Jake Deutsch grabbed a 7-yard touchdown pass from Parker Johnson early in the fourth quarter to put New Prague up 15-8, then Mitch Callahan sealed things, returning an interception for a touchdown with under three minutes left to give New Prague a 21-8 win over Northfield Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the regular season finale.
Will Busch scored the Trojans’ other touchdown, on a 9-yard run late in the first half. The birthday boy also kicked an extra point and ran in a two-point conversion.

The New Prague Trojan girls soccer team saw its Cinderella run fall one game short of the big dance as they lost to Lakeville South 4-0 Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the Section 1AA championship game.
South led 1-0 at the half, but the Trojan defense denied them a number of times. South made it 2-0 midway through the second half and the Trojans allowed two more goals in the final 10 minutes.

Ronald S. Bergstrom (‘Bubs’) of Northfield formerly of Elko, MN, age 93, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2019 at Three Links Care Center, Northfield, MN. Preceded in death by parents Joseph and Florence Bergstrom of Elko, MN; sister Doris (Raymond) Cousins of Worthington, MN; brothers Loren (Vi) Bergstrom of Chaska; Duane Bergstrom of New Market/Morristown, MN. Survived by sister Marcella ‘Marcy’ (Gordon) Tripp of Santa Clarita, CA; Sister-in-law Bernice ‘Sis’ (the late Duane) of New Market/Morristown, MN. Loved by 13 nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Herbert “Frank” Thomas, 90, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with a rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.
Interment will be in St. Scholastica Catholic Cemetery in Heidelberg.

Robert J. Hanek, 79, of Faribault, passed away on October 12, 2019 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bob was born on June 5, 1940 to Augusta S. and John A. Hanek in rural Le Sueur County. He graduated from high school in Montgomery, MN and then spent six years serving in the U.S. Army. He married Carol A. Sensibaugh on October 26, 1963 and they made their home and raised their family in Faribault. Bob was employed for over 40 years at McQuay’s in Faribault until his retirement.

For the second time this year, the New Prague Post Office has been temporarily closed due to safety concerns with the building.
The US Postal Service issued a press release late on Thursday, Oct. 10, stating that all operations would be moved to the Belle Plaine Post Office, located at 233 N. Meridian Street. New Prague Postal customers can retrieve their PO Box mail and notice left items from the Belle Plaine Post Office with photo ID. The Belle Plaine post office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Beginning Oct. 11, all operations at the office will be temporarily located to the Belle Plaine Post Office at 233 N. Meridian St., Belle Plaine. Customers may retrieve their P.O. Box mail and notice left items from the Belle Plaine Post Office with photo ID.

Mitch Callahan scored three touchdowns to lead the New Prague Trojans to a 32-6 win over Albert Lea in a Big Southeast District football game played on a snow, windy evening Friday, Oct. 11, at Trojan Stadium.
New Prague scored on the opening drive of the game, on a short run by Callahan. Albert Lea tied the score at 6-6 early in the second quarter, but the Trojans answered on another run by Callahand, this time form seven yards, to take a 12-6 lead.

The New Prague Post Office will resume normal operations on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Kristy Anderson of the US Postal Service said in a press release late Friday that the building was closed Friday due to safety concern from eroding block walls. Repairs abbe been made and the facility has been "cleared for reoccupancy." Postal operations for New Prague were run through the Belle Plaine Post Office on Friday.
The New Prague Post Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Ludmilla R. Bruzek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.

One hundred minutes of play resulted in a scoreless tie, and the New Prague Trojans and Farmington Tigers decided their Section 1AA girls soccer semifinal on a penalty kick shootout.
The Trojans had five players take kicks, and four of them, Payton Morris Keelie Buesgens, Lana Krautkremer and Evie Wegner, converted while only three Farmington players were able to find the net. Wegner was the 10th and final shooter, with the two teams tied at 3-3 and beat the Tiger goalie for the win.

The New Prague Trojan girls soccer team, seeded No. 6 in the Section 1AA tournament, upset No. 3 seed Rochester Century 1-0 in the quarterfinals Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Sophomore Payton Morris scored the Trojans' goal in the 48th minute, and New Prague held off the Panthers for the rest of the contest.

Leon D. Nelson, age 69, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Leon was born on November 9, 1949 in Minneapolis, MN to Ralph W. and Pauline A. (Bollenger) Nelson.  He was raised in Minneapolis and graduated from a Vocational Technical High School in 1969.  Shortly after graduation, Leon married the love of his life, Bonnie J. Melcher on October 18, 1969 in St.

Andrew Charnstrom, left, of the New Prague Fire Department demonstrates how the department would use a tanker and drop tank when on rural calls. The demonstration was part of an Open House the volunteer fire department had on Sunday, Oct. 6, in New Prague. Sun and temperatures in the 60s contributed to a steady flow of area residents who came to the Open House. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Crowds were gathering as Giesenbrau Bier Co. was holding its Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 5, in New Prague. The second annual festival was offering food, music and an array of beers. Crowds were enjoying Oktoberfest in the beer and taproom, Bierstube and adjoining tents. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

This time, no Hail Mary!
Two weeks ago, the New Prague Trojans scored to take the lead with 15 seconds left in the game… and lost to Mankato West on a last-second Hail Mary pass.
Friday night, Oct. 4, at Trojan Stadium, the Trojans scored another late touchdown - this one with seven seconds left on the clock. Coaches and players reminded each other that the game was not over, and after the kickoff, Rochester Century and one last chance, but this time the pass fell incomplete and New Prague claimed a 26-20 Homecoming win.