Football

2024 Prep Football Preview

The 2024 season is year two of the new district alignment. Hence, nothing changes from last year as it pertains to districts and sections. Three Journal-covered squads enter the year coming off state runs. Kingsland broke a 20-year drought and progressed all the way to the 9-Man state finals before controversially and agonizingly falling. Fillmore Central repeated as 1A champion. Caledonia ended a mini-state drought by winning 1AA. Both the Falcons and Warriors fell in the state quarters. Another year starts with a lot of optimism. One notable change is Lyle/Pacelli sharing football with LeRoy-Ostrander. The Athletics did not have a team last season. They share with L-O because Southland would not, as it would move them to 11-man. L-O-L/P does not move up to 11-man. 

LeRoy-Ostrander contended for the South-East title last year. The Cardinals’ only regular season loss was to sub-district champ Kingsland. L-O went 6-1, 7-1 in the regular season. They won a quarterfinal playoff game but fell to Spring Grove 27-20 in the Section 1 9-Man semifinals. L-O finished a strong season at 8-2. This year starts with Lyle/Pacelli coming over for a shared program. The Athletics last went 4-5 in 2022. Trevor Carrier’s Cards had five All-District picks in 2023. Linemen Malyk Schaefer (6’2” 285 OL/DL > 66 total tackles, six sacks, 15 TFLs) and Mason Diemer (6’1” 275 OL/DL > 62 total tackles) graduated. Three Cardinals return who were A-D, seniors Camden Hungerholt (6’1” 190 QB/LB), Carter Sweeney (6’1” 185 WR/LB), and Ryder Stern (6’1” 200 TE/LB). Hungerholt heads the cast. The South-East Offensive Player of the Year and 9-Man All-State selection put up ridiculous numbers (276-2,627 yards, 36 TDs rushing; 102 of 196, 1,596 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs passing; 84 total tackles) accounting for 51 total scores! Sweeney (50-868 yards, 9 TDs receiving; 79 total tackles) was hit top target, Stern a key blocker and defender (team-high 100 tackles). But the Cardinals add two A-D picks in seniors Tyson Stevens (5’11” 165 RB/LB) and Dylan Christianson (6’2” 230 Sr. OL/DL). Stevens, who went to L-O in elementary school, was A-D for Southland last year. Christianson was A-D for L/P in 2022. Also back are A-D HM picks Logan Diemer (6’0” 200 Jr. RB/LB > 82 total tackles) and Spencer Goodale (6’0” 245 Jr. OL/DL). Carson Roe (5’10” 180 Jr. RB/LB > 51-210, 4 TDs rushing), Reid Hungerholt (6’2” 160 So. WR/DB > 23-332, TD receiving), and Talan Lewison (6’0” 155 Jr. WR/DB) are three more notable returning ball handlers. Gabe Nagel (OL/DL) plus experienced L-P guys Landon Meyer (6’1” 200 RB/LB) and Joseph Anderson (5’9” 270 OL/DL) join with the above five to give L-O-L/P eight seniors. The Cards lost a couple road-graders in M-Schaefer and M-Diemer, but they were last year’s only two seniors and 13 guys total came over from L/P. The additions make L-O-L/P the most All-District-laden team in the league. L-O-L/P’s schedule in order is at Kingsland (a big one), Westbrook-Walnut Grove, at AC/G-E, Houston, Grand Meadow, at Southland, at Mabel-Canton, and Lanesboro. 

