Benilde-St. Margaret's lineman Braeden Fitzgerald* (62) hold up the hardware in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret's on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)
The Winona Winhawks were on a mission in 2016 as they made their first Prep Bowl appearance in 29 years. Their opponent, un-ranked Benilde-St. Margaret’s, who surged late and came into the tournament un-ranked but hungry.
In the end it was Benilde-St. Margaret’s ground game that gave them the edge in the second half, where they outscored
the Winhawks 14-0 and more importantly, kept the ball out of the hands of Winona’s for 15:46 minutes in the second half. The Red Knights rushed on 29 plays and wore down the Winhawks defense and were 3-6 on fourth down conversions in the second half.
Some key stats from the game:
Winona
Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Rushing yards
132
188
Attempts
29
57
Passing yards
198
153
Completions
9
9
Attempts
20
18
Interceptions
4
0
Total offensive yards
330
341
Interceptions
0-0-0
4-94-1
Int-Yds-TD
Fumbles recovered
1-37-1
0-0-0
Fumb-Yds-TD
Total offensive plays
49
75
Time of possession
16:54
31:06:00
Fourth down conversion
0-2
3-4
The game ended when Benilde-St. Margaret’s Liam Ford intercepted a pass and returned it five yards to the Winona 21 yard line. The Red Knights were content to run the clock down to end the game.
Photos by Rick Corwine, story by Matt Blewett
Benilde-St. Margaret’s lineman Braeden Fitzgerald* (62) hold up the hardware in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margret’s champions in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s quarterback Alex Houlihan (24) battles for a few yards in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margret’s fans celebrate their victory in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)A battle for the ball in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s receiver Peyton James (27) fights for the ball in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s tight end Malachi Johnson (18) in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s lineman John Whitmore (51) makes an interception and runs for a touchdown in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s running back Liam Ford (81) fights for yards in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Dakota Matthees (32) fights for but misses this pass in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Dakota Matthees (32) celebrates a touchdown in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Josh Bade (2) in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Terrell Hall (4) in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Cole Reinardy (20) in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)A battle for the ball in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Another BSM touchdown in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s quarterback Alex Houlihan (24) finds a hole in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Terrell Hall (4) makes a break in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Benilde-St. Margaret’s tight end Andrew Radosevich (40) looks for room to run in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Logan Smith (23) streches for a pass in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Dakota Matthees (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)Winona receiver Dakota Matthees (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the 4A game between Winona and Benilde-St. Margret’s on November 25, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (Photo by Rick Corwine/The Minnesota Sports Report)
