A playoff run

The Bomber football team reaches the section title game before ending their season.

The+Bomber+football+squad+huddles+around+their+coach+during+playoffs

Bryson Felton

The Bomber football squad huddles around their coach during playoffs

As the the regular season wound down, the Cannon Falls Bombers looked to start a lengthy playoff run and make it to the mystical territory of “state football”. They earned the number two seed in the playoffs after winning four regular season games. The Bombers also hosted two playoff games because of their seed.

The first playoff game was against the La Crescent Lancers and it proved to be an easy win. Cannon jumped to a very promising lead by scoring two touchdowns in the first half. They padded the lead to three touchdowns as the Bombers scored another in the third quarter. The score was 24 to 0. It looked to be over until La Crescent’s offense came alive and scored twice in the fourth quarter, but it didn’t prove to be enough. Cannon beat the Lancers 24 to 14 and advanced further into the playoffs.

The Bombers were extremely enthusiastic about the hard fought win they had against the Lancers, but their minds had to move onto the Lake City Tigers. It was time to cage the Tigers once again. Coach Josh Hofstedt had some inspiring words that stuck in the minds of all the players throughout the game. “Let’s go out there and prove we are the team to beat. We can beat these guys and show we are one of the most dominant programs in the state.” The weather was a major factor in the game, making the Bomber’s duty to win much harder. John Burch Park was overlaid with pudding-like mud. It was a sloppy mess but the Bombers got the job done. It was a 36 to 6 victory for the Bombers and running the ball seemed effortless. Hayden Strain finished the game with 12 carries for 35 yards and a score. Andrew Egge contributed as well by scoring once with two carries and 24 yards. Defensively, Logan Hofstedt, Mason Hofstedt, and Carlton Lindow led the way with 7 tackles. After the game, the team was covered in mud and the only worry was cleaning that mud off the jerseys for the next game against the well-known Rochester Lourdes.

The next game against Lourdes was much more than just a game, it was a bid to state for the Bombers. Only four other teams have made it to the section championship from Cannon Falls. It was indeed a crucial game. Cannon seemed very confident facing this team, because after facing Lourdes earlier in the season, they won five out of the last six games. Their confidence was soon shattered as the Lourdes brought their “A” game. Lourdes defense stuffed Cannon’s potent running game. Rochester ran the ball extremely well. The Bomber football team didn’t seem to have any life left  and the final score was 41 to 14. This year, the mighty Bombers will be graduating thirteen seniors who all contributed tremendously to the team. They will surely be missed but the Bombers are looking to bounce back, and come back stronger next year.  Cannon Falls finished the season with six wins and five losses. Many tears were shed from graduating seniors, who realized it was their final game but they will never forget the years of memories they shared with the team.