Barnesville came back from a 15-6 halftime deficit to defeat Jackson County Central 38-23 in the Minnesota State AA semifinals to earn a trip to the Prep Bowl for the second year in a row, in the Trojans quest for back to back state championships.
It was a tale of two halves in this repeat of last year’s semifinal game between these two teams. The Huskies behind the arm and legs of sophomore quarterback Roman Voss and the rushing of tailback Seth Stia were able to secure an early lead for JCC, with revenge on their mind after last years semifinal loss to the Trojans.
Barnesville won the opening toss and chose to be on offense to start the game. That gave Jackson County Central the first possession of the second half, and unfortunately for the Huskies despite leading 15-6, the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter ended in an unfortunate injury to Voss.
Voss suffered a concussion that required him to be carted off the field with the help of local EMTs Voss gave a thumbs up while being secured on his way to the ambulance, which in turn gave the crowd at US Bank a chance to cheer, after 15 minutes of dead silence while the star quarterback for JCC was being treated by emergency personnel.
The Trojans reeled off 32 unanswered points off four Husky turnovers to win 38-23. Gannon Bolgrean led the Trojans with 80 yards rushing and a touchdown and sophomore tailback Major Ness and Cameron Halverson also had two touchdowns.
Barnesville will face Eden Valley Watkins for the AA Prep Bowl Championship Friday at US Bank Stadium at 1pm. Derek Hanson will have the call on 740 The Fan.