Minnesota Football Coaches Association

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High School Football MINNESOTA A Publication of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association

Records & Awards • Hall of Fame • State Tournament • Conference Recaps Cambria Salutes the 2008

Minnesota High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame Inductees

Ron Stolski Del Elston Brainerd Harmony

Mario Luci Jim Sims Gary Trimble Big Fork / Grand University of Kimball Rapids Minnesota - Crookston High School MFCA Hall of Fame Inductees 54 Previously Inducted Hall of Fame Members 57 Hall of Fame Nomination Form 58 MFCA 2007 Class Coaches of the Year 59 MFCA Service Award Winners 60 Football Butch Nash Award Information 61 Butch Nash Award Recipients 62 Butch Nash Nomination Form 63 MINNESOTA 2007 MFCA Conference Coaches of the Year 64 A Publication of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association 2007 MFCA Section Coaches of the Year 65 Coaches with 200 or More Wins 66 Active High School Coaches with 100 Wins ORGANIZATION INFORMATION or More 67 Executive Director’s Message 5 Coaches with the Most State Championships 68 MFCA Past Officers 6 President’s Message 7 CONFERENCE RECAPS MFCA Committee Structure 8 Central Lakes 69 MFCA Organization Officers 9 Central Minnesota 70 MFCA Coaches Clinic 9 Classic Lake 71 University of Minnesota’s Tim Brewster 11 Great Polar Football Alliance 72 MFCA Members 14 Heart O’Lakes 75 MFCA Retired Life Members 22 Hiawatha Valley Gold 75 Coaching Changes 23 Hiawatha Valley Blue 76 Coach to Coach Program 24 Little Sioux 76 Rule Changes 26 Minnesota River Conference 78 The Camp Outreach Program 28 Mississippi Eight 79 Recruiting Fair 2008 28 Missota 80 MFCA Conference Representatives 29 North Suburban 80 Coaches Checklist 30 Northern Plains 81 Minnesota Football Conferences 31 Northwest Suburban 84 Competitive Section Assignments 34 Pheasant North 84 Prairie South 85 MFCA SCHOLARSHIP Southern Confederacy East 85 MFCA Scholarship Application 37 Southern Confederacy West 87 MFCA Scholarship Winners 39 Suburban East 88 Three River 89 MFCA MR. FOOTBALL West Central North 90 Mr. Football Nomination Form 40 West Central South 91 Mr. Football 2008 41 Wright Country 92 FEATURE ARTICLES ACADEMIC ALL-STATE Varsity Practice Organization: Reps! Reps! Reps! 42 All-State Football Team Concept 93 Kim Nelson, Edina Team Application 94 Individual Application 95 Waconia’s two platoon system and short yardage Academic All State Teams 96 offense 44 Academic All State Individuals 97 Pat Foley, Waconia Why The I 45 STATE TOURNAMENT Dick Weinberger, DeLaSalle State Tournament Summary 98 2007 Playoff Results 99 Blitz Control from the Shotgun 47 State Champion Team Photos 101 Howie Kangas Coaching in the 21st century: Flexible but Firm 48 ALL STAR FOOTBALL Todd Oye, Luverne 35th Annual Game Information and 34th Annual Footbal Game Summary 104 Criteria for Earning a Varsity Letter 49 Outstate All-Star Football Roster 105 Dennis Kalpin, Alexandria Metro All-Star Football Roster 106

Team Building Through Huts to Homes 50 Minnesota State High School Coaches Roger Lipelt Association Application 107 The Minnesota Vikings “On the Field and in the Commu- Minnesota State High School Coaches nity – Your Special Team” 51 Association Information 108 HALL OF FAME ~ AWARDS MFCA SPONSORS 109 MFCA 2007 Coach of the Year 52 Previous State Coach of the Year Recipients 53 The Minnesota Vikings would like to thank and encourage all of the outstanding coaches and players during 2008 season. Stay Active and Play 60 Minutes! Executive Director’s Message

Fellow Coaches, At our recent summer meeting, your Executive Board discussed, among, many things, the numerous ways and manners in which the association serves it membership. Please allow me to enumerate the many services the association provides: AFFILIATIONS and RELATIONSHIPS; by being a member of our parent group, the MHSCA, we receive valuable insurance, have a column in the publication Prep Coach, have opportunities for input in the MHSCA decision making processes, and participate in their recognition programs. In addition, we serve on the MHSHL advisory committee on all matters pertaining to football, and have forged solid relationships with the U. of M, Mn. Vikings, many upper midwest Colleges and Universities, and The Doubletree Hotel. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES; one of our goals is to increase and enhance educational opportunities and experiences for coaches and players. This is being accomplished in a number of ways. The MFC clinic; our mentor program, Ron Stolski Coach to Coach ; the Camp Outreach; Recruiting Fair; the recently established Executive Director Scholarship program; this Summer publication; the association informational flyer, and the All-Star game are all efforts to increase our knowledge and professionalism as we serve our kids and communities. RECOGNITION; we recognize and honor the accomplishments of our past and present in a number of ways as well. They are; the salute to academic accomplishments through the Academic, team and individual, citations; Mr. Football recognition and Banquet; the Awards Banquet, where several awards and recognitions are acknowledged, including honoring the Conferece, Section, Class and ultimately the Coach of the Year, The Butch Nash and Assistant Coach of the Year awards, the POI and Distinguished Service award, and the induction of the most recent Hall of Fame class. Service, and all it entails, continues to be a major function of the MFCA. How about you? As a member of our great profession, how can you serve. I invite you to examine the ways you serve not only, your association, but the community in which you live. In regard to the association, you can volunteer to serve as a conference rep or on any number of active committees as we continue to develop and expand. Simply contact me our Secretary Terry Turek, or President Shannon Gerretty with your interest or concerns. Within your school and community, you can idenify a number of ways you, your staff and team can contribute to the betterment and welfare of the place you live. We are blessed to be respected and influential. With that standing comes an obligation to serve. Please, this season, give special attention to becoming an active servant of your profession and community; give of your time and talents as a football teacher and coach. You can find a way. In closing, a special salute and thank you to all who have and do serve. A special thanks to Wayne Petermeier, our outgoing President. He has done a marvelous job, and accomplished much, and a warm welcome to Shannon Gerretty, our incoming President. Shannon has some good ideas to help us become yet better stewards of our game. Minnesota's game. A reminder that we are its' keepers.... Have a great year! Ron Stolski Executive Director

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 5 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” 2008 MINNESOTA FOOTBALL Minnesota Football Coaches Association 901 E. Ferry St. Le Sueur, MN 56058 507-665-3305 This publication is issued annually by the MFCA PAST PRESIDENTS

1956-57 Harvey Shew - Brainerd 1983-84 Tony Thiel - Battle Lake 1957-58 Lew Swearingen - Jackson 1984-86 Dick Walker - Richfield 1958-59 Red Wilson - Bemidji 1986-87 Jim Simser - New Richland - Hartland 1959-60 Loren Hagge - Rochester 1987-88 Dave Nigon - Totino Grace 1960-61 Frank Cleve - Minneapolis Henry 1988-89 Keith Swanson - Hoffman-Kensington 1961-62 Lew Barle - Greenway 1989-90 Jerry Peterson - Owatonna 1962-63 Tom Mahoney - Fairmont 1990-91 Dave Brokke - Granite Falls 1963-64 Steve Silianoff - So. St. Paul 1991-92 Con Natvig - Swanville 1964-65 Dale School - Redwood Falls 1992-93 George Larson - Cambridge 1965-66 Bill Hansen - Willmar 1993-94 Buz Rumrill - Silver Lake 1966-67 Bob Roy - St. Louis Park 1994-95 George Tuvey-Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 1967-68 Marv Gunderson - Winona 1995-96 George Thole - Stillwater 1968-69 Milt Osterberg - Worthington 1996-97 Ken Baumann - Mahnomen 1969-70 Dick Lagergren - Brainerd 1997-98 Dave Hylla - Proctor 1970-7 1 Les Dreschsel - Ada 1998-99 Neal Hofland -Chokio Alberta 1971-72 Don Varpness - New Ulm 1999-00 Ken Belanger -Zumbrota-Mazeppa 1972-73 Ron Raveling - Columbia Heights 2000-01 Bubba Sullivan - Northfield 1973-74 Rollie Bromberg - Cloquet 2001-02 Dick Strand - Southland 1974-75 Don Swanson - Minneapolis Henry 2002-03 Dave Nelson - Blaine 1975-76 Don Stueve - Fergus Falls 2003-04 Mike Mahlen-Verndale 1976-77 Dean Brown - Winona 2004-05 Dwigth Lundeen - Becker 1977-78 Gary Gustafson - North St. Paul 2005-06 Flint Motchenbacher - Detroit Lakes 1978-79 Grady Rostberg - Hutchinson 2006-07 Clay Anderson - Albert Lea 1979-80 Dick Lawrence - Eveleth 2007-08 Wayne Petermeier - Browerville 1980-81 Ron Scott - Coon Rapids 2008- 09 Shannon Gerrety 1981-82 Jim Roforth - Lake City 1982-83 Ron Stolski - Brainerd SECRETARY - TREASURER

1956-57 Frank Cleve - Minneapolis Henry 1974-83 Jerry Peterson - Owatonna 1957-61 Dwaine Hoberg - St. Louis Park 1983-87 Don Larson - Albert Lea 1961-64 Bob Roy - St. Louis Park 1987-00 Jim Simser - Fairmont 1964-74 Chuck Elias - Minneapolis Central 2000- Terry Turek - LeSueur-Henderson

6 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association President’s Message Hello to all football coaches across the great state of Minnesota: As fall approaches and the smell of football encompasses the air; I would like to wish you all the best for the remainder of the summer! Minnesota High School Football is as strong as ever and excitement surrounds us as our season approaches. The Minnesota Football Coaches Association is hard at work continuing to improve the game and the experience for the kids across the state. Recently, we had a very successful All Star Football Game at St. Cloud State University. The Metro had an exceptional comeback in the 4th quarter, winning the game 22-17. Thank you to all the coaches involved for providing an unforgettable experience for the players and fans. For those of you who outlasted the weather, congratulations for PRESIDENT “gutting it out.” Shannon Gerrety - Blaine I would like to share with you all of the programs our Football Coaches Association provides for you as a member. Benefits include: Academic All-State Teams (Individual and Team), College Recruiting Fair, Coaches Recognition Programs, Mr. Football Award and Banquet, Hall of Fame Awards and Banquet, Minnesota High School All-Star Game, Summer Magazine, Coach to Coach retired coaches mentorship program, Camp outreach funding for camps and staff development, MFCA Scholarships for deserving student-athletes. In addition, you are affiliated with the Minnesota High School Association and all of its benefits. If you have any questions on any of these programs, look at our website http://www.mshsca.org/Football/. This is a great site to look up information on just about everything you need to know about Minnesota High School Football. This year our Association was very successful with our first Minnesota Football Coaches Clinic. We are excited about the future of this clinic. If you missed the clinic last year, we encourage you to join us in the spring of 2009. We are continuing to strive to be the best clinic in the Upper Midwest. The dates for next year have been set. Please reserve April 2nd – April 4th on your calendar. More information can be found on the web at www. mnfootballclinic.com The Executive Committee has been meeting and we are working very hard to make our association the very best it can be. We are working on a few new projects including a “Code of Ethics” document, a “Coaches Corner” highway to be on our website where you can post specific football questions to our members and receive feedback and advice, and an award and recognition for schools that exemplify mmunity service projects across the state. I am looking forward to serving you as the President of Minnesota Football Coaches Association. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to contact me. Remember as coaches we are "The Keepers of the Game". May you all have a memorable and successful season,

Shannon Gerrety Head Football Coach - Blaine High School [email protected] 763-506-6696

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 7 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

8 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Minnesota Football C oaches A ssociation

PRESIDENT SECRETARY - TREASURER Shannon Gerrety ~ Blaine Terry Turek ~ LeSueur - Henderson

VARSITY GOLD is proud to be the fundraising sponsor of the MFCA Since 1988, Varsity Gold fundraisers have provided schools and organizatons with a variety of high-quality fundraising products through a network of over 250 sales representatives across North America. Every year we help more than 15,000 high school athletics teams, elementary and middle schools raise nearly $50 million to fund programs.

Let Varsity Gold help your team raise the money it needs with one of our winning fundraising programs. You won’t find an easier fundraiser – anywhere. For more information, contact your local representative Steve Berg Dave Nelson Jeff Penfield Joe Suhon Bill Hoag 612-810-9149 612-867-4088 612-325-2067 612-964-6695 612-747-7868 459 N. Gilbert Road, Suite B-220 • Gilbert, AZ 85234 • 1-800-245-2093 • www.varsitygold.com

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 9 Minnesota Football Coaches Clinic www.mnfootballcoaches.com

Don’t miss it!! The Official Clinic of the MFCA, in partnership with the University of Minnesota and the April 2- 4, 2009 Minnesota Vikings Double Tree Park Place Hwy 100 & 394 If you can attend just one clinic, St. Louis Park, Minnesota this is the one!!

CLINIC STAFF FEATURED IN 2009 Don Swanson, Clinic Director (763) 533-9083 More Speakers & Breakouts Ron Stolski, MFCA Exec. Director [email protected] Dave Nigon, Booths & Display [email protected] AWARDS! • Tailgate Party! Claud Allaire, Schedule & Speakers [email protected] Partnership with the Coach Brewster and staff Jim Dotseth, Registration & Finances [email protected] (some breakout sessions at the Bierman complex)

Sponsored by the MFCA and the University of Minnesota University of Minnesota Head Football Coach Tim Brewster Dear Football Coaches: As we approach the start of the 2008 season, my staff and I would like to wish you and your teams all good luck! Thank you for all that you do to promote football in the state of Minnesota and Gopher Football. I’m confident that with your help, we can return Gopher Football to its rightful place in collegiate football. We will make history…again! Please do not hesitate to call or stop by the Gopher Football Office, and remember, practices are always open to you as well. Together, let’s make 2008 a football season to remember in the state of Minnesota! In the second season as a Gopher staff, we are determined to be bigger, faster, and stronger than before. We have a great recruiting class coming in, and I’m excited to showcase our new freshmen along with our returning players. The team has been working non-stop in the weight room all summer, and it has paid off. I’m very proud of the way the team looks, and I’m even more excited to kick-off fall camp on August 3rd. Once again, thank you for everything you do, and Go Gophers!

Your friend, Tim Brewster Head Football Coach University of Minnesota

2008 MFCA CLINIC HUGE SUCCESS! The inaugarel partnership clinic between the MFCA and In addition to the clinic, our event provided numerous the U of M was a smashing success!! The clinic, held at the opportunities for professional growth. These included the Fri. Doubletree and the Gophers' Bierman Facility, attracted over Association Rep. Assembly and the Sat. all member Business 800 coaches, 50 exhibitors and numerous support staff to meeting, as well as the MIAC business meeting, a college and bring the total attending well in excess of 900. high school coaches' forum, and the traditional meet and greet in the various corners of the facility to X Managing our own clinic provided us the opportunity to offer a clinic of national caliber; and included a comprehensive When all was said and done, the clinic proved to be a lineup of national, area and local speakers including Tim resounding success, and provided additional funds to Brewster and John Gagliardi, as well as sessions at the support our many programs. Our goal is to grow the clinic University of Minnesota in conjunction with the Gophers to be the best in the country. With the continued efforts and spring practice. Other features, included the popular support of our membership, we can do just that. Please plan 'Legends" session, the Recognition and Awards Tailgate Party, now to attend the ONE clinic you cannot miss, April 24, a Coaches' Social and Scholarship raffle, and thr Hall of Fame 2009. Banquet.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 11 www.CrystalClearWebcast.com

“Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

MFCA Members for 2008-09

Listed below are the dues-paying head coaches of the Remember, the MFCA is not just a “head coaches only” MFCA for the year 2008-09. group, several teams have taken advantage of having assis- These coaches are representative of the high school foot- tants take a more active role in association meetings and it has ball teams in Minnesota. The association would like to remind improved participation and representation a great deal. all coaches to renew their membership for the upcoming year Please note that some coaches names may have been inad- and to encourage their assistants to do the same. vertantly omitted. The MFCA believes that it is realistic to have over 90% of all head coaches as members. Membership strengthens the association and allows for better representation for all teams and their concerns.

Coach School Coach School

Achterkirch, Marc Owatonna HS Barnack, Tony Montgomery-Lonsdale HS Ackerman, Tom Murray County Central HS Barner, Adam Triton HS Aclaire, Claud Minnetonka HS Barnes, John Saint Thomas Academy Ahrendt,Thomas Park Rapids HS Barnett, Jeff Mankato Loyola HS Aker, Dave EGF Sacred Heart HS Battaglia, Daniel East Central HS Alderman, Dave Rochester Century HS Battaglia, David Carlton HS Allen, Scott St. James HS Bauman, Earl St. Michael-Albertville HS Almsted, Kenneth White Bear Lake HS Beach, Todd Eastview HS Alto, Dan Kelliher/Northome HS Beaddot, Gary Esko HS Amdahl, Alan Albany HS Bechtold, Stephen Blackduck HS Anderson, Aaron Brainerd HS Becker, Chad Madelia HS Anderson, Brad Wayzata HS Belseth, Mike Breckenridge HS Anderson, Chad United South Central HS Bengtson, Steve Warroad HS Anderson, Clay Albert Lea HS Benick, Jim White Bear Lake HS Anderson, Cory Milaca HS Benning, Danny Browerville HS Anderson, David Sauk Rapids/Rice HS Benson, Jon St. Cloud Apollo HS Anderson, Joey Ashby HS Bentson, James Pillager HS Anderson, Keith New Ulm HS Berdan, Ronald Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s HS Anderson, Larry AlBrook HS Berg, Thomas Annandale HS Anderson, Murray Hibbing HS Berning, Scott St. Michael-Albertville HS Anderson, Sherman Nevis HS Betcher, Josh Detroit Lakes HS Andres, Matt Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s HS Biegner, Chris Alexandria HS Anfenson, Tim St. Michael-Albertville HS Biehn, Chris Mankato Loyola HS Appkeby, Nathan Forest Lake HS Biermaier, Michael Browerville HS Arndt, Ryan Canby HS Bighton, Bryan Plainview-Elgin, Millville HS Aufdenkamp, William Frazee HS Birkholz, Adam Lester Prairie HS Aurich, Dean Mayer Lutheran HS Bischoff, Andy Cretin-Derham Hall HS Austin, Clair Goodhue HS Bittner, Jon Crookston HS Austinson, John Byron HS Blomdahl, David Braham HS Aycock, Craig St. Cloud Tech HS Bobbe, John Andover HS Baartman, Darren Breckenridge HS Boe, Douglas Burnsville HS Baasch, Matt Rochester Lourdes HS Bohaty, Edward Moose Lake-Willow River HS Bachman, Marc St. Peter HS Boie, David Richfield HS Bahlmann, Terry Marshall HS Bolin, William Onamia HS Bakken, Jon Waterville-Elysian-Morristown HS Boltmann, Reed Edina HS

14 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Coach School Coach School

