No Ricky Floyd, no problem.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s, based in St. Louis Park, lost its star senior running back Ricky Floyd in the first quarter of the Class 4A state high school football championship Nov. 25 at US Bank Stadium. Floyd rushed for 1,827 yards and 26 touchdowns this season.
Junior running back Liam Ford filled in the gap for the Red Knights (10-3) in a 31-28 comeback victory over Winona (11-2). Ford scored the game-winning TD with 4:50 remaining. He ran for 81 yards and two scores, and he intercepted two passes on defense. His second pick secured the win with 1:26 left in the game.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s had reached the state tournament three times before but never made it to the Prep Bowl until this year. The Red Knights also became the first Catholic school football team in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to play a game, win one and claim a championship at the new US Bank Stadium.