Pigskin Preview 2023

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Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there. Wishing all area teams the best of luck this season! Play hard and have fun! WWW.CHRISTIANSONCPA.COM Willmar • 320.235.5937 | Litchfield • 320.373.1040 | Paynesville • 320.235.5937 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW HERE’S A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT AREA FOOTBALL TEAMS

Expectations are high for Cards

WILLMAR — With a quartet of AllDistrict players back in the lineup, the Willmar football team is looking to emerge as one of Class AAAA’s top teams.

The Cardinals get the 2023 season underway on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Big Lake. Willmar was 6-4 last season and 4-3 in district play. It returns six starters on both sides of the ball.

“The team returns starters in some key positions,” said Cardinals head coach Jon Konold. Konold enters his 14th season with a 73-64 record.

“The senior class has played a lot of varsity football and are ready for the challenges ahead,” Konold said. “One of the things that can’t be measured on the field is the leadership and togetherness of this team. Our captains and seniors have really stepped up to make this a player-led team.”

That senior group is headed by a hard-nosed running game.

At running back, 5-foot-11, 205pound senior Ramero Trevino is back after rushing for 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns on 194 carries as an AllDistrict nominee. He’s also the top returning receiver after 22 catches for 215 yards and a score. Konold said

Trevino will also see time at linebacker this season.

“Ramero has worked hard in the offseason to be one of the top running backs in the district,” Konold said. “He has great ability to run the football as well as being a pass catcher out of the backfield.”

The guy handing the ball off to Trevino is just as tough to bring down. Senior Cullen Gregory stands at 6-4 and 218 pounds and resumes his role at quarterback. An All-District pick in ‘22, Gregory ran 130 times for 611 yards and seven touchdowns. He also completed 97 of 177 passes for 1,163 yards, five touchdowns and seven

interceptions.

“He truly is a dual-threat QB,” Konold said of Gregory. “He has worked hard in the offseason to improve his passing. I’m looking forward to seeing his growth and development at the QB position.”

On the line are a pair of three-year starters and All-District picks in Hayden Venenga and Matthew Strey.

Venenga is a 6-6, 266-pound senior tackle. He’s committed to Division I South Dakota State University.

“Hayden is one of the most decorated offensive linemen that we’ve had,” Konold said. “His size and athleticism makes him one of the top offensive linemen in the state.”

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Willmar is led by running Ramero Trevino and QB Cullen Gregory and a huge offensive line in a season
that holds promise
WILLMAR 02 Willmar 05 New London 06 Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 08 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 10 Benson 12 BOLD 13 Dawson-Boyd 14 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 15 Lac qui Parle Valley 16 Litchfield 17 MACCRAY 18 Minnewaska 19 Montevideo 20 Paynesville 21 Renville County West 23 Yellow Medicine East CONTENTS
Willmar junior Ramero Trevino, right, fights for extra yardage during a North Central White District game against Delano on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 at Hodapp Field. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Strey is a 6-3, 264-pound center. Strey and Venenga will play on both sides of the ball after being one-way starters in ‘22.

“Matthew has been the anchor of the offensive line for the past two seasons,” Konold said. “His leadership on and off the field is outstanding. (He’s) one of the hardest working players on the team.”

They’ll be joined on the line with two more returning starters in senior Maddox Bolstad (6-4, 273) and junior Finley Donelan (6-4, 247).

Jonathan Ritz is another two-way starter back for Willmar. At 6-3 and 232 pounds, Ritzhad 29 tackles (five for loss) and a sack last year. He’ll play at defensive end and tight end.

“(He’s) one of the strongest kids in the program,” Konold said of Ritz. “Jon has worked extremely hard in the weight room this offseason. At tight end, Jon is a tremendous blocker and can catch the football as well.

Defensively, Jon is working hard to become one of the top defensive ends in the area.”

Junior Steven Cruze will fill in at another linebacker spot. He finished with 39 tackles last season.

Out on the perimeter — at wide receiver and the defensive backfield — is where Willmar is looking for emerging talent. Senior Dylan Staska is back at both spots. He’s the team’s top returning tackler (45) after the graduation of Mattix Swanson and Jaxxon Sjoberg. Senior Carter Dirkes and junior Ethan Swierenga will also fill in wide on offense and defense. They’ll try to replace the output of graduates Sam Raitz (29 catches, 337 yards, 3 TDs; 2 INTs) and Jacob Streed (23 catches, 355 yards, 1 TD).

The Cardinals are now in the Skyway Green district with Becker, Hutchinson and Rocori. Their district opener is the homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 22 against Becker.

Good Health Starts with Great Water!

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM…Multiple Schools Willmar High School

Thursday, August 31

Game 7:00PM…Big Lake Big Lake High School

Friday, September 8 Game 7:00PM…Marshall Willmar-Hodapp Field @ Kennedy Elem.

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM…Princeton Princeton High School

Friday, September 22 **Homecoming

Game 7:00PM…Becker

Willmar-Hodapp Field @ Kennedy Elem.

Friday, September 29

Game 6:00PM…Rocori

ROCORI High School-Blatter Stadium/Spartan Field

Friday, October 6

Game 7:00PM…Hutchinson

Willmar-Hodapp Field @ Kennedy Elem.

Friday, October 13

Game 7:00PM…Chisago Lakes

Willmar-Hodapp Field @ Kennedy Elem.

Wednesday, October 18

Game 7:00PM…Totino-Grace

Totino-Grace High School

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 3 WILLMAR CARDINALS varsity
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Joe Brown / West Central Tribune Willmar junior Cullen Gregory, left, goes for a stiff arm on a Delano defender during a North Central White District game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 at Hodapp Field.

New London-Spicer

junior running back

Lucas Swenson hoists the Class AAA state championship trophy after downing Dilworth-GlyndonFelton 27-26 at US Bank Stadium on Sat., Dec. 3, 2022.

NLS ready for another run to the top Wildcats

West Central Tribune

NEW LONDON — The

2022 Class AAA state champions are back and ready for more in 2023.

The New London-Spicer Wildcats, who had an 11-2 overall record and a 6-2 regular season, return plenty of familiar faces to their lineup this year despite the loss of 15 seniors.

NLS returns seven starters on both offense and defense. The Wildcats also receive a boost from a handful of players who

were on the junior varsity team that had a 6-1 record in 2022.

“We’ve got good experience back,” said Chad Gustafson, who enters his second season as the head coach of the Wildcats and is in his 35th season overall. “We will see how the team blends together. The seniors got a good taste from last year and are pretty determined.”

The Wildcats’ entire backfield returns. That includes junior quarterback Blake Schultz, senior running back Mason Delzer and senior fullback

Lucas Swenson. Schultz, listed at 6-foot, 165 pounds, was an AllWright County Conference pick. Delzer, 6-1 and 200, was the East Central South District’s Most Valuable Back, a West Central Tribune All-Area Football Team pick and an All-WCC selection. Swenson, 6-3 and 250, was an All-Section 6AAA selection.