Borchert, Steve Russell-Tyler-Ruthtan HS Cortez, James Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg HS Borowicz, Douglas Roseau HS Cotter, Joe Lakeville South HS Boughton, Patrick Holy Family Catholic HS Cremers, Ed Virginia HS Bowlin, Pat Winona Cotter HS Crosby, Jeffrey Tartan HS Braeger, Marc White Bear Lake HS Cross, Michael Elk River HS Brakke, Robert Brainerd HS Currie, Robert Lakeville South HS Braun, Bill Ely Memorial HS Dahl, Brian Clinton-Graceville-Breardley HS Breitbach, Ryan Win-E-Mac HS Dahl, Lance Rochester Century HS Brekken, Joel Duluth East HS Dahlstrom, David Foley HS Brenner, Craig BOLD HS Dammann, Mike MACCRAY HS Breyen, Mike Elk River HS Davis, Bruce Montgomery Lonsdale HS Brinkman, Daniel Hutchinson HS Davis, Chris Murray County Central HS Brisson, Joe Browerville HS Davis, Eric Mankato East HS Broberg, Paul Anoka HS Davis, Tim Shakopee HS Brown, Brian Concordia Academy-Roseville DeCaun, Jay Melrose Area HS Brown, Lambert White Bear Lake HS Deibele, Cole Monticello HS Brown, Mike St. Paul Academy DenHartog, John Hopkins HS Brudelie, Ryan BOLD HS Derksen, John Pequot Lakes HS Brue, Charles Hillcrest Lutheran Academy DeStache, Dan White Bear Lake HS Buboltz, James Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Dieryck, Jeffery Duluth Denfeld HS Buck, Dave St. Agnes HS Dietz, Wayne Woodbury Hs Bue, Joe Fridley HS Digiovanni, Jeremy Big Lake HS Buerkle, Jeff Anoka HS DiNardo, Michael Minnehaha Academy Buffetta, Jeff Mt. Iron-Buhl HS Donahue, Mike Alexandria HS Bunker, Ronald New Ulm HS Dorr, Mitch Cook County HS Buntje, Mark Lyle-Pacellie HS Dose, Dave Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Buntji, Scott Albany HS Douglas, Dan Montevideo HS Bute, Robert New Ulm HS Drews, Joan Rochester JM HS Buthe, Tony New Prague HS Drexler, Jeremy New Ulm Cathedral HS Butler, Clinton Maple River HS Dunn, Paul Springfield HS Byklum, Darrin Fisher-Climax HS DuPay, Dan Duluth Denfeld HS Campbell, Philip Le Center HS Eck, Rocky Clearbrook-Gonvick HS Camptsell, Charles Nashwauk-Keewatin HS Eckman, John Win-E-Mac HS Cappelen, Thomas Mounds View HS Eidsness, Rick Moorhead HS Carlson, Darby Maple Grove HS Eklund, Lee Hawley HS Carlson, Lee St James HS Elder, Erin Windom HS Carnell, Charlie Thief River Falls HS Elias, Nickolas Rochester Century HS Carroll, John Howard Rochester Lourdes HS Ellingson, Daniel Hills-Beaver Creek HS Casavan, Gary Red Lake Falls HS Empting, Michael Alexandria Jefferson HS Cassellius, John Winona HS Enge, David Anoka HS Chamernick, Mark St. Cloud Cathedral HS Engen, Bradley White Bear Lake HS Christensen, Tait Litchfield HS Engen, Gary Mounds View HS Christensen, Travis DGF HS Engstrom, Bryant Ely Memorial HS Christianson, Bill Pine City HS Eppen, Matthew Burnsville HS Christie, Jeremy Sauk Rapids/Rice HS Erickson, Mark Fetile-Beltrami HS Clark, John Jr. Mahnomen HS Erickson, Richard Virginia HS Clark, John Sr Waubun HS Esch, Mark Mankato West HS Clark, Matt Park Rapids HS Escher, Dwayne Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial HS Cleary, Matthew Forest Lake HS Eskierka, Stan Henry Sibley HS Cole, Jeffrey Maple River HS Essler, Dan New London-Spicer HS Cook, Tim Ely Memorial HS Etienne, Jeffery Richfield HS Copple, Clayton Coon Rapids HS Everett, Tim EGF Sacred Heart HS Cornell, Keith St. Michael-Albertville HS Eversman, Ryan Rochester Century HS

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 15 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Coach School Coach School

Evje, Kristopher Crookston HS Grant, Mike Eden Prairie HS Ewald, Andrew St Louis Park HS Grassel, Chad East Grand Forks HS Ewing, Gregory Hutchinson HS Gravdahl, Steven St. Francis HS Fabish, Mark Cook HS Greenwald, Seth Eagan HS Fahleen, Michael Wheaton Area HS Gregehheimer, Matt Prior Lake HS Faust, Dave Henry Sibley HS Grimes, Joe Park Rapids HS Fedie, Steve Ornon HS Gronner, Jeff Cromwell HS Feine, Timothy Andover HS Gross, Dan BOLD HS Ferguson, Jeff Totino-Grace HS Gross,Derick Kelliher/Northome HS Fernholz, Steve Blue Earth Area HS Grosz, Greg Minnetonka HS Ferrier, Aaron Redwood Valley HS Grunhovd, Alan Fetile-Beltrami HS Fideledy, Bryan Hill City HS Guggisberg, Richard Northfield HS Fiereck, Ryan St. Francis HS Gullickson, Tony Warren HS Finanger, Phil Edina HS Gullingsrud, Mike Ada-Borup HS Finlayson, Loren Sauk Rapids/Rice HS Gunderson, John Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Finne, Jason St. Agnes HS Gust, Adam St Charles HS Fisher, Derek Robbinsdale Armstrong HS Gust, Matt St. Francis HS Flann, Derek Tracy Area HS Haala, Cory Sleepy Eye HS Flatt, John Detroit Lakes HS Haataja, Steve Dassel-Cokato HS Fleischman, Andrea Edgerton HS Hackel, Russ Detroit Lakes HS Fogelson, Mike Bemidji HS Hackett, Gabe St. Michael-Albertville HS Foley, Jim Champlin Park HS Hagge, Kevin Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial HS Foley, Patrick Waconia HS Hahn, Curtis St. Michael-Albertville HS Forsell, Tad Hermantown HS Hajan, Brian Lyle-Pacellie HS Foss, Daniel Champlin Park HS Hale, Dennis Worthington HS Frank, Larry Byron HS Haley, Kevin Barnum HS Franz, Marc Rogers HS Haller, Mike Ely Memorial HS Freed, Jason Houston HS Halleron, Michael Zimmerman HS Frisch, Michael West Central Area HS Hamlin, David Zimmerman HS Frisell, Dave Bloomington Kennedy HS Hanks, Jon Benilde St. Margaret’s HS Froehliong, Mark Farmington HS Hanlon, Ryan Fosston HS Fruechte, Carl Caledonia HS Hansen, Craig Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s HS Frykman,. Jon Hutchinson HS Hansen, Craig Maple Grove HS Fuchs, Travis Fetile-Beltrami HS Hansen, Eric Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Fuglestad, Rey Alexandria Jefferson HS Hansmann, Wayne Pine City HS Gaffaney, Michael Yellow Medicine East Hanson, Benjamin Red Lake Falls HS Gagnon, Andrew Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Hanson, Erik Monticello HS Gallant, Norm Wadena-Deer Creek HS Hanson, Mark St. Francis HS Galvin, Jim Mounds View HS Hanson, Scott Bethlehem Adademy Gans, James Sauk Rapids/Rice HS Harig, Fredrick Betha-Hewitt HS Garry, Jerome Rochester Lourdes HS Harris, Brian Dovery-Eyota HS Gatzlaff, Ryan Houston HS Hatleli, Jay Rosemount HS Gerrety, Shannon Blaine HS Haugen, Peter Minneapolsi Washburn Giles, Richard Rochester Century/Mayo Youth Haugo, Dean Breckenridge HS Gimbel, Chad Blooming Prairie HS Havron, Brad Duluth Denfeld HS Gindorff, Michael Crosby-Ironton HS Heggedahl, Larry Floodwood HS Glasener, Vaughn Melrose Area HS Heide, Gary Hayfield HS Glass, Todd Red Lake Falls HS Heille, William Worthington HS Glazier, Darin Tartan HS Heitzman, Ken Willmar HS Glowack, Marc Nashwauk-Keewatin HS Helland, Ken LeCenter HS Gonnerman, Scott Benson HS Henn, Paul Norwood Young America HS Goudy, Bryan Orono HS Hennen, Dan Eden Prairie HS Goudy, Mick Rogers HS Hennen, Michael Cambridge-Isanti HS

16 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Coach School Coach School

Henning, Bill Ely Memorial HS Jazdzewski, Timothy Duluth Denfeld HS Henrich, Dale Morris Area HS Jensen, John Rochester Lourdes HS Henserson, Don Triton HS Jensen, Richard St. Michael-Albertville HS Hentges, Patrick GFW HS Jeziorski, Michael Browerville HS Hentges, Scott Sartell HS Jirik, John Orr HS Herbes, Mark Upsala HS Johnson, Chris Browerville HS Herder, Joel Breckenridge HS Johnson, Craig Watertown-Mayer HS Herm, Larry Foley HS Johnson, Daniel Brandon HS Herman, Lee Richfield HS Johnson, Erik Staples-Motley HS Hermann, Tim Austin HS Johnson, Greg Delano HS Heysse, Mark St. Cloud Tech HS Johnson, Jeff Marshall County Central HS Hietala, Joseph Duluth East HS Johnson, Jeff Chatfield HS Hill, Steven Minnewaska HS Johnson, Joe Mankato East HS Hillman, David Mt. Iron-Buhl HS Johnson, Jon Litchfield HS Hills, Greg Rush City HS Johnson, Joshua Browerville HS Hinrichs, Jon Hawley HS Johnson, Judd Minnehaha Academy Hinrichs, Russ Alexandria Jefferson HS Johnson, Lance ROCORI HS Hinsz, Tracy Barnesville HS Johnson, Mark Minneapolis Roosevelt HS Hoemke, Gregory Benilde St. Margaret’s HS Johnson, Marv Elk River HS Hoeschen, Keith Alexandria Jefferson HS Johnson, Nathan Fosston Hoffman, Scott Stillwater Area HA Johnson, Phil Elk River HS Hofland, David Chokio-Alberta HS Johnson, Randy Milaca HS Holinka, Bradley Fulda HS Johnson, Rick Dassel-Cokato HS Holman, Michael Sartell HS Johnson, Roger Alexandria Jefferson HS Homstad, David Marshall School Johnson, Rory Proctor HS Homstad, Tyler Wrenshall HS Johnson, Ryan Fergus Falls HS Honsa, James Hamline Univestiy Johnson, Ryan Wayzata HS Hopkins, David Holy Family Catholic HS Johnson, Todd Mahnomen HS Hoscheit, Tim Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Johnson, Tom Eagle Valley HS Houer, Gabe Watervilee-Elysian-Millville HS Johnston, Chad Minneota HS Houghton, Daniel Rockford HS Johnston, Justin Belle Plaine HS Huber, Bruce Triton HS Jones, Christoper Rochester Century HS Hudak, Patrick Farmington HS Jones, Matt Verndale HS Hudspith, William Esko HS Joran, Joe Eagan HS Hughes, Curt Rochester May HS Jordhal, Mike Perham HS Huie, Frank Duluth Denfeld HS Josephson, Johnny New Prague HS Huie, Randy Red Lake County Central Julson, Brian St. Francis HS Hulke, Kevin Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Kaczor Ruth St. Cloud Tech HS Humbert, Shannun ROCORI HS Kaczor, Andrew St. Cloud Tech HS Hunter, Kraig West Central Area HS Kaczor, David St. Cloud Tech HS Hunter, Samuel St. Croix Luthean HS Kainz, Jason Tracy Area HS Huska, Jeff Windom HS Kalina, Kelly Fridley HS Hylla, Dave Proctor HS Kallok, Richard Cretin-Derham Hall HS Ihrke, William Plainview-Elgin, Millville HS Kalpin, Dennis Alexandria Jefferson HS Illikainen, Daryl Hermantown HS Kangas, Howard Perham HS Inforzato, Kyle Mound Westonka HS Karlsgodt, Terry Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Iten, Mike Browerville HS Kaufmann, Eric Pillager HS Jackson, Robert White Bear Lake HS Kedl, Jason Red Rock Central HS Jacobson, Kenneth Chatfield HS Kegler, Jared Faribault HS Janicke, Kent Greenbush-Middle River HS Keller, Trever Ortonville HS Jankowksi, Jamie Woodbury Hs Kemp, Joe Wabasso HS Janssen, David New Ulm HS Kennedy, Shawn Southland HS Jarecki, Dave Ely Memorial HS Kesler, Mike Rochester Lourdes HS

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 17 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Coach School Coach School

Kinnunen, Bill Grand Rapids HS Lehmkuhl, Kyle Rockford HS Kinzer, Jamie St. Cloud Cathedral HS Leither, Jamie Kimball HS Kirk, Timothy Mountain Lake HS Lemke, Carl St. Croix Luthean HS Kirkeby, Kevin Rochester JM HS Lemke, Jeff St. Croix Luthean HS Kish, Tom Zimmerman HS Lemke, Paul Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Kitzberger, Daniel Duluth Denfeld HS Lenarz, Thomas Cloquet HS Klawitter, Keith Cedar Mountain HS Leniz, Aitor Braham HS Klein, Richard Stillwater Area HA Lepper, Jay Jordan Hs Kleinschmidt, Michael Albany HS Liapis, Ricahrd Worthington HS Klimek, Shawn Nevis HS Libbon, Nathan Long Prairie-Grey Eagle HS Knudsen, Tim Maple Lake HS Lienemann, Philip Dawson-Boyd HS Knutson, James A. Lakevill South HS Liese, Brent Royalton HS Knutson, Kyle Perham HS Linbo, Kerry Byron HS Kobernosz, Kelly Holdingford HS Lindahl, Roger Benson HS Koepsell, Jeffrey Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Lindberg, Brad Breckenridge HS Kohn, Jeff Lester Prairie HS Lindow, Bucky Cannon Falls HS Kokos, Brian Blue Earth Area HS Lindquist, Chris St. Francis HS Kolbinger, Mark Becker HS Lingen, Bryce Stephen/Argyle Central HS Konols, Jon Mankato West HS Litecky, Bernard Totino Grace HS Korton, Michael Champlin Park HS Litsey, David Mesabi Academy Kosters, Lucas Alexandria HS Littlefield, Travis White Bear Lake HS Kostich, Wally Mt. Iron-Buhl HS Lockwood, Keith White Bear Lake HS Kotaska, Jon New York Mills HS Loe, Jeffrey Thief River Falls HS Kovich, Bob Lakeville North HS Lohmiller, Chip Pequot Lakes HS Kramer, Scott Nevis HS Longtin, Eric North HS Krenik, Dave Cleveland HS Longtin, Eric North HS Krieger, Patrick Benilde St. Margaret’s HS Loontjer, Gary Mayer Lutheran HS Kroulik, Casey Clearbrook-Gonvick HS Lossow, Rodney Minneapolis Roosevelt HS Kroulik, Ivan Kasson-Mantorville HS Louis, Ned Faribault HS Kroulik, Mark Stephen/Argyle Central HS Louzek, David Moose Lake-Willow River HS Kroupa, Michael St. Agnes HS Loven, Jay Swanville HS Kucera, Brent Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s HS Lundeen, Dwight Becker HS Kuechenmeister, Randall Blue Earth Area HS Lundeen, Matt Redwooe Valley HS Kuhnke, Shawn Braham HS Lunsetter, Jamie Stephen/Argyle Central HS Kunze, Joshua Lyle-Pacellie HS Lux, Dennis New Ulm Cathedral HS Kuznia, Kevin Stephen/Argyle Central HS Macken, Gerald Cretin-Derham Hall HS Kyvig, John Andover HS Madigan, Mark Simley HS Labine, Mike Detroit Lakes HS Magnuson, Bill Sauk Rapids/Rice HS LaBore, Beau Woodbury Hs Mahar, Michael E. Grand Forks HS Lamker, Derrin Osseo HS Mahlen, Mike Verndale HS Lancaster, Andy Eagle Valley HS Mahoney, Mat Fairmont HS Langer. Michael Brainerd HS Malmstrom, Wally LaPointe, Ryan Rogers HS Malone, Paul Rochester Century HS Larkin, James Chisholm HS Malone, Tim Braham HS Larkin, Todd Cambridge-Isanti HS Mangen, Dustin Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s HS Larsen, Josh Monticello HS Margenroth, Jeremy Win-E-Mac HS Larson, Bob Mahnomen HS Marinaro, Ronald Babbitt-Embarrass HS Larson, Brett Rosemount HS Marmon, Jack Little Falls HS Larson, Brett Rosemount HS Marquis, Ethan Red Lake County Central Larson, Cory Dawson-Boyd HS Martig, Gregg St. Cloud Tech HS Larson, Eric Westbrook-Walnut Grove HS Mathiasen, Jeff St. Cloud Apollo HS Larson, Jonathan St. Cloud Tech HS Matin, Jonathan Breck School Larson, Tink Waseca HS Mattila, Kevin Ely Memorial HS

18 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Coach School Coach School

Mattila, Kurt Ely Memorial HS Neubarth, William McLeod West HS Mattson, Chad Alden-Conger HS Nickleby, Robert Woodbury HS Maurer, Jason St. Francis HS Nickles, David Braham HS McBroom, Zach Woodbury Hs Nielsen, Rob Detroit Lakes HS McCabe, Maurice Medford HS Nietfeld, Jonathan Melrose Area HS Mcgowan, John Park Hs Nikaus, Todd St. Anthony Village HS McIntyre, Ryan Two Harbors HS Noga, John Parkers Prairie HS McMenony, Sean Minneaolis, Southwest HS Nohner, Mark Lake of the Woods HS Meier, Aaron Royalton HS Noll, Chuck Melrose Area HS Melchert, Maurice Rockford HS Norby, Erick Robbinsdale Cooper HS Mensink, Chris Fillmore Central HS Norby, Jake White Bear Lake HS Merila, Steven Rockford HS Nordick, Jeremy Menahga HS Mettler, Kevin Mankato Loyola HS Norquist, Stuart International Falls HS Meuwissen, David White Bear Lake HS Norrgard, Ralph North Branch HS Meyer, Chris Monticello HS Norton, Matthew St. Francis HS Meyer, David Detroit Lakes HS Nowotny, Kevin Adrian HS Michalski, Mark Silver Bay Wm. Kelly HS O’Neill,Mark Champlin Park HS Michelson, Brian Tracy Area HS Odland, Brian Monticello HS Midthue, Craig Lincoln HI Ogorek, Terrance Kittson Central HS Miller, James Rochester May HS Ohm, Chris Breck School Miller, Scott Pine Island HS Ohm, Chuck Zumbrota-Mazepa HS Miller, Scott Aitkin HS Oja, Daryl Melrose Area HS Miska, Ben Canby Oliver, Scott Roseau HS Mithun, Paul Staples-Motley HS Olson, Brent Lewiston-Altura HS Mitteness, Cory Watertown-Mayer HS Olson, Bryan Sauk Centre HS Monaghan, Art Northfield HS Olson, Curt Underwood HS Monson, Greg Grygla-Gatzek HS Olson, Eric Battle Lake HS Monson, Shane Braham HS Olson, Phil Lake City HS Montgomery, George Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Olson, Steve Fergus Falls HS Moore, Jeff Verndale HS Olson, Tim Thief River Falls HS Moos, Gary St. Agnes HS Orth, Tom Henry Sibley HS Morford, Jamie Royalton HS Oscarson, Mark Climax HS Mortenson, Jason Kimball HS Ostrom, Jeff Clearbrook-Gonvick HS Motschenbacher, Flint Detroit Lakes HS Otterblad, Larry Silver Bay Wm. Kelly HS Muetzel, David Mahtomedi HS Oye, Todd Luverne HS Mumm, Jeff Thief River Falls HS Palke, Joseph Mounds View HS Murtha, Timothy Tartan HS Palmer, Scott Buffalo HS Musel, Corey Ely Memorial HS Parker, Scott Marshall County Central HS Mutzke, Bernhard Comfrey HS Parzyck, Ian Holy Family Catholic HS Myrvik, Matt Minneota HS Passe, Tom Rochester Century HS Naatz, Peder Hawley HS Paukert, Scott Zumbrota-Mazepa HS Natvig, Con Browerville HS Paul, Eric Fergus Falls HS Naugle, Peter Walker-Hackensack-Akeley HS Pavlovich, Merrill Delano HS Neal, Kevin Laporte HS Pearson, Keith Fergus Falls HS Nelson, Brent Underwood HS Pearson, Steve Browerville HS Nelson, Brian Fertile-Beltrami HS Pederson, Rob Eden Valley-Watkins Nelson, Chris Red Lake Falls HS Perkins, Bryan E. Grand Forks HS Nelson, David Minnetonka HS Perkins, Mark Browerville HS Nelson, Derek Glenville/Emmons Petermeier, Wayne Browerville HS Nelson, Kim Edina HS Peters, Glen Thief River Falls HS Nelson, Tom Two Harbors HS Peterson, Daniel Westbrook-Walnut Grove HS Neslon, Bruce East Grand Forks HS Peterson, Mardy St. Francis HS Nett, Aaron Alexandria Jefferson HS Peterson, Scott Parkers Prairie HS