Kingsland enters the year coming off a state runner-up finish in 9-Man. The Knights cruised through the South-East sub-district a perfect 7-0, 8-0 overall. They cruised through the 9-Man Section 1 playoffs to claim their first section title over two decades. The Knights downed Hills-Beaver Creek and Fertile Beltrami at the state level before falling to Nevis 14-12 in a game Kingsland statistically dominated and probably should have won. But it is a new season. Coach Matt Kolling lost a great group of seven seniors. Included were All-District picks Beau Wiersma (5’9” 200 RB/LB > 234-2,279, 28 TDs rushing; 44 total TDs; 111 total tackles, 21 TFLs), the sub-district Defensive Player of the Year, Ayden Howard (6’2” 165 WR/RB/DB > 43-928, 10 TDs receiving; 26-331, 4 TDs rushing), and Noah House (6’0” 220 OL/DL) plus A-D HM selection Courtland Drury-DeBoer (6’0” 195 OL/DL). Wiersma and Howard were twice A-D and each made 9-Man All-State. Wiersma was A.P. 2nd Team All-State all classes. But the Knights bring assets back to try to make another run. At the top of the list are returning A-D selections Parker Johnson (6’1” 210 Sr. TE/DE > 77 tackles, 16 ½ sacks, 26 TFLs) and dual threat quarterback Kaaleem Reiland (5’8” 190 Jr. QB/DB > 111 of 191, 1,910 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs passing; 151-1,113 yards, 14 TDs rushing). Johnson was the sub-district Lineman of the Year, 9-Man All-State, and A.P. All-State 2nd Team last year. From there, A-D HM pick Sam Howard (6’3” 215 Sr. TE/LB/RB) heads a group of returning experienced players that also includes Caden Reiter (6’0” 160 Sr. WR/DB), Seth Howard (6’1” 200 Sr. RB/TE/LB), K.D. Reiland (5’8” 180 So. OL/DL), and Ira Schmidt (6’3” 260 Sr. C/NG). A healthy Zach Reiland (6’0” 175 Sr. RB/LB), who missed last year to injury, plus Bently Wiersma (5’9” 170 So. RB/LB), younger brother to Beau, will also bolster the squad. Blake Oeltjen (6’3” 190 TE/DE), Emerson Willford (5’9” 160 TE/LB), Blake Swenson (5’10” 180 RB/LB), and Orrin Solvers (6’4” 310 OL/DL) join with the above to give the Knights 10 seniors (though they have just three juniors). Some big names return as the Knights look to try defend multiple titles. Their five-road-game schedule (in order) is L-O-L/P (in a huge season-opener), at GM, at Lanesboro, AC/GE, at M-C, SG, at Red Rock Central, and at Houston. 

After years of dominance, then a small dry spell, Caledonia returned to the state tourney a year ago. The Warriors went 6-0 to win the Southeast-White, 8-0 in the regular season. They then downed Dover-Eyota 35-20 to claim the 1AA title. Carl Freuchte’s squad then took it on the chin in a 41-0 loss to Jackson County Central in the state quarters to finish the year 10-1. The Warriors had 16 seniors and six made All-District; the White Player of the Year Jordan Tornstrom (6’1” 245 C/DE > 71 total tackles), the sub-district Lineman of the Year Gabe Curley (6’1” 185 T/DE > five sacks), top rusher Owen Denstad (5’9” 155 RB/LB > 108-707 yards, 15 TDs rushing, 20 total TDs), Lewis Doyle (5’11” 160 DB/WR > 26-379, 2 TDS receiving; three interceptions; three return TDs), Mason Banse (6’1” 190 TE/LB > team-high 96 total tackles), and Josh Beardmore (5’11” 160 WR/DB > 18-408, 4 TDs receiving). Also graduating was All-District HM pick Tyler Stendel (OL/DL). The Warriors saw a lot of key guys depart. But their sole returning A-D player is their talented quarterback/safety Ethan Stendel (6’4” 195). Already signed to play football at the University of Minnesota, Stendel was excellent last season (95 of 160, 1,482 yards, 12 TDs, 3 INTs passing; 87-382 yards, 10 TDs rushing). Also back are senior A-D HM picks Tristan Meyer (5’11” 160 WR/DB > 26-350, 2 TDs receiving; 51 total tackles), Ben Stemper (6’0” 180 LB/RB > 64 total tackles), and Fischer Wait (5’11” 155 Sr. WR/DB > two return TDs). From there, Owen Staggemeyer (5’9” 155 Sr. RB/LB > 44-360, 4 TDs rushing) and Jack Schmitz (5’11” 160 Jr.) are a couple experienced running backs. Tanner Ginther (5’8” 160 Sr. OL/DL > 35 total tackles) joins Meyer and Stemper as key returning defensive players. Jackson Hammell (OL/DL), Eric Welscher (OL/DL), Marshall Rohrer (OL/DL), Owen Staggemeyer (RB/LB), Weston Rask (OL/DL), Greysen Proulx (OL/DL), Spencer Schaffer (OL/DL), and Gabe Lancaster (OL/DL) give the Warriors 13 returning seniors while basketball standout Mason King also joins the team. Caledonia will have to retool its offensive line and a big chunk of its defense. Their team speed again should be scary with state track guys Wait, Stendel, the Staggemeyer twins, and Meyer. The Warriors schedule in order is at Rochester-Lourdes, D-E (a rematch of the 1AA title game), at Chatfield, Cannon Falls, La Crescent/Hokah, at St. Charles, at Triton, and Pine Island. They thus play up a class, then their sub-district’s top contemporaries from last year in weeks two thru four, for a rugged start to the season. 