Grant Paffrath, an All-Section 6AAA pick, also returns at tight end. He’s a 6-2, 190-pound senior who was the Wildcat who caught Schultz’s heave in the Prep Bowl

before he dished the ball to Brycen Christensen for the game-winning touchdown as time expired.

The Wildcats’ offensive line returns three starters in seniors Marshel Johnson, Jack Hanson and

Myles Macik. NLS’ defensive line has everybody back: Johnson, Swenson, Brody Duke and

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Chi Schneider. Paffrath at linebacker, Luke Knudsen at safety and Delzer at defensive back round out the starters who return on defense.

NLS must fill the void of some key losses on both offense and defense, highlighted by Christensen and Gabe Rohman.

Christensen, a wide receiver and defensive back, was a WCT All-Area Football Team pick and owns NLS school records for career catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Rohman, a wide receiver and safety, was a WCT AllArea Football Team Honorable Mention.

NLS junior Mason Delzer, 7, looks for a running lane during the Class AAA state semifinals against Watertown-Mayer on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

“We will miss all 15 seniors and they will be tough to replace in different capacities,” Gustafson said. “Hopefully, we can put together a good year. We have great kids.”

Of the eight teams NLS plays this season, six rank in the top 25 in the Class AAA rankings by MaxPreps. Three of them rank in the top 10.

“It’s going to be a tough schedule,“ Gustafson said. “Running the gauntlet will be a little tough. The first game of the year against Albany will tell a lot.”

NLS beat Albany 20-14 in the Section 6AAA championship a season ago.

NLS WILDCATS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday , August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM……………Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School Football Game Field

Thursday, August 31 Game 7:00PM………………….Albany Albany High School

Friday, September 8 Game 7:00PM………………….Foley Foley High School

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM………………….Dassel-Cokato New London-Spicer High School Football Game Field

Friday, September 22 Game 7:00PM………………….Litchfield Litchfield High School

Friday, September 29 **Homecoming Game 7:00PM…………………Watertown-Mayer New London-Spicer High School Football Game Field

Friday, October 6

Game 7:00PM………………Glencoe-Silver Lake Glencoe-Silver Lake High School

Friday, October 13 Game 7:00PM………………….St. Cloud Apollo New London-Spicer High School Football Game Field

Wednesday, October 18 Game 7:00PM………………….Annandale New London-Spicer High School Football Game Field

Check

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 5
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Joe Brown / West Central Tribune Macy Moore / West Central Tribune New London-Spicer head coach Chad Gustafson talks with quarterback Blake Schultz on the sideline during the Class AAA state championship at US Bank Stadium on December, 3, 2022. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune NLS junior Marshel Johnson, 55, goes after Watertown-Mayer quarterback Albert Rundell during the Class AAA state semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

ACGC aims to improve in new section

Falcons move from 5AA to 4A and return a large group of senior starter

GROVE CITY — With a large group of returning senior starters, AtwaterCosmos-Grove City looks to them to pave the way for the Falcons.

ACGC 3-5 in Mid State-Blue and 3-6 overall a season ago. But unlike last season, the Falcons now compete in Section 4A. They have moved down a class from Section 5AA.

“We have some key specialty players returning that have spent a lot of time with each other,” said David Blom, who enters his 10th season as ACGC head coach.

At the forefront are seniors Jevon Williams, Kyler Pickle, Casey Struthers and Isaiah Renne.

Williams, a 5-foot-9 running back/ linebacker, was an All-Mid State-Blue

District pick in 2022. He rushed for 929 yards and eight touchdowns on 182 carries. He also caught eight passes for 97 yards and one touchdown.

Pickle completed 50 of 131 passes for 551 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. The 6-0 quarterback/defensive back also ran the ball 60 times for 237 yards and five touchdowns.

Struthers, a 6-1 wide receiver/ linebacker, recorded 91 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions and Renne is a 6-2 tight end/linebacker.

“These individuals are the leaders of this team,” Blom said. “They encouraged everyone to get into the weight room this summer and got a lot of individuals involved.”

Key losses for the Falcons from a season include but are not limited to Keegan Kessler-Gross and Terrell Renne.

6 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW
Members of the ACGC Falcons huddle up before taking the field against the BOLD Warriors to kick off the season at home Friday, September 2, 2022, in Grove City.
ATWATER-COSMOS-GROVE CITY
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
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ACGC

David Blom,

Pickle during a Mid State 3 District game against KMS on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 at Grove City.

Kessler-Gross caught an ACGC-best 15 receptions for 121 yards and rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Renne rushed for 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 30 carries. But returns one of its top dualthreat offensive players in junior Jaxon Drange-Leyendecker.

Drange-Leyendecker was second in rushing attempts (85) and rushing yards (482) and tied for second in

ACGC FALCONS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM .....................................Multiple Schools Lakeview High School (Cottonwood)

Thursday, August 31

Game 7:00PM ......................................................Maple Lake Maple Lake High School

Friday, September 8

Game 7:00PM ......................Browerville-Eagle Valley

Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM .......................................................USA

Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Friday, September 22

Game 7:00PM ................................Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

rushing touchdowns (5) for the Falcons in 2022. His 187 receiving yards ranked first and his 13 receptions were second.

ACGC has four more seniors who return as starters: Jaxon Listerud, Jonas Morrison, Ethan Whitcomb and Knolan Wattnem.

Blom will be assisted by Brad Nelson, Dylan Hoerchler and Matt Zupke in 2023.

Friday, September 29

Game 7:00PM ...........................................West Central Area West Central Area High School

Friday, October 6 **Homecoming

Game 7:00PM .......................Long Prairie-Grey Eagle

Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Friday, October 13

Game 7:00PM .................................................................KMS KMS High School

Wednesday, October 18

Game 7:00PM .................................................Benson Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School

Check

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 7
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the schools website
Joe Brown / West Central Tribune head football coach right, talks to quarterback Kyler
“These individuals are the leaders of this team. They encouraged everyone to get into the weight room this summer and got a lot of individuals involved.”
ACGC HEAD FOOTBALL COACH DAVID BLOM

BBE High School junior quarterback Luke Dingmann searches for an open receiver during a game in Belgrade against Maple Lake High School on Friday, September 9, 2022.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

BBE JAGUARS

Varsity Football Schedule 2023

BBE has plenty back, including its QB

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

9:00AM @ Kimball Area Kimball Area Schools

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

7:00PM @ Bagley Bagley

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

7:00PM @ West Central Area West Central Area High School

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Game 7:00PM vs. Benson

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

7:00PM vs. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Game 7:00PM @ USA Upsala High School

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 **HOMECOMING

7:00PM vs. Browerville-Eagle Valley

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13

Game 7:00PM @ Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Long Prairie Elementary School

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Game 7:00PM vs. KMS

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

Sponsored by: Belgrade Brooten Elrosa School

Luke Dingmann already holds most of the Jaguars’ passing records

BELGRADE — The Belgrade-BrootenElrosa football team looks to build on its success from the 2022 season.

Go BBE JAGUAR Athletes!

Make

The Jaguars had a 7-3 record and made an appearance in the Section 4A semifinals.

