FOOTBALL
Lakes football team includes: first row from left, Coach Scott
Kotaska, Colton Barnes, Jobey Tvedt, Tade Magnuson, Wyatt Huser, Roman Grecco, Jake
Buffington, Manager Coy Gist, Sam Afagwu, Elijah Buffington, Michael Haar, Trevor Holmerding, Brayden McAllister,
Emmett Welle, Grant Schlagel, Henry Aldridge, Becker Lipke, Justin Sievert, Ben Westerman, Tyler
Peters, Coach Brian Homan, Broc Ackerman, Mason Jackson, Blake Spiczka, Jackson Olsen, Bryce
Foster, Sutton Sullivan, Toby Hoffard, Logan Happke, Carter Erickson, Braden
fourth
Aaron Barnes, Luke
Ethan
Kirk
Franke,
Harrison Kennen, Jacob Lane, Jackson Jorgens, Tristan Schoeb,
PATRIOTS ARE SEEKING 3RD STRAIGHT SECTION FINAL
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
PEQUOT LAKES
he Pequot Lakes football team
Thopes a roster of 25 seniors will help the Patriots earn a third straight trip to the Section 7-3A title game.
“We have nine starters returning (five on offense and six on defense) as well as other players who saw extensive playing time last year,” said Pequot Lakes coach Bill Magnuson.
“Our junior varsity team also went 6-1 last year, and those players will add important depth as we navigate the tough Northeast White District and section playoffs,” he said.
Returning starters, from a squad that finished 8-2 overall, include Jacob Lane, Dane Mudgett, Bryar Nordby, JP Elsenpeter, Landen Brill, Jackson Jorgens, Aaron Clark, Byson
Berg and Kamrin Hulke. Nordby led the Patriots in rushing with 920 yards and 17 touchdowns while Elsenpeter carried for 295 yards and four scores. Nordby also had 20 catches for 380 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, Mudgett was second on the team with 17 solo tackles and 31 assisted tackles; Jorgens had 18 solo tackles and 26 assists; and Nordby had 13 solo tackles and 20 assists.
Other players to watch are seniors Ethan Arellano and Micah Loukota; juniors Samson Rothwell, Ben Westerman, Carter Erickson, Blake Spiczka and Jacob Sievert; and sophomores Kyle Kotaska, Jobey Tvedt, Michael Haar, Tade Magnuson, Nic Wallin and Wyatt Huser. Magnuson said Esko and Two Harbors are district favorites while Esko, Two Harbors and Pierz are top teams in the section. The Patriots were
FOOTBALL
defeated by Esko in the past two section finals.
Magnuson, who has compiled a 130132 career coaching record, is starting his 26th season as a head football coach. His assistant coaches are Justin Franke, Brian Homan, Kirk Loge, Preston Peters, Blaine Kreisel, Adam Buffington, Nate DeChaine, James Brennan, Cale Wolf and Scott Ebnet.
Some Pequot Lakes alumni are playing football in college — Grant Loge (Concordia of Moorhead), Tristen Hoffard (North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton), Riggs Magnuson (Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter), Riley Peters (Mankato State University) and Riley Larson and Tommy Blomer (Central Lakes College in Brainerd).
The Patriots are scheduled to open the season at home against North Branch at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.
Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group
August
September
publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete.mohs@ brainerddispatch.com.
Tigers will have competition for starting jobs
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
PINE RIVER
There will be plenty of competition for starting jobs on the Pine River-Backus Tigers football team this season with just five seniors on the roster from a squad that finished 2-7 overall last year.
“We will have a new look with a young and inexperienced roster,” said PR-B head coach Nate Fischer. “There will be plenty of spots open for underclassmen to make an impact with only five seniors.” Fischer said the Tigers’ Eli Abraham, the leading tackler in the Mid-Northwest District last season, will lead the defense from his middle linebacker position.
August 30 - Pine River-Backus at Upsala 7 p.m.
September 6 - New York Mills at Pine River-Backus 7 p.m.
13 - Pine River-Backus at Wadena-Deer Creek 7 p.m.
20 - Breckenridge at Pine River-Backus 7 p.m.
27 - Pine River-Backus at Staples-Motley 7 p.m.
October 4 - Pine River-Backus at Pillager 7 p.m. 11 - WalkerHackensack-Akeley at Pine River-Backus 7 p.m.
16 - Parkers Prairie at Pine River-Backus 7 p.m.
