Year: 2003
"This is the ultimate reward." — Breck senior quarterback Liam O'Hagan
With the holiday season right around the corner, Goodhue found Medford to already be in a very giving mood.
Goodhue graciously accepted six turnovers and numerous other mistakes by the previously undefeated Tigers and won the Class 1A championship game 20-8. It was the first title in program history for Goodhue.
"That wasn't us," Medford coach Maurice McCabe said. "We haven't played like that all year."
Goodhue's aggressive play on both sides of the ball had plenty to do with that. The game was expected to be a battle of elite defenses, but a big play on offense set the tone. The Wildcats shocked Medford with a 77-yard touchdown pass from Brian Buck to Corey Ryan on their first play from scrimmage. The two-point conversion quickly made it 8-0.
"I think that put some question marks in their minds," Goodhue coach Clair Austin said. "They had only given up one touchdown pass all season, and then they gave up one in the first few minutes."
Medford's string of mistakes began soon after. The Tigers managed to tie the score on a 9-yard pass from Brent Yule to Joe Arnold early in the second quarter but wasted three opportunities to take the lead. Each time they took possession of the ball in Goodhue territory, but they lost two fumbles and threw an interception.
"Our defense is tough," Austin said. "They've been pretty salty all year long."