BBE has 10 returning starters for the 2023 season. The most notable is quarterback Luke Dingmann.

Belgrade-Brooten-

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Dingmann, a West Central Tribune All-Area Football Team Honorable Mention, completed 60% of his passes (128 of 213) for 1,840 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed for 328 yards and nine TDs on 60 carries.

Dingmann was named the District Quarterback of the Year and All-Mid State 3.

“(Luke) shattered most of the school’s career quarterback records,” Jaguars head coach Chris Moscho said. “He

will continue to build off last season. We expect his experience under center to lead us on offense.”

Dingmann will be without his main target, Jamison Reed, a WCT All-Area Football Team member who is the BBE record holder in career receiving yards (1,484) and is tied for first in career receptions (90). Reed caught 44 passes for 696 yards and nine touchdowns last year.

Tony Cebulla, Luke Illies and

Hayden Sobiech are targets that Dingmann will look to find.

Cebulla, a 6-foot-0 senior running back/safety, tallied 442 yards and two touchdowns on 29 receptions. He also carried the ball 40 times for 180 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, he led the Jaguars with 81 tackles, 32 of which were solo.

“(Tony’s) leadership on defense and in the backfield will help us on both sides of

the ball,” said Moscho, who enters his 14th season as the BBE head coach.

Illies, a junior wide receiver/ cornerback at 6-4, had 301 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 24 receptions. Sobiech, a junior wide receiver/ defensive back at 6-foot-3, had one catch for 32 yards.

“Both are lengthy receivers who can catch the ball and get up the field in a hurry,” Moscho said.

Brett DeRoo and Ryan

Jensen will also be in the wide receiver mix. DeRoo had five catches for 49 yards and Jensen had one catch go for 20 yards in 2022.

Also in the conversation for players to watch are Cooper Roering and Mason Commerford, according to Moscho.

“(Cooper’s) a big strong lineman who will be tough to move,” Moscho said. “(Mason) spent all of the offseason in the weight room.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 9
Members of the BBE Jaguars run onto the field before playing Maple Lake High School during a game in Belgrade on Friday, September 9, 2022. Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

Benson senior wide receiver Alex Whitcup is surrounded by his teammates as the starting lineups are announced before a game between the Braves and the Browerville - Eagle Valley Tigers Friday, September 23, 2022.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

Almost everything’s new at Benson

The Braves have a new coaching staff and hope to replace Thomas Dineen

The Braves went 2-7 in 2022, including a 2-6 in the Mid-State 3 district. They open this season Thursday, Aug. 31 at Brock Field against Mahnomen/Waubun.

When Benson takes the field against the Thunderbirds, it’ll be with a revamped coaching staff

and a new offense.

Brady Dokkebakken takes over as head coach, replacing Adam Foslien. He’ll be joined on staff with Aaron Zosel, Matt Goossen, Cole Vergin and Jake Pederson.

10 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW Best of Luck to all Football Student-Athletes & Coaches! WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON!! “Exceptional Opportunities for Every Student’s Success” 1400 Montana Ave. Benson, MN 56215 • www.benson.k12.mn.us • 320-843-2710 Benson Public Schools BENSON
Central Tribune BENSON — There are new faces all over the Benson football team’s sideline this season.
West

“We have a very young coaching staff with all five of us in new positions,” Dokkebakken said.

On the field, the Braves have to replace one of the program’s most decorated players in Thomas Dineen. He finished with school records in career rushing yards (3,612), touchdowns (41), career points (270), sacks (21) and tackles for loss (30).

“(Dineen) left the school with just about every record an RB can have,” Dokkebakken said.

“That leadership will be hard to replace.”

Also gone is Ryan Tolifson, who led the team in tackles and played quarterback. Juan Espinoza also graduated after leading Benson in every receiving category last season.

“We have less than 60 yards of offense returning this season,” Dokkebakken said. “So we will have a lot of new faces contributing to our team.”

The cupboard isn’t completely bare for the Braves. They return nine starters: senior linebacker Mason Moe; senior LB/OL Braeden Matthiesen; senior offensive linemen

Joey Pagel and Garret Lenz; senior defensive lineman Derek Johnson;

senior OL/DL John Kobberman; junior RB/ DB Jaden McCarter; sophomore defensive back Connor Oehlberg; and freshman RB/LB Darin Hippe.

Matthiesen and Hippe are players to watch, according to Dokkebakken.

“Braeden has shown great improvements in camp at the guard position and we are challenging him to become a great linebacker,”

Dokkebakken said. “Hip doesn’t play football like a freshman. He looks to lead our backfield after having an incredible offseason in the weight room.”

Dokkebakken is also looking for a boost from returning senior DL/OL Max Young.

“Max is returning to football after a year off and he has looked like he hasn’t missed a step,” Dokkebakken said. “Max will be a great addition to our defensive

line and looks to be improving quickly as an offensive lineman.”

The defensive backfield will be helmed by Connor and Cole Oehlberg, a freshman.

“The Oehlberg boys will likely start as our CBs to start the year and both will be competing to steal snaps at the RB position as the year progresses,” Dokkebakken said.

“These boys are athletes and love playing football.”

Benson Braves varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday,

Scrimmage

Thursday,

Game

Game

Game

Friday,

Benson

Friday,

Friday,

Game

Game

Friday,

Friday,

Friday,

Game

PROUDTOSUPPORTSTUDENTATHLETES!

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 11
August 26
Schools
High School Brock Field
9:30AM .....................Multiple
Benson
(Football)
August 31
6:00PM .......................................Mahnomen
High School Brock Field
Benson
(Football)
8
September
7:00PM ..................................................KMS
High School Brock Field (Football)
Setember 15
7:00PM ...........................Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
High School; Brooten
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
September 22
7:00PM ...................Long Prairie Grey Eagle
High School Brock Field (Football)
Benson
September 29
7:00PM ..................................................Browerville Browerville High School
October 6
6:00PM ......................................West Central Area West Central Area
Game
October 13
7:00PM ..................................................USA Benson High School Brock Field (Football)
October 18
7:00PM ......................Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City ACGC High School Check the school’s website for an updated events list Schedule sponsored by: BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS www.benson.k12.mn.us | 320-843-2710 NATURALGAS PETROLEUM &
Wednesday,
Game
dooleypetro.com
“We have less than 60 yards of offense returning this season. So we will have a lot of new faces contributing to our team.”
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BRADY DOKKEBAKKEN

BOLD High School sophomore Hudson Vosika runs past Minneota defenders while heading up the field during a home playoff game on Saturday, October 29, 2022, in Olivia.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

BOLD hopes more experience means more wins

A roster full of juniors and seniors leads the Warriors, who were 8-2 last season

OLIVIA — A parking lot full of cars has the BOLD football team eager to kick off the 2023 season.

A young squad the past two seasons, the core of the Warriors’ lineup is now juniors and seniors. They have kept up the program’s usual success, going 8-2 last season. Now, the focus shifts to making it back to state for the first time since 2019.