“In the trenches, Koal Oberfell and Dalten Meyers return as anchors on both the offensive and defense lines,” said Fischer, who is starting his second year as PR-B’s head coach. “Look for Shaunn Reyes and Owen
The Pine River-Backus
Sunram;
Scott
Logan
Easton Wynn and Andrew
back
Beau Burrell,
Dabill, Logan Swiggart, Dawson Dabill, Dalton Tymenski and Landon Ashman;
Kolby Walters, Mac Reddick, Dalten Meyers and Dahlton Minion.
Dabill to be the leading rushers on a team that lost its top two rushers from last year.” Returning letterwinners are Eli Abraham,
Meyers, Earl Stockman, Oberfell, Brody Mongan, Andrew Volk, Logan Tymenski and Dabill. Others who could contribute include Reyes,
Karson Crawford and Noah Abraham.
The Tigers, who finished 2-5 in the conference last year, lost to Breckenridge in the first
round of the playoffs. PR-B assistant coaches are Mike
and Neil Travis.
Contributed / Kelli Engstrom Photography
The Pequot
Ebnet, Nolan Hall, Hakan Hall, Gunner Peters, Joe Lendway, Griffen Hannah, Wyatt Verville, Kyle
Olsen, Cash Nivarel and Manager Dane Olsen; second row from left, Coach Adam
Elliott Stone, Nick Beier, Nic Wallin, Jaxon Woodman,
Mulholland and Coach Bill Magnuson; third row from left, Coach Preston
Scully, Kamrin Hulke, Aaron Clark, Micah Loukota, Samson Rothwell, Nic
Wallin, Justin Sievert, Jackson Wait Learned, Jack Haar, Coach Blaine Kriesel, Coach Justin
Coach
Loge;
row from left,
Schlagel,
Arellano, Jerome Martin, Michael Oseland, Wyatt Brown, Connor Welle, Ben Broskovetz,
Colten Christophersen, Bryar Nordby, Dane Mudgett, Landen Brill, John Paul Elsenpeter and Bryson Berg.
Dinnel, Erik Vetsch, Rob Johnson, Mike Lupella
Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
football team includes:
row from left, Tristan Johnson, Logan Haskett and Ashton
fourth row from left, Nathaniel Treague, Brody Mongan, Blake Hoplin, Noah Abraham, Shaunn Reyes,
Scovel and
Tymenski; third row from left, Koal Oberfell, Will Gould, Will Moore, Gabe Diers, Adrian Schrupp,
Volk; second row from left,
Karson Crawford, Kaleb Shamp, Owen
front row from left, Eli Abraham,
VOLLEYBALL
PATRIOTS BEGIN DEFENSE OF STATE TITLE
Team loses nine seniors, but returns players with experience
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
PEQUOT LAKES
The Pequot Lakes Patriots volleyball team was to begin the defense of its first state Class 2A title when the season opened at home against Pierz on Tuesday,
Aug. 27. The Patriots did graduate nine seniors, but return three players with experience from a squad that finished 30-5 overall — Reese Laposky, June Ruud and Alexa Pietig, plus other letterwinners Presley Crawford, Avery Amsden, Kate Arellano, Sidney Larsen and Haley Bengston.
Last season, Pequot Lakes finished second in the Granite Ridge Conference behind Albany before winning the Section 6AA title and state title.
The Patriots downed Melrose 3-0 in the section semifinals and Albany 3-1 in the section final.
Pequot Lakes advanced to state where they edged Redwood Valley 3-2 in the quarterfinals, topped Caledonia 3-2 in the semifinal and swept Rush City 3-0 in the final.
“We look forward to a year where we put in a lot of work, gain experience and improve every time we step foot on the court,” said Patriots head coach Chris Ganley, whose team was 8-2 in the Granite Ridge Conference.
Ganley, who is starting her eighth year coaching at Pequot Lakes, previously coached volleyball at Sauk Centre and Pillager. Assistant coaches for the Patriots are Jenna Anderson, Kendra Johnson and Maddy Stall. Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com.
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal
The Pequot Lakes volleyball team includes: front row from left, Avery Amsend, Kate Arellano, Lilah Jeck, Halie Bengtson, Presley Crawford, Josie Taylor, Olivia DenHartog and Chelby Wothe; back row from left, Alexis South, Addie Headlee, Alexa Pietig, Reese Laposky, June Ruud, Sidney Larsen, Brooklin Hansen and Mia Trumpold.
