Blooming Prairie recovered two turnovers deep in BOLD territory in the first quarter Saturday morning at US Bank Stadium but were not able to convert either into points. BOLD (Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian District) defeated BP 37-7 in their state Class A semifinal to advance to the Prep Bowl.

After BOLD kicked a field goal for a 3-0 lead, Blooming Prairie punted for the second time. The ball slipped through the return man's hands and BP recovered at the BOLD 11-yard line. A penalty pushed the Blossoms back and they turned the ball over on downs at the Warrior's three-yard line.

On that drive, BOLD fumbled with Dylan Nirk recovering the ball at the BOLD 21. BP lost yardage on a fumble and gave the ball back to the Warriors at their 14.

BOLD would later go on a 14-play, 98-yard drive for a 10-0 halftime lead. The Warriors, who entered the game with a plus-35 in takeaway/giveaway, would eventual even that stat with a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception.

Blooming Prairie converted an onside kick to open the third quarter and drove the ball for a touchdown on a 21-yard Kaden Thomas to Payton Simon pass, trimming the deficit to 10-7.

BOLD scored on the ensuing drive with a quick two-minute, 70 yard drive that included a 57-yard run. BOLD rushed for 328 yards and added 99 passing yards. BP threw the ball for 205 yards but rushed for just 34.

The Warriors scored on their next drive and the scoop-and-score fumble return after that for a 30-7 lead entering the fourth quarter. BOLD went 5-for-5 inside the red zone, while BP was 1-for-4.

BOLD (13-0) was 6-for-9 on third-down conversions, while holding BP to 4-for-13. Blooming Prairie (12-1) was 1-for-4 on fourth-down conversion attempts.

These programs also met in the 1974 state tournament when Bird Island beat Blooming Prairie in a game in Owatonna. Kat Kountry play-by-play announcer Jason Iacovino aired an interview with then-assistant coach H Peterson looking back at that game. In that day, only four teams per class reached the playoffs.

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