Caledonia coach Brent Schroeder said he knew Owen King was poised after watching him in seven-on-seven competition this summer.

The sophomore quarterback demonstrated that poise Saturday, matching a season-high with five touchdown passes in Caledonia’s 43-6 victory over Ottertail Central in the Class 2A semifinals at Mounds View High School.

King threw three scoring passes and rushed for another touchdown in a 30-point second quarter, leading the Warriors (13-0) to their first Prep Bowl appearance since 2012.

“I knew I had great players around me, which always helps,” King said. “My offensive line did a great job today, and my receivers made plays.”

King said he entered the season feeling confident, noting the quality players around him. He was already well-known as an athlete, having helped Caledonia's basketball team to the state tournament the past two years.

King said he has trust in all of his receivers, noting their ability to get open. His 18 completions on Saturday went to seniors Mitchell Schmitz, Colton Lampert and Tanner Gran, The three have combined for 447 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches in two state tournament games this year.

“Anyone of them goes up and makes any play,” King said. “I just hope to give them a chance and usually they come down with it.”

That was apparent in the second quarter. On a third-and-7 early in the second quarter, Schmitz caught a pass about three yards short of the first-down marker but wrestled forward for the first down. On a subsequent fourth down, Lampert got open for a 35-yard touchdown after King was chased from the pocket.

“Owen just takes control and he stays calm and he just makes plays,” Schroeder said. “Guys start catching balls, and things start going our way.”

It helps that Caledonia has a defense that allows less than six points a game. The Warriors limited a normally potent Ottertail Central rushing attack to 90 yards on 31 carries, and defensive back Ben McCabe intercepted three passes, including two in the end zone.

“Our guys just did an incredible job of sticking with the system and making tackles,” Schroeder said. “They just continued to play hard all day. That was really the key.”

The victory comes a year after Caledonia lost 21-0 to BOLD in the semifinals. The team is looking for its sixth title in nine years and first since 2012.

“Everybody around Caledonia thinks it’s easy, but I tell you what, these boys have put in some work,” Schroeder said. “These kids are really just turning the corner this playoff run.”

For Ottertail Central (11-1), the loss ended its first state appearance since 2010. It also ended the career of 43-year coach Don Seipkes, who is retiring.

Seipkes began his coaching career at Henning High School in 1973, leading his team to state that year. Henning merged football programs with Battle Lake High School in 1991.

Seipkes and his team shared a big hug and a few tears after the game, he said.

“I’ve had a great, awesome career, I think, with great kids to coach,” he said. “I’ve got grandkids that are starting to play, and I want to be a part of that too.”

Ottertail Central struggled with injuries toward the end of the season. Starting quarterback, linebacker, punter and kicker Tony Ukkelberg missed Saturday’s game, as did two-way lineman Daniel Ukkelberg. Wide receiver Eric Van Erp appeared to sustain a concussion in the second quarter and did not return.

Leading rusher Cody Seedorf scored a 22-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Caledonia and Ottertail Central had both allowed less than a touchdown a game entering their Class 2A semifinal at Mounds View High School.

That stellar defense continued Saturday for Caledonia (13-0). For Ottertail Central (11-1), it was more of a struggle, especially in the second quarter. Caledonia scored 30 second-quarter points in the quarter to reach the Prep Bowl for the first time since 2012.

Sophomore quarterback Owen King threw three touchdown passes in the quarter, including two to Tanner Gran, and rushed for another. He threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to Mitchell Schmitz. before backup Austin Werner replaced him.

Defensive back Ben McCabe intercepted three passes, including two in the end zone, as Caledonia held Ottertail Central scoreless through three quarters.

Caledonia is looking for its sixth title in nine years. The team will face Pipestone (13-0) in the Prep Bowl at 1 p.m. Friday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Ottertail Central, comprised of students from Battle Lake and Henning high schools, was making its first state appearance since 2010. It held Caledonia scoreless in the first quarter but struggled on offense after an apparent head injury to receiver Eric Van Erp in the second quarter. 
 
The team was without starting quarterback Tony Ukkelberg after he sustained an injury in the quarterfinals.

Running back Cody Seedorf rushed for a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.