“For the first time in three years, most of our varsity team will be able to drive themselves to practice,” said BOLD head coach Derek Flann, who is in his fourth season as head coach. Over a 14-year head coaching career, he’s 103-41.

“We have a ton of experience coming back and we have had a really great off-season in our weight room,” Flann added.

Four All-District players return for the Warriors.

Junior Jack Gross returns at quarterback.

The All-District signalcaller completed 63 of 133 passes for 1,473 yards, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions in ‘22.

The team’s top two rushers last season — Hudson Vosika and Kaden Fischer — are back in the huddle.

Vosika, a junior, ran for 700 yards and nine touchdowns on 86 carries despite battling injuries in an All-District campaign. He’ll also play at safety.

Fischer had a BOLD-best 12 rushing touchdowns with 544 yards on 103 carries while earning an All-District honorable mention nod. He also had 52 tackles at linebacker.

Senior Tate Sheehan and junior Owen Flann are All-District offensive linemen back at guard and tackle, respectively. Sheehan was the team’s top tackler in ‘22 (125). Flann had 85 tackles and a team-best five sacks.

Linebacker Austin Kiecker will also anchor the defense after tallying 87 tackles in ‘22 on the way to being an All-District honorable

mention. Along with Owen Flann, the defensive line will be a handful with defensive tackles Emmitt Flann and Carson Serbus. Emmitt is a sophomore and Serbus a junior. Senior Rylan Gass is slated to play at defensive end and tight end after missing all but one game due to injury in ‘22.

Junior Jacob Remer returns at left tackle after starting every game last year. Sophomore Hayden Edwards will pave the way in the run game at fullback.

An area to look out for is the Warriors’ pass catchers. They must try to replace the output of wideout Ryan King (38 receptions, 850 yards, 10 TDs) and tight end Stevie McMath (23 catches, 608 yards, 8 TDs). Coach Flann looks to a pair of juniors — wideout Mathew Jacobs and tight end Will Penkert — to fill those roles.

“We have guys ready to step into those roles,” Flann said of replacing King and McMath.

BOLD will have a newlook schedule for ‘23 after switching from the

Mid-State district to the Southwest. That includes a matchup against perennial powerhouse Minneota in Week 3. The Vikings knocked the Warriors out of the

Section 5A playoffs last season, 21-0.

“We have a significant change to our schedule again for the third time in four years,” Derek Flann said, “but we are now

going to play our section teams throughout the regular season and we are excited for that change.” The Warriors open with Windom on Friday, Sept. 1 at Olivia.

BOLD WARRIORS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 10:00AM.....Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School

Friday, September 1

Game 7:00PM.....Windom Area

BOLD HS Olivia Campus Football/Track Fields

Friday, September 8 Game 7:00PM.....MACCRAY

Maynard

Friday, September 15 Game 7:00PM.....Minneota

BOLD HS Olivia Campus Football/Track Fields

Friday, September 22

Game 7:00PM.....Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School

Friday, September 29

Game 7:00PM.....Dawson-Boyd

BOLD HS Olivia Campus Football/Track Fields

Friday, October 6 Game 7:00PM.....Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School

Thursday, October 12 Game 7:30PM.....Lakeview Lakeview HS

Wednesday, October 18 Game 7:00PM.....Canby BOLD HS Olivia Campus Football/Track Fields

12 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW
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Check the schools website
list
BOLD

Blackjacks junior linebacker Parker Bothun makes a tackle during a game against the Russell-TylerRuthton Knights on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at R.B. Clay Field in Dawson. Michael

Tribune

Blackjacks back with a young team

Dawson-Boyd has 3 seniors on its roster after going 8-2 in 2022

DAWSON — The Dawson-Boyd football team had an eight-game winning streak en route to an 8-2 overall record in the 2022 season. But as the Blackjacks turn to 2023, they will have lots of young faces that will look to step up and make impacts.

Coached by Cory Larson, who enters his 22nd season, DawsonBoyd returns just a handful of starters.

“We will be very young,” Larson said. “There are only three seniors on our roster and there will be plenty

of competition at many spots.”

Leading the pack of returners is junior Brayson Boike. A wide receiver/cornerback, Boike was an AllSouthwest West pick and was the Sub-District’s Most Valuable Defensive Back.

Also returning as starters are junior wide receiver Drew Hjemeland and sophomore linebacker Kameron Sather and sophomore cornerback Nathan Hansen.

Other key returners as listed by Larson are senior offensive/ defensive lineman Parker Bothun, junior offensive/

defensive linemen Gunnar Olson and Collin Olson and sophomore quarterback Gunner Liebl.

Two key losses for the Blackjacks are Holt Larson and Garret Kostad. Both players were West Central Tribune All-Area Football Honorable Mentions in 2022.

Larson had 156 carries for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns with two receiving touchdowns and he also tacked on three kickoff return touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 61 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown. He was named the Sub-District’s

Most Valuable Player. Kostad was named the Sub-District’s Most Valuable Offensive and Defensive Lineman. “We will look to become more competitive as younger

players gain varsity experience,” Larson said. “This group will work hard and be very coachable.”

Larson will be assisted by Kevin Brent, Hank Ireland,

Preston Schwegel, Keifer Stratmoen and Jordan and Justin Wager. The Blackjacks open the season against TracyMilroy-Balaton at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at Tracy.

DAWSON BOYD BLACKJACKS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM….Multiple Schools

Tracy Area High School Practice Football Field

Thursday, August 31

Game 7:00PM….Tracy-Milroy-Balaton

Tracy Area High School Practice Football Field

Friday, September 8

Game 7:00PM….Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM….Lakeview Dawson Boyd RB Clay Field

Friday, September 22

**Homecoming Game 7:00PM….Yellow Medicine East Dawson Boyd RB Clay Field

Friday, September 29

Game 7:00PM….B.O.L.D BOLD High School Olivia Campus

Friday, October 6

Game 7:00PM….Canby Dawson Boyd RB Clay Field

Thursday, October 12 Game 7:00PM….MACCRAY Maynard

Wednesday, October 18

Game 7:00PM….Minneota Dawson Boyd RB Clay Field

Check

Schedule sponsored by:

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 13
the schools website for a updated events list
GREATER COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 711 6th St, Dawson 320-769-2908
Lyne / West Central
DAWSON-BOYD

KMS sophomore Jett Olson, 20, fist-bumps teammates during pregame intros during a Mid State 3 District game against ACGC on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 at Grove City. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Fighting Saints are moving on up

KMS competes in Class AA this season after making the state Class A playoffs in 2022

MURDOCK — As KerkhovenMurdock-Sunburg High School saw its MSHSL size go from 194 students to 220, the Fighting Saints will now compete in Class AA in football instead of Class A this season.

KMS is coming off a 2022 season that saw the Fighting Saints have plenty of success.

The Fighting Saints made the Class A state tournament for the first time since they won a state title in 2008. KMS finished the season with an 8-3 record.

“We look at new competition this year as we have been moved to Class AA for playoffs with Eden Valley-Watkins, Royalton, Paynesville, Holdingford and Kimball,” KMS head coach Jason Fernholz said. He enters his fifth season at the helm of the Fighting Saints.