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 19 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Coach School Coach School

Philipp, Steve Red Lake Falls HS Ross, Chuck Underwood HS Phillips, Michael St. Francis HS Ross, Jeffery Sauk Centre HS Pink, Thomasd Kelliher/Northome HS Ross, John Sartell HS Plaisance, Don New Prague HS Ross,, Scott Two Harbors HS Plaschko,, Jeff St. Paul Johnson HS Rossiter, Daniel White Bear Lake HS Plevak, Scott Rochester Century HS Rostberg, Andrew Hutchinson HS Poepard, Ryan White Bear Lake HS Rotchadl, Dan Mankato Loyola HS Pohlkamp, Leo Pierz HS Rothers, Jason Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa HS Polzine, Jared Pine City HS Rowland, Steve Kimball HS Pope, Mike Ely Memorial HS Rudd, Paul Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Popp, Jeremy Red Lake HS Ruden, John Rochester Century HS Post, Jeremy White Bear Lake HS Rudolph, Dean Alexandria HS Potthoff, Douglas Spring Lake Park HS Rudolph, Nate Sauk Rapids/Rice HS Powell, Greg Bigfork HS Rundell, Edwin Watertown-Mayer HS Preston, Norm Maple River HS Sagedahl, Daren BOLD HS Prischmann, Daniel Fergus Falls HS Sather, Jeremy Cedar Mountain HS Provinzino, tim Chisholm HS Scanlan, Mike Cretin-Derham Hall HS Qual, Randy Mora HS Scanolon, Mark Duluth Denfeld HS Raasch, Darin Zumbrota-Mazepa HS Scearcy, Lowell Pillager HS Rader, Jim Frazee HS Schaar, Terry Tracy Area HS Rambow, Lyle Morris Area HS Schaff, Tyler St. Francis HS Ramey, Deryl Brainerd HS Schieck, Richard KMS HS Ramey, Jeffrey Brainerd HS Schimek, Brent United South Central HS Rasmussen, John Sauk Rapids/Rice HS Schimming, David Montevideo HS Rauen, Willie Zumbrota-Mazepa HS Schlieff, Jeff Spring Lake Park HS Rauk, Brent Northfield HS Schluchter, Wayne St. Cloud Tech HS Rehkamp, Daniel Nevis HS Schmidt, Barry Madelia HS Reihardt, James Rushford-Peterson Schmidt, Brad LeSueur-Henderson HS Reker, Jon Cannon Falls HS Schmidt, Brett Hawley HS Remboldt, Peter Benson HS Schmidt, Richard Nevis HS Remick, Brian Red Lake Falls HS Schmidt, Tyrone St. Francis HS Renning, Scott Hutchinson HS Schnathorst, Vern Detroit Lakes HS Richards, Michael Belgrad-Brooten-Elrosa HS Schneider, Craig Luverne HS Ridgewell, Weston Duluth Denfeld HS Schoenfelder, Roger Blue Earth Area HS Riggs, Mark Burnsville HS Scholl, Scott Minnehaha Academy Rignell, Richard Anoka HS Schoneck, Brian Maple River HS Risbrudt, Richard Fergus Falls HS Schrfoeder, Kyle Hutchinson HS Ritchie, Brian Tartan HS Schroeder, Robert Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial HS Robb, Randy Pine River HS Schuette, Doug McLeod West HS Roberts, Burton Woodbury Hs Schuller, Thomas Jackson County Central HS Robinson, Aaron St. Croix Luthean HS Schultz, Bob Wayzata HS Robinson, James Murray County Central HS Schumacher, John Park Rapids HS Rockwell, John Columbia HS Schumacher, Todd East Grand Forks HS Rohl, Gerald Buffalo HS Schwab, Brady Braham HS Rohweder, Tim Proctor HS Schwartz, Chad Edina HS Roll, William Hill-Murray HS Schwegel, Randy Pine River HS Ronnenberg, Adam Maple Lake HS Scoblic, Joseph Lester Prairie HS Rooker, Tom Eagan HS Scull, Kirby St. Paul Como Park HS Roragen, Ross Win-E-Mac HS Seipkas, Don Henning HS Rosenow, Bruce Hutchinson HS Semmen, James Lanesboro HS Rosholt, John Watervilee-Elysian-Millville HS Seymour, Daniel New Prague HS Ross, Carter Westbrook-Walnut Grove HS Shakelford, Rick Renville County West HS

20 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Coach School Coach School

Sherwin, Kelly Eastview HS Sullivan, Matthew BOLD HS Shucltz, Matt Cannon Falls HS Sutton, Rick Eagan HS Shultz, Tom Round Lake Brewster HS Svoboda, Daniel Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Shulz, Dirk Wadena-Deer Creek HS Swaggert, Brent St. Francis HS Sickich, Mark Park HS Swanberg, David LeSueur-Henderson HS Sieben, Michael Sartell HS Swang, Shane Kelliher/Northome HS Sieling, John Eagle Valley HS Swanson, Joel North Branch HS Siepkes, Don Henning HS Swanson, Richard Duluth Denfeld HS Simdorn, Chris Roseville HS Sweeney, Shawn Lake City HS Simon, Ted Maple River HS Swegarden, Jed Lake Park-Audubon HS Sinclair, Aaron Little Falls HS Swenson, Erik Blake School Skallerud, Justin St. Cloud Tech HS Swenson, Joel Royalton HS Skelton, Stan Ely Memorial HS Tangen, Don Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Slinden, Dan Eden Prairie HS Tanner, Timothy Renville County West HS Sloan, Gary Grand Meadow HS Taray, James Floodwood HS Smalley, Mike Academy of Holy Angels HS Tax, Steve Osakis HS Smart, David Ada-Borup HS Telecky, Jason Monticello HS Smith, Anthony Maple Lake HS Terry, Robert Henry Sibley HS Smith, Scott Spring Lake Park HS Theisen, Leo Westbrook-Walnut Grove HS Snell, Mark Benilde St. Margaret’s HS Theisen, Rick ROCORI HS Snobl, Scott Canby HS Thiel, Tony Wheaton HS Snyder, Boyd Royalton HS Thielen, Jon Ewden Valley Watkins HS Sola, Tom Northfield HS Thomas, Jacobson Redwood Valley HS Solem, Steve BOLD HS Thomposn, Steven Fairbault HS Solie, Delles Owatonna HS Thompson, Jacob Plainview-Elgin, Millville HS Soma, Jeffrey Maple River HS Thompson, Larry Lakeville South HS Sperl, Raymond Cambridge-Isanti HS Thompson, Mitch Rushford-Peterson Stanger, Corey Monticello HS Thornton, Mark Northfield HS Stanton, Chris Randolph HS Threinen, Mac Rockford HS Stanton, Doug Lakeville South HS Timm, Rollin Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS Stanwick, Chad Eden Valley-Watkins Tollefson, Rodney Sibley East HS Staska, Bob McGregor HS Torgerson, Douglas Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Steele, Ryan Lewiston-Altura HS Townsend, Matt Columbia Heights HS Stevenson, Chet Brainerd HS Traurig, Dave Maple Lake HS Stevenson, Derek Red Rock Central HS Trettter, Randy Upsala HS Stewart, John Spring Lake Park HS Tri, Ray Eden Valley-Watkins Stiel, Tony Hinkley/Finlayson HS Trobec, Bill Sartell HS Stinogel, Jack St. Cloud Tech HS Trostad, Chris Crookston HS Stoen, Jeff Ada-Borup HS Tschida, Jonathan St. Cloud Tech HS Stoffel, Michael St. Francis HS Tschimperle, Scott Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Stokke, Todd Lewiston-Altura HS Turek, Terry LeSueur-Henderson HS Stolski, Ron Brainerd HS Urbaniak, Karl Mabel-Canton HS Stone, Jody Shakopee HS Urbaniak, Keith Kittson Central HS Stork, Daniel NRHEG HS Utermarck, Jim Truman HS Stotesbery, Ryan Madelia HS Vande Berg, Eric Eastview HS Strain, Dana Hastings HS VanErp, Tom Wadena-Deer Creek HS Strand, Bryan Barnesville HS VanVoorhis, Tom Champlin Park HS Strand, Randy Adrian HS Veach, Nathan West Lutheran HS Strelow, Dale Braham HS Verdoorn, Kurt Rochester Century HS Strey, Tom Eastview HS Verhel, Andy Duluth Denfeld HS Strong, Shane Pine Island HS Vesel, Brett La Crescent HS Style, David Glencoe-Silver Lake HS Vik, David Montevideo HS Sullivan, Bob Northfield HS Vik, Jon Rochester Century HS Sullivan, Bubba Northfield HS Viss, Dylan Duluth Central HS

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 21 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Coach School Coach School

Visselman, Karl Northfield HS Welfare, Garrett Robbinsdale Cooper HS Visser, Darren Ely Memorial HS Wendland, Bradley Waseca HS Vold, Chris Duluth Central HS Wensloff, Tracey Roseau HS Wacker, Tyrone Bufflao Lake Hector HS Westman, McLain Annandale HS Wackman, William Spring Lake Park HS Whalen, Timothy Minnehaha Academy Wagenr, Jeffrey Waterville-Elysian-Morristown HS Whitbred, Charles Mora HS Waling, Cory Lancaster HS Wilke, Benjamin Annandale HS Walker, Brian Red Rock Central HS Wilke, Rich Andover HS Walquist, Scott Princeton HS Will, Grant Lakeview HS Walsh, John Jackson County Central HS Williams, Jeffrey Owatonna HS Walsh, Randal Sibley East HS Winters, Michale Farmington HS Walter, Brian St. Agnes HS Witt, Jerry Morris Area HS Walter, Matthew Annandale HS Woitalla, Mark Northfield HS Walton, Timothy Park Wold, Doug Eagle Valley HS Walz, Craig St Charles HS Woodley, Bryan Champlin Park HS Wassman, Karl St. James HS Woodman, Dean Underwood HS Watson, Michael Centennial HS Wright, Jamie Mora HS Weber, Ralph Anoka HS Yahnka, Thomas Lakeview HS Wegman, Steve Red Rock Central HS Zeitchick, David St. Paul Highland Park HS Weibel, Shane Cambridge-Isanti HS Zeman, Dick Lakeville South HS Weiland, Jeffrey Orono HS Ziebarth, David Saint Thomas Academy Weinandt, Ryan Dassel-Cokato HS Zimmerman, Randy Ulen-Hitterdal HS Weinberger, Richard DeLaSalle HS Zweber, Mike Lakeville North HS Weiss, Bill Chisago Lakes HS MFCA Retired Life Membership

Do you want to stay active in the MFCA? Life membership in the MFCA for retired coaches is the answer. We now offer an opportunity for retired coaches to remain involved in association matters. Membership is open to all retired coaches (both assistant and head) who are life members of the State Coaches Association or who have been long-time football coaches. A one-time fee of $25.00 brings all the benefits of association membership. PASS THE WORD! Contact Terry Turek, P.O. Box 81, Hen- derson MN 56044. Anderson, Lyle Fredlund, Frank Johnson, DeWayne Peterick, John C Stolski, Ron Anderson, Robert P. Graham, Gary Kallok, Richard Peterson, Bob D. Strand, Dick Barnett, Raymond Gross, John Knutson, James Peterson, Jerry Stussy, Lloyd Baumann, Kenneth Gustafson, J. Gary Konrath, Fred Peterson, Ralph J. Sullivan, Bob Belanger, Kenneth Halsted, Charles Larson, George Rauen, Willie Swanson, Don L. Belseth,Mike Hansen, John Lawrence, Dick Roforth, Jim Thiel, Anthony J. Bergloff, Clark Harding, Bruce Lien, Ken Rohman, Dan Thole, George Bjornaraa, Bud Helleckson, Russ Mader, James L Rossini, Reno Thompson, John Bromberg, Roland Henderson, Roy Mahoney, Tom Rostberg, Grady Traurig, Leo Canakes, Stav Herges, Peter Martin, Bill Roy, Bob Tuvey, George E Claffy, Herb Hiebert, Del Marton, William Rumrill, Buz Uhlir, David Conzemius, John C. Hill, Ken O. Nelson, Andy Scanlan, Mal Vagle, Virg Dahl, Mac Holzer, Michael Nigon, David Schmitz, John Walker, Richard Dotseth, Jim Idstrom, Thomas Nordquist, Stuart Scott, Ron L Willhite, Jack M. Draheim, Ed D Jacobson, Kenneth Nunnink, Stephen Siegle, Al Wilson, Bill Elias, Charles F Jaeger, Rick Olson, Warren H. Simser, Jim Youso, Robert Foley, Jerome T Jerdee, Jerry O’Neill, Robert D. Smith, George

22 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Coaching MFCA Bids Farewell to Founding Changes Member Tom Mahoney Note: Below are just some of the coaching Tom Mahoney, one of the founding And while Mahoney had retired changes in the state, that were known at members of the Minnesota Football from active coaching he still press time. Coaches Association passed away remained very active in numerous during the summer. organizations, including Region St. James 2 secretary and Past Presidents Lee Carlson takes over at St. James. Mahoney, who was 81, graduated representative in the MFCA, Carlson was formally a head coach from Minneapolis Edison high attending numerous meetings at Valley North High School (Oslo- school, then served in the Navy and providing a great deal of Alvarado) in 1988 and 1989. After a 19- during WWII. After the war he was ideas and initiative. Mahoney year layoff Carlson is looking forward to on the University of Minnesota helped organize the association trying the top job again. Gophers football teams of the late of high school football coaches in Fridley 1940s. Lambert Brown takes over the head Minnesota in 1956. He also helped coaching duties for Fridley. In 1951, he began his coaching and to draft the original documents teaching career at Lake City. In 1956, that would eventually become North Branch he moved to Fairmont, where he the associations constitution. He Phil Link will step in as the new head became very active in school, city continued to fulfill his role as a coach at North Branch. and statewide organizations and he contributing member throughout Robbinsdale Cooper also built a very respected career as his life. Cooper gets a new program leader in a top notch college football official Tom Mahoney is survived by seven John Biezuns. and high school basketball referee. children, eleven grandchildren, and Sibley East Mahoney retired after the 1989 five great-grandchildren. Fittingly, Randy Walsh stepped down to season. At the time of his retirement, one of those grandchildren, Matt concentrate on the activities director he had more victories than any Mahoney has followed in Tom's job and Chad Hartman, formerly a head football coach in state history, coach at Buffalo Lake-Hector, and an footsteps and is the current head assistant for Hutchinson, was hired as his completing his 38 year career with football coach at Fairmont high replacement. an overall record of 256-94-8. school. Glencoe-Silver Lake Dave Dose retires after a very successful run as the Panthers head coach. Scott Tschimperle, former offensive Dave Hylla Passes coordinator, will assume the head Dave Hylla, Proctor high school’s head for the Proctor Rails, compiling an coaching position for GSL. football coach died suddenly, just overall record of 196-81. His most Dover-Eyota before the 2008 season was to begin. recent Rails team had completed Doug Yost retires and is replaced by Tom the 2007 season with an undefeated Hylla had been a very active member Passe regular season and advanced to the of the MFCA and MSHSCA. He was state quarterfinals. Kingsland a past president of the MFCA and Wally Beevers steps down and is MSHSCA, a member of the Executive During his 30 year career at Proctore, replaced by Trent Langemo 27 as head coach, Hylla had received Committee, Academic Committee and Luther High School (Onalaska, WI) numerous awards. He recently had was the association’s constitutional Is added to the Three Rivers conference been named Section Coach of the expert. Hylla had almost single and their coach is Jon Benrud. Year and also received the prestigious handedly helped update the MFCA Power of Influence award for the 2007 Wabasha-Kellogg constitution. Nick Richmond took over the program season. in August of 2007 He had established himself an impressive record as football coach

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 23 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Coach to Coach Program The Coach to Coach program began with the 2006 football history. Represented among these coaches are numerous state season. The program was developed by the MFCA Executive championship coaches, 200+ game winners, and many coaches Committee and is designed to allow Minnesota high school who have thirty or more years of coaching football. The retired football coaches to contact successful, retired coaches and get coaches listed are willing to give some of their best advice and their insight on how to implement ideas on a variety of topics information acquired over their long and successful careers. such as offense, defense, special teams, program building, and Member coaches are encouraged to utilize this program to im- many more. prove their programs in any area. The Coach to Coach program lists some of the most successful and legendary coaches in Minnesota high school football

Coach Address City/State Zip Phone Number Belanger, Ken 21875 Marek Road Frederic, WI 54837 715-327-8726 Mike Belseth 1438 Andrews Avenue Breckenridge 56520 218-643-2442 Canakes, Stav 1680 Windsor Drive South Shakopee 55379 952-445-0978 Celt, Bob 1963 Cherry Street Red Wing 55066 651-388-5980 Collison, Bob 7500 Cahill Road #215 C Edina 55439 952-942-9055 Darnell, Doug 6825 Dupont Avenue North Brooklyn Center 55430 763-560-1702 Davies, John 22439 Beach Road Deerwood 56444 218-546-6460

