Falls High School graduate will remember this near perfect season for years to come
MINNEAPOLIS — Marc Franz has been around football a long time, and Saturday afternoon’s Class 4A championship in the final game of Prep Bowl XXIX at Mall of America Field, even though it was a loss, was one he wants to remember a long time.
“Easily one of the most memorable seasons I’ve been involved with,” Franz told The Journal following Rogers’ 34-14 loss to Totino Grace in the state championship.
Franz, a 1987 Falls High School grad, started coaching the Royals eight seasons ago when the school created the program. Before that, the St. Cloud State graduate spent 11 years as an assistant coach at Elk River.
“The kids, they did exactly what you ask seniors to do. They went all-in with this football group,” Franz said, noting many of his 24 seniors dedicated themselves in the offseason after losing to Totino Grace in the quarterfinals last year. “They gave it their best all season long.”
Totino-Grace (12-1) utilized a balanced attack en route to the win over previously unbeaten Rogers. The title was the Eagles’ second consecutive and eighth overall. Rogers, the Section 5 champion, finished the season with a record of 12-1. They are 21-2 over the past two seasons.
“Their size in the line was a big factor in the win,” Franz said.
Senior halfback Tom Laventure carried the load on the ground, rushing 15 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Senior fullback Ashford Kromah scored a touchdown while rushing 14 times for 80 yards. Senior halfback Xavier Fust also scored on a one-yard touchdown run for the Eagles late in the second quarter to extend the Totino-Grace lead to 21-7 at the half.
Rogers quarterback Bjorn Bloom completed 22 of 41 passes for 250 yards. Senior fullback Tyler Brisbin led eight Royals runners with eight carries for 59 yards. Junior wide receiver Andrew Smith hauled in eight passes for 70 yards.
“The kids were disappointed, but they definitely weren’t dejected,” Franz said, noting his team realized how well these past two seasons turned out.
Following Saturday’s loss, one of the Rogers players held up the runner-up plaque to a large crowd that had yet to exit the Dome. The Royals fans responded with a big ovation.
“Even though we’re in the suburbs, we have that small town community feel,” Franz said. “We had just about everybody out here Friday nights.”
