NEW SEASON, OLD WINNING WAYS

A newly designed Blooming Prairie High School football team showed off some new personnel in defeating Rushford-Peterson, 37-22, in a season-opening Gopher Conference game at home Friday night, Oct. 9.
The defending Class 1A state champions showed a new look on the football field with the loss of 13 seniors from last year's team.
"Our kids were a little nervous with many seeing extensive action for the first time," remarked Coach Chad Gimbel.
The Awesome Blossoms shined on offense, amassing over 500 yards. Junior quarterback Drew Kittelson had a banner night, being a part of all six BP touchdowns. He threw five touchdown passes and ran for one on a 41-yard scamper.
Quarterback Kittelson completed 21 of 39 passes for 300 yards.
Wide receiver Mitchell Fiebiger, a senior, caught three touchdown passes and also played a stellar game on defense at his middle linebacker position. He was named Player of the Game by Owatonna Live, broadcaster of the Friday night game under the lights.
Wide receiver Brad Simon also had an outstanding night, catching two touchdown passes. He plays free safety on defense.
Senior Tyler Archer totaled 129 yards rushing for the night.
In addition to his offensive heroics, Kittelson, 6 ft. 5 in. and 180 pounds, intercepted a Trojan pass in the second quarter.
With temperatures in the lower 70s and only 250 fans in the stands, the stage was set for the 2020 high school football season in Blooming Prairie. More than 100 fans were in their vehicles outside the McFarlin Field fence on the north side.
"It was a little different having fewer fans in the stands and we have such great fans," said Coach Gimbel.
The Trojans got on the scoreboard first after capitalizing on a Blossom fumble that gave the Trojans good field position. A penalty gave the Trojans the ball on the six-yard line.
Tommy Ekern scored to cap a 21-yard drive. Rushford-Peterson converted the two-point conversion to take the lead at 8-0 with 7:08 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Blossoms answered with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Kittelson to Simon at 4:12 of the first period. The kick attempt for point after touchdown failed. BP trailed 8-6.
Blooming Prairie pushed ahead at 11:51 of the second period on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Kittelson to wide receiver Simon. A try for the two-point conversion failed. The Blossoms led 12-8.
On defense, Kittelson got the ball back to the Blossoms by intercepting a Trojan pass. A Kittelson to Mitchell Fiebiger pass covering 26 yards resulted in another Blossom touchdown. The kick for PAT was good by Carson Breineke.
The Trojans pulled within 19-14 late in the second quarter on a Justin Ruberg touchdown. The extra point try failed.
The Blossoms took a 19-14 lead into the third quarter and scored at the 9:48 mark on a 41-yard jaunt by quarterback Kittelson. The try for two points was no good. The Blossoms led 25-14.
Blooming Prairie moved ahead at 31-14 on a Kittelson to Fiebiger pass play covering 34 yards. Kittelson and Fiebiger connected again for six points and a 37-14 lead. The point after try was no good.
The Trojans pulled to within 37-22 after connecting on a 71-yard pass play.
Coach Gimbel said Rushford-Peterson had some big plays to set up their scores. The Blossoms held the Trojans to 220 yards on offense. "We helped them out with too many doggone penalties," said Coach Gimbel.
"We need to pay more attention to detail, but this was a first game and Rushford-Peterson has a good team," Gimbel said. He added the Blossoms were forced to make a ton of adjustments on the line to take control of the game.
On defense, Luke Larkoski led the Blossoms with 12 tackles. Simon had four solo tackles.
Blossom junior Payton Fristedt suffered a leg fracture mid-way through the second quarter. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby medical facility.
The defending Section 1A champions travel to Medford defeated Fillmore Central, 32-14 last Friday, totaling 400 yards rushing. "It will be a good challenge focus," said Coach Gimbel.
 
GAME SUMMARY
Blossoms 37, Rushford 22
Rushford-Peterson               8          6          0          8 - 22
Blooming Prairie       6          13       18       0 - 37