24 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association DeRocher, Darien 7101 Brown’s Lane Brainerd 56401 218-825-8466 Domschot, Ronald 105 Knut Street Alexandria 56308 320-763-7140 Dotseth, Jim 4180 Trenton Lane Plymouth 55441 763-544-2970 Elias, Charles 10362 Columbus Circle Bloomington 55420 952-884-1013 Fox, Don 1809 3rd Avenue Southwest Austin 55912 507-433-3016 Gasner, Paul 51 142nd Avenue Northwest Andover 55304 763-757-2340 Graham, Gary 11825 Bluegill Drive Sauk Centre 56378 320-352-2881 Gross, John 6745 3rd Avenue Southeast Medford 55049 507-451-9533 Gustafson, Gary 2246 Thomas Lane White Bear Lake 55110 651-777-0286 Heikkinen, Marv 2806 Solway Road Menahga 55733 218-628-1663 Herges, Pete PO Box 66 Albany 56307 320-845-2981 Hill, Ken 1031 3 1/2 Avenue North Sauk Rapids 56379 320-252-4035 Hofland, Niel 201 2nd Street West Chokio 56221 320-324-7363 Jacobson, Kenneth 517 Park Street Chatfield 55923 507-867-4759 Konrath, Fred 2227 Foxtail Court Lino Lakes 55110 651-426-0752 Kostich, Dan 109 37th Avenue South Moorhead 56560 218-233-1079 Larson, George 444 Maple Dell Road Cambridge 55008 763-689-2371 Lipelt, Roger 740 Quantico Lane North Plymouth 55447 763-478-5549 Lubarski, Conrad 909 Bradford PO Box 1 Argyle 56713 218-437-6354 Mader, Jim PO Box 330 Albany 56307 320-845-2814 Mahoney, Tom 802 South Orient Fairmont 56031 507-235-9114 Manke, Rick, 18135 Willow Springs Detroit Lakes 56501 218-847-7106 Martin, Bill 2785 Matilda Street Roseville 55113 651-484-6416 Menage, Elmer 816 North Estey Luverne 56156 507-283-2479 Mork, Paul 2166 Regent Drive White Bear Lake 55110 651-429-6429 Nigon, David 2606 Rivers Bluff Lane Anoka 55303 763-571-9116 Olson, Warren 569 Rice Creek Terrace Fridley 55432 763-571-2297 Peterson, Bob Box 262 Esko 55733 218-879-4908 Peterson, Lloyd 112 Ranch Avenue Marshall 56258 507-532-5916 Quenette, William 3616 5th Street South Moorhead 56560 218-233-7752 Robinson, Ron 415 South Range Road Springfield 56087 507-723-4718 Roff, Dan 5470 Vinewood Lane Plymouth 55441 763-550-1109 Roham. Dan 405 3rd Street Belview 56214 507-938-4274 Scanlan, Mal 1938 Fairmont Avenue St Paul 55105 651-699-7877 Schneider, Gregg 1391 Valley View Road Chaska 55318 952-448-5667 Scott, Ron 12816 Jonquil Street NW Coon Rapids 55448 612-546-3262 Siegle, Al PO Box 273 Pelican Rapids 56572 218-863-5861 Simser, Jim 940 Liberty Lane Fairmont 56031 507-235-8689 Strand, Richard Box 316 Mayville, ND 58257 701-430-1562 Stoterau, Dennis 114 W Chestnut Street Redwood Falls 56283 507-644-8063 Swanson, Don 4222 Chowen Avenue North Robbinsdale 55422 763-533-9083 Swanson, Keith 114 Dakota Avenue Hoffman 56339 320-986-2697 Taylor, Dean 32899 Apache Lane St. Joseph 56374 320-253-2525 Thole, George 2114 Fair Meadows Road Stillwater 55082 651-439-5991 Traurig, Leo 812 South Payne Street New Ulm 56073 507-354-8376 Waldner, Pat Bruno 6408 Brook Lane Savage 55378 952-447-3504 Walker, Richard 7420 Edinborough #6315 Edina 55435 952-806-9922 Wemeier, George 1624 Waterbury Waconia 55387 952-442-5432

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 25 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

New 2008 Football Rules Changes

Rules 2-16-2e and 10-2-4 were revised to state that Changes to Rule 8-2-2 stipulate that fouls by the a team must foul twice during the same down to opponents of the scoring team on the last timed commit multiple fouls. These changes allow for down of the first half can carry over to the second- enforcement of both fouls when the opponent of the half kickoff; however, fouls by the opponents of the scoring team commits a foul on both a touchdown- scoring team on the last timed down of the second scoring play and the subsequent try. half cannot carry over to overtime play.

An addition to Rule 3-3-4 clarifies issues at the end In other rules changes, the committee removed the of the half if there is a foul by either team and the option of carrying over unused second-half time-outs penalty is accepted for unsportsmanlike fouls, non- into overtime. The NFHS-recommended overtime player fouls, fouls that specify a loss of down and procedure continues to provide for one time-out per fouls that are enforced on the subsequent kickoff as overtime period with the revisions stipulating that in Rule 8-2-2. unused time-outs do not carry over to subsequent overtime periods.

26 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association A change in Rule 3-5-2a provides the head coach an without the ball, which went into effect last year. option of designating another coach for the purpose of requesting time-outs. The appointed replacement · A change in Rule 10-4-7 helps clarify the basic spot shall remain in place for the entire game except in on running plays for fouls by the opponent of the case of emergency. team in possession when the team in possession puts the ball in the end zone and, subsequently, possession Six changes were approved by the committee in Rule is lost. 1 - The Game, Field, Players and Equipment. References to hip pads, knee pads and thigh guards in Rule 1-5-1 · New wording was formulated for Rule 4-2-3 regarding will now state that these required pieces of equipment the inadvertent whistle, which makes the choosing of must not be altered from the manufacturer’s original an option an easier process to understand. design or production. Also, shinguards, if worn, · In Rule 9-9-4, the use of an illegal kicking tee will must meet specifications of the National Operating now be penalized as an unfair act committed by the Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment player. (NOCSAE). · Hiding the ball under the jersey will be enforced as a In Rule 1-2-3d, the committee altered last year’s rule basic spot foul and makes the enforcement consistent change regarding the use of a 4-inch-wide restraining with the all-but-one principle. line around the outside of the field to state that this line can either by solid or broken. The committee In addition, the committee identified five points recommends a broken line be used and marked of emphasis for the 2008 season: MRSA and by placing 12-inch-long lines separated by 24-inch Communicable Skin Conditions; Purpose of a Football intervals. Helmet; Altering Legal Football Equipment; Sideline Management and Control; and False Starts, Shifts and Although the rules allow for use of other colors for Motion. field markings when appropriate, the committee clarified that white is the recommended color for all Note: The information above was gleaned from the field markings. National Federation website.

In Rule 1-5-2, the committee provided a definition for hand pads and delayed the implementation date for a mandatory securely attached label or stamp on hand pads to 2012. A hand pad is now defined as “a covering for the hand which may have separate openings for each finger and thumb, is absent of any web-like material between the finger and/or thumb, and not covering each finger and thumb.”

Other changes approved by the committee:

· In Rule 10-4-6, the basic spot is the 20-yard line for fouls by either team, in addition to just the team

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 27 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Recruiting Fair The Camp 2008 Outreach Program vvvvvvvvvvv

Another new initiative of the MFCA Executive Com- The 6th annual MFCA Recruiting mittee is the Camp Outreach program, which began in Fair was held in May at the Double the summer of 2005. The program is being coordinated Tree Hotel. by Wayne Petermeier, head football coach at Browerville high school. In this program, high school football coaches Over 30 colleges attended and in Minnesota can contact another football coaching staff met with coaches from over 30 in order to coordinate a football coaching clinic for their own coaching staff. It is a great way for coaches to learn Minnesota high schools. Over 800 from other coaching staffs about offensive, defensive, spe- Minnesota Juniors were represent- cial teams and get some excellent, firsthand knowledge ed in the booklet, the most ever. from coaches who are currently using specific offensive, defensive, or other strategies successfully in Minnesota, at This event raised approximately the high school level. It gives coaching staffs an opportu- $3,000 for the MFCA. nity to “pick the brain” of other coaches concerning tech- The goal is to continue to in- niques, program building, conditioning, or just about any topic they can think of regarding high school football. crease the size and scope of this event, with more high school and The clinics presented through this program are free for the staff that makes the request, with the assistance of college coaches attending every Coach Petermeier. The high school staff that presents the year. It is a great service that we program is paid $500 by the MFCA, with funding provided can offer to our players to enhance by the Minnesota Vikings. Two high school staffs have al- their exposure, and the college ready taken advantage of the new initiative and there is coaches love it. currently funding for more. Coaches who wish to utilize this worthwhile program, Jeff Ferguson, of Totino Grace, or would like further information, should contact Wayne has done a great job organizing Petermeier. Contact information for coach Petermeier is and coordinating the event for the listed below. past several years. Wayne Petermeier PO Box 45 A special thank you to Rob Niel- Browerville, MN 56438 son and Flint Motschenbacher Email: [email protected] for inputting the data sent in by coaches and printing the booklets.

28 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association MFCA Conference Representatives

Listed below are the names of the MFCA conference delegates and the Association will only improve as these members are who represent their respective conferences to the Associa- utilized to the fullest. tion. Please note any misprints, mistakes, or errors and address Conference representatives should have a “checklist”, cre- them to the MSHFCA Secretary, Terry Turek. ated by Wayne Petermeier of Browerville, that will help orga- These are the coaches who are responsible for carrying in- nize MFCA duties. Please contact Coach Petermeier or visit the formation to and from conferences on behalf of the Association website to obtain a checklist

Conference Representative Conference Representative

CLASS 5A Coach, School CLASS 2A Big Nine Clay Anderson Tri-Metro 2A Todd Niklaus, St. Anthony Central Lakes John Ross- Sartell Polar 2A Dave Louzek, Moose Lake- WR Northwest Suburban Shannon Gerrety, Blaine Polar 1A Charlie Campbell, Nashwauk-Keewatin Suburban East Beau LaBore, Woodbury Hiawatha Valley Gold John Austinson-Byron St. Paul Jeff Plaschko, St. Paul Johnson Heart-O-Lakes Dave Haugen-Pelican Rapids Classic Lake Dave Nelson, Minnetonka Three Rivers N/S Bill Ihrke, Plainview-EM Lake Mike Fritze, Apple Valley Gopher/Valley 2A Jon Bakken-Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, Dave Frisell, Bloomington Kennedy Waterville CLASS 4A Great River Classic Suburban Tom Orth, Henry Sibley Central Minnesota Ray Tri Eden Valley-Watkins North Suburban Will Wackman, Spring Lake Pk. Minneapolis Peter Haugen- Washburn CLASS 1A Missota Tony Buthe, New Prague/B. Sullivan, Northfield Prairie South Wayne Petermeier-Browerville Rum River Larry Herm, Foley Prairie North Don Seipkes-Ottertail Central(Henning) Mississippe 8 Dwight Lundeen, Becker Gopher/Valley 1A Ken Helland, LeCenter North Country Flint Motschenbacher, Detroit Lakes Northern Plains- 1A Peder Naatz, Hawley Little Sioux Mike Damman, MACCRAY CLASS 3A Southern Minnesota Hiawatha Valley Blue John Austinson, Byron Sea Range Dave Hylla-Proctor CLASS 9 MAN Wright County Paul Lemke, Glencoe-Silver Lake Great Northern Wally Kostich, Mtn. Iron-Buhl West Central North Jamie Kinzer, St. Cloud Cathederal Pheasant North Mike Mahlen-Verndale West Central South Scott Gonnerman, Benson Pheasant South Minnesota River Tony Barnack, Montgomery-Lonsdale Top-of-the-State Parker, Scott, Marshall County Central HS Northern Lakes Jeff Mumm, Thief River Falls Southwest Ridge Dan Ellingson-Hills Beaver Creek, Hills South Centeral Marc Bachman St. Peter North Tri-County Darrin Byklum-Fisher/Climax Southwest Erin Elder, Windom/Denny Hale, Worthington Southern Confederacy East Jason Freed, Houston TriMetro 3A Southern Confederacy West Jim Utermarck- Truman High School.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 29 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Coaches Checklist

Things That Should be Discussed at Your Conference and Section Meetings

- Everyone should be part of the MFCA. That means that you in becoming a coaching must sign up for the MFCA as well as the MSHSCA. You must mentor in the “Coach to Coaches check off FOOTBALL and pay the extra money. You need this as Coach” program. a head coach for any player or coaching award! - Are there any teams - Who is our candidate for Coach of the Year? interested in the MFCA - Do you have a candidate for Assistant Coach of the Year? football camp scholar- This person would need to be a current or former Butch Nash ship? Make sure to com- Award winner. plete the proper form 4Checklist - Do we feel we have anyone that is qualified to play in the and send it to Wayne Pe- All Star game? termeier of Browerville. - Do we feel we have anyone that is qualified for the Mr. Foot- - It is the responsibility of the conference representative to ball Award? attend the fall and spring meetings each year. If you are unable - Make sure you send in your Academic All State team and to attend please be sure to have someone from the conference find out who to send it to. attend the meeting. - Make sure you send in your Academic All State indivdual - It is the responsibility of the conference representative to and find out who to send it to. submit a conference summary to the MFCA Secretary, see page - Remember to update your email and your assistants email 118 for complete details. with Flint Motschenbacher of Detroit Lakes. - List any retired coaches in your area that may be interested

IMPORTANT CONTACT NAMES FOR FORMS AND AWARDS Individual Academic Selection Committee Team Academic Selection Committee Class Name School Fax number Class Name School Fax number 9 Man Mike Mahlen Verndale 218-455-5185 9 Man Dave Krenik Cleveland 507-931-9088 Class 1A Wayne Petermeier Browerville 320-594-8105 Class 1A Wayne Petermeier Browerville 320-594-8105 Class 2A Steve Solom BOLD 320-523-5410 Class 2A Tony Barnack Montgomery 507-364-8103 Class 3A Scott Tschimperle Glencoe-Svr Lk 320-864-6475 Class 3A Dave Hylla Proctor 218/628-4937 Class 4A Rick Sutton Eagan 651-683-6910 Class 4A Bubba Sullivan Northfield 507-645-3455 Class 5A Todd Olson Richfield 612-798-6129 Class 5A Dave Nelson Minnetonka 952-401-5905 Chairman Mike Watson Centennial 763-792-5039 Chairman Con Natvig Browerville (320) 547-2902

Butch Nash Hall of Fame Mr. Football Summer Camp Jim Dotseth Scott Tschimperle Clay Anderson Wayne Petermeier 4180 Trenton Ln. N. [email protected] Albert Lea High School [email protected] Plymouth, MN 55441 Paul Lemke [email protected] 320-594-8111 [email protected]

ALL THE FORMS NEEDED ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MFCA WEBSITE: www.mshsca.org/football/index.htm www.mnfootballcoaches.com

30 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Minnesota High School Football Conferences: 2007-2008 Please note that there may have been changes to certain conferences. There may be mistakes due to “typos”/lack of information. Teams are listed in order of conference finish with regular season, and final season records.

Big Nine Conference Standings Gopher Valley A Conference Standings East Central 3 5 3 6 Owatonna 6 1 8 3 Blooming Prairie 8 0 10 1 Nashwauk-Keewatin 2 6 2 7 Rochester Century 6 1 6 3 Mankato Loyola 7 1 10 2 Carlton 2 6 2 7 Mankato West 5 2 7 4 Le Center 6 2 8 3 Onamia 2 6 2 7 Rochester John Marshall 5 2 5 4 Bethlehem Academy 5 3 5 4 Mesabi East 1 7 1 8 Rochester Mayo 4 3 5 5 Randolph 4 4 4 5 Mankato East 3 4 5 5 West Lutheran 4 4 4 5 Great Polar Football Alliance - White Faribault 3 4 4 6 St. Clair 4 4 4 5 Moose Lake-Willow River 5 0 11 1 Albert Lea 2 5 3 7 Providence Acad./ Greenway 4 1 8 2 Austin 1 6 2 7 Heritage Christian 3 5 3 6 Deer River 2 3 6 4 Winona 0 7 1 8 Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 2 6 4 7 Esko 2 3 6 5 Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 2 6 2 6 Duluth Marshall 2 3 2 7 Central Lakes Conference Standings New Life Acad/C.A.-Bloomington 2 6 2 7 Two Harbors 0 5 1 8 St. Cloud Tech 6 0 9 1 Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity 1 7 2 8 Brainerd 5 1 11 2 Heart O'Lakes Conference - Classic Willmar 5 2 5 4 Gopher Valley AA Conference Standings Standings Sartell-St. Stephen 4 3 9 4 New Richland-H-E-G 7 0 8 1 Breckenridge 5 0 10 1 Alexandria 3 3 6 4 Minnesota Valley Lutheran 5 2 7 3 Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 4 1 6 4 Fergus Falls 3 3 3 6 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 5 2 7 3 Pelican Rapids 3 2 7 4 Sauk Rapids-Rice 3 4 5 5 Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 4 3 7 4 West Central Area 1 4 2 7 Rocori 3 4 4 6 Maple River 3 4 3 6 Wadena-Deer Creek 1 4 1 8 St. Cloud Apollo 1 6 1 8 Medford/El Shaddai 2 5 2 7 Pequot Lakes 1 4 1 8 Little Falls 0 7 0 9 United South Central 1 6 3 8 Martin County West 1 6 1 8 Heart O'Lakes Conference - North Central Minnesota Conference Standings Perham 5 0 10 3 Eden Valley-Watkins 7 0 11 1 Great Northern East Conference Park Rapids Area 4 1 7 3 Pierz 6 1 11 2 Cromwell 8 0 9 1 Roseau 3 2 7 3 Rockford 4 3 8 4 McGregor 7 1 10 2 Crookston 2 3 4 5 Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 4 3 5 5 Floodwood 5 3 7 4 Warroad 1 4 3 6 Kimball Area 3 4 4 5 Wrenshall 4 4 4 5 East Grand Forks 0 5 0 9 Maple Lake 3 4 3 6 Isle 3 5 3 6 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 1 6 2 7 Hiawatha Valley League - Blue Holdingford 0 7 1 8 Great Northern West Conference Rochester Lourdes 5 1 9 3 Northland 5 3 6 4 La Crescent 5 1 8 3 Classic Lake Conference Standings Kelliher/Northome 4 4 4 5 Stewartville 4 2 6 3 Edina 4 0 10 1 Hill City 3 5 3 6 Kasson-Mantorville 3 3 5 4 Wayzata 3 1 10 2 Nevis 1 7 1 8 Byron 3 3 5 5 Minnetonka 2 2 5 5 Laporte 0 8 0 8 Lake City 1 5 2 7 Hopkins 1 3 5 5 Cannon Falls 0 6 1 8 Robbinsdale Armstrong 0 4 1 8 Great Polar Football Alliance - Blue Pine City 5 0 8 2 Hiawatha Valley League - Gold Classic Suburban Conference Standings Hinckley-Finlayson 3 2 8 3 Triton 6 0 10 2 Simley 7 1 8 2 Rush City 3 2 3 6 Goodhue 5 1 13 1 St. Thomas Academy 6 1 9 2 Braham 3 2 3 6 Winona Cotter 4 2 6 4 Mahtomedi 5 2 10 4 Aitkin 1 4 2 8 Hayfield 3 3 3 6 Tartan 4 3 7 4 Crosby-Ironton 0 5 1 8 Pine Island 2 4 2 7 North St. Paul 4 3 5 4 Zumbrota-Mazeppa 1 5 1 8 Richfield 3 4 3 6 Great Polar Football Alliance - Red Kenyon-Wanamingo 0 6 1 8 South St. Paul 2 5 2 7 Cook County 8 0 12 1 Hill-Murray 1 6 2 7 Ogilvie 7 1 7 2 Lake Conference Henry Sibley 0 7 0 9 Barnum 5 3 7 4 Eden Prairie 7 0 14 0 Ely 5 3 6 4 Eastview 7 1 11 2 Chisholm 5 3 6 4 Bloomington Kennedy 5 2 6 3