For Fillmore Central, the year starts in rare territory. The Falcons are the two-time defending 1A champs. The school had not made state heading into that span since consolidation in 1993. The Falcons went 8-0 in the Mid-Southeast district, winning the Blue sub-division. They downed Kenyon-Wanamingo 14-0 in the 1A title game but fell 22-12 to Springfield in a state quarterfinal. FC finished at 11-1. But Chris Mensink’s group will have some work to do for a third section title. The Falcons had nine All-District picks and six were seniors. Ultra-playmaker Jayce Kiehne (6’3” 175 WR/S > 60-586, 8 TDS rushing; 44-978, 16 TDs receiving; six interceptions), the sub-district’s Player of the Year, quarterback Chase Christianson (6’0” 160 > 97 of 155, 1,751 yards, 25 TDs, 7 INTs passing), the Offensive Player of the Year, and Kyle Daniels (6’0” 160 RB/LB > team-high 92 total tackles; 142-829, 11 TDs rushing, 13 total TDs), the Defensive Player of the Year, headed the cast. Also graduating were A-D picks Luke Hellickson (6’3” 175 WR/CB > five interceptions), Tyler Mayer (6’0” 245 OL/DL), and Henry Liew (5’11” 185 OL/DE) plus A-D HM selections Lincoln Iverson (5’10” 195 OL/DL) and Zach Krage (6’0” 305 DL). All told, 12 seniors moved on. FC’s top returnees are All-District picks Atlee Hershberger (5’10” 205 OL/LB > 44 total tackles), Joey Ristau (6’4” 195 OL/DL > 59 total tackles, team-high 16 total TFLs), and Josh Haugerud (6’0” 165 WR/LB > 48 total tackles, four interceptions) plus A-D HM pick Greg Kennedy (6’6” 190 Sr. WR/DB > 18-331, 4 TDs receiving). Hershberger enters his fourth year as a starter as has twice been All-District. Other notable returning guys are Brody Niemeyer (6’0” 250 Jr. OL/DL), Anthony Kiehne (5’9” 155 Sr. RB/DB), Tyler Gulbranson (6’7” 285 Sr. OL/DL), and Kane Larson (6’0” 180 Jr. RB/LB > 75 total tackles). Connor Hovey (5’8” 180 OL/DE), Weston Collins (5’11” 160 WR/DB), Peter Haugerud (5’11” 155 WR/LB), Laiten Engen (6’5” 245 OL/DE), and Owen Schoepski (5’11” 135 WR/DB) give the Falcons an 11-man senior class. FC has five starters back on both sides of the ball and three offensive line starters, but they graduated their quarterback, main tailback, and top receiver. The Falcons schedule (in order) is Hayfield, at BP (a key Saturday afternoon game), Faribault B.A., at R-P, Cotter, at L-A, W-K, and at K-W. 

