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Prep Football: Five area athletes compete in MN Showcase

Area football players, from left, Reece Winkelman, Eli Weber, Tanner Differding, Mitchell Fulton, coach Terry Bahlmann and Blaise Andries after competing for the South in the Minnesota Football Showcase at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday. The South won 15-7.

MINNEAPOLIS – Five area football players were amongst more than 90 of the best high school players in the state as they competed in the Minnesota Football Showcase at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.

With the North pitted against the South, athletes got the chance to play alongside people they’ve played against all season. The South prevailed, winning the game 15-7.

Marshall lineman Blaise Andries, Marshall tight end/linebacker Reece Winkelman, Wabasso linebacker/running back Mitchell Fulton, Minneota lineman Tanner Differding and Dawson-Boyd wide receiver/defensive back Eli Weber all competed for the South in the game. Marshall coach Terry Bahlmann also participated as an assistant coach for the South.

Andries thought the whole experience was pretty special.

“It’s been fun to get to know all of the guys and to be able to play with them,” said Andries. “It’s great competition, and it’s been fun to get in one last high school football game.”

It was a defensive battle for much of the first half, as the score read 0-0 going into the second quarter. With 5:42 left in the half, Alexandria Area quarterback Jaran Roste threw a 7-yard touchdown pass on a slant to Andover wide receiver Michael Wandmaker to put the North up 7-0 at the half.

The South finally got on the board in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run by Grand Meadow’s Christopher Bain. After an encroachment penalty, the South went for the two-point conversion. Lineman Eric Wilson from Benilde-St. Margaret’s forced his way through the middle of the line for the score, putting the South up 8-7 with 10:11 left in the game.

The North attempted a comeback, but South defensive back Brock Boltmann from Edina intercepted a North pass and returned it 40 yards for the touchdown to give the South the lead for good.

Wilson was named the South’s Offensive MVP while Boltmann was named the South’s Defensive MVP.

Winkelman thought it was fun getting to know the guys on the team.

“During the season, some of these people you don’t think you’d ever be friends with, and then you come here and you make new friends and grow closer to a ton of people,” said Winkelman. “Getting back out here at U.S. Bank Stadium and ending it with a W is pretty fun.”

Bahlmann thought the whole experience was great for the guys, especially earlier in the week when they visited the children’s hospital.

“It was a great experience for those guys, and I’m sure they’ll be the first to tell you,” said Bahlmann. “One of the highlights is we went to the children’s hospital. I think it gives our athletes a chance to really see how much they’ve been blessed and how some young people have it. It was a great experience for those guys.”

Lakeville North RB Wade Sullivan named Mr. Football

Wade Sullivan, a running back from Lakeville North, was named Minnesota’s Mr. Football for 2016.

The senior rushed for 1,900 yards and 31 touchdowns this season, and also had 11 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Marshall’s Blaise Andries was named a finalist for the Mr. Football award.

Marshall coach Terry Bahlmann thinks Andries has had a great career and thought it was memorable for him to just be named a finalist.

“There’s a lot of great football players in there, and Blaise has been one of them in his career,” said Bahlmann. “He’s done some outstanding things and he’s been ranked as the top recruit in the state. We think he’s fulfilled that throughout the year, and it’s just an honor being up for it.”

South lineman Blaise Andries from Marshall reaches out to tackle North running back Isaiah Cherrier from Mound Westonka during the Minnesota Football Showcase Saturday.

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