Pierz Wins Class 3A Minnesota Football Championship

The #2 rated Pierz Pioneers finished a dream season going unbeaten after a 34-21 win over #1 ranked and previously unbeaten St. Croix Lutheran in the  Prep Bowl Saturday.

Senior running back Jalen Jensen had 178 yards on the ground and scored twice for Pierz and St. Croix Lutheran had a Prep Bowl record-tying 8 fumbles in the game with four of them resulting in turnovers.

The Crusaders lost to Rochester Lourdes in last year's title game.

Pierz led 21-7 at the half and converted 5 of 8 third downs in the game while St. Croix Lutheran was 4 of 12 in third down conversions.

Pierz was 1 of 7 for 23 yards passing and the Crusaders were 5 of 12 for 49 yards.

In addition to Jensen, Pioneer Reese Kapsner had 20 runs for 128 yards and three touchdowns.

James Chernohorsky led St. Croix Lutheran with 92 yards on 13 carries and Mike Stern added 87 yards on 19 carries.

Colton Boser led the Pierz defense with 12 total tackles and two fumble recoveries.  He also had an assisted tackle for loss.  Teammate Luke Girtz also tallied 12 tackles and forced a fumble.

It was the Pioneers second state 3A title in the past three seasons and their third championship overall.  Pierz won the Class 2A title in 2004.