Orono Spartans Claim First State Football Championship in Thrilling Prep Bowl Victory
ORONO,MN – The Orono Spartans are state champions. In a dramatic Class 4A prep Bowl showdown on Friday,Orono defeated Kasson-Mantorville 21-14,securing the programme’s first-ever Minnesota State High School League football title. The victory caps a remarkable season for the Spartans, who entered the tournament unranked and navigated a challenging path to the championship.
Orono’s championship run was forged in adversity. A mid-season loss to Delano – their third defeat in the first seven weeks - served as a pivotal moment, refocusing the team’s energy on a single goal. Head coach Joe McPherson delivered a stark message to his players following the setback: “We have one season left, and that’s playoffs.”
The team responded with resilience. McPherson described the subsequent practice, held on a rainy October morning with 6 a.m. sprints, as surprisingly positive. “This is a special group,” he said. “They showed up, they reset.”
That reset propelled Orono (10-3) thru the state tournament, culminating in a stunning semifinal victory over previously undefeated Marshall. The Spartans then faced a resolute Kasson-Mantorville team, who rallied after halftime despite trailing 21-0.
“I kind of think it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us,” Orono senior defensive end Simon Vinton said, reflecting on the impact of the earlier loss to Delano.
Orono’s championship marks the fourth time in five seasons the program has reached the state tournament, solidifying its position as a consistent contender in Class 4A football.