Spring Grove, the 2022 state runner-up, slipped to section runner-up in 2023. All-State QB Elijah Solum and projected starting lineman Emmet Engeldinger were lost to injury before the season started while starting center Shawn Crouch missed the last seven games. The Lions won four of their five close encounters to place third in the regular-season, sub- district at 5-2 and 8-3 overall. Two of their three losses came to 2023 state runner-up Kingsland. In the playoffs, SG repaid M-C, 32-6, before eliminating sub-district runner-up LeRoy-Ostrander 27-20. But Kingsland was again too strong in the section finals, 44-14. Three of four All-District selections departed with diplomas; do-everything, HM All-State Jaxon Strinmoen (6’4” 180 WR/DB/QB > 34-569, 5 TDs receiving; 55-425, 5 TDs rushing; 15 of 27, 236, 5 TDs, 1 INT passing; 73 tackles, three interceptions), 2022 All-State Ethan Crouch (6’4” 252 TE/LB > 61 total tackles) and leading rusher/tackler Jacob Olerud (6’1” 175 RB/LB > 147-774, 7 TDs rushing; 146 tackles, 12.5 TFL). But A-D lineman Brandon Jahnke (6’0” 200 TE/DL, 9.5 TFL) is back to anchor a strong line. Both A-D HMs return – WR/DB Zach Brumm and QB/DB Bryce Berns. There are 10 seniors, five starters return on defense, four on offense. Engeldinger (6’1” Sr. OL/DL) and Shawn Crouch (6’5” 305 Sr. C/NG) return as does Tysen Moen (6’2” 280 OL/DL) who gained 7-game experience as backup. Isaac Vick (6’1” 210 Sr. TE/LB), Noah Heppner (6’2” 225 Jr.) and Devon Williams (6’1” 230 Jr.) are other promising linemen. Berns (6’0” 175 QB/DB > 108-587, 8 TDs rushing; 91 of 177, 1,256, 10 TDs, 5 INTs passing) has several, mostly tall targets, including four seniors: Brumm (6’3” 180 WR/DB, 20-597, 5 TDs receiving; 96 tackles, six interceptions), rangy Ben Udstuen (6’6” 190 WR/TE/DL), Troy Reinhardt (5’10”160 WR/DB) and new-to-football Ezra Griffin (6’2” 210 WR/LB) who should contribute immediately. Caden Gerard (5’11” 185 soph. WR/RB/DB) started at cornerback last year as a freshman. There are critical vacancies to fill at linebacker and running back. Sylas Flatin (5’7” 185 Sr.) and Dash Ranzenberger (5’9” 210 Jr.) will figure into both positions. Promising junior Ricardo Reynolds (6’1” 205 RB/WR/LB/DB) will miss much early action with an injury. SG’s schedule in order is at Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, Houston, at GM, Lanesboro, Mountain Lake, at Kingsland, at Southland, M-C. The Lions do not play L-O-L/P.

Houston got off to an excellent start a year ago. Cody Hungerholt’s Hurricanes began 3-0 and garnered a state ranking. But an injury to their top running back, and a comeback loss to L-O, kiboshed the great start. Team double-H finished 3-4 in the South-East, 4-4 in the regular season. They won a quarterfinal playoff game but fell to section champ Kingsland 45-28 in the semis. The Hurricanes finished 5-5. Houston saw five players honored last year, but only one, Ethan Knutson (5’9” 160 OL/LB > team-high 99 total tackles), graduated. There is optimism for a good season. Heading the cast of key returnees are the A-D backfield tandem of Maddox Rodriguez (5’10” 175 Sr. RB/LB) and Aden Kulas (5’11” 190 Sr. RB/DL). Rodriguez was off to a big start to last year (87-589 yards, 10 TDs rushing; 8-148, 2 TDs receiving) before getting injured in the fourth game. Kulas (181-758, 11 TDs rushing; 54 total tackles) then carried the ball-carrying slack. Also back are the ‘Canes’ two A-D HM, Logan Olson (5’9” 240 Sr. OL/DL > 44 total tackles) and Zach Olson (5’7” 145 Sr. WR/DB > 39-159, 4 TDs rushing; 33-337, 2 TDs receiving), plus multi-year starting quarterback Morgan Rohweder (6’2” 175 Sr. QB > 77 of 136, 1,103 yards, 9 TDs, 7 INTs passing). Lee Klunder (5’10” 160 So. RB/DB > 87-371, 3 TDs rushing; 17-268, TD receiving) and Axel Vix (5’11” 225 Jr. TE/DL > 16-281, TD receiving) are two more notable returning ball handlers. Grayden Beckman (5’9” 155 Jr. RB/LB), Logan Kinstler (6’0” 220 Jr. OL/DL), Nolan Nelson (5’8” 200 Jr. OL/DL), Elliot Frauenkron (So. OL/DL), and Dawson Pedretti (6’1” 235 Sr. OL/DL) are five more notable returnees overall. Owen Sobotta (WR/DB) and John Traun (OL/DL) combine with the above to give Houston an eight-man senior class. The ‘Canes return there top four rushers and receivers, a group of guys who have played a lot. Houston’s schedule (in order) is Southland, at Spring Grove, Mabel-Canton, at L-O-L/P, AC/G-E, at Nicollet, at Lanesboro, and Kingsland. 

