with extra week of practice before championship games

By Todd Sommerfeldt, for the Houston County News

Carl Fruechte is a creature of habit.

When the Caledonia High School football coach finds a routine that works for his team, he keeps it.

He's used the same one-week routine that leads up to an MSHSL Class AA state championship game twice in the last three years.

But Fruechte has altered that approach ever-so-slightly this time around with two weeks between the semifinal and championship rounds.

That change took place Nov. 19 with a practice at the Eby Fieldhouse on the campus of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

"I just felt like we needed to get into a fieldhouse to work on our long passing game," said Fruechte, whose team is ranked ninth in the state with a 12-1 record. "We didn't do that last year, and we wouldn't be doing it now if we only had a week (between games)."

Minnesota's high school football season started one week earlier this season, but the Prep Bowl was saved for its regular stay at the Metrodome the two days after Thanksgiving.

Houston coach Jason Freed also likes to stick to a routine. He even plans his practices down to the minute.

This is his first chance to prepare for a championship game, and Freed said he built his plan around advice taken from other coaches.

"I've picked the brains of a lot of coaches," said Freed, whose third-ranked Hurricanes are 13-0. "But I also want to keep things as routine as possible for the players."

That includes familiar practice times and the occasional relay or fun drill thrown in to keep the interest level high.

While the extra week is good for allowing players to heal from nagging injuries, it can also lead to a drop in focus.

Freed counters that by challenging his players instead of going through the motions of a typical practice.

"You don't have to spend nearly as much time on the practice field at this point," Freed said. "I'd rather have them work more in the weight room and on chalk talk."

The similiarities in Fruechte's preparation are emphasized when it comes to the opponent.

The Warriors beat Luverne in last year's title game and play it again for this year's championship.

HOUSTON (13-0) takes on Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley (13-0) for the 9-man championship at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28.

CALEDONIA (12-1) faces Luverne (12-1) at 4 p.m. that day for the Class AA championship.