Several local athletes are now college football national champions, thanks to their incredible run with UW-River Falls football. The Falcons beat powerhouse North Central 24-14 in Canton, OH on Sunday night to to win their first national title.
The Falcons QB, Kaleb Blaha, who set a record for pass yards in a single season, is from just outside the area in Fridley, but several athletes from Dakota, Washington, Pierce and Goodhue counties are on the team, including Stephen Reifenberger, the former Hastings Raider who played an integral part in the Falcons success this season.
Prescott is also well represented, with two key defensive players in Brady Block and Jack Olson, the latter of who had a key interception in the national title game, while Block had an interception in the semifinals against Johns Hopkins to send the Falcons to the Stagg Bowl. Olson was a major force defensively for the Falcons all season.
Park and Woodbury and Red Wing are also represented: Red Wing alum Rhowan Smith is on the team, while Woodbury’s Blake Rohrer was the team’s top receiver this season. Cottage Grove natives Owen Rose (Park), Jesse Truax (Park), Alex Carr (Park) and Logan Zywiec (Hill-Murray) are also on the team.
Congrats to the Falcons and all athletes.