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 31 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Lakeville South 5 2 5 4 Northfield 3 4 5 5 Andover 5 3 8 4 Lakeville North 5 3 8 4 New Prague 2 5 6 6 Coon Rapids 5 3 5 4 Rosemount 4 3 6 4 Red Wing 1 6 1 8 Blaine 2 6 3 7 Chaska 3 4 4 5 Shakopee 0 7 0 9 Centennial 2 6 2 7 Bloomington Jefferson 2 6 2 7 Elk River 1 7 1 8 Apple Valley 1 6 3 8 North Country Conference Park Center 0 8 0 9 Burnsville 1 6 1 8 Detroit Lakes 6 0 9 1 Eagan 0 7 0 9 Thief River Falls 5 1 9 2 Pheasant Conference North Duluth East 4 2 7 5 Verndale 7 1 10 2 Independents Grand Rapids 3 3 4 6 Ashby 5 3 7 4 St. John's Prep 1 0 3 1 Duluth Central 2 4 5 5 Eagle Valley 4 4 4 5 Moorhead 1 0 4 5 Duluth Denfeld 1 5 1 8 Bertha-Hewitt 2 6 2 7 MN Academy for the Deaf 0 1 6 2 Hibbing 0 6 0 9 Underwood 1 7 2 8 Bemidji 0 1 3 6 Mound-Westonka 0 0 0 8 North Suburban Conference Pheasant Conference South Spring Lake Park 7 0 9 1 Wheaton 8 0 12 1 Little Sioux Conference Irondale 7 1 7 2 Chokio-Alberta/ Dawson-Boyd 8 0 10 1 Totino-Grace 6 1 13 1 Herman-Norcross 6 2 6 3 Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 8 0 9 1 Benilde-St. Margaret's 6 2 7 3 Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 4 4 5 5 Adrian 6 2 11 3 Chisago Lakes Area 4 3 7 4 Hancock 2 6 2 7 MACCRAY 5 3 6 4 Fridley 4 3 5 4 Brandon-Evansville 1 7 1 8 Minneota 5 3 6 4 Columbia Heights 2 5 3 6 Murray County Central 3 5 4 6 St. Francis 2 5 3 6 Prairie Conference - North Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 2 6 2 7 Robbinsdale Cooper 2 6 2 7 United North Central 4 0 7 2 Fulda 2 6 2 7 North Branch 0 7 0 9 Ottertail Central 3 1 7 3 Canby 1 7 1 8 St. Louis Park 0 7 0 9 Parkers Prairie 2 2 3 6 Ortonville 0 8 0 8 Pillager 1 3 3 7 North Tri-County New York Mills 0 4 1 8 Minneapolis City Conference Waubun 7 0 11 1 Minneapolis Washburn 6 0 9 3 Climax/Fisher 6 1 8 2 Prairie Conference - South Minneapolis Southwest 5 1 5 4 Ada-Borup 5 2 7 4 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 4 0 12 1 Minneapolis Roosevelt 4 2 7 3 Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 3 4 5 5 Royalton 2 2 9 3 Minneapolis South 3 3 3 6 Norman County West 3 4 4 6 Browerville 2 2 3 6 Minneapolis North 2 4 2 7 Win-E-Mac 3 4 3 6 Osakis 1 3 4 7 Minneapolis Edison 1 5 2 7 Norman County East 1 6 3 7 Upsala/Swanville Area Minneapolis Henry 0 6 1 8 Ulen-Hitterdal 0 7 0 9 Rum River Conference Minnesota River Conference Northern Plains A Conference Foley 3 0 10 1 LeSueur-Henderson 7 0 11 1 Fertile-Beltrami 7 0 8 1 Mora 2 1 6 5 Holy Family Catholic 6 1 7 3 Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 5 2 8 3 Milaca 1 2 6 3 Norwood-Young America 5 2 9 3 Red Lake Falls 5 2 7 3 Zimmerman 0 3 1 8 Lake Park-Audubon 4 3 6 4 Belle Plaine 4 3 6 4 Sea Range Conference Jordan 3 4 3 6 Lake of the Woods 3 4 7 5 Proctor 6 0 11 1 Mayer Lutheran 2 5 4 6 Fosston 3 4 3 6 Ashland 5 1 5 1 Montgomery-Lonsdale 1 6 2 7 Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 1 6 1 8 Hermantown 4 2 7 3 Sibley East 0 7 0 9 Cass Lake-Bena 0 7 0 9 Cloquet 3 3 4 5 Mississippi 8 Conference Northern Plains AA Conference International Falls 2 4 3 7 St. Michael-Albertville 6 1 8 3 Hawley 7 0 12 1 Virginia 1 5 2 7 Becker 5 2 8 3 Barnesville/Rothsay 6 1 7 3 Eveleth-Gilbert 0 6 0 8 Mahnomen 5 2 8 4 Cambridge-Isanti 5 2 7 3 South Central Conference Buffalo 4 3 6 4 Pine River-Backus 4 3 4 5 Blue Earth Area 6 0 8 2 Rogers 4 3 6 4 Frazee 3 4 4 5 Waseca 3 2 7 4 Princeton 3 4 4 6 Bagley 1 6 2 7 Fairmont 2 3 3 6 Big Lake 1 6 1 8 Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 1 6 1 7 St. Peter 2 3 2 7 Monticello 0 7 1 8 Blackduck 1 6 1 8 New Ulm 2 4 3 6 Missota Conference Northwest Suburban Conference St. James 1 4 2 7 Osseo 7 1 7 2 Hutchinson 7 0 8 2 Southern Confederacy Conference - East Prior Lake 5 2 6 4 Champlin Park 6 2 8 3 Houston 6 0 11 1 Holy Angels 5 2 6 4 Anoka 6 2 7 3 Mabel-Canton 5 1 9 2 Farmington 5 2 5 4 Maple Grove 6 2 7 3 Lanesboro 4 2 7 3

32 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Grand Meadow 2 4 5 5 St. Paul Central 4 2 4 5 Melrose 1 6 1 7 LeRoy-Ostrander 2 4 4 5 St. Paul Harding 2 4 3 6 Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 0 7 0 9 Lyle/Austin Pacelli 2 4 3 6 St. Paul Arlington 1 5 2 7 Spring Grove 0 6 2 7 St. Paul Humboldt 0 6 0 8 West Central Conference - South Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 6 1 9 2 Southern Confederacy Conference - West Suburban East Conference Montevideo 6 1 8 2 Cleveland 6 0 10 2 Cretin-Derham Hall 8 0 13 1 BOLD 5 2 6 4 Alden-Conger 5 1 6 4 Mounds View 5 2 9 3 Yellow Medicine East 5 2 5 4 Granada-Huntley-EC/M.L. 4 2 4 5 Park of Cottage Grove 4 3 5 5 Paynesville Area 3 4 4 5 Truman 3 3 3 6 Stillwater Area 4 3 4 5 Morris Area 2 5 3 7 Nicollet 2 4 2 7 White Bear Lake 3 4 6 5 Lac qui Parle Valley 1 6 1 8 Madelia 1 5 1 8 Woodbury 3 4 5 5 Benson 0 7 0 9 Glenville-Emmons 0 6 0 9 Roseville 2 5 4 6 Forest Lake 2 5 2 7 Wright County Conference Southern Minnesota Conference Hastings 1 6 1 8 Glencoe-Silver Lake 7 0 14 0 Wabasso 8 0 10 1 Waconia 6 1 11 2 Renville County West 5 3 6 4 Three Rivers Conference - North Orono 5 2 7 3 New Ulm Cathedral 5 3 6 4 Dover-Eyota 3 1 8 3 Dassel-Cokato 4 3 6 5 Mc Leod West 4 4 5 5 Lewiston-Altura 3 1 5 5 Litchfield 3 4 5 5 Mt. Lake/Butterfield-Odin 4 4 5 5 Plainview/Elgin-Millville 2 2 6 4 Watertown-Mayer 1 6 2 7 Springfield 4 4 4 5 St. Charles 2 2 5 5 Annandale 1 6 1 8 Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's 3 5 3 6 Wabasha-Kellogg 0 4 1 8 Delano 1 6 1 8 Sleepy Eye 3 5 3 6 Red Rock Central 3 5 3 6 Three Rivers Conference - South Buffalo Lake-Hector 1 7 1 7 Southland 5 0 9 1 Caledonia 4 1 13 1 Southwest Conference Rushford-Peterson 3 2 7 3 Luverne 6 0 12 2 Chatfield 2 3 2 7 Marshall 5 1 7 2 Fillmore Central 1 4 1 7 Jackson County Central 4 2 8 3 Kingsland 0 5 0 9 Pipestone Area 3 3 5 4 Worthington 2 4 2 6 Top of the State Conference Redwood Valley 1 5 3 6 Stephen-Argyle 6 0 13 0 Windom Area 0 6 1 8 Kittson County Central 5 1 8 2 Clearbrook-Gonvick 4 2 6 3 Southwest Ridge Conference Red Lake County Central 3 3 4 4 Westbrook-Walnut Grove 7 1 8 2 Northern 2 4 2 6 Edgerton 6 2 8 3 Sacred Heart 1 5 1 7 Lakeview 5 3 5 4 Grygla-Gatzke/Goodridge 0 6 0 7 Southwestern United 5 3 5 4 Cedar Mountain/Comfrey 3 5 3 5 Tri-Metro East Conference Hills-Beaver Creek/Ellsworth 2 6 2 7 St. Croix Lutheran 4 0 6 3 Lincoln H I/Lake Benton 0 8 0 9 St. Bernard's 3 1 5 4 St. Agnes 2 2 5 6 St. Louis County Conference Brooklyn Center 1 3 1 8 Littlefork-Big Falls 8 0 11 1 St. Paul Acad./Mounds Park Acad. 0 4 1 8 Cook 7 1 9 2 Mountain Iron-Buhl 7 1 8 2 Tri-Metro West Conference Cherry 6 2 7 3 Minnehaha Academy 4 1 8 2 Bigfork 5 3 5 4 DeLaSalle 3 2 11 3 Orr 5 3 5 4 Concordia Academy 3 2 7 4 Silver Bay 4 4 4 5 St. Anthony Village 2 3 4 5 Babbitt-Embarrass 3 5 3 6 Breck 2 3 4 5 Cotton 2 6 2 6 Blake 1 4 1 8 AlBrook 1 7 1 7 West Central Conference - North Mesabi Academy 0 8 0 8 Albany 7 0 11 2 Tower-Soudan 0 8 0 9 Sauk Centre 5 2 6 3 St. Paul City Conference New London-Spicer 5 2 6 4 St. Paul Como Park 6 0 9 1 St. Cloud Cathedral 4 3 5 5 St. Paul Johnson 4 2 7 3 Minnewaska Area 3 4 4 5 St. Paul Highland Park 4 2 5 4 Staples-Motley 3 4 3 6

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 33 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Competitive Section Assignments for 2007-08 Section and classes were affected by the MSHSL’s new enrollment calculation. School’s enrollments in grades 9-12 are totaled, rather than grades 9-11, as had been done in the past. Additionally, 40% of the free/reduced lunch program students are subtracted from a school’s enrollment figure. And another change was allowing schools that had 50% or more of their student enrollment to “opt down” a class. This change in the process caused more “movement” by teams between sections and classes.

CLASS 9MAN AlBrook High School Cherry High School El Shaddai School Section: 1 Cotton High School Cook High School Medford High School Glenville-Emmons High Cromwell High School Littlefork-Big Falls High Coop: 890 School Floodwood High School School Bethlehem Academy Grand Meadow High School Hill City High School Mesabi Academy School Discovery Public School of Houston High School Isle High School Mountain Iron-Buhl High Faribault Lanesboro High School McGregor High School School LeRoy-Ostrander High School Northland High School Orr High School Section: 2 Mabel-Canton High School Silver Bay (Wm. Kelley) High Tower-Soudan High School Buffalo Lake-Hector High Spring Grove High School School School Coop: 834 Wrenshall High School Section: 8 Le Center High School Austin Pacelli High School Clearbrook-Gonvick High Mankato Loyola High School Lyle High School Section: 5 School Mc Leod West High School Bertha-Hewitt High School Red Lake County Central New Ulm Cathedral High Section 2 Eagle Valley High School Sacred Heart High School School Alden-Conger High School Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Stephen-Argyle Central High Saint Clair High School Elmore Academy Underwood High School School Sleepy Eye High School Great River School Verndale High School Coop: 210 Sleepy Eye Saint Mary’s High Holy Trinity High School Coop: 125 Climax High School School Janesville-Waldorf- Brandon High School Fisher High School Coop: 319 Pemberton H.S. Evansville High School Coop: 315 Granada-Huntley-East Chain Madelia High School Coop: 149 Goodridge High School H.S. Minnesota State Academy for Campbell-Tintah High Grygla-Gatzke High School Martin Luther High School the Deaf School Coop: 331 Nicollet High School Coop: 658 Kittson Central High School Section: 3 Truman High School Ashby High School Lancaster High School Adrian High School Country Bible Christian Coop: 375 Fulda High School Section: 3 Kelliher High School Murray County Central High Edgerton High School Section: 6 Northome High School School Hancock High School Ada-Borup High School Coop: 420 Red Rock Central High School Westbrook-Walnut Grove Laporte High School Marshall County Central H. Springfield High School High School Nevis High School S. Wabasso High School Wheaton High School Norman County East High Tri-County High School Coop: 137 Coop: 283 School Butterfield-Odin High Ellsworth High School Norman County West High CLASS A School Hills-Beaver Creek High School Section: 1 Mountain Lake High School School Ulen-Hitterdal High School Blooming Prairie High School Coop: 163 Coop: 715 Waubun High School Fillmore Central High School Cedar Mountain High Chokio-Alberta High School Win-E-Mac High School Goodhue High School School Herman-Norcross High Coop: 991 Lewiston-Altura High School Comfrey High School School Park Christian High School Rushford-Peterson High Coop: 919 Coop: 935 School Round Lake-Brewster Lake Benton High School Section: 7 Randolph High School Southwest Star Concept Lincoln H I High School Babbitt-Embarrass High Wabasha-Kellogg High H. S. School School Section: 4 Bigfork High School Coop: 852 Section: 4

34 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Lester Prairie High School Section: 1 Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City CLASS AAA Ogilvie High School Caledonia High School H.S. Section: 1 PACT Charter School Chatfield High School B O L D High School Byron High School Royalton High School Dover-Eyota High School Benson High School Cannon Falls High School Saint Agnes High School Kingsland High School Eden Valley-Watkins High Kasson-Mantorville High Saint Bernard’s School Pine Island High School School School West Lutheran High School Saint Charles High School Lac qui Parle Valley High La Crescent High School Coop: 506 Winona Cotter High School School Lake City High School Swanville High School Zumbrota-Mazeppa High MACCRAY High School Plainview-Elgin Millville High Upsala High School School Paynesville Area High School School Yellow Medicine East H.S. Rochester Lourdes High Section: 5 Section: 2 School Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa H.S. Hayfield High School Section: 6 Stewartville High School Canby High School Kenyon-Wanamingo High Breckenridge High School Dawson-Boyd High School School Holdingford High School Section: 2 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Montgomery-Lonsdale High Long Prairie-Grey Eagle H.S. Blue Earth Area High School H.S. School Morris Area School Fairmont High School Lakeview High School New Richland-H-E-G H.S. Pierz High School Jordan High School Minneota High School Southland High School Saint John’s Prep(will not LeSueur-Henderson High Ortonville High School Triton High School compete in section) School Renville County West High United South Central High Wadena-Deer Creek High Maple River High School School School School Saint Peter High School Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High Coop: 816 West Central Area School Waseca High School School Cannon Valley Lutheran Coop: 74 Coop: 693 Waterville-Elysian- Battle Lake High School Belle Plaine High School Section: 6 Morristown H.S. Henning High School Holy Family Academy Browerville High School Cass Lake-Bena High School Section: 3 Section: 7 Section: 3 Lake Park-Audubon Jackson County Central High Deer River High School Annandale High School Mahnomen High School School Greenway High School Glencoe-Silver Lake High New York Mills High School Lake Crystal-Wellcome Hinckley-Finlayson High School Osakis High School Memorial School Litchfield High School Parkers Prairie High School Luverne High School Marshall School, Duluth Montevideo High School Pillager High School Martin County West High Mesabi East High School Redwood Valley High School School Rush City High School Sibley East High School Section: 7 Minnesota Valley Lutheran Coop: 61 Watertown-Mayer High Barnum High School Pipestone Area High School Moose Lake High School School Carlton High School Saint James High School Willow River High School Worthington High School Chisholm High School Tracy-Milroy-Balaton High Coop: 642 Coop: 1084 Cook County High School School Braham High School Dassel-Cokato High School East Central High School Windom Area High School Grace Christian School/ Rokala Home School Ely High School Grasston Nashwauk-Keewatin High Section: 4 Section: 4 School G-F-W High School Section: 8 Blake School (The) Onamia High School Howard Lake-Waverly- Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton H.S. Concordia Academy-Roseville Winsted H.S. Frazee High School DeLaSalle High School Section: 8 Kimball Area High School Hawley High School Minneapolis Edison High Blackduck High School Maple Lake High School Pelican Rapids High School School Fertile-Beltrami High School Mayer Lutheran High School Pine River-Backus High Minneapolis Roosevelt High Fosston High School Norwood-Young America School School Lake of the Woods H.S. High School Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Minnehaha Academy Red Lake Falls High School Coop: 926 H.S. Saint Anthony Village High Red Lake High School Concordia Academy- Coop: 62 School Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High Bloomington Barnesville High School Saint Croix Lutheran High School New Life Academy of Rothsay High School School Coop: 56 Woodbury Coop: 430 Saint Paul Humboldt High Badger High School Coop: 996 Menahga High School School Greenbush-Middle River Heritage Christian Academy Sebeka High School High School Providence Academy Coop: 1019 Section: 5 Bagley High School Breck School CLASS AA Section: 5 Holy Family Catholic High

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 35 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

