Several players from the Becker Bulldog football team participated in the Minnesota Vikings 7-on-7 passing tournament in Minnetonka and Eden Prairie last Sunday with the Bulldogs finishing in second place.
Head Coach Dwight Lundeen brought four coaches and 14 players to the one-day tournament held at Minnetonka High School and the Vikings training facility at Winter Park.
Sixteen teams from all across the state of Minnesota participated in a tournament designed to showcase quarterbacks and passing defense. There are no linemen and direct contact is not allowed.
Teams start on the opponent’s 40-yard-line. First downs are earned by gaining 20 yards rather than the usual 10. Interceptions count as turnovers, but cannot be returned for a score. When one possession concludes, teams flip-flop sides and start again from the 40. Referees are present, but rarely do more than keep time, determine completions and spot the ball.
Big plays are frequent, scores are elevated and athleticism abounds.
Lundeen’s team played a 9 a.m. game Sunday against North Minneapolis and won that matchup. Next, they took on Coon Rapids at 11 a.m. and won, moving on to the Vikings training center to thrash Sartell at 1 p.m. to gain the championship game against Lakeville South at 2 p.m.
The Cougars jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead and didn’t look back, defeating Becker 34-14 in the title contest.
The title game matchup pitted programs which were previous champions in the event, held by the Vikings and the NFL High School Player Development program.
Lakeville South won the competition in 2012, while Dwight Lundeen’s Becker squad were the victors in 2013. Unlike the past handful of years, the winner of the event will not advance to the national tournament in Indianapolis due to a lack of funding.
Veldman/Brown to play in All-Star Game
Graduated seniors Michael Veldman (QB) and Dawson Brown (DB/WR) will be competing today (Saturday) at St. Cloud State in the Minnesota Coaches Association All-Star Football Game at 1 p.m.
Veldman and Brown were instrumental in guiding the 2015 Becker Bulldogs to a state championship last fall at TCF Bank Stadium.
One hundred student/athletes from all across the state will participate Saturday in a classic North versus South contest. Veldman, who in January made a commitment to play at NDSU, was named 2014 St. Cloud all area and conference offensive MVP. In 13 games, he completed 171 of 282 passes for 2544 yards (195 ypg) and 34 TDs.
Brown, who verbally committed to Bethel earlier this year, was named to the 2014 all state second team, had 83 tackles, 3 sacks, 11 tackles for losses and 6 interceptions (including three in the championship game against DeLaSalle).
“I am so proud of those two guys who represent Becker well,” said Coach Lundeen. “Rarely does a school get two players named to the all-star game in the same year so it’s quite an honor.”
