A simple midseason position switch transformed Grand Meadow from a very good team to a great one. The result was evident throughout the Superlarks’ convincing victory in the 9-Man Prep Bowl championship.

Attempting to keep senior Trenton Bleifus fresh to play quarterback, Grand Meadow started the season with him at safety. After giving up 47 points in a loss to Lanesboro, Bleifus was moved from safety to middle linebacker. The defense solidified, keying the run to the state title.

On Friday at the Metrodome, Grand Meadow gave up just 189 total yards to Underwood, much of that long after the game had been decided. With Bleifus leading on both sides of the ball, Grand Meadow (13-1) rolled to a 28-0 lead before Underwood scored midway through the fourth quarter.

“Coach wanted to save me to play offense, but I knew if I could come up and get closer to the ball, we could be a great defense,” Bleifus said. “It feels great to see how well our defense played today.

Key of the game: Bleifus, on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns, passed for 111 yards and a score, made 10 tackles and broke up a pass.

Quote: “Moving Trenton up from safety to linebacker was the biggest thing for us,” said senior lineman Isaac Tangen, one of the Superlarks’ captains. “It’s amazing how well our defense jelled after that. It’s crazy.”

One thing to know: Through the first three quarters, Underwood’s offense had 86 total yards on 10 possessions and crossed midfield just once.

Grand Meadow proved efficient on offense and stubborn on defense, more than enough to lift the Superlarks to a convincing 28-6 victory Underwood on Fridah in the 9-Man Prep Bowl championship game at the Metrodome.

Quarterback Trenton Bleifus completed 10 of 20 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown and rushed 15 times for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

As good as Bleifus was under center, he may have been better at middle linebacker. Bleifus made 10 tackles, spearheading a defense that held Underwood to fewer than 100 total yards until the Rockets’s put together their only scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter.

Landon Jacobson rushed 28 times for 123 yards and a touchdown for Grand Meadow, which won its first state championship.