Coming off back-to-back state championship game visits, Chatfield found life in the post-Sam-Backer-and-company-era tougher last year. The Gophers still had a good season. They started 5-0 with five emphatic wins but then went 2-3 their last five games (albeit beating 4AA champ Cannon Falls). Jeff Johnson’s crew went 4-2 in the Southeast-White, 6-2 in the regular season. They won a 1AA quarterfinal game but fell 24-22 to Dover-Eyota in the 1AA semis, finishing at 7-3. It was their sixth straight winning season. The team of the Chosen Valley had six All-District picks with half being seniors. White Defensive Player of the Year and team leading rusher/tackler Kail Schott (6’0” 200 RB/LB > 145-1,184 yards, 10 TDs rushing; 88 total tackles, two defensive TDs) headed the cast with lineman Miles Mulhern (6’0” 240 OL/DL) and Nathan Allen (6’0” 185 C/LB) also getting honored. Also graduating were A-D HM picks Caden Boyum (5’10” 165 WR/DB > five interceptions) and Devin Reinhardt (5’11” 185 TE/DB), two of the squad’s top receivers (nine TDs combined). But returning are a trio of All-District picks including quarterback Carson Rowland (5’10” 160 Sr. QB/DB). He is the team’s leading returning passer and rusher (124-701 yards, 12 TDs rushing; 38 of 72, 484 yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs passing) while also having played defensively. Ethan Cole (6’3” 250 Sr. OL/DL), a third-year starter, and Ben Carrier (5’11” 180 Sr. WR/LB > 15-283, 4 TDs receiving) also are back after having been honored All-District. Cole has signed to play D-1 football (North Dakota). From there, Chase Johnston (5’10” 175 Sr. RB/LB), Jacob Stevens (6’5” 270 Sr. OL/DL), Weston Nolte (5’11” 200 Sr. OL/DL), Mitchel Hinckley (6’0” 210 Jr. OL/DL), DeAndre Williams (6’1” 200 Jr. RB/LB > 35-331, 4 TDs rushing), Ethan Eickhoff (5’10” 175 Sr. WR/DB), Tobin McMahon (5’9” 160 Sr. WR/DB), and Ayden Miner (6’2” 170 Sr. TE/LB) are some other key returning assets. Chatfield notably returns four linemen up front; Cole, Stevens, Hinckley and Nolte. Wyatt Jacobson (5’11” 155 WR/DB), Cole Ramaker (5’11” 195 QB/DB), Masyn Kreter (6’1” 160 WR/LB), Keegan Patten (5’10” 140 WR/DB), Thane Schild (5’10” 155 TE/DL), Caleb Austin (6’0” 255 OL/DL), Gage Anderson (6’2” 225) and Carson VanDeWalker (5’10” 175) give the Gophers 17 seniors. Schott’s departure is a tough hole to fill, but the Gophers return enough and have enough tradition to again contend in the White. Their schedule (in order) is Red Wing, at St. Charles, Caledonia, at D-E, Triton, at La Crescent/Hokah, at Lake City, and Cannon Falls. 