The Fighting Saints are hungry to get back to state, but they will have to do it without six starters who had loads of experience.

The 2023 class was led by Isaac Rudningen, a West Central Tribune AllArea Football pick who is committed to play at Division II University of Sioux Falls as a linebacker. His brother, Dylan

Rudningen, is also a running back for the Cougars and is a redshirt junior.

“We bring back a solid group of players back this year who are hungry to build off of being a state tournament team,” Fernholz said. “There will be plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball and the first two weeks of practice and our scrimmage will help us determine the final starting spots and who’s earned those rights.”

Jared Cortez will return to lead KMS at quarterback in his senior season. He missed all but the first three games last season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Cortez, listed at 5-foot-11, has one of his main weapons back in senior tight end/defensive end Hunter Kallstrom. Kallstrom has committed to the Division I University of Wyoming. He was also the Mid State 3 District Defensive Lineman Player of the Year.

Kallstrom ran for 574 yards and six touchdowns on 92 carries and had 35 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns. He also had 53 tackles (42 solo, nine for a loss) with nine sacks and one forced fumble.

Seniors Carter Auspus, Owen Kidrowski and Malaki Lee as well as juniors Jett Olson, Logan Rudningen and Aaron Jones return as starters in the 2023 season.

KMS FIGHTING SAINTS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM….Multiple Schools -Cottonwood

Friday, September 1

7:00PM….Wadena-Deer Creek -Murdock

Friday, September 8

7:00PM….Benson Public Schools - Benson High School

Friday, September 15

7:00PM….Browerville - Murdock

Friday, September 22

7:00PM….West Central Area - Murdock

Friday, September 29

7:00PM….Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - Long Prairie-Grey Eagle

Friday, October 6

2:00PM….Upsala - Upsala High School

Friday, October 13 **HOMECOMING

7:00PM….Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - Murdock

Wednesday, October 18

7:00PM….Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School

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KERKHOVEN-MURDOCK-SUNBURG

Eagles junior quarterback Kaden Molden fires the ball into the endzone during a game against the MACCRAY Wolverines on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at MACCRAY West Elementary School in Maynard.

LQPV moves forward after tough ‘22 season

Eagles returns 3 starters from an 0-9 team that aims for first winning record since 2020

West Central Tribune

MADISON — The Lac qui Parle Valley football team is hoping to leave a winless 2022 season in the rearview mirror.

Going 0-9 last season, the Eagles try to regroup with a new core of players under head coach Tony Smith. He’s entering his eighth season and his assistants are Paul Lowry, Josh Benson, Mark Bjornjeld and Brent Clemenson.

Three starters are back

for LQPV. There’s senior running back/linebacker TJ Mitchel. The team’s top lineman — on both sides of the ball — will be senior Kaden Mortenson. And senior Kaden Molden, who has played quarterback the past two seasons, is set to play at tight end and defensive line.

Smith and the rest of the LQPV huddle will look to junior Davis Patzer at quarterback. He’ll also see time as a defensive back. A pair of junior wideouts/

defensive backs will also look to make an impact are Kayden Kessler and Dylan Keimig. And junior Landon Weber is a player to watch at both running back and linebacker.

LQPV opens the ‘23 season on Friday, Sept. 1 against Murray County Central in Slayton. The Eagles play their first Southwest North district game in Week 2 at home against rival Dawson-Boyd on Friday, Sept. 8.

The Eagles’ last victory came against Canby on

Oct. 8, 2021 by a score of 19-6. Their last winning season came in the COVID-shortened 2020 season when LQPV went 5-3.

LQPV Eagles varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26 Scrimmage 10:00AM……….Multiple Schools Benson High School

Friday, September 1 Game 7:00PM………………….MCC Murray County Central School

Friday, September 8 Game 7:00PM………………….Dawson-Boyd LQPV High School Football Field

Friday, September 15 Game 7:00PM………………….Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School

Friday, September 22 Game 7:00PM………………….B.O.L.D.

LQPV High School Football Field

Friday, September 29 Game 7:00PM………………….Canby Canby High School

Friday, October 6 Game 7:00PM………………….MACCRAY LQPV High School Football Field

Thursday, October 12 Game 7:00PM………………….Minneota Minneota – K.P. Kompelien Field

Tuesday, October 17

Game 7:00PM………………….Lakeview LQPV High School Football Field

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 15
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LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Dragons junior wide receiver Blake Aller near the sideline during the Minnesota Fallen Heroes Football Game against the New London-Spicer Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at New London-Spicer High School in New London. Michael

Dragons hope to make a serious run

West Central Tribune

LITCHFIELD — With a strong cast of returning starters, the Litchfield football team is looking to make a run up the district standings in 2023.

Thirteen starters, including three AllDistrict picks, are back for the Dragons, who went 2-4 in the East Central South district and 4-6 overall in 2022.

At the top of the list is senior running back/ linebacker Lukas Kuehl. The All-District Running Back MVP, Kuehl ran for 1,048 yards and eight touchdowns on 201 carries a season ago. He also broke a school record with 44 carries in a 12-6 win over Rockford in the opening round of the Section 2AAA playoffs.

“He’s a 1,000-yard

LITCHFIELD DRAGONS

varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Scrimmage 7:00 PM Away vs . Multiple Schools

Watertown-Mayer High School

Friday, September 1, 2023

7:00

Annandale High School

vs . Annandale

Friday, September 8, 2023

7:00 PM Away vs . St . Cloud Apollo St . Cloud Apollo High School

Friday, September 15, 2023 7:00

vs . Foley

rusher the last two years (and a) two-year starter for the last two years,” said Litchfield head coach Jim Jackman. “He battled a shoulder injury his whole junior season.”

A pair of All-District junior defensive linemen return for the Dragons. There’s TJ Christensen, who recorded 71 tackles and 5-1/2 sacks at defensive end last season. He’ll also be on offense at tight end. Dietel is a 6-foot-1, 240-pound lineman who’ll play on both sides of the ball.

“(TJ) is super athletic and knows how to get to the ball defensively,” Jackman said. “(Jacob) has tremendous strength and mobility in his hips.”

Senior Garrison Jackman returns as Litchfield’s quarterback. He’s an All-District honorable mention selection and has played on the varsity since his

freshman year. He’s been the punter for four years and started at QB and free safety last season.

Ayden Cziok, a 6-0 wide receiver/linebacker, is also back after being named All-District honorable mention.

Other returning starters include: senior WR/DB Blake Aller; senior WR/DB Jack McCann; senior center Alex Carew; sophomore offensive tackle Noah Dietel; senior OL/DE Creighton Huhner; junior tight end Durant Lara; junior linebacker Ethan Holtz; and senior defensive lineman Logan Bosma.

The Dragons kick off the ‘23 season on Friday, Sept. 1 at Annandale. Playing its first three games on the road, Litchfield takes on New London-Spicer in the home opener on Friday, Sept. 22.

