But in Saturday’s state semifinal game at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Parkers Prairie ran into a Minneota program that hasn’t missed a beat since falling in the 2021 MSHSL Class A State Championship game.
Minneota, the winner of the last two Class A state titles, had its sights set on winning its 32nd game in a row and getting back to the state championship game. And that’s exactly what it did, beating Parkers Prairie 45-0 on Nov. 16, 2024.
“Minneota is a great team, and they have been for quite some time,” Parkers Prairie head coach Mike Johnson said. “It was a big challenge that we took head-on. We knew it was going to be a battle, and our goal was to play our best football today and see where the chips fall.”
Minneota (12-0) jumped out a 7-0 as its first drive of the game was capped off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown at the 5:14 mark of the first quarter. A 10-yard rushing touchdown by Ryan Meagher gave a 14-0 lead heading to the second quarter.
A Destin Fier 24-yard touchdown run, a 54-yard touchdown pass from Larson to Fier, and a 12-yard touchdown run by Meagher gave Parkers Prairie a 35-0 lead at halftime.
“Ryan, Destin, and Lucas Rybinski had a spectacular day on offense,” Minneota head coach Chad Johnston said. “When we ran the ball, we were able to mix it up with them. That was key to our success. Our guys blocked well, too.”
Minneota’s special teams scored in the second half as Kellen Bradley returned an interception for a touchdown from 34 yards out.
Parkers Prairie finishes the season with a 9-4 record.
Parkers Prairie’s Chavous Wendt (15) hands the ball off to Zackery Ruckheim (28) during an MSHSL Class A State Tournament semifinal game against Minneota on Nov. 16, 2024, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
“Once these guys hit the playoffs, things really took off for them,” Johnson said. “They were playing well on the sides of the ball and were coming out with some extra juice and executing the game plan. We have great leaders on our team here, and they’ve led us every step of the way.”
This run to the state semifinals gives Parkers Prairie its best finish in school history.
“We’ve had great families supporting us,” Parkers Prairie senior Joe Johnson said.
“It’s great to see the community out here supporting us,” Parkers Prairie senior Ben Wagner said. “We have a great community.”
This state semifinal finish also caps off a successful 2024 calendar year in which the Parkers Prairie baseball team placed second in the Class A State Tournament, and the wrestling team (a co-op with Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale) made it back to the team state tournament.
“It’s been an unbelievable experience,” Parkers Prairie senior Mason Boesl said.
This loss is the end of a long journey for a lot of Parkers Prairie seniors.
Four seasons ago, the Panthers went 1-8. The Panthers took a step forward in 2022, finishing 3-6.
Parkers Prairie’s Shane Hanson (25) makes a tackle as Evan Lenzen follows during an MSHSL Class A State Tournament semifinal game on Nov. 16, 2024, at US Bank Stadium.
The Panthers made a big leap in 2023, finishing 9-3 and making it to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years and the second time in school history.
In 2024, Parkers Prairie went to new heights, finishing as a state semifinalist.
“They’ll leave their mark on Parkers Prairie history from the top down as far as being good people, good student-athletes, and experiencing the things they have,” Johnson said. “They’ve created a buzz around the town and in the halls. I have four little kids who want to be like these guys. We couldn’t have better role models for our kids and for our underclassmen. They set the tone and set an example of what it takes to be successful, both on the field and off the field, and at the end of the day, that’s what high school sports are about. They’re both becoming better young people and becoming people who will make an impact, not while they’re just in high school but also after they leave. Their legacy and impact on our school and community will carry on for a long time.”
1/3: Parkers Prairie’s Ben Wagner makes a catch during an MSHSL Class A State Semifinal game against Minneota on Nov. 16, 2024, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
2/3: Parkers Prairie’s Joe Johnson (32) kicks the ball during an MSHSL Class A State Semifinal game against Minneota on Nov. 16, 2024, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
3/3: Parkers Prairie’s Mason Boesl (white jersey) tries to avoid a trio of Minneota Vikings during an MSHSL Class A State Semifinal game against Minneota on Nov. 16, 2024, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Sam Stuve / Alexandria Echo Press
Parkers Prairie – 0 0 0 0 – 0
Minneota – 14 21 10 0 – 45
MINNEOTA – Brody Larson 2-yard run, Ian Myhre PAT, 5:14 (Minneota 7-0)
MINNEOTA – Ryan Meagher 10-yard run, Myhre PAT, 1:26 (Minneota 14-0)
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