Rushford-Peterson took the hard route to their just-below-five-hundred finish a year ago. The Trojans dropped their first four games versus tough competition, then won their final four games to finish 4-4 in the Mid-Southeast-Blue in the regular season. They then fell 6-0 at eventual section runner-up Kenyon-Wanamingo in the 1A quarters. Team Trojan finished 4-5. R-P starts the year with a new coach. Former assistant Joel Hinke takes over for Davin Thompson. He inherits a crew that graduated nine seniors including All-District picks Camdyn Anderson-Ingram (5’9” 180 OL/DL), the sub-district’s Lineman of the Year, Sampson Wilkemeyer (6’1” 165 QB/WR/LB > 39 of 73, 720 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs passing; four interceptions on defense), and Titan Tekautz (5’10” 170 RB/LB). But two A-D picks return in top running back Jonah Bunke (5’7” 175 Sr. RB/LB > 115-519 yards, 4 TDs rushing; 11-120, TD receiving; 49 total tackles) and fellow ball carrier Jaxson Meldahl (5’8” 160 Jr. RB/LB) > 28-219, 2 TDs rushing; 10-265, 3 TDs receiving) plus A-D HM pick Caden Johnson (6’1” 175 Sr. QB/LB > 46 total tackles). Johnson quarterbacked some a year ago. Bunke and Johnson were two of R-P’s top tacklers last year. Domanick Corcoran (5’11” 170 Sr. WR/LB > 14-299, 4 TDs receiving) is another notable returning pass catcher. Isaac Oian (5’9” 145 Sr. WR/LB), Carson Johnson (6’0” 160 So. FB/LB), Chace Drazkowksi (5’11” 220 So. OL/DL), Will LaFleur (5’9” 150 Jr. CB/WR > four interceptions), Lucas Redalen (6’0” 200 So. OL/DL), and Avery Kammerer (5’7” 190 Jr. OL/DL) are other notable returnees. Devin Anderson (5’9” 150 WR/DB), Reed Pronschinske (5’10” 160 WR/LB), Cade Hanson (5’10” 166 WR/DB), and Lucas Brand (6’2” 230 OL/DL) join with the above to give the Trojans eight returning seniors. R-P’s schedule in order is Blooming Prairie, at Faribault B.A., Goodhue, Fillmore Central, at Hayfield, at Cotter, Lewiston-Altura, and at W-K. Like last year, the games out of the gate look to be the toughest. 

Mabel-Canton toughed out a competitive season a year ago. The Cougars finished below five-hundred overall, but suffered a trio of losses (including to South-East top teams Kingsland and L-O) by a combined 10 points. After starting the year 0-3, they won four of their final six. The Cougs went 4-4 in the South-East. They fell to Spring Grove in the 9-Man Section 1 quarters by 32-6 final, finishing the year 4-5. Paul Tollefsrud’s group had four All-District picks with two graduating; Cayden Tollefsrud (5’9” 170 RB/LB) and Colton Tollefsrud (Sr. OL/LB). Cayden T. was a special four-year athlete who was four times All-South-East and he earned 9-Man All-State Honorable Mention last year (186-1,043 yards, 13 TDs rushing; 20-399, 5 TDs receiving; team-best 134 total tackles, two kick-off return TDs). Also graduating was A-D HM pick Hayden Erickson (6’1” 180 OL/DL). Looking to move the Cougars forward will be returning A-D picks, two-way starters Tyler Larson (6’0” 190 Sr. RB/DL) and Isaac Underbakke (6’1” 160 Jr. QB/DB). Larson (153-868 yards, 13 TDs rushing; team second-best 57 total tackles) is the team’s leading returning rusher while Underbakke (42 of 89, 689 yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs passing; team-high four interceptions) returns behind center. Helping up-front is Milton Hutchinson (5’10” 190 Jr. OL/DL), M-C’s returning A-D HM pick. Other notable returnees to earn letters a year ago are Teddy Torgerson (Sr. OL/DL), Kale Tollefsrud (Jr. RB/DB), Kenny Hutchinson (Jr. OL/LB), Darian Hershberger (Jr. OL/LB), and Nate Nordsving (Jr. OL/DL). Wyatt Rasmussen (RB/DB) joins with Larson and T-Torgerson as the team’s three seniors. The Cougars do have nine returning juniors. The loss of the stand-out C-Tollefsrud is a tough one. But the Cougars will march forward with the other two-thirds of their backfield returning (Larson, Underbakke) and a more experienced line. M-C’s schedule (in order) is GM, at Lanesboro, at Houston, Southland, Kingsland, at AC/G-E, L-O-L/P, and at Spring Grove. 

