Spring Grove uses inspired second half to beat Lanesboro for 9-Player title

Nov. 7—AUSTIN — The Spring Grove football team is back, having reached the 9-Player football state tournament for the first time since the 2022 season. The Lions, seeded second in the Section 1, 9-Player tournament, used a big second half to push past No. 1-seeded Lanesboro 36-12 in the championship game at Austin's Wescott Field on Friday. The 8-3 Lions led 14-6 at halftime, but then put together a 22-point second half to run away with the win. Lanesboro had its season finish at 8-3 overall. "Getting back to state, it is an incredible feeling," said Spring Grove coach Kody Moore, whose team lost to Mabel-Canton in last year's section final. "We were really hungry to get another crack at it again. We used to take state for granted a little bit. But now we realize it's not easy to get to this point." The Lions had lost to the Burros during the regular season, 36-25 on Oct. 14. They followed that with another loss — 20-7 to Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons — before winning three straight games in the section playoffs. The Lions played excellent defense in the championship game, particularly in the second half. "We were very physical," Moore said. The Spring Grove offense was led by quarterback Dylan Halverson. He rushed 22 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. He also was 4-for-7 passing for 91 yards and a touchdown. Spring Grove finished with 167 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. Caden Gerard had 11 carries for 60 yards and scored on running plays of 4 and 3 yards. Lanesboro, which had a turnaround season after a series of losing ones, was held to 70 yards rushing by Spring Grove's stout defense. Henry Semmen was limited to 55 yards rushing and quarterback Teague Tessum was 9-for-19 with a pair of interceptions. Gerard and Ethan Rask had the picks for Spring Grove. Also, Travis Fisch recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. SPRING GROVE 36, LANESBORO 12 Spring Grove 7-7-7-15 — 36 Lanesboro 0-6-6-0 — 12