roars of a crowd celebrating in the closing seconds of the Class 1A championship, Minneapolis North coach Charles Adams noticed his phone ringing.
Former Polars standout Tyler Johnson — he was a Gophers freshman by then and on his way to an NFL career — was calling Adams to congratulate him on North's 30-14 victory over Rushford-Peterson.
"He is the only person that has that kind of clearance," Adams said, laughing.
Johnson and Adams were sharing a moment that was five years in the making. The Polars became only the third Minneapolis City Conference team to win a football state championship, the first since Minneapolis Washburn won in 1977. Improvement had built every year of Johnson's time at North.
"This is a dream that came true," Polars defensive lineman Phillip Scott said. "Ever since I started playing football I had never won a championship. … It is a blessing to win a championship with the rest of my brothers."
In three other finals:
- Jake Groteboer scored on a 5-yard run with 25 seconds left, giving Rochester Lourdes a 42-35 triumph over St. Croix Lutheran in Class 3A. The teams combined for 861 yards, yet Eagles linebacker senior Carter Greguson set a Prep Bowl record with 20 solo tackles.
- Backup running back Liam Ford weaved his way for a 24-yard touchdown with 4 minutes, 50 seconds remaining as Benilde-St. Margaret's rallied to edge Winona 31-28 in Class 4A.
- Running back Christophor Bain ran for 278 yards and four touchdowns as Grand Meadow defeated Cleveland 41-21 in Nine-Man. It was the Superlarks' fourth consecutive title.
State championship games
Six players plus head coach Garrett Raboin and assistant coach Ben Gordon are from Minnesota. The tournament’s games will be televised starting Monday.
