GRR: Minnesota
Leading into the Minnesota girls state final, Armstrong coach Jimmy Hanson anticipated one of the best championship matches that the league has seen in a long time. Hanson proved prophetic, as his side had to rally from a first-half deficit to eventually overcome North Suburban 31-17 – a score that belies the intensity and competitiveness of the game itself.
Both Armstrong (5-0) and North Suburban (4-1) were looking forward to yesterday’s game. The leaders in Minnesota's girls high school league were not only desperate for quality competition, but the game was also a Tundra showdown.
On the one hand, Armstrong looked the same. The Minnesota powerhouse opened up its high school season last week with a 109-0 win over Rogers. But the reigning state champ looked different, too, as the 25-player team included 10 freshmen.
The victory capped off a best-ever all-star effort by Minnesota, which has been too often the bridesmaid team in recent years.
Entering the Rocky Mountain Challenge boys HS all-star tournament, the Minnesota team hasn’t had much time to get ready.