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)
Sarah Jessica Parker loves her fans, but she hates that people have grown comfortable touching her without asking permission first.
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Sarah Jessica Parker has spent most of her life as a star. Her Hollywood career started when she was just 11 years old. As a child, she was best known for her stage work, but her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the Cityas an adult is by far her most famous. She’s grown used to being recognized on the streets of New York City and being stopped by fans. Still, there is one aspect of her celebrity lifestyle that she’s never gotten used to. In 2019, Sarah Jessica Parker revealed that it freaks her out when strangers touch her.
Sarah Jessica Parker hates being touched by fans
In a 2019 chat with the Herald Sun, Parker discussed her longstanding career and what it’s like to be a celebrity on the streets of New York City. The actor famous for portraying Carrie Bradshaw insists she loves her fans’ enthusiasm. Still, she’s never gotten used to being touched by complete strangers without them asking first.
Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw | Craig Blankenhorn/Max
She told the publication that selfie culture has given rise to people simply grabbing her to snap a photo. Parker admitted that the practice makes her feel uneasy and can create a hostile environment. She revealed that it makes her anxious when there is no conversation and someone just runs up to her for a photo. While Parker happily takes pictures with fans, she said she much prefers a conversation over a selfie request. Parker isn’t the only celebrity who has spoken out on the topic in the past. Several celebrities have complained about the aggressive nature of fans in today’s culture.
Where does Sarah Jessica Parker live?
Parker might run into fans more often than most celebrities. The star has spent most of her career living and working in New York City. The city’s culture pretty much demands that residents spend a good deal of time out in public. As a city dweller who lives in the West Village, Parker spends her time walking around the city, just like everyone else.
She doesn’t utilize car services nearly as often as her iconic character, either. In 2023, Parker revealed she still regularly takes the New York City subway, something Carrie almost never did. During an appearance onThe Howard Stern Show, she admitted that she uses the subway all the time because it’s the most efficient way to get from appointment to appointment.