Grand Meadow had a tough 2023 campaign. The SuperLarks went 1-6 in the South-East, 1-7 overall in the regular season. They fell to LeRoy-Ostrander 44-20 in the Section 1 9-Man quarters to finish at 1-8. Head Coach Josh Bain had three players honored. Two were seniors. Corbin Ludemann (6’3” 180 QB/RB/LB > 175-1,121 yards, 15 TDs rushing; team-leading 84 tackles) made All-District a third time while Aaron Mork (6’0” 250 OL/DL) made A-D HM. All told, five seniors graduated. The Larks return a good bit of experience, but are digging out and they graduated their top player (Ludemann). All-District HM pick Dalton Pischke (5’7” 170 RB/DB > 116-475 yards, TD rushing) is the only returning player to be honored last season. From there, Zac Gehling (5’9” 180 Sr. TE/LB > 64 total tackles), Dustin Stejskal (5’9” 205 Sr. RB/LB > 53-153 rushing), Brady Hyrkas (5’10” 170 Jr. RB/LB), Blake Hubbard (5’9” 145 So. RB/DB), Malaci Young (5’8” 155 Sr. RB/DB), Nathan Fretty (5’11” 165 Sr. G/DT), Halen Schumann (6’3” 230 Sr. TE/DE), Logan Bachman (5’11” 175 Sr. TE/DE) and Travis Weiss (6’0” Sr. 160 TE/DE) are experienced returnees. Teague Alden (5’9” 150 RB/DB) joins with the above to give GM eight seniors. The Larks completed just five passes a year ago. Becoming less one-dimensional would be a key this season. GM’s schedule in order is at M-C, Kingsland, Spring Grove, at Edgerton, at L-O-L/P, Lanesboro, at AC/G-E, and Southland. 

Lanesboro endured a tough 2023 season. Battling some injuries, the Burros went 1-6 in the South-East, 1-7 overall in regular season. Five of the seven defeats were by single digits. They fell to Kingsland 46-0 in the Section 1 9-Man quarters and finished at 1-8. James Semmen’s crew was senior heavy with 10 on last year’s squad. Said guys grabbed much of the playing time. Key departures included the squad’s only All-District pick, quarterback Mason Howard (5’10” 165 QB/DB > 86-497 yards, 6 TDs rushing; 54 of 126, 894 yards, 9 TDs, 9 INTs passing) plus A-D HM guys Kaden Stettler (5’11” 160 WR/DB > 30-352, 3 TDs receiving; 66 total tackles) and Michael Rein (6’0” 185 RB/LB > 55 total tackles). There will be a lot of guys getting new playing time this season. Cole Sass (6’0” 180 Sr. RB/DL), Holdyn Willford (5’11” 235 Sr. OL/DL), David Harvey (6’1” 175 Jr. WR/DB) and Mason Gilbertson (Jr. QB/DB) are essentially the only four key holdovers. William Miller (TE/DE) and Rowan Leib (WR/DB) join Sass and Willford as the team’s only four seniors. They do have seven juniors and then six sophomores. The Burros schedule (in order) is at Hills-Beaver Creek, Mabel-Canton, Kingsland, at Spring Grove, Southland, at GM, Houston, at L-O.