School Willmar High School Duluth Denfeld High School Minneapolis South High Minneapolis Patrick Henry H. S Coop: 896 Duluth East High School School Mora High School Hutchinson High School Grand Rapids High School Minnesota Transitions Pine City High School New Century Charter School Hermantown High School Charter School Rockford High School Hibbing High School Coop: 1088 Zimmerman High School Section: 3 Saint Paul Central High Coop: 1141 Academy of Holy Angels Section: 8 School Ascension Academy Minneapolis Washburn High Detroit Lakes High School Saint Paul Open School Brooklyn Center High School School Fergus Falls High School Richfield High School Little Falls High School Section: 6 Saint Paul Highland Park Rocori High School Section: 5 Albany High School Saint Thomas Academy Saint Cloud Apollo High Champlin Park High School Foley High School Simley High School School Maple Grove High School Melrose Area High School South Saint Paul High School Sartell-Saint Stephen High Park Center High School Milaca High School Coop: 804 School Robbinsdale Armstrong High Minnewaska Area H.S. Mounds Park Academy Sauk Rapids-Rice High School School New London-Spicer High St. Paul Academy and Robbinsdale Cooper High School Summit School CLASS AAAAA School Saint Cloud Cathedral High Section: 1 Wayzata High School School Section: 4 Farmington High School Coop: 944 Sauk Centre High School Chisago Lakes Area High Lakeville North High School Maranatha Christian Staples-Motley High School School Lakeville South High School Academy Hill-Murray School Owatonna High School Osseo High School Section: 7 Mahtomedi High School Rochester Century High Aitkin High School North Branch High School School Section: 6 Crosby-Ironton High School Saint Paul Arlington High Rochester John Marshall Chaska High School Esko High School School Rochester Mayo High School Eden Prairie High School Eveleth-Gilbert High School Saint Paul Como Park H.S. Edina High School International Falls H.S. Saint Paul Harding High Section: 2 Hopkins High School Proctor High School School Centennial High School Minneapolis Southwest High Two Harbors High School Coop: 681 Irondale High School School Virginia High School City Academy Mounds View High School Minnetonka High School Saint Paul Johnson High North High School Saint Louis Park High School Section: 8 School Roseville Area High School Shakopee High School Crookston High School Stillwater Area High School East Grand Forks High School Section: 5 White Bear Lake Area High Section: 7 Park Rapids Area High School Becker High School School Andover High School Pequot Lakes High School Big Lake High School Blaine High School Perham High School Delano High School Section: 3 Cambridge-Isanti High School Roseau High School Monticello High School Apple Valley High School Coon Rapids High School Thief River Falls High School Princeton High School Bloomington Jefferson High Forest Lake High School Warroad High School Rogers High School School Saint Francis High School Saint Michael-Albertville H.S. Bloomington Kennedy High Coop: 956 CLASS AAAA School Anoka High School Section: 1 Section: 6 Burnsville High School Meadow Creek Christian Albert Lea High School Columbia Heights High Eagan High School School Austin High School School Eastview High School Faribault High School Fridley High School Rosemount High School Section: 8 New Prague High School Minneapolis North Coop: 1080 Alexandria High School Northfield High School Community H.S. Prior Lake Christian School Bemidji High School Red Wing High School Orono High School Prior Lake High School Brainerd High School Winona High School Spring Lake Park High School Buffalo High School Totino-Grace High School Section: 4 Moorhead High School Section: 2 Coop: 95 Cretin-Derham Hall High Saint Cloud Tech High School Mankato East High School Benilde-St. Margaret’s School Coop: 1140 Mankato West High School School Hastings High School Elk River High School Marshall High School Groves Academy Henry Sibley High School Spectrum High School Mound-Westonka High Park High School School Section: 7 Tartan High School New Ulm High School Cloquet High School Woodbury High School Waconia High School Duluth Central High School Coop: 1013

36 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association MINNESOTA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

[email protected]

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 37 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

MINNESOTA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

38 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association MFCA Scholarship Winners

The MFCA began awarding scholarships to worthy high school football players with the class of 2008. Will Wackman of Spring Lake Park chairs the committee that selects the award winners from those Excerpts from the MFCA’s 2008 nominated. scholarship winners essays on ‘How Candidates are judged on the following criteria. football has impacted my life.”: 1. Academics

2. School/Community Involvement “… towards the end of the game as the clock ticks down 3. Essay- On what Football has meant to their life with the scoreboard no in you favor, you wonder where the time all went. Everything goes by so fast and you look 4. Athletic Achievement back and wish you would have soaked it all up a little 5. Letters of Recommendation more. When you are walking off the field after that last game it feels like there is nothing left in your life. I felt A good number of players applied in the initial year of the award and hollow and empty inside…. Suddenly, the little things are they all had fine credentials, making the selection process difficult tremendously more important and everybody matters and competitive. Of these applicants, four were selected. It is hoped significantly more to you.” that the association will be able to award more players in the future, - Aaron Haugan, Pelican Rapids as long as it is financially viable. The four scholarships were named after former high school coaches, whose names were nominated to the committee. These coaches “It (Football) has taught me that in order to succeed, were selected based on their support of the coaches association and everyone must work together towards one common goal. overall impact on high school football. It is not about the individualglory or individual goals. These will get you nowhere. Everyone has to be on the same page and be willing to do whatever it take to help the team succeed. If one person does not do his job, the 2008 Scholarships Winners whole team has underachieved.” along with the college they - Jonathan Bennett, Blackduck plan on attending: “The values of teamwork and dedication cannot be acquired from any lecture or textbook: they must be Don Swanson Scholarship winner: adapted gradually over a long period of time. Football has Aaron Haugen- Pelican Rapids been the means by which I have learned these attributes University of North Dakota that I will use for the rest of my life. - Brett Watson, Goodhue Les Dreschsel Scholarship Winner: Jonathan Bennett- Blackduck College of St. Scholastica “As a receiver, I have learned the importance of precision and have been applying it to the other areas of my life. David Nigon Scholarship Winner: This skill is very important considering my intentions Darrin Beekman- Concordia Academy to pursue a career in the medical field. The influence of Dordt College football in my life has taught me many very important Tom Mahoney Scholarship Winner: life lessons and skills that have shaped me into who I am Brett Watson- Goodhue today, and who I will be in the future.” Carleton College - Darrin Beekman, Concordia Academy

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 39 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Mr. Football Award An annual award recognizing Minnesota’s best high school football player.

Sponsored by: Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association, Coach of the Year Clinic, Minnesota Vikings National Football Foundation Hall of Fame

Nomination Form Award Criteria - Recipient must be a graduating senior. - The head coach of all nominees must be a current member of the MFCA. - Nominees cannot have any MSHSL eligibility violations. - Each player must be nominated by their conference/MFCA representative. - Conference Nominations - Class 5A and 4A conferences will be allowed to nominate two players, if need be. - Class 3A, 2A, 1A, and 9 Man conferences will nominate one player. - Independent schools will be classified as “one conference”. Selection Process - Conference Representatives submit nominees by Novemember 5th. - Selection Committee evaluates nominees and chooses 10 finalists by December 15th. - The ten finalists will be required to submit one complete game tape to the committee. - Banquet is held in conjunction with Coach of the Year clinic.

Player’s Name ______

School ______Conference ______

Head Coach ______Current MFCA member ? Yes No

Position(s) Played ______

Copy this page and use the back of the form to include statistics, recommendations, and any other information regarding the nominee(s). Coaches are to mail, fax, or email the form(s) to the Committee chairman.

Clay Anderson Albert Lea High School Email: [email protected]

Mr. Football Committee Chairman Clay Anderson, Albert Lea, Mike Fritze, Apple Valley Dwight Lundeen, Becker, Don Swanson Retired Coaches Representative, Ron Stolski Brainerd, Terry Turek, Le Sueur-Henderson, Kevin Ryherd, National Football Foundation Hall Of Fame, Scott Gonnerman, Benson, Jeff Weiland, Orono, Rick Sutton, Eagan

40 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Mr. Football 2008

Michael Floyd of Cretin-Derham Hall was selected by the MFCA as the 2008 Mr. Football award recipient.

Floyd enjoyed a sensational senior year as well as an exceptional career as a multi-talented player for the Raiders. He was one of the nation’s top receivers and handled the football in various ways to help Cretin- Derham Hall to the Class 5A state championship game.

The award is presented to a senior football player and is chosen by a committee chaired by Clay Anderson, head football coach at Albert Lea. The Mr. Football banquet was held on Dec. 9th, 2006 at the Double Tree Hotel.

Mr. Football Award Committee

Coach School Anderson, Clay Albert Lea Michael Floyd of Cretin-Derham Hall Lundeen, Dwight Becker Swanson, Don Retired Stolski, Ron Brainerd Turek, Terry Le Sueur-Henderson Rynerd, Kevin National Football Foundation Hall Of Fame Gonnerman, Scott Benson Weiland, Jeff Orono Sutton, Rick Eagan Fritze, Mike Apple Valley

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 41 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Varsity Practice Organization: Reps! Reps! Reps! Kim Nelson, Head Football Coach, Edina High School, Edina, MN In twenty nine years a head coach, I defense continues to watch film, unless have been trying to improve the tempo they are specialists and efficiency of our practices. I think that A. Specialists = Punters, kickers, we are finally getting close to something holders, snappers, and returners work on I like. For many years, I organized my their specialty practice like I remember my college B. Offense = “Noose drill” – QB’s, RB’s, practices. Something like this: Centers and all receivers Our tempo was slow, with a lot a. Centers snap to QB, then steps to of players standing around coaches block a nose guard, receivers work on standing around while the head coach or release and in a five yard area, he plants coordinator stopped the play to correct hard and squares up to QB. QB works on something, or walk through the play. We footwork and throws to receiver; receiver really didn’t get a lot of repetitions, just a tucks ball and turns straight up for five lot of talk. Water breaks lasted from five yards. All offensive linemen are centers, to sometimes 15 minutes, with players other and we go as fast as we can. (10 and coaches taking a break together. minutes, 20 plays) Warm up and stretch took 20 “The Old Days” C. Receivers move to releases, route minutes while the players drew it out running or stalk blocking. as long as possible and the coaches D. Defense is doing similar waited for it to get done. Individual Warm up = 10 minutes breakdown work (10 minutes) drills often were good drills that we Stretch = 10 minutes 4:30 = Special Teams – Punt team copied from colleges at clinics, but they every day – Scout defense vs. punt #1 didn’t always carry over to our system. Individual = 30 minutes and #2. Left over offensive players go The worst periods were group and Group = 30 minutes to the other end and run screen drill, team time, where the coach would Team = 30 minutes routes on air, PAT-N-GO, or blitz pick up. select plays at random and we would be Rest of team = Drink water. (10 min., 20 lined up against our defense anywhere Special Teams = 30 minutes plays) on the field. The offensive starters and 4:40 = Inside/outside – Scripted 7 the few who rotated in would run the on 7 – (1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2) plays, while defensive players made up Conditioning = Until the A. Two groups of QB, RB, and the scout team, while starters waited coach was happy receivers go every other play, defense on the sidelines for their turn. rotates in the secondary while one set I believe the old way really limited of linebackers plays coverage, the other the number of repetitions each player or nose guards. All work at about half set is involved in inside run session. got on a daily basis and our tempo made speed. B. At halfway point, QB, RB and LBs the day seem to last forever! We lacked 4:15 = Warm up – Defense comes switch from inside (run) to outside (7 on enthusiasm and I think our players got out, all players go through a warm up 7) and vice versa. Plays are repeated. stale and bored. consisting of position specific drills with C. Both inside and outside are filmed A major change was for us to use the their position coach. Any stretching from end zone, if possible (20 minutes, 40 summer (June/July) to work hard on our needs to be done during this period, if plays) drills. We work out three days weekly and necessary. Each coach is responsible for 5:00 = Special teams #2 have to two week camp in July. Those warming up his players. (15 min.) A. Another special team works against days are built around drills to start each 4:20 = Individual – Each position coach a scout team. workout. Because of this, we don’t really gets this period to rep our offensive plays B. Rest of offense goes to the end of do many drills when pre-season practice for that week. the field for starts. We just review them for 5-10 A. Offensive line can continue dirlls, a. Screen drill, routes on air, blitz pick minutes per day. The rest of the practice but must get to the plays of the week, up, etc. (10 min., 20 plays) is getting reps.! A typical practice looks or protection of the week during this C. Rest of team – Water (10 min.) like this: period. 5:10 = Team – Scripted 3:45 = Defense starts watching film of B. QB, RB line up on the line split hose A. Offense vs. Scout Team our opponent and each back runs each running play a. Receiver coach sets secondary each 4:00 = Specialist and offense go out, we have two times. QBs snap to each play

42 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association b. Offensive line coach sets defensive players We obviously adjust the time segments front seven and places the ball on proper c. Players must be taught to drink every during the season depending on what hash/yard line chance they get between plays, or drills kind of things need more work, but we c. Offensive coordinator follows script 2. Use a timer try to keep the actual practice time under i. Back up QB signals in plays a. Get an automatic clock, if possible 90 minutes. ii. 20 minutes, 40 plays b. Use a manager with an air horn Our players love it. B. Defense vs. Scout Team c. When horn goes off, everyone must Our coaches love it. a. Younger coach is scout team QB move We get more plays run. b. Plays are run from cards 3. Coaches must coach on the run, We condition while playing the game. c. Defensive line sometimes stays on can’t stop the tempo, especially the head We hydrate better than we did before. line scrimmage so LBs and DBs can see coach We watch more film (best teacher backfield action (20 minutes) a. Use a pre-practice meeting to go there is) C. Both groups are filmed over stuff We stay fresh (mentally and 5:30 = Film of that day’s practice – 30 b. Talk during film session at end of physically) minutes practice Good luck and I hope you can use A. Offense/Defense in separate rooms, c. Can’t fix it on the field, must be done some of these ideas -kimnelson@edina. if possible in film meeting, can’t run it “one more k12.mn.us We have used less time than the time” old format, we actually start full speed 4. Script Everything physically practicing at 4:15 and end at a. Each coach and managers has a 5:30. One hour and fifteen minutes of copy repetition has really helped our execution b. Coaches can take turns scripting a improve. More players are involved and session each day learning. We have run approximately 140 5. Set up field before players arrive offensive plays in one practice, if all goes a. Train your managers well. We are still trying to improve our Keys to efficiency: practice schedule every year, but I think 1. No water breaks we are getting a lot more done than ever a. Water must be portable before. Our players get accustomed to b. Managers must move around the fast pace and we actually get in shape practice at all times, pushing water on by practicing faster. Coach’s Rates at the Double Tree $79.00 a night on Thursdays, Fridays, & Sundays $109.00 a night on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays OUBLE REE HOTELSD • SUITES • RESORTST • CLUBS Double Tree Hotel • Minneapolis Park Place 1500 Park Place Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55416 952-542-8600 www.DoubletreeMinneapolis.com

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 43 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Waconia’s Two Platoon System and Short Yardage Offense Pat Foley, Head Football Coach, Waconia High School After graduating from Bemidji State in 1974, my varsity head coaching career began in Grand Meadow, MN, in 1977. I continued head coaching duties at Archbishop Brady high school in 1984 and St. Bernard’s in 1985- 87. I have spent the last twenty years at Waconia where we have had conference championship in 1992 and 2006, and section championships in 1992 and 2007. Both 1992 and 2007 teams advanced to the semifinals, where they were beat by eventual state champions Detroit Lakes and Totino Grace, respectively. My article will have two major areas. First, I will discuss our ideas as to why we choose to platoon on offense and defense. Secondly, I will discuss how we have implemented our short yardage plays into our offense.

Five years ago we decided to go two one way. We have won games trailing in the ball control and short yardage type platoon football. We had twenty one the fourth quarter and also maintained offense. seniors returning to our program and we close leads because we have more energy. 3. Rest our defense. By staying on the field felt that most of them were good enough to 7. More success for your junior varsity. for a longer period of time and converting start on one side or the other. We had seen They are practicing against varsity starters first downs will rest the defense. Glencoe-Sibler Lake have great success on both offense and defense and they will 4. Helps in bad weather and poor field with platoon football, so we decided to improve as the year goes on. conditions. We were able to win a few give it a shot. In the previous five years, 8. Gives you more depth. If a player gets games this year, where the field was in we had won fifteen games and missed injured, you only lose him on offense or terrible shape, and we were able to run the the playoffs the last three years. Since we defense, not both. ball in our Power I set. started to platoon, we have won thirty five 9. Varsity will improve as the season 5. Utilize our personnel. We would bring games, with a conference and sectional goes on. You should be playing your best at in an extra tight end(defensive end) and championship and have won nineteen playoff time because of your improvement fullback(middle linebacker) and take out games over the last two years. through the year, with all of the extra our slot and split end. Reasons to Platoon repetitions you are getting. 6. Become more physical. There wre 1. Use more players. Twenty-two starters The second area I want to discuss is using game where we would start out slow and will get more players involved and your our short yardage, or goal line, offense as a not block very will in our double slot set, so parents will be pleased. part of our basic package. Over the years we would go to the Power I set and have 2. You can concentrate on coaching one we have been and I-slot, or Double Slot success running ball. side of the ball. Better preparation time on team. When we are inside the ten yard line, 7. More balanced run and pass. We had weekends and during the week. we will usually go to a Power I set with two the best statistics for our quarterback: 3. Utilizes practice time better, offense, tight ends. This year we had great success touchdowns, completions, and defense, and special teams. It doubles your using our Power I package in all situations. interceptions we have ever had and also repetitions in practice. We only had one linemen over 200 pounds, our running back gained over 1,500 yards. 4. Improves special teams. More time to but we did have a 6’3”, 215 pound back that 8. Use the clock. We were able to run the practice and you can use your offense and gained over 1,500 yards. ball successfully in the fourth quarter of defensive starters on special teams because Reasons for short yardage plays in your many games this year because of the faith they have time to rest. basic package we had in our short yardage offense. 5. Improves overall numbers. More 1. Difficult to defend. Teams would have In summary, I would like to thank the players starting means more kids want to to change personnel when we went to Minnesota Football Coaches Association play because they have an opportunity to short yardage. Example; extra defensive for the opportunity to write this article. start. lineman or linebacker. Coaching is an honorable profession. Many 6. Wear down your opponents in the 2. Change the tempo of the game. We of my closest friends are guys that I have second half. Our players are fresher in the are seeing more and more spread offenses coached with or against. second half because they are only going and we can slow the game down with

44 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Why The I Dick Weinberger Head Coach DeLaSalle High School Experience: 27 years 6 years College 21 years High School (13 years as head coach) Married 25 years 2 sons, ages 22 and 21

I have been very fortunate to have played and worked for some great coaches. John Gagliardi at St. John’s, Dave Nigon at Totino-Grace, George Thole at Stillwater, Mark Porter at Woodbury, Ed Meierkort and Todd Strop at UW Stout. Each has had an influence on me from an organizational, philosophical and psychological approach to the game. When it comes to offense it goes back to the early 80’s at Woodbury High School where I was introduced to the I formation and the sprint draw package Dick Weinberger by Mark Porter. One of my proudest moments came this fall in a state playoff game at Head Coach DeLaSalle High School Park. With Mark on the sidelines, we used the same base offense that I learned from

Mark to defeat a very tough Rochester We were not Lourdes team. very good at Reasons for use of the “I” formation running Power 1. A 2 back power running game and we were not 2. A split flow finesse trapping game as consistent on 3. Great play action passing off the 2 Toss as I would back flow like. Rather than 4. A built in 7 man protection give up on a 5. A Qb friendly system play because we 6. A constant draw threat could not devote 7. Fits personnel found at all schools enough time to I have used this offense at both the the techniques Pull and Trap 5A and 3A levels. At both Tartan and I chose to keep the plays but DeLaSalle we have statistically been at or On the PULL AND TRAP the key is teach only one base pull technique. near the top of the metro in both yards getting inside position on the trap man. We now use the glide step on all of our gained and points scored. I often refer to (head in the hole) The foot work will be pulls. this as a counter punching offense. If we a glide, open, open. You will take your GLIDE CROSS OVER STEPS go against a read type defense we will far foot and cross it behind the near I was first introduced to this technique run a lot of Iso, power, toss and 5 step. foot with the toe pointed forward. Your 15 years ago by Gordy Shaw. I have used An attack type team will see a lot of trap, second step will be with the near foot, this foot work for our tackles on Counter. draw and play action. stepping, opening your hips with your In the I offense, the lineman with the best One of the biggest challenges of toe pointing parallel to the LOS. Your feet are at guard. I did not think I could coaching at a smaller school is time. Due third step will have you working down get my less gifted tackles to effectively to the smaller numbers and 2 way players the LOS with inside out position on the pull. Gordy and the glide cross over our offensive practice time is cut in half. trap man. made a believer out of me. So this year Therefore I am always looking for ways On the MAN PULL the key is keeping I decided to teach only these steps on all to simplify or duplicate teaching time. I your eyes on your man. The foot work of our traps including the inside trap by made one change last year that really will be glide, 45, crossover at 45. You will the guard. made a difference. take your far foot and cross it behind the