VOLLEYBALL
Pine River-Backus returns 13 letterwinners
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
TPINE RIVER
he Pine RiverBackus Tigers volleyball team
hopes 13 will be a lucky number this fall.
That’s because PR-B returns 13 letterwinners from a squad that reached the Class A state consolation semifinals last season.
“With a great offseason of work, we believe the girls have put themselves in a position to be successful this fall,” said PR-B coach Josh Hirschey, who is starting his 11th season with the Tigers.
“We have competition for some positions, and in order to be successful, the athletes and parents involved will need to be willing to accept the roles that each athlete earns as the season progresses,” he said.
Returning letterwinners include Kassidy Bristow, Abby Gilbert, Raena Hanneken, Kaitlyn Rilea, Ariana Burns, Caylei Johnson, Ella Dahl, Callie Norman, Mimi Bueckers, Lily Barchus, Autumn Burns, Leah Eveland and Ayla Richards.
Others who could contribute are Aubrey Wirtz, Ella Brewer and Margaret Crimmins.
Last season, the Tigers were 6-1 in the Northland Conference and 22-11 overall. PR-B then defeated Nevis 3-1 to win the Section 5A title.
The Tigers lost to eventual state champion Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 3-0 in the state quarterfinals
“ In terms of performance on the court, our goal is to be healthy, steadily improve and be at our best in time for the section tournament in late October.”
JOSH HIRSCHEY, PR-B
VOLLEYBALL COACH
and were then edged by West Central Area 3-2 in the consolation semifinals.
“In terms of performance on the court, our goal is to be healthy, steadily improve and be at our best in time for the section tournament in late October,” Hirschey said.
Assistant coaches for the Tigers, who opened the season at the Rush City tournament Friday, Aug. 23, are Nicole Hirschey, Liz Dahl and Ben Kinser.
Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com.
Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
The Pine River-Backus volleyball team includes: back row from left, Lily Barchus, Callie Norman, Mimi Bueckers, Margaret Crimmins, Bernadette Bueckers, Ariana Burns, Maren Lindquist, Ava Burns, Bethany Holmin and Ella Brewer; third row from left, Khaia Lewis, Molly Bengtson, Caylei Johnson, Ella Dahl, Leah Eveland, Emma Bengtson, Anna Crosby and Taylor Johnson; second row from left, Evelynn Peterson, Skylar DeLaPena, Aubree Wirtz, Autumn Burns, Michaela Johnson and Daelin Wilkinson; front row from left, Raena Hanneken, Kassidy Bristow, Abby Gilbert and Kaitlyn Rilea.
Patriots have veteran boys cross-country team
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
PEQUOT LAKES
The Pequot Lakes Patriots boys crosscountry team returns seven letterwinners from a squad that finished fourth at last year’s Section 6-2A meet.
“We return a core group from last year’s section meet,” said coach Jeff Brever, who is starting his 10th season as head coach. “It will be great to see this team continue to bond and come together to perform as a team in late October.
“We have a lot more depth this year, and I believe our younger runners could challenge and compete for a few varsity spots. We look forward to seeing our hard work over the summer pay off,” he said.
Letterwinners include James Johnson, Connor Jansen, Eli Toftness, Liam Zins, Brak Schramm, Gus McKenna and John Christianson.
Others who could contribute are Oliver McKenna, Henry Thell, Keegan Lehman and Gavin Dooley.
The Patriot girls team
features four letterwinners from a squad that finished fifth at last year’s section meet. Those runners are Erika English, Emma Bitzer, Kyra Rohrbach and Brooklyn Berg. Others who could contribute are Lily Holmers, Addison Lillo, Ireland Jordan, Sage Larson, Emmalin Jingco and Cece Rasinski.
“We lost a handful of senior runners from last year’s team,” Brever said.
“We will be in a rebuilding year with lots of opportunities for young and inexperienced athletes. I’m looking forward to seeing their growth and improvement through the season.”
Assistant coaches for the Patriots, who opened the season Saturday, Aug. 24, at Perham, are Clayton Foster and Autumn Thull.
Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com.
Contributed / Kelli Engstrom Photography
The Pequot Lakes cross-country team includes: Front row from left, Addison Lillo, Lily Holmers, Keegan Lehman, Eli Toftness, John Christianson, Connor Jansen, Henry Thell, Kyra Rohrbach and Ireland Jordan; back row from left, Emma Bitzer, Liam Zins, Oliver McKenna, Gus McKenna, Brak Schramm, James Johnson, Gavin Dooley and Erika English.
