Myth: Warroad tradition

Despite my love for the meanest team I ever saw (’96 Warroad), I have to admit Warrior tradition is suspect. Their teams have been in three “big school” tourney finals. The last being Henry Bouche’s run nearly 40 years ago in 1969. Warroad has never won an “AA” title. However, their crosstown rival Roseau has been in 12 tournament finals, winning seven.

It was pretty impressive watching Warroad beat up on metro schools in the ‘90s and mid-2000s, but compared to what Roseau is accomplishing today in the big school field, it leaves the impression that the Warriors are trying to be as big a David as their rivals without actually directly trying to compete against them. Sure, they face Roseau twice a year during regular season, but in post-season, it’s zilch.

In essence, Warroad tradition is impressive minus the Rams comparison. Their community wants the recognition Roseau has established through the years, but the “A” hardware is more important than the principle of competing against the best, namely Roseau.

There might be people who scoff at the idea small school mystique can be criticized, but the fact is Roseau made a distinct decision to move to the upper class based on principles. They decided as a team, as well as a community, that should they lose they will accept their loss and have to work that much harder the next time around. Because to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Warrior tradition really isn’t predicated on that belief. By default they’ve acknowledged their defeat to a superior program in Roseau. And the only way for them to truly right themselves is to consciously accept that principle, improve, and jump into the fold.


Overall record: 92-57-4 Roseau

Post-season record: 16-9 Roseau

1946 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 2
1947 Regional final: Roseau 5, Warroad 2
1948 Regional final: Warroad 3, Roseau 2
1949 Regional semi: Warroad 2, Roseau 0
1953 Regional final: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1954 Regional semi: Warroad 5, Roseau 4
1958 Regional semi: Roseau 7, Warroad 0
1959 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 0
1960 Regional semi: Warroad 1, Roseau 0
1962 Regional final: Roseau 4, Warroad 0
1963 Regional final: Roseau 2, Warroad 0
1964 Regional final: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1965 Regional semi: Roseau 2, Warroad 1
1966 Regional final: Roseau 5, Warroad 0
1967 Regional semi: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1968 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 3
1969 Regional final: Roseau 2, Warroad 1
1969 Tournament semi: Warroad 3, Roseau 2
1970 Regional semi: Roseau 2, Warroad 0
1978 Regional semi: Roseau 11, Warroad 4
1989 Regional final: Warroad 2, Roseau 0
1993 Regional semi: Roseau 6, Warroad 2
1995 Regional final: Warroad 3, Roseau 0
1996 Regional final: Warroad 6, Roseau 2
1997 Regional final: Warroad 4, Roseau 3


Tourney appearances (thru 1997, the last year both schools were in same regional): 26-9 Roseau