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 45 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” near foot with the toe pointed forward. Your second step will be with the near foot, stepping, opening your hips with your toe pointing 45 to the LOS. Your third step will cross over and be pointing 45 to the LOS. This will keep your shoulders 45 to the LOS with your eyes on your man. ADVANTAGES 1. Gets the body moving 2. Gets them off the LOS 3. Head and shoulders turn naturally 4. Increased vision Man Pull

DISADVANTAGES - NONE (T’s), Counter (G&T’s), Power (G’s) and Toss (G’s) all at the same I expected to give up a little on our inside trapping game but time. 5 plays, 2 positions, 1 technique = high reps = success. we did not. We can now practice Inside Trap (G’s), Tackle Insert

FS FS

C C C C W M SS W M S SS S R T N T R T N T

FB Trap Power

FS FS

C C C C W M SS W M S SS S R T N T R T N T

Toss Tackle Insert

46 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Blitz Control from the Shotgun by Howie Kangas There are a couple of handfuls of dominant programs in the State of Minnesota. These programs feed themselves and have no reason to change course. Then there is the rest of us that are doing whatever we can to be competitive For this reason My focus is blitz control from the shotgun. This is a little misleading because it is more of a blitz deterrent than total Base look, the shotgun blitz control. I will cite a number of examples of blitz deterrents but first I will write of our overall offensive philosophy.O ur thoughts are that we go into the season with a lot of tools. As coaches we have FS all been sold on the K.I.S.S. principle. We do not buy it anymore. If we keep things simple we become simple to defend. The tools we have in the tool box may not always work but we have them in C C the playbook to give ourselves a chance and give us hope against B B B teams that have superior personnel. SS Our base look is the shotgun. We have two wide receivers, two E T T E slotbacks, a running back directly behind the QB and lineman in a two point stance. The first deterrent is the spread itself. When the offense spreads the defense has to walk with them and cover the whole field. When the defense blitzes the run and misses the play has a good chance 2nd tactic - the sprintout at being a touchdown. The second tatic we use is to sprintout. Sprintout from the shotgun is much easier and more effective than being underneath S S S the center. The QB is able to threaten the perimeter more quickly. S C C C C This puts the Linebackers in a situation where if they blitz there is B B little room for error on their part. Our offensiveL ine is going to base E T N T E E T B N B T E block the front and at the same time know they have a Gap run through responsibility to the inside. In this example we are sprinting to the short side of the field. Our wide receiver has a choice route depending on what the corner Straight up does. The slot helps secure the tackle and then releases to the flat. Dive Key The fullback blocks the edge and the QB has a pass/run option. If Pitch Key the blitzer comes up A or B Gap and doesn’t get through clean it is a Third tool we use is the Quick Pass Game sprintout big play possibility for the offense. The third tool we use is the Quick Pass Game (3 step if your under the center). Basically this involves either max protection or a S S hot receiver. Either way the QB needs to get rid of the ball on time. The fourth thing is combining the power plays with Quick C C Screens. For example if we have QB ISO called and the Defense has B B us out numbered in the box or is threatening to blitz the play we will B E N T B have it packaged with a quick screen of some sort. The fifth thing we think is in our favor is our base run game, the triple option. We understand that we may not be as good at running the option as those teams that have their QB underneath the center. However, the concept is still the same. The inside veer Fourth - Combining power plays Quick Screens gives us a chance to block the linebackers whether they blitz or play it straight up. The last thing we do with the spread is run a few formations with a lot of motions. With a lot of motions it allows to run the same plays with a different look. B B In conclusion, we are not a dominant program. Our philosophy is to adjust to the ability and talents of our current players. If we do that we have a chance to score some points and hopefully we will “MAX” Protection 7 man Hot Receiver 6 man Protection win some games. The shotgun gives us a chance to do that. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. [email protected]. Third tool - the Quick Pass Game mn.us

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 47 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Coaching in the 21st Century: Flexible but Firm Todd Oye - Luverne High School Southwest Conference

How would Vince Lombardi react if he stance. Obviously, high school football is was coaching a high school football team somewhat different. Fundamentals are and his players were using their cell phones very important and our staff works hard on the bus? instilling good form and technique but Before a game? After a game? They are not to the point of creating robots. Players talking to kids from the other team? must be allowed to play. Many coaches never thought they Example, we all know ball carriers would have to address issues such as these, should carry the football in their outside but with new technology brings new issues arm. Our running back coach works drill for coaches to handle. These small issues after drill to make this a habit but we still need to be handled before they become have a player that keeps the ball in his BIG issues. This is just one example of how dominant hand every time he carries the Todd Oye. Luverne High School - Southwest coaching now is so much different than it ball. When asked why he doesn’t put the Conference was 25-50 years ago. ball in the correct hand he says it feels like Trying to be a traditionalist, but yet he is going to fumble, go figure! So what reasonable can be a tight rope to walk. we have tried to do is allow him to keep a weight lifting program? NO! This used After my first two years as a head coach, the ball in his dominant hand and get to drive me nuts… Don’t they care about I realized it was important to be myself him to secure the ball high and tight and football? It makes them so much better and have rules that make sense instead of cover it with his other hand at contact. My why don’t’ they lift? It took me a couple having rules just to have rules. Rules are still first few years I would have said fine, you of years to realize the answer, (I am a slow very important and if a rule is broke, there won’t switch hands then you won’t play. learner) they are KIDS and football/sports is must be a consequence, but common We would have had our best player on the not their entire life. For some kids, football sense must be used. bench and I proved to everyone who was is the number one priority and they do Starting the season in charge. Is this type of player trying to be lift the entire off-season. We have about a Luverne runs two weeks of two-a-day insubordinate? No. That is why I refer to the dozen kids that fit into this category and we practices. We condition in the morning and Randall McDaniel rule. Could Randall have have a good time in the weight room. But lift weights in the evening. We no longer had a better stance? Of course, but he still we need more than twelve kids to make a run conditioning drills after two-a-days. had a Hall of Fame career doing it his own team so we do not “shove” the weight room The team is expected to play hard with way. down their throats. intensity during our two-hour practices, Offseason training Be yourself and then we are done. My first few years, Each school has it’s own unique If you have spent the time to read this we ran conditioning for most of the season situations. But, one thing most coaches short article I hope you are thinking about and we weren’t that good of a football team. would agree on is that being physically your football program. Whether or not you We lost a lot of games in the 4th quarter so active out of season is important for the are the head coach, an assistant, or just a I assumed our extra conditioning was not growth of an athlete. Along with being fan, reflect on what you are doing. There the answer. The answer to winning more active, many coaches feel it is important really is no ONE-WAY of coaching that is games is very simple. You have to have to weight train. So how do we get kids to better than another. Make decisions based better players than the other team! We feel lift in the off-season? The first thing our on what you feel is the right thing to do. our players are much more effective after football staff realized is there are other Don’t base your decisions on what other a good two hour practice, when they have sports in our school that benefit from coaches have done. practiced hard. Those two hours of practice athletes lifting weights and we have those Back to the cell phone issue, my first need to be filled with quality football, coaches supervise the weight room as well. two years as a head football coach, our and that is the responsibility of everyone, Instead of expecting kids to lift the entire team was not allowed to have cell phones especially the coaches and the leaders of off-season, our coaching staff encourages on road trips. I learned my lesson about your team. players to complete at least one of our being flexible. We now allow our players Football fundamentals weight lifting programs between football to have their phones on road trips but the As a lifetime Minnesota Vikings fan, I seasons. These programs vary in duration phones are turned off when we arrive at have always loved Randall McDaniel. But of time, but we typically run a 6 to 10-week the game site. Once the game is over and how was he able to do anything with that program. We open the weight room three the players have left the locker rooms, the stance? In my opinion, he was the best times a week, before and after school. Three phones come out and they are texting as NFL lineman of his era and his coach was sport athletes lift in the morning and/or in fast as their fingers can move. That way I smart enough to let him use that awkward the summer. Do all of our players complete can find out the scores of other games too!

48 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Criteria for Earning a Varsity Letter Dennis Kalpin, Head Coach, Alexandria Cardinals

Coach Kalpin coached high school football for 47 years, The head coach has many items to take care of from retiring after the 2007 season. He was an assistant coach for administrative to organizational to on the field coaching. 18 seasons and a head coach for 29, giving him a total of 459 Suggestions that would save some time and also ease a games coached. He was a head coach at Belgrade, Fargo potential friction issue between a coach and a player and Oak Grove and Alexandria. He accumulated an overall head his parents would be most welcome. Sometimes the issue coaching record of 167-115-2. of how a player earns a varsity football letter is a point of concern. That is the basis of this article.

any years ago, I came across an article in Alexandria cardinal football criterea for earning a football coaching a varsity letter - 24 Points needed to earn a magazine how a coach in a smallM town in North Dakota determined varsity letter how to determine letter winners at the varsity level for his high school. I have 1. 1 Point for each half of varsity game every day your equipment is late). used the basis of that article, fitting it participation into our system and our community, for 12. 1-3 Points for seniors only, who the criteria in awarding varsity letters 2. 2 Points for satisfactory attendance finish the season in god standing and during my career as the head coach at in our out-of season strength progrom make daily contributions in practice. Alexandria. during the school year This is detemined by the coaches. The job of a head coach involves 3. 2 Points for satsifactory attendance 13. 1 Point for all players on the game many issues that are not directly related to what happens on the field. Needles in our summer strength program roster for a section championship to say, some are very important to 4. 1 Point for participating in each game. players and their parents. One of those additional school sport at jefferson. 14. 1 Point for all players on the game questions used to be “how come another (Previous year at high school level) roster for a state tournament game. player got a letter and my son did not?” (Maximum of one point) In years past the sole determining factor 5. 1 Point for participating in our was, how many quarters of varsity games acceleration program 15. 1 Point for working as a volunteer did the player get in? The requirement 6. 2 Points for participating satifactorily at a football project such as: used was that during the season you had in our football fundraiser. Saturday youth football(1 pt) to play in one-fourth of the total quarters to earn a letter. This involved a great 7. 2 Points for scoring 50 points or The local punt, pass, and kick deal of time after each game to record more on our fitness testing. contest(1 pt) and file for a player. Of course, there 8. 2 Points for no late of unexcused The cardinal fever promotion (1 are always those players who start, play practices. 4 Points for perfect pt) every game and don’t need any type of attendance recording to determine if they are going The summer cardinal football to earn a letter. However, no matter what 9. 2 Points for no team rule violations specialist camps (1pt) system is used, there will always be a few and no reports from the office or Ymca youth flag football (1 pt) questionable players to consider to there teachers. (No deficiencies in the must be some recording of facts for those classroom). players on the “bubble”, usually tailend juniors and a handful of sophomores. 10. 1 Point for a 2.5 Gpa or 2 points for To handle these, I have the individual making the first quarter honor roll. player take the criteria sheet home and 11. 1 Point for returning all equipment fill it out to the best of his ability. I do the within one week after the last game. same, and with a conference between (1 Point deducted from your total for the two of us, we come to a consensus if Continued on page 49

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 49 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” Team Building Through Huts to Homes Roger Lipelt

Three years ago after a coaching allow the character of our young men school students and held a food drive to career of 32 years that included stops to emerge. We found it in our Huts to stock food shelves at Interfaith Outreach as a head coach at West Concord(now Homes Project, which allowed us as a in Wayzata. Triton), Worthington, and Wayzata, I team to build a home for a needy family The results were amazing! First of was comfortably retired. When I got the in Lima, Peru. David Stavros, who was a all, I found our faculty gained a new call asking if I might be interested in former Wayzata coach and now serves appreciation for our football program. starting a football program at Providence as a missionary in Peru, coordinates this Faculty members came forward with Academy. I found that I had some fuel left program. The task was to raise $10,000, suggestions and help. Our administration in my tank. I don’t know if you are familiar did everything that it could to support with Providence Academy, but I had us. School parents who did not even driven by it and one look at the facility is have young men participating in football enough to interest anyone. It is the most cam forward with help. The local media beautiful school that I have ever seen. I (newspaper and television) picked up on was interested to see if the inside was what we were doing and in a time when as nice as it appeared from the outside. the only news about athletics seems to I found that it was even better and the be bad news; they featured our team leaders were even nicer than the facility. and our efforts to reach out to others. Located just a mile down the road And finally, our young men responded from Wayzata, my home for 21 years, in a very positive way. It bonded our was this private, Catholic school. It young men with a positive purpose. I had no players, no equipment, and no will never forget one of our captains at field. If the lack of a challenge were a the homecoming pep fest stating to the problem for an old coach this would student body how proud he was that the solve it. Talk about team building! This team was making a difference. was the ultimate. What we did possess What I think we are accomplishing was an administration that had a defined is the establishing of a base on which mission and wanted excellence in all we will build our team. It starts with a things. They asked what I always thought philosophy that the Providence Academy football does best—produce fine young Football Lions are a class operation that is men. We have all heard the quote, “does unique. We will make a difference for our not produce character; it reveals it”. The school and community and take pride question facing our staff, which included which would be used to build an entire in being the best that we can be in all Ken Zwach, Jim Lewis, and Keith Schafer home, which would include running things. Young men want to be associated from our former staff as Wayzata, was how water and a bathroom for a family that with s something good and they now are to make our young men take courage was living in a dirt floor hut without more willing to work to, as a price that when facing opponents who would be running water of sanitation. they have to pay, to contribute toward stronger and more experienced in the The first thing that we did last fall was our success. game of football and keep their heads to show our young men videotape that Any coaches who would like to join held high and show Lion Pride. introduced the family to them. We told us can contact me. I would like to spread In our first season, we played a junior them that what they were about to do this idea throughout the state. Can varsity schedule, which allowed us some would stay in their hearts for the rest of you imagine the national attention if success but in year two we started a varsity their lives. They would make a difference Minnesota football teams cooperated in schedule in the Gopher conference and to someone else in need and they would a project like this? played three teams which were ranked to it together. Not only would we be Contact me at: in the top ten in the state. We learned giving a home to someone but also a Roger Lipelt the agony of defeat. As we entered last local builder using local labor that would 740 Quantico Lane fall our schedule was even tougher and help furnish jobs to unemployed workers Plymouth, MN 55477 some of our athletes had decided that would build the home. Throughout Phone: 763-473-5549 football was too difficult for them to the fall, we had several work projects. Email: [email protected] make the sacrifice it would take to reach We did odd jobs for our school parents, excellence. We wanted something that sol concessions and spirit wear, held would bring out team together and a special football clinic for our lower

50 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association The Minnesota Vikings “On the Field and in the Community – Your Special Team”

The Minnesota Vikings are more than maintained a commitment to youth and a football team. The coaches, players and families by distributing funds toward staff are your neighbors. Their wives or youth development, family services and husbands may be your co-workers. Their education support – a total of nearly $8 children attend school with your children. million given back to the community. The Vikings are part of the community. Under the direction of Zygi and Mark Many schools, hospital charities and civic Wilf, the Vikings have also grown their groups have been impacted by player commitment to youth football. Recently, involvement, staff participation and Vikings Rookie of the Year running back family volunteerism. Adrian Peterson visited the Brainerd area The Vikings organization is your to honor Brainerd High School Football neighbor, too, as corporate citizen Coach Ron Stolski and promote the NFL activity involved in policy and service Play 60 fitness campaign, while Jared Vikings Executive Director of Community to Minnesota. The Vikings community Allen spoke to the Moorhead Spud Youth Relations/Youth Football Brad Madson relations department and Vikings Football camp in Moorhead. Additionally, congratulates Glencoe-Silver Lake Head Children’s Fund handle a broad range of in establishing the Vikings Youth Football Football Coach Dave Dose on being requests including player appearances, in- Advisory Board, the Vikings have kind donations, partnering with non-profit enhanced their presence and support of selected as the 2007 Minnesota Vikings groups on fundraisers, the production of the growth of football throughout the High School Football Coach of the Year. public service announcements and team entire state. Glencoe-Silver Lake is currently the back- philanthropy. Since its inception in 1978, to-back state champion in Class AAA, with the VCF has donat sed more than $4.5 a combined 17-1 record over the past two million to the University of Minnesota seasons under Coach Dose. Department of Pediatrics. The VCF has

Criteria For Earning a Varsity Letter Continued from page 47 enough points were earned for a letter. More often than not, a This system has worked very will for us. Over the years in player will tell me after he has gone through the criteria sheet Alexandria, I have had little or no problems with the issue of on his own volition that he does not have enough points and players lettering. I have a handout of the lettering criteria for a conference is not necessary. As the head coach, where the every parent and player at the beginning of each season. I also “buck stops” in determing who letters, it is convenient for me mention those other things that we think are important other to take this pressure off my shoulders with this system. I do not than just playing in a game. We want each player to know where have the pressure of getting players into the game so he gets he stands on the dpeth chart and thatn each plaer is important enough quarters to get a letter. Sure, we bend over backwards in what he contribiutes to the team whether that be in practice to get kids into the game but for other more important reasons or ina game. I mention at my parents meeting in the fall, that than just to get a letter. I have been an athlete, I have been the parent of athletes, and The opportunity to get into a game, to have that game now I have been a football coach for these many years and the experience, to earn a letter is important. I also believe that most difficult role was being a parent. We realize that he is their there are other intangibles that are important to the success pride and joy and we feel it is important that we handle him the of a football program on and off the field. Things like school same way. Our goal every year is to have each player and their citizenship, academics, paying the price in the weight room, parents, have the most enjoyable season possible. We always punctuality, attendance, involvement with our community hope that each season is a “lifetime of memories” for the palyers football events and being involved in other school activities to and their parents, especially the seniors and their parents. name a few. These develop character, a work ethic, a concept to team first, and that other things are important in life other than being a football player. These are points of emphasis in earning points in our lettering criteria.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 51 AWARDS MINNESOTA STATE FOOTBALL COACHES 2007 coach of the year Jeff Ferguson began his coaching career at Blaine high school in 1978, before moving on to St. Agnes for two seasons and then returning to Blaine, where he remained until 1995. He then became the defensive coordinator at Totino Grace , working with Hall of Fame coach Dave Nigon. He became the head football coach at Totino Grace in 2002 and has had an enormously successful career there as Totino Grace has won state championships in 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. His head coaching record is currently 71-8. He has been been married to his wife Barb for 23 years and they have four children; Jenna, 21, Kelli, 20, Mike, 18, and Katelyn, 15.

MINNESOTA STATE FOOTBALL COACHES 2007 Assistant Coach Of The Year LeRoy Erickson has been an integral part of the success of Buffalo high school football for many years. His loyalty, dedication and experience has been helping to mold young players for the Buffalo program and he has been very active in other school and community programs.

Many worthy assistants were considered for this prestigious award from the long list of Butch Nash award winners from previous seasons. Erickson was selected based on his contributions to Buffalo football and to high school football in Minnesota.

