Paynesville football team makes semifinals first time in nearly 40 years

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Paynesville is often linked to the tragic case of Jacob Wetterling. But this year, their football team has been a bright spot and a rallying point for the community, making the state semifinals the first time in almost 40 years.

The Paynesville High School football team received a hero's send off Thursday morning.

The community's emergency vehicles led the way out of town for the Bulldogs’ 100-mile journey to U.S. Bank Stadium. in Minneapolis.

"It's very, very awesome,” said Molly Stang, a Paynesville High School senior. “So hyped. We are a hyped super fan section. We have everybody here.”

Their green clad fans soaked up every moment of the Bulldogs’ first trip to the state semifinals in nearly 40 years. The turnout left some wondering whether the entire town of 2,500 made the joyous trek.

"This is awesome, amazing, super-duper exciting,” said Kristen Woelfel, a Paynesville High School teacher. “We are super excited for the entire community of Paynesville to be here."

"It's so cool,” said Grace Lange, a Paynesville High School senior. “Never thought we'd get this far. One of the best experiences. As senior, all of us are really excited."

On the field, Paynesville ran into a buzzsaw against 2A powerhouse Caledonia. The warriors haven't lost a game in three years and they dominated this one, racing out to a 42-0 halftime lead. But the bulldogs never quit, scoring two late touchdowns.

The coach explained it's the kind of team fight that made it so easy for the community to fall in love with this season, which ended a prep playoff drought putting Paynesville in the headlines again for all the right reasons.

"That's a team,” said Max Meagher, Paynesville High School head football coach. “No one individual. I am proud of them and the way they battled all year. Can't say enough about the character of our team."