Foley High School

Friday, September 22, 2023

7:00

vs . New London-Spicer

Litchfield High School Football Field/Track Facility

Friday, September 29, 2023

7:00

vs . Dassel-Cokato

Litchfield High School Football Field/Track Facility

HOMECOMING

Friday, October 6, 2023

7:00

vs . Watertown-Mayer

Watertown-Mayer High School HS Stadium Field

Friday, October 13, 2023

7:00

vs

Glencoe-Silver Lake

Litchfield High School Football Field/Track Facility

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

7:00

vs . Richfield

Litchfield High School Football Field/Track Facility

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16 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW
PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Away
PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Away
PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Home
PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Home
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PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Home
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Check the schools website for a updated events list
With running back Lukas Kuehl leading the way, Litchfield has experience, talent
LITCHFIELD
Lyne / West Central Tribune

Wolverines junior running back Sebastian Cisneros carries the ball through the trenches during a game against the LQPV Eagles on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at MACCRAY West Elementary School in Maynard. Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

MACCRAY believes it will be better in ‘23

Wolverines return co-MVPs Sebastian Cisneros and Brady Heiling, but face a brutal schedule

West Central Tribune

MAYNARD — It won’t be an easy task in the hyper competitive Southwest West district, but the MACCRAY football team is encouraged by the team’s potential this season.

The Wolverines bring back 12 players from last season’s 1-8 team, including its co-MVPs from 2022.

“While we are expecting a promising season at MACCRAY, no team on our schedule can be taken for granted,” said

second-year head coach Cole Christopher. “We have definitely learned over the years, but no year more so than last year, with six of our opponents finishing with five wins or more.”

Those returning MVPs are senior running back/ linebacker Sebastian Cisneros and senior tight end/linebacker Brady Heiling.

Cisneros ran for 417 yards and three touchdowns on 103 carries. He also had 13 receptions for 25 yards. Cisneros added 34 tackles and an interception on

defense.

“Cisneros is a weightroom junkie that averaged four yards per carry last year and has gotten faster in the offseason,” Christopher said.

Heiling had a team-high 98 tackles along with two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery. His best game came against Yellow Medicine East when he recorded 24 tackles.

“He is an incredibly smart and strong kid that loves playing football,” Christopher said of Heiling.

Eight more seniors are back for MACCRAY:

WR/CB Isaac Post; QB/S Michael Thein; TE/LB Sawyer Janssen; OL/DL Charlie Delbosque; OL/DL Garrett Struxness; WR/ LB Jack Miller; WR/CB Riley Roskens; and OL/DL Colten Jenkins. Junior C/ DE Grayson Ahdrenholz and sophomore WR/S Andre Gates are also back. Along with Cisneros, MACCRAY’s offense will lean on Thein and Post to move the ball. Thein completed 76 of 184 passes for 709 yards, four touchdowns and 13 interceptions in ‘22. Post was the team’s top wideout with 30 catches

for 324 yards and a pair of scores.

“Thien averaged four yards per rush last year and nine yards per pass completion; he’s a big, strong kid that loves football,” Christopher said. “Post is a very good WR that can do it all on the football field. Though he didn’t have the stats that showed it last year, he is often double teamed.

“When we can get the ball moving with these three players, we find success.”

On defense, the trio is Heiling, Janssen and Gates.

“Janssen was second on our team in tackles last season (59) and that ability is a huge piece to our team,” Christopher said. “He is a slender LB standing at 6-(foot)-6, but he loves contact and works incredibly hard for us.

“Gates is only entering his sophomore season but we have big expectations for him this year. He is an incredible tackler and was co-leader in INTs last year as a freshman (two).”

The Wolverines open the season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at home against Wabasso.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 17 MACCRAY WOLVERINES varsity
MACCRAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS www.maccray.k12.mn.us/ 711 Wolverine Drive, Clara City 320-847-2154 Subway 111 1st St SE Clara City www.subway.com Dooley’s Petroleum www.dooleypetro.com 320-235-5200 Check the schools website for a updated events list Schedule sponsored by: Saturday, August 26 Scrimmage 9:30AM....Benson Public Schools Benson High School Thursday, August 31 Game 7:00PM....Wabasso Maynard Friday, September 8 Game 7:00PM....B.O.L.D. Maynard Friday, September 15 Game 7:00PM....Canby Canby High School Friday, September 22 Game 7:00PM....Lakeview Lakeview High School Friday, September 29 **HOMECOMING Game 7:00PM....Minneota Maynard Friday, October 6 Game 7:00PM....Lac Qui Parle Valley Lac Qui Parle Valley High School Thursday, October 12 Game 7:00PM....Dawson-Boyd Maynard Wednesday, October 18 Game 7:00PM....Yellow Medicine East Yellow Medicine East High School Clara City, MN 56222 www.maccray.k12.mn.us/ 320-847-2154 IT’S
football schedule 2023
ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE!!
MACCRAY

Lakers sophomore quarterback Levi Johnson takes a hit from Montevideo’s Grayson Eisenlohr before throwing a touchdown pass against the Thunder Hawks on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Montevideo High School in Montevideo.

Minnewaska hopes to see better days ahead

Lakers have a strong nucleus after going winless in 2022

GLENWOOD — The Minnewaska football team is anxious to get back in the win column in 2023.

The Lakers went 0-9 in 2022 and are on an 11-game losing streak. Their last victory came in Week 7 of the 2021 season, 26-6 over Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.

Minnewaska will have eight returning starters when it kicks off the season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at home versus Morris/ChokioAlberta.

Highlighting that group is senior Jack Majerus. The 5-foot10, 160-pound RB/DB accounted for 591 rushing yards and five interceptions last season.

Then there’s linebacker Austin Weber. At 5-10 and 175, Weber had six tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. He’ll also see time at wide receiver.

Austin Ballhagen resumes his role as the Lakers’ top pass-catcher. A 5-9 senior WR/CB, Ballhagen had 453 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He’ll help break in an offense that goes from having PJ Johnson at quarterback to PJ’s brother, junior Levi Johnson.

The Lakers also lost Brady Blair and Chase Boelke to graduation.

Myles Reichman, a 5-10, 185pound senior RB/LB is back. Another returning senior is Kenneth Czech, a 5-11, 195 OL/DL.

Three juniors also return to the mix. Levi Johnson will play at QB and DB. Kaiden Harvey is a 6-1, 185-pound TE/DL. Carter Meyer returns as a 5-8, 170-pound RB/DB.

Minnewaska is coached by Jared Lyle, who enters his second year with the team. His assistant coaches are Matt Meagher, Jeremy Christensen, Jason Weber, Brian Gruber, Nathan Snider and Zach Traphagen.