52 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association MINNESOTA STATE FOOTBALL COACHES previous State coach of the year Football Hall of Fame Annual Banquet

1965 1979 1993 Bill Severin Ron Raveling Rick Manke Grand Meadow, Region I Columbia Heights, Class AA Detroit Lakes, Class A 1966 1980 1994 Stav Canakes Les E. Drechsel DeWayne Johnson Edina, Region V Crookston, Class A Anoka, AA 1967 1981 1995 Tom Mahoney Gary Roebuck Ken Jacobson Fairmont, Region II Holdingford, Class B Chatfield, Class C 1968 1982 1996 Jerry Sullivan George Thole Clark Bergloff Minneapolis Roosevelt, Region V Stillwater, Class AA Mora, Class A 1969 1983 1997 Art Haas Ron Scott Bob “Bubba” Sullivan Austin, Region I Coon Rapids, Class AA Northfield, Class 4A 1970 1984 1998 Gary Gustafson Grady Rostberg Keith Bergstedt North St. Paul, Region IV Hutchinson, Class Cromwell, 9 Man 1971 1985 1999 George Larson Norm Johnson Lyle Anderson Cambridge, Region IV Minneapolis Roosevelt, Class AA Cook County, 1A 1972 1986 2000 George Wemeier George Larson Mike Grant Minneapolis Washburn, Region V Cambridge, Class A Eden Prairie, 5A 1973 1987 2001 Dick Lawrence Dave Brokke Flint Motschenbacher Eveleth, Region VII Granite Falls, Class B Detroit Lakes, 4A 1974 1988 2002 John Drews Gerhard Meidt Mike Mahlen Rochester John Marshall, Region I Minneota, Class C Verndale, 9 Man 1975 1989 2003 Bob Swanson Jim Mader Dave Dose Mountain Iron, Region VII Albany, Class A Glencoe-Silver Lake. 3A 1976 1990 2004 Lyle Eidsness Ken Baumann Dave Nelson St. Peter, Region II Mahnomen, Class C Minnetonka, 5A 1977 1991 2005 Paul Benson Neal Hofland Mark Kroulik Granite Falls, Region III Chokio-Alberta, 9 Man Stephen-Argyle, 9M 1978 1992 2006 Jim Simser Larry Thompson Jim Reinhardt New Richland-Hartland, Region I Lakeville, Class AA Rushford-Peterson, 1A

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 53 AWARDS 2008 HALL OF FAME InducteeS Football Hall of Fame Annual Banquet Del Elston - Harmony

Del Elston graduated from Brookings High School in Brookings South Dakota in 1958. While at Brookings he earned three letters in football and was all-state. He also earned three letters in both track and basketball. After graduation he went to South Dakota State University and received a degree in biology in 1964. He also did post graduate work at Winona State and University of Minnesota at Rochester. Del’s first job was at Tintah High School in Tintah, Minnesota in 1964. He then went to Big Stone, South Dakota, from 1965-1967. In 1967, Del went to Lyle High School in Lyle, Minnesota. In 1970, Del arrived at Harmony Area schools, where he taught for 26 years. In 1993, Harmony consolidated and became Fillmore Central High School. He was also the head basketball coach for 22 seasons. Throughout his career he was 311-176 at all schools. Del was the head football coach for Harmony from 1970-1992. As the Harmony head coach, Del led his teams to six state tournament appearances. He was a runner-up in 1979, 1980, 1983, 1989, 1990, and a 1984 Class C Champion. He was a section runner up six times as Fillmore Central High School. Del’s career record is 187-139 with four conference championships with the six section titles and the state title. Del has received numerous awards: he is a four-time conference coach of the year, the District I coach of the year, a three time Section 1 coach of the year, and Class C Coach of the Year. In 1997 he coached on the Outstate All-Star Team and is a life member of MSHSCA. He was named the Sportsman of the Year in 1985 by the Winona Daily News. Del’s pastimes include fishing, golfing, travel and reading. He has traveled to Europe, Hawaii, and throughout the rest of the continental United States. He is married to Veda and has three children: Amy, 37, Dory, 33, and Beau, 29. Del sums up his career as a teacher Del Elston and his wife Veda. and coach like this, “As a high school teacher-coach the ultimate experience was seeing young people do things right, do their best and treat other people the way they like to be treated.”

Mario Lucia - Big Fork / Grand Rapids Mario Lucia graduated from Hibbing High School in Hibbing Minnesota in 1946, the son of immigrant parents. He later went to Eveleth Junior College where he played football and basketball. After completing work there in 1951, he went to Hamline University and played football for one season. He graduated from Hamline in 1953 with a BS in Education, Social Studies, and Physical Education. Mario then started working for the Big Fork/Grand Rapids school district. He taught for 37 years at Big Fork High School and Grand Rapids High School. Mario was the head football coach for twenty years with both Big Fork and then Grand Rapids. While at Big Fork, from 1953-1966, Mario compiled a 73-25-4 record in thirteen seasons. He also won eight conference championships. While at Grand Rapids, his record was 40-22-1, with one conference championship. His career record is 113-47-5. During his twenty year career, Mario had seven undefeated seasons, nine conference championships, and four straight undefeated seasons, with a 34 game win streak during the 1957-1960 seasons. This was all at a time when there weren’t any state playoffs. Mario was the first winner of the Hamline Alumni Coach of the Year in 1976. Mario is married to Harriet and has two sons: Mick, 52, and Don, 49. Mario travels to Arizona every winter and enjoys it very much. Mario Lucia and his wfie Harriet

54 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Jim Sims - University of Minnesota – Crookston Jim Sims is a graduate of Mahnomen High School in Mahnomen, Minnesota. He graduated in 1959 after earning a total of 12 letters in four different sports. After graduation he went to Moorhead State University and lettered twice in football. He graduated from Moorhead in 1963 with a BS in Physical Education. He later received his master’s degree from Moorhead, in 1966. Jim’s first job in 1963 was at Eagle Bend High School in Eagle Bend, Minnesota where he was a PE instructor and head football and head track coach. He then went to Moorhead State and was a graduate assistant for a year. In 1966, he went to Thief River Falls where he was a PE instructor and coached football and track. As the head football coach he won 59 games and five conference titles in ten years. In 1976, he went to the University of Minnesota at Crookston. He was an instructor in the PE department and was head football coach for 19 years. He amassed a career record of 93-66-1 while winning three conference titles. In 1995 he became the Activities Director at Thief River Falls until he retired in 2006. Some highlights of Jim’s career are: his 1971 undefeated Thief River Falls team, the 1982 Crookston team in the Midwest Bowl, his 1996 induction into Thief River Falls “Prowler” Hall of Fame, a 2002 induction into the University of Minnesota- Crookston Hall of Fame, and his 2005-06 school year as AD during Thief River Falls’ most successful year of sports. He has received the MSHSCA Distinguished Service Award, a Jim Sims and his wife Sharon. Region 8 Coach of the Year in 1969, a two time Minnesota Community College Football Coach of the Year in 1978 and 1982, and was the 2005-06 Region 8AA Activities Director of the Year. Jim is extremely involved in his community; he is a member of five different community organizations. He has been the district chairman for Special Olympics as well. Jim is married to Sharon and has two children Sue, 36, and Steve, 32. Jim sums up his career like this, “For having had the opportunity to work, learn, and share with so many talented student-athletes and coaches. I’m proud to have been a part of the football coaching fraternity. This fraternity was, and still is as good as it gets!” Gary Trimble - Kimball High School Gary Trimble graduated from Walker/Hackensack High School in Walker, Minnesota in 1966. While in high school, Gary lettered 10 times: four times in baseball and three times each in football and basketball. After high school, Gary went to Bemidji State College where he earned a B.S. degree in Physical Education. Gary later went on to Augsburg and earned a health degree. While at Bemidji, Gary earned two letters in baseball before a knee injury kept him out of baseball, as well as football. After college, Gary’s first teaching and coaching job came at Fairmount, North Dakota, in 1971. He taught physical education and biology for six years. He was an assistant basketball and head track coach while at Fairmount as well as the head football coach for six seasons. After taking a struggling Fairmount program that hadn’t won a game in five seasons, he amassed a 40-16 record in his six years with one conference championship. Gary moved to Kimball in the fall of 1977. He still teaches physical education and health. He was a junior high basketball coach for 18 years and a junior high baseball coach for 15 seasons. He was the head football coach for 19 seasons from 1977-1995. When Gary became head football coach at Kimball they had won 14 games in the past 20 years. As the head coach, he took the Kimball Cubs to four state tournament appearances and three conference championships. Gary’s record at Kimball was 111-77. Gary’s overall record is 151-93. He was twice named Central Minnesota Coach of the Year, in 1983 and Gary Trimble and his wife Peggy. 1986. He is also a member of the Kimball Hall of Fame. Since retiring from football, Gary spends his time hunting and fishing. He has been a fishing guide on Leech Lake for the past 35 years. He has traveled to the Caribbean, Belize, and New Zealand. He also manages the Kimball Country Club. He has been a member of the football coaches association since 1977. Gary’s family includes his wife Peggy and three daughters, Stefinie, 31, Stacie, 27, and Shellie, 25.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 55 AWARDS

Ron Stolski - Brainerd High School In 1957, Ron Stolski graduated from Minneapolis Patrick Henry High School. At Patrick Henry, he lettered twice and was the team captain in both football and basketball and also lettered twice in baseball. He then went to Macalester College in St. Paul where he earned a degree in physical education and later his masters at St. Cloud State University. While at Macalester, he earned four letters in football during his time as the team’s quarterback while also being the team captain, MVP, and all-conference selection. After college, he spent two years teaching and coaching at Kensington, then to Slayton for a year, on to Princeton for six years, and then to Park Center for five years. He was an English teacher and head football coach. In 1975, Ron made his last stop at Brainerd High School. He was the Activities Director from 1975-1999, and was named head coach in 1975, where he still coaches today. Ron has won numerous conference and section championships and has already been inducted into five different Halls of Fame with a career record is 304-141-5. He has been a frequent presenter at local, regional, and national football conferences. He was the Minnesota AD of the Year in 1996 and the 1997 Nike AD of the Year. He is a past president of the MFCA and MN Athletics Director’s Association and is currently the Executive Director of the MFCA. The award that Ron is most proud of is the Gatorade National Power of Influence Recipient. Ron is a lifetime member and is part of the foundation of this great association. Ron is married to Sharron, and has four children: Dawn, 47, Kim, 45, Jon, 41, and Ron Stolski and his wife Sharon. Suzanne, 38, and 16 grandchildren. Other than football, Ron enjoys fishing and hunting. He has traveled around the country, primarily for football. Ron says, “I cannot remember an autumn without football. I began in the playgrounds of Minneapolis . . . and so began a journey of the most exhilarating, exciting, fulfilling and rewarding sport.”

56 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Previously Inducted Hall Of Fame Members Sponsored by the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association

1965 1973 1980 Don Fox Andy Lia Dick Jonckowski Bernie Bierman Earl Teas Bruce Bennett Jim Griffin Jerry Peterson Donovan Larson Frank Cleve Chuck Elias Neal Davis Bill Severin Bernie Cole Ralph Anderson James Gustafson Harvey Shew 1998 2006 John Conzemius Charles Kavanagh Jake Christiansen Jerry Dahlberg James Molnar Tony Thiel Frank Fredlund Ken Hill Vein Morrison Bruce Smith Norm Wagner Bob Sullivan Rich Kallok Bronko Nagurski Mary Helling Jim Wallace 1990 Roland Bromberg Jerry Wallskog Stan Skjei Ted Peterson Gary Gustafson Wes Wistrom Richard Tressel Lew Swearingen 1974 1981 Tom Mahoney Oats LeGrand Lou Barle 1999 Gordon Hinck 1966 Jerry Ekstein Irv Nerdahl Bob ONeil Bill Martin Bert Batson Kenneth “Red” Wilson Glenn Redmann Dick Rezanka 2007 Gerhard Meidt Lester S. Barnard Edor Nelson Clayton Tonnemaker Al Siegle Keith Bergstedt Grady Rostberg Red Hastings Doc Watson Dave Brokke Buz Rumrill John Gagliardi 1982 1991 Robert Hage Morgan Brandrup Mal Scanlan Lefty Ranweiler 1975 Bob Gove Dan Kostich Art Haas Wally Hitt John Davies Omer Sieben Conley “Con” Natvig 1967 Les Neil Gary Olson Earl Gramling Tom Witschen Francis “Pug” Lund Bob Collison Don Nyland Roy Hokkanan 2000 Jerry Hegna Louis Todnem Russ Helleckson Dale Scholl Ron Scott 2008 Andy McCarty Paul Giel Dick Mahar Bob Youso Don Elston Elmer Menage Cliff Morlan Bernie Lusk 1983 Mario Lucia Ed Mettner Joe Markley Stan Nelson 1992 Jim Sims 1976 Joe Mrkonich Stay Canakes Jim Simser Ron Stolski 1968 Kermit Anderson Jim Gotta Dan Devine George Thole Gary Trimble Lee Brockmeyer Will Gullickson John Hansen Sid Hartman Dwaine Hoberg 1984 Joe Mayer 2001 Ken Belanger Charles “Bud” Jack Malevich Dick Lawrence Warren Olson John Gross Wilkinson Jim Pederson Tom Briere George Wemeier Don Bertek Elmer Wigen George Roscoe Jim Henkes Roger Lipelt Murray Warmath 1993 1969 1985 Les Dreschel Keith Swanson C.P. Blakeslee 1977 Don Swanson Ken Mauer Stuart Nordquist Dick Bradley Frank “Butch” Larson Bob Roy Tom Porter Ray Christenson Herschel H. Lysaker Bruce Frank Dana Powers 2002 Pepper Lysaker Jim Byrne Art Avis Don Riley Dick Walker Ken Baumann Lloyd Hollingsworth Jim Carrington Giffy O’Dell Rick Manke Pete Guzy Lee Krough 1994 1986 Dick Bakke Paul Mork Jim McLaughlin Chuck Halsted George Larson Willie Rauen 1970 Leo Sebastian Ed Widseth Ralph Hagberg Jim Malosky Jim Roforth Adrian Christenson 1978 Pete Herges Andy Nelson Jake Christiansen Chuck Dixon Ike Pesonen Marsh Nelson 2003 Lyle Anderson Walter Hertz Chauncey Martin Cliff Senne George Smith Clark Bergloff Frank ORourke Ted Meinhover 1987 Jim Mader Les Knuti Roy “Chip” 1995 Terry Egerdahl Gerry Brown David Main Bud Grant Rasmussen Lauren “Huns” Hagge Bruce Frank Dave Nigon Wendell Vlasin George Reedy Donald “Bill” Norman Johnson Dick Strand Marti Rossini McMoore Bob Peterson 1971 John Vucinovich Manny Marget Jerry Sullivan Pat “Bruno” Waldner 2004 Dean Taylor Butzie Maetzold 1979 Angelo Taddie Stan Olson George “Butch” Nash Bruce Bakke 1996 1988 Jim Christopherson Gary Graham Harold M. Herman Frickey Herbert Claffy Mary Gunderson Deryl Ramey “Snooks” Sullivan Bill Hanson Mac DahI Mike Morrissey Randy Shaver LeRoy McMahon Art Fredrickson Lloyd Peterson 1972 Dick Mulkern Dick Wildung Ralph Peterson 2005 Harry Newby Ken Jacobson Jim Lee Ron Raveling 1997 Milt Osterberg Bill Beck Jerry Sonnek Jerry Krueger Cal Stoll Bob Schrank John Drews Terry McLean William F. Broekmeier Steve Silianoff 1989 Ross Fortier Neal Hofland Fred Vant Hull Lloyd Stein John Drugg

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 57 AWARDS

“HALL OF FAME” NOMINATION FORM MINNESOTA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION Contact: Scott Tschimperle: [email protected] Paul Lemke: [email protected]

DIRECTIONS: 1. Please have nominee (if possible) complete this nomination form completely. 2. Please type or print neatly. 3. Please answer questions in all categories of the nomination form that are applicable. 4. Please include a picture (black and white preferred) of the nominee to be used for press purposes. 5. Nominations must be received by Jan. 1st, 2003

NAME:______DATE: ______PRESENT ADDRESS:______(city) (state) (zip) TELEPHONE (HOME):______(WORK): ______BIRTHDATE:______MARRIED: ______SINGLE: ______SPOUSES NAME:______CHILDREN AND AGES: ______

PRESENT EMPLOYMENT POSITION:______NOMINATED BY: ______ADDRESS OF NOMINATOR: ______(city) (state) (zip)

NOMINATOR'S TELEPHONE (HOME):______(WORK) ______Induction into the Football Coaches "Hall of Fame" is gained through one of three divisions. These divisions are: A. The high school division (Coaches) B. The college division (Coaches) C. The citation division (Writers, Announcers, Athletic Directors, Fans, etc.)

IN WHICH DIVISION IS THE INDIVIDUAL NAMED ABOVE NOMINATED?______NOMINEES HOBBIES:______NOMINEES TRAVELS: ______

EDUCATION High School: School City/State Years Degree Received

58 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association MINNESOTA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION 2007 class Coaches of the Year

Mark Kroulik - Stephen-Argyle Clair Austin - Goodhue Carl Fruechte - Caledonia 9-Man Coach of the Year Class 1A Coach of the Year Class 2A Coach of the Year

Dave Dose - Glenco-Silver Lake Class 3A Coach of the Year

Jeff Ferguson - Totino Grace Mike Grant - Eden Prairie Class 4A Coach of the Year Class 5A Coach of the Year

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 59 AWARDS MFCA - Service Award Winners

Carl Lemke ~ 35 Years Don Seipkes ~ 35 Years Larry Otterblad ~ 30 Years Dave Nelson ~ 30 Years

Kyle Inforzato ~ 30 Years Terry Karlsgodt ~ 200 Wins Don Seipkes ~ 200 Wins Dave Hylla ~ Power of Influence

Ron Stolski ~ 300 Wins Mike Mahlen ~ 300 Wins

60 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association AWARDS MFCA - Service Award Winners

Carl Lemke ~ 35 Years Don Seipkes ~ 35 Years Larry Otterblad ~ 30 Years Dave Nelson ~ 30 Years

Kyle Inforzato ~ 30 Years Terry Karlsgodt ~ 200 Wins Don Seipkes ~ 200 Wins Dave Hylla ~ Power of Influence

Ron Stolski ~ 300 Wins Mike Mahlen ~ 300 Wins

60 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Butch Nash Award

he Minnesota High School Football Coaches As- Tsociation feels that Butch Nash is the epitome of the ideal assistant coach.

Total loyalty, coaching competency, outstanding rapport with players and fellow coaches, integrity beyond reproach, and many years of dedicated service to a worthy profession are the qualities that describe Butch.

These are the qualities exemplified by the assistant coaches who have been chosen to receive this year’s Butch Nash Award. Butch Nash ~ Minnesota Gophers

Butch Nash Award Requirements • An active assistant football coach at the high school level.

• Although not strictly limited to varsity level coaches, the Executive Committee sets a requirement of being an assistant who is a “front liner” – in the limelight, under the gun, recipient of praise and/or criticism approaching the level of the head coach.

• Certainly, a few younger coaches can meet these requirements, BUT, in all candor, years of service to a program will influence the selection committee’s choices. 15 or more years