BP drops first regular game since 2017

Blooming Prairie traveled to Lester Prairie last Friday where the Blossoms suffered their first regular-season loss since 2017, falling 26-6 at the hands of the Bulldogs.

The Blossoms had moments of excitement during the game, but for the most part, the team was stifled by Lester Prairie’s defense en route to the 19-point loss.

“It just came down to physical and mental mistakes,” said Coach Chad Gimbel. “We’re going to call it as it is: Ball security is a mental mistake. We didn’t catch snaps, hold onto the ball or make the catches we needed. Those are the plays that could have extended drives and kept us in the game.”

Lester Prairie leaped out to the game’s first lead at 8-0 after a fourth and long pass from just outside the Blooming Prairie red zone was caught for a touchdown and the Bulldogs' two-point conversion was successful.

The Bulldogs managed to own the clock on their first drive, and chewed up 7:13 of valuable time in the first quarter accumulating their lead.

First downs were at a premium after the opening score with both defenses creating turnovers and forcing three-and-out drives until Lester Prairie began its next scoring drive at the 8:23 mark in the second quarter.

A fumbled snap by Blooming Prairie during a punt from deep in its own territory resulted in Lester Prairie taking over at the Blossoms' 15-yard line, where the Bulldogs quickly went to work, scoring in two plays to lead 16-0 with another successful two-point conversion.

Lester Prairie’s 16-0 lead would hold until time expired in the first half.

However, coming out of the half it was Blooming Prairie who found a quick spark recovering a fumble by Lester Prairie in its own territory and capping its ensuing drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown by Cale Braaten.

Blooming Prairie attempted a two-point conversion after the play, but quarterback Brady Kittelson’s pass fell incomplete to keep the score at 16-6.

Unfortunately for Blooming Prairie, Braaten’s touchdown would be the team’s lone score of the game, and Lester Prairie went on to answer quickly.

The Bulldogs capitalized on a Blooming Prairie penalty that moved the Blossoms to their own goal line by sacking Kittelson in the end zone for a safety, and moving the score to 18-6 just before the end of the third quarter.

Blooming Prairie was able to stop Lester Prairie after punting to the Bulldogs, and took the ball down to the Lester Prairie three-yard line on the ensuing drive, but a fourth-and-goal attempt was stuffed by the Bulldogs.

Lester Prairie finally capped the game at 26-6 after a 50-yard rushing touchdown and successful two-point conversion sealed the Awesome Blossoms' fate.

Kittelson finished the game completing 12 of 22 passes for 130 yards and one interception, while Cole Wangen led the offense with 58 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

Blooming Prairie will head home next to face United South Central on Friday at 7 p.m.

Player Stats

Passing

#9 Brady Kittelson – 12-22 130 yards 1 Int.

Rushing

#4 Cole Wangen – 20 att. 58 yards 1 Fum.; #9 Kittelson – 4 att. -12 yards 2 Fum.; #19 Cale Braaten – 3 att. 7 yards

Receiving

#5 Cade Christianson – 6 rec. 86 yards; #4 Wangen – 2 rec. 27 yards; #12 Alex Lea – 3 rec. 17 yards

Defense

#12 Lea – 8.5 tackles 8 solo 1 assist 1 TFL; #14 Jacob Pauly – 4.0 tackles 4 solo 1 TFL; #27 Derek Kubicek – 3.5 tackles 3 solo 1 assist; #4 Wangen – 2.0 tackles 1 solo 2 assist 1.5 TFL