MINNEWASKA LAKERS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM………...Multiple Schools Melrose High School

Thursday, August 31

Game 7:00PM…Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta

Minnewaska Area High School Veterans Field at Glenwood State Bank Stadium

Friday, September 8

Game 7:00PM………………….Sauk Centre Sauk Centre High School

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM………………….Pierz

Minnewaska Area High School Veterans

Field at Glenwood State Bank Stadium

Friday, September 22

Game 7:00PM……Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School

Friday, September 29 **HOMECOMING

Game 7:00PM………………….Rockford Area

Minnewaska Area High School Veterans Field at Glenwood State Bank Stadium

Friday, October 6

Game 7:00PM………………….Montevideo

Minnewaska Area High School Veterans Field at Glenwood State Bank Stadium

Friday, October 13

Game 7:00PM………………….Albany Albany High School

Wednesday, October 18

Game 2:30PM………………….Melrose Melrose High School

Schedule sponsored by:

18 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW
Minnewaska Area Schools www.minnewaska.k12.mn.us 320-239-4800
the schools website for a updated events list www.minnewaska.k12.mn.us
Check
MINNEWASKA
Michael Lyne / West Central Tribune

Members of the Montevideo

Thunder Hawks take the field before playing Holdingford on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

Thunder Hawks start strong in the backfield

Francis O’Malley, the top district’s top running back, leads Montevideo

MONTEVIDEO

— With workhorse running back Francis O’Malley back in the fold, the Montevideo football team has its sights set on climbing up the standings.

The Thunder Hawks went 1-8 overall and 1-7 in the Mid State 1 district last season. Montevideo is now in the Mid Northwest White district with Albany, Howard LakeWaverly-Winsted, Melrose, Minnewaska, Pierz, Rockford and Sauk Centre.

O’Malley will try to replicate his ‘22 success in the new district. He was Mid State 1’s most valuable back after rushing for 1,537 yards (170.8 per game) and 20 touchdowns on 188

carries. At linebacker, O’Malley also had a team-best 50-1/2 tackles, including 10 for loss.

Eight other starters are back for the Thunder Hawks.

Senior Brady Rhode will be the team’s top returning lineman. He’s joined up front by two other returning starters in senior Zach DeBeer and junior Carter Malstrom.

“(Brady’s) an excellent O-lineman,” said Montevideo head coach Dave Vik.

Senior Carson Boike is a player who can do anything for Montevideo. He’s listed as a quarterback/running back/linebacker/ defensive back. He was third on the team with 31-1/2 tackles.

“He’s a very disciplined player (who) understands the game

well,” Vik said of Boike. “(He) makes plays because of athleticism and football IQ.”

Another senior, Cooper Dack, will see time at QB/RB/DB. Dack completed 34 of 122 passes last season for 398 yards, two touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

“Very quick and athletic,” Vik said of Dack. “(He) will make plays.”

The Thunder Hawks’ top receiving target is senior Devin Ashling. He caught seven passes for 103 yards and a TD in ‘22.

“Big, tall target that will go up and get the ball,” Vik said of Ashling.

Two other juniors return in WR/DB Sam Knoop and RB/LB Landon Olson.

Montevideo opens at home on Thursday, Aug. 31 against Paynesville.

MONTEVIDEO THUNDERHAWKS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM……………Multiple Schools

Melrose Area High School

Thursday, August 31

Game 7:00PM………..........….Paynesville

Montevideo H.S. Stadium

Friday, September 8

Game 7:00PM……….Howard LakeWaverly-Winsted

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted H.S.

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM………......….Melrose Area

Montevideo High School 17th St. Field & Stadium

Friday, September 22

Game 7:00PM………………............….Rockford

Rockford High School

Friday, September 29

**Homecoming

Game 7:00PM……….....……….Sauk Centre

Montevideo High School 17th St. Field & Stadium

Friday, October 6

Game 7:00PM……………...…Minnewaska Area Minnewaska Area High School

Friday, October 13

Game 7:00PM………………...................….Pierz Pierz High School

Wednesday, October 18

Game 7:00PM…………….................Albany Montevideo H.S. Stadium

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 19
MONTEVIDEO
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Paynesville junior Grant Miller blocks Sauk Centre’s Elijah Fletcher during a Mid State 2 District game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 at Paynesville.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

PAYNESVILLE BULLDOGS varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM………………….Multiple Schools New London-Spicer High School

Thursday, August 31

Game 7:00PM………………….Montevideo Montevideo High School

Friday, September 8

Game 7:00PM………………….Maple Lake Paynesville Area High School

Friday, September 15

Game 7:00PM………………….Kimball Area Kimball High School

Bulldogs have a new quarterback

Bryce VanderBeek takes over for Grayson Fuchs as Paynesville builds on last season’s 5-5 record

West Central Tribune

PAYNESVILLE —

Bryce VanderBeek takes over at quarterback for the Paynesville Bulldogs, who graduated Grayson Fuchs.

Fuchs made back-toback appearances on the West Central Tribune All-Area Football Team to close out his career at Paynesville. He completed 59.6 percent of his passes (121 of 203), recording 1,678 yards and 20 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He also carried the ball 156 times for 769 yards and 11 touchdowns.

But, Fuchs was not just productive offensively. He was the Mid State 2 District’s Defensive Back of the Year. He made 43.5 tackles (18 solo) with two interceptions.

He’s now playing baseball at St. Cloud State University.

Tim Pattrin, in his second year as Paynesville’s head, now looks to VanderBeek, a senior at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, to drive the Bulldogs’ offense following a season where the team had a 5-5 overall record.

VanderBeek also plays linebacker.

“We are looking to build off of last season,”

Pattrin said. “While we lost some key pieces, we have good depth coming back and are looking forward to the season.”

Also returning as starters for the Bulldogs are seniors Chase Viessman, Seth Vearrier, Abe Brunner and Grant Miller as well as junior Peyton Hemmesch.

Viessman is an offensive/defensive

lineman at 5-11, 220 pounds. Vearrier is an offensive/defensive lineman at 5-10 and 200. Brunner is a wide receiver/defensive back at 6-3, 170. Miller is an offensive/defensive lineman at 6-1, 230. Hemmesch is a 6-0, 180pound running back/ linebacker.

Pattrin listed Owen Brick and Brandon Carlson as players to watch alongside Brunner and Viessman. Brick is a 5-10, 165-pound, senior wide receiver/defensive back and Carlson is a 5-10, 165-pounds senior running back/defensive back.

“(He’s) smart, (a) hard worker, runs good routes and has excellent hands.” Pattrin said of Brick.

“(Brandon) has a lot of speed on both sides of the ball.”

Friday, September 22

Game 7:00PM………………….Eden Valley-Watkins

Paynesville Area High School

Friday, September 29

Game 7:00PM………………….St. Cloud Cathedral Saint John’s University

Friday, October 6

Game 7:00PM………………….Osakis High School Osakis High School

Friday, October 13 **HOMECOMING

Game 7:00PM………………….Holdingford

Paynesville Area High School

Wednesday, October 18

Game 7:00PM………………….Royalton

Paynesville Area High School

Check the schools website for a updated events list www.paynesville schools.com

Paynesville

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PLLP www.christiansoncpa.com/ 212 W James St #200, Paynesville
Christianson
American Legion Post 271 770 Diekmann Dr Paynesville paynesvillelegion271.org
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Paynesville www.yarmonford.com
PAYNESVILLE

Renville County West High School junior Jasen Jansen gains yardage while making his way up the field against Hills Beaver-Creek in Danube on Friday, September 30, 2022.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

RCW hopes to have another banner season

The Jaguars, coming off a 9-1 record, have many new players who must come through

Tribune

DANUBE — Uncertainty looms for Renville County West as it enters the football season fresh off a 2022 campaign where it held a 9-1 overall record.

