Cover image from mnhshp.com The Barnesville Trojans were huge underdogs going against the defending champion Caledonia Warriors in the AA championship game Friday afternoon. They would end up being the 54th straight team that could not solve the Warriors’ puzzle,…
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The Barnesville Trojans were huge underdogs going against the defending champion Caledonia Warriors in the AA championship game Friday afternoon. They would end up being the 54th straight team that could not solve the Warriors’ puzzle, but they gave the juggernaut from southeastern Minnesota one of their closest games of the season. Barnesville would ultimately fall 21-0. I never felt Caledonia was going to lose the game, but if you saw the game, you know the game was closer than the final score would indicate.
The Trojans’ defense played tough all game. Although they gave up 21 points, that was sixteen points under the Warriors’ average.
The Trojans played a version of a 3-4 defense. Brady Kroll, Jackson Poepping, and Joey Mark made up the defensive line. Their primary job was to keep the Caledonia offensive line off the Trojans’ linebackers. For the most part, they did a great job. They held the explosive Warriors’ offense under 300 yards of offense.
Poepping stuffed a quarterback sneak on fourth and one inside the ten. Then he beat his block and stuffed a run in the middle.
Kroll flashed a few times to make a pair of tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Outside linebacker Hunter Zenzen got off a block and made a tackle for no gain. Lined up as a defensive end, Zenzen was covering deep downfield and was able to deflect a pass. Defensive back Adam Tonsfeldt came over quickly in support.
Tonsfeldt also made a great open field tackle on a swing pass.
Defensive back Chase Brenner had good one on one coverage on a fly pattern. He did it again on a fourth down – giving the ball back to the offense. He also shut down a third pass with perfect coverage.
Hunter Anderson got penetration and allowed Adrian O’Brien to make a tackle on third and goal from the two. Later, Anderson read a running play and filled the hole to make a tackle for a short gain.
Preston Snobl made a nice one on one tackle on the outside. Then he ran down a sweep for a short gain. Finally, he intercepted a pass on a crossing route.
Brooks Martinson filled a hole between the tackles, making a stop for a short gain.
Obviously, offensively the Trojans didn’t punch the ball into the end zone, but in spurts, it was apparent why their offense was successful this season.
On the offensive line, from what I saw, Jonny Robideau was the player that most stood out. An effective blocker – especially when on the move; he threw a trap block that resulted in a good gain. He did it again later, opening a hole for running back Nick Detloff. Robideau combined with Connor Morse and Poepping to spring Detloff again. Kellen Hinsz was able to make a nice cutback off Robideau’s trap block for ten yards.
Tight end Snobl made some nice seal blocks on the outside – allowing the backs to get the corner.
Quarterback Tonsfeldt was not asked to throw the ball much in the Trojans’ offense. He was asked to run the offense and pick up yards on the ground. He showed quick feet in the open field – especially on one of his few designed passes. The sophomore was not able to find a receiver downfield, but he made three people miss on a 30-yard scramble. He is not just a scat back either. He can deliver a blow as a runner as well – which was evident with an off-tackle run late in the game.
Although they did not solve the puzzle that is the Caledonia Warriors, the Barnesville Trojans showed why they were making a repeat appearance in the state tournament and why they were in the Prep Bowl.