CROSS-COUNTRY
PR-B RUNNERS PREPARE FOR BUILDING YEAR
Each team returns three letterwinners
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
PINE RIVER
The Pine River-Backus Tigers cross-country team has three letterwinners returning for both the boys and girls teams this fall.
The PR-B boys return Reece Trumble, Dennis Rahm and William Adams. Others who can contribute are Jayce Compton, Zach Minion and Dean Wynn.
“This will be a building year with no returning seniors on our boys’ team,” said coach Karl Ludeman. “That said, the natural potential of this team could surprise us
this year.”
The Tiger girls squad returns Kelsey Bergem, River Crawford and Arya Compton. Tana Borland is a non-letterwinner who could contribute.
“Sadly, our girls may not have a full team this year,” Ludeman said. “Hopefully, one more will join when school begins.”
Ludeman, who is starting his third season as coach, is assisted by Sidney Lodge.
The Tigers were scheduled to open the season Monday, Aug. 26, at Staples-Motley.
Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com.
Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal
The Pine River-Backus cross-country team includes: front row from left, Rosie Christensen, River Crawford, Arya Compton and Tana Borland; back row from left, Zach Minion, Reece Trumble, Dennis Rahm, William Adams, Jayce Compton and Shawn Minion. Not pictured are Kelsey Bergem, Sam Pflugshaupt and Dean Wynn.
TENNIS
Offseason work should help Patriots
BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal
PEQUOT LAKES
The Pequot Lakes Patriots tennis team graduated seven regulars from last season, but head coach Mindi Brill is still optimistic since her returning players worked hard over the offseason.
“Although we graduated seven of our 10 varsity players, I believe we will be competitive since many girls have put in a lot of work over the winter,” said Brill, who is starting her ninth season as head coach.
“We have five of last year’s letterwinners back and several motivated
underclassmen. So I’m confident we will do well overall,” she said. Last season, the Patriots finished 5-1 in the Granite Ridge Conference and 18-5 overall after losing to Foley 4-3 in the Section 7A semifinals.
Pequot Lakes also won the Brainerd Moose tournament.
Letterwinners for the Patriots are seniors Carlie Eggert, Mandy Malecha and Jenna Stoerzinger; junior Nikki Crocker; and freshmen Emme Sullivan.
Eggert has 43 career wins while Crocker has 34 and Stoerzinger 25. The Patriots have 13 junior varsity players, as well as some promising incoming freshmen. They
include seniors Kat Ellstrom, Olivia Flategraff, Cassidy Wick and Isabelle Ziesemer; juniors Sophie Biley, Francine Ganley, Brianna Howe and Sierra Larson; sophomores Mairin Kennedy, Sadie McGuire, Claire Oseland, Keira Strong and Bailey Westerman; and freshmen Lauren Bluhm, Frankie Brinkman, Sandra Brinkman, Cora Gladen, Mariah Grittner, Chloe Jobe, Maria Neva and Ruby Page. Brill believes Pequot Lakes will be in contention for the top three spots in the Granite Ridge Conference while Foley, Pine City and the Patriots will be favorites in the section. She said Pequot Lakes
graduates are playing tennis in college: 2022 graduates Megan Muller and Carly Chaney at the University of MinnesotaDuluth, and 2024 graduate Allyson Yahn at the College of St. Benedict.
Brill, who has a 109-40 career coaching record, is assisted by Chad Rudbeck, Dan VanBlaricom, Sean Bengtson and Deanne Trottier.
After a couple of rainouts, the Patriots were scheduled to open their home season Aug. 26 by hosting Osakis and Thief River Falls.
Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete.
mohs@brainerddispatch. com.
Contributed / Kelli Engstrom Photography
The Pequot Lakes tennis team includes: front row from left, Katya Ellstrom, Isabelle Ziesemer, Mandy Malecha, Jenna Stoerzinger, Carlie Eggert, Cassidy Wick and Olivia Flategraff; middle row from left, Frankie Brinkman, Emme Sullivan, Francine Ganley, Nikki Crocker, Sierra Larson, Claire Oseland, Sadie McGuire, Keira Strong, Chloe Jobe and Cora Gladen; back row from left, Mariah Grittner, Maria Neva, Lauren Bluhm, Elianna Elg, Sophia Flategraff, Ruby Page, Sandra Brinkman, Sophie Biley, Bailey Westerman and Brianna Howe. Not pictured is Mairin Kennedy.
