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Caledonia ties state record with fifth straight 2A title in 26-0 victory over Minneapolis North

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune, 11/29/19, 4:00PM CST

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Sophomore Eli King caught two touchdown passes from older brother Noah and returned a punt 58 yards for another score as the Warriors defense shut down the high-scoring Polars.


Caledonia wide receiver Eli King (2) evaded a tackle attempt by Minneapolis North's Elisha Jackson Jr. in the first half Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo: Steel Brooks, special to the Star Tribune

Caledonia coach Carl Fruechte had his fill of the common refrain regarding the Warriors’ Class 2A championship game opponent, Minneapolis North.
Yes, the Polars are fast. Thing is, Fruechte believed his Warriors were just as fast.

They proved it Friday, beating previously undefeated North 26-0 to win their fifth consecutive Class 2A state championship.

“I thought we were the fastest team on the field and I thought we were the most physical team on the field,” Fruechte said. “That made me very happy.”

Caledonia not only won its 68th consecutive game, it became just the second team in state history to win five straight state titles. Stephen-Argyle won five consecutive Nine-Man championships from 2003 through 2007.

After going three-and-out on its first two drives, Caledonia took a 6-0 lead when senior quarterback Noah King hit his younger brother Eli in stride. Eli King outraced the Polars to the end zone for a 42-yard score.

The Warriors made it 13-0 early in the second quarter on the type of heads-up play that defines Caledonia football. A short punt by North (12-1) bounced in front of return man Eli King. As North players appeared to think it was going out of bounds, King slipped in, picked up the ball on the run and raced through the stunned Polars for a 58-yard touchdown.

First report

Caledonia took advantage of a mistake-prone Minneapolis North to win its fifth consecutive Class 2A state championship with a 26-0 victory.

The Warriors won their 68th straight game thanks to three scores from sophomore Eli King: Two touchdown receptions and a stunning 58-yard punt return that took North by surprise.

The Polars (12-1) turned the ball over three times Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Caledonia (14-0) became the second team in state history to win five consecutive state titles. Stephen-Argyle won five consecutive Nine-Man championships from 2003 through 2007.

Check back later for more on the game.

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