Benilde-St. Margarets defeats Winona, wins 2016 Class 4A Prep Bowl
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