That uncertainty for the Jaguars comes from losing the bulk of their starters from a season ago.

Key losses include: guard/defensive tackle Noah Gullickson, guard/defensive end Carter Rice, center/linebacker Hunter Ridler, quarterback/safety AJ Gasca and wide receiver/defensive back Isaac Haen. All five were All-District selections and Gullickson was an All-State pick.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 | 21 2023 RCW Football FEEL THE ROAR!! Renville County West Public Schools 301 NE 3rd St. | Renville, MN | (320) 329-8368 www.rcw.k12.com
RENVILLE COUNTY WEST

“Having only a few starters return from a team that went 9-1 last season brings a number of unknowns for this season,” said Jaguars head coach Ryan Hebrink, who enters his 14th season. “We are excited for what this next group of young men can accomplish.”

Austin Rice replaces Gasca as RCW’s quarterback. He is a junior listed at 6-feet, 170 pounds.

“Austin has had limited varsity time,” Hebrink said. “Although he had a nice junior varsity season last fall.”

The Jaguars have three returning starters. They are seniors Jasen Jansen and Jack Wertish and junior Wayne Fuentes.

Jansen is an All-District running back/linebacker at 6-2 and 215 pounds. He ran for 1,122 yards and 11 touchdowns on 196 carries in 2022. Wertish is also an All-District selection at 6-0 and 180. He plays tight end, running back and linebacker.

“We look for Jasen to be a key leader for us this season on both sides of the ball. Physically, Jasen is the strongest player we have had in program

history. His strength, power and determination are tough to match,” Hebrink said. “Jack brings much-needed experience as a starter. … Jack has a combination of speed and strength, allowing him to play multiple positions.”

Fuentes is a guard/ defensive end at 5-8, 185 pounds.

“Wayne impressed us last season as a sophomore playing tight end and defensive end and we look forward to seeing the next step from Wayne,” Hebrink said.

“Being that our three interior defensive linemen

graduated, Wayne is moving from tight end to guard this season to help the team.”

Javin Mungai is a player

to watch as well, according to Hebrink. He is a 5-11, 150 pound senior running back/defensive back.

Hebrink will be assisted

Nov. 4, 2022 at Cottonwood.

by Mike Johnson, Andy Davis, Jaime Castillo, Craig Hebrink, Dean Baldry and Connor Aalderks.

22 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 PIGSKIN PREVIEW RCW JAGUARS Football Schedule 2023 RENVILLE COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS www.rcw.k12.mn.us/ • 320-329-8368 SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BEET SUGAR COOPERATIVE www.smbsc.com/ • 320-329-8305 STEVE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING www.facebook.com/Steves-Hvac-121680514836475/ • 320-329-3663 Sponsored by Friday, September 1 7:00PM ������������������������Red Rock Central Renville County West High School Football Field (Danube) Friday, September 8 7:00PM Edgerton Edgerton H.S. Friday, September 15 7:00PM Madelia Madelia, MN Friday, September 22 7:00PM �����Granada-Huntley-East Chain Renville County West High School Football Field (Danube) Friday, September 29 7:00PM Hills Beaver Creek Hills Beaver Creek High School Friday, October 6 7:00PM ���������������������������Cedar Mountain Renville County West High School Football Field (Danube) Friday, October 13 7:00PM New Ulm Cathedral New Ulm Wednesday, October 18 7:00PM �����������������������������Mountain Lake Renville County West High School Football Field (Danube) Check the schools website for an updated events list
RCW junior Jack Wertish, 4, runs onto the field during pregame intros in the Section 2 Nine-Man championship game against Hancock on Friday, Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Yellow Medicine East junior Owen Cherveny rallies his teammates around as they prepare to take the field against the Lakeview Lakers in Granite Falls on Friday, October 7, 2022.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

New season, new outlook for YME

The Sting focus on team building and chemistry after going 7-17 last season

West Central Tribune

GRANITE FALLS — Yellow Medicine East has focused its efforts on team building throughout the offseason as it prepares to play against stiff competition in the Camden Conference.

For YME head coach Alexis Peters, she hopes it will pay dividends for the upcoming season.

“Our program has put in a lot of hard work this summer,” said Peters, who enters her second year as YME’s head coach. “We put a big focus on team building and improving our team chemistry, both on and off the court.”

The Sting enter the 2023 season following a 7-17 record in 2022, which included a 4-8 record in the Camden Conference.

YME has six key roster

losses, including Ruby Bones, Aria Peters and Hannah Stark.

Bones, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker who was a 2022 West Central Tribune All-Area Volleyball selection, will soon begin her first year with the Minnesota StateMoorhead volleyball program. Aria Peters, a 5-6 setter, will play for the St. Cloud Technical and Community College volleyball program. Stark, a 5-10 outside hitter, is committed to playing women’s basketball for Briar Cliff University.

But the Sting have retained senior Kiara Sakry, who will transition to outside hitter after spending three years as a libero. She was named YME’s defensive player of the year in 2022 after leading the team in digs with 318.

“Our big strength for us this season will be our

defense,” Alexis Peters said. “We have scrappy defenders that have a ton of grit in them and our defense at the net is just as strong.”

Alongside Sakry, there are senior setter Riley Streich and sophomore middle hitter Alana Almich who will be in the mix.

Streich will serve as YME’s setter after spending the past three seasons as a defensive specialist. Almich is a “smart and vocal player” for the Sting.

Sakry, Streich and Almich will serve as YME’s leaders.

“We will have a mixture of experienced and inexperienced players at the varsity level, but the talent these newcomers have is amazing,” Peters said. “Even though we lost a handful of great athletes last season, I know this year’s group will be just as great.”

YME Sting varsity football schedule 2023

Saturday, August 26

Scrimmage 9:00AM………………….Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Tracy High School

Thursday, August 31 Game 7:00PM………………….Sleepy Eye Yellow Medicine East High School

Friday, September 8 Game 7:00PM………………….Minneota Minneota High School

Friday, September 15 Game 7:00PM………………….Lac Qui Parle Valley Yellow Medicine East High School

Friday, September 22 Game 7:00PM………………….Dawson-Boyd Dawson-Boyd High School

Friday, September 29 Game 7:00PM………………….Lakeview Lakeview High School

Friday, October 6 Game 7:00PM………………….B.O.L.D. Yellow Medicine East High School

Thursday, October 12 Game 7:00PM………………….Canby Canby High School

Wednesday, October 18 Game 7:00PM………………….MACCRAY Yellow Medicine East High School

Check the school’s website for an updated events list www.isd2190.org

Schedule sponsored by: WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

To Subscribe call 320-235-1154

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