Blossoms beat down Hayfield 31-0

Blooming Prairie disposed of Hayfield 31-0 in its homecoming football game last week to return to the .500-mark, 3-3 overall, in what has been an atypical season for the Awesome Blossoms.

Head coach Chad Gimbel’s squad looked back in form against Hayfield and erased its losing record – something the Awesome Blossoms have not had since starting 0-1 in 2016.

After a slow start that saw both sides punt and turn the ball over on downs in their first two drives, Blooming Prairie was able to score on yet another explosive run from quarterback Brady Kittelson.

After recording two 60-yard touchdowns a week ago in Kenyon, Kittelson added to his rushing totals by scoring from 77 yards out to put the Awesome Blossoms up 7-0 late in the first quarter.

After forcing a Hayfield punt on the ensuing possession, Blooming Prairie went back to work offensively after starting from its 30-yard line in the second quarter.

This time around, the Blossoms deployed a measured attack of nine plays to gather all 70 yards, capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge by running back Cole Wangen.

Blooming Prairie attempted to go for two after the score and was unsuccessful, keeping the Blossoms’ lead at 13-0 with 4:30 remaining in the half.

Hayfield’s offense put up its best drive of the first half with time running out in the second quarter, but eventually stalled and turned the ball over on downs after gaining 44 yards on 16 plays with 26 seconds remaining.

Blooming Prairie was able to get the ball back and run out the clock to end the first half with its 13-0 lead intact.

Hayfield received the opening kickoff of the second half, but promptly punted to Blooming Prairie and set up the Blossoms on their own 43-yard line.

Quick scores remained the narrative for Blooming Prairie as Gimbel’s offense marched 57 yards down the field in just three plays with utility player Alex Lea finding the endzone on a 26-yard rush.

Blooming Prairie missed the extra point and maintained its lead at 19-0.

Hayfield came the closest it would get to scoring on the ensuing drive, but once again turned the ball over on downs, this time near the Blossoms’ redzone at the 28-yard line.

Blooming Prairie once again managed to turn the Vikings’ misfortune into points with Kittelson finding wide receiver Bradley Boyd from 35 yards out to push the home team’s lead to 25-0 after another missed extra point.

The final dagger in Hayfield’s chances came from Kittelson once more. The junior found the endzone on a 50-yard rush to officially seal the game at 31-0.

Potentially the only blemish on Blooming Prairie’s night was its kicking game, as an extra-point attempt failed to convert for the third consecutive time.

Kittelson was by far the Awesome Blossoms’ most efficient player on the night and totaled 81 yards passing and 156 rushing to amass 237 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

Up next for Blooming Prairie is a road game against 1-5 overall Winona Cotter on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.

Player Stats

Passing

#9 Brady Kittelson – 5/7 81 yards 1 TD; #5 Gabe Staloch – 2/4 2 yards

Rushing

#9 Kittelson – 6 att. 156 yards 2 TD; #4 Cole Wangen – 11 att. 67 yards 1 TD; #2 Bradley Boyd – 2 att. 37 yards; #12 Alex Lea – 1 att. 26 yards 1 TD; #6 Gage Mullenbach – 2 att. 6 yards; #8 David Clennon – 1 att. -5 yards

Receiving

#2 Boyd – 3 rec. 46 yards 1 TD; #12 Lea – 3 rec. 35 yards; #1 Dylan Anderson – 1 rec. 2 yards; #8 Clennon – 1 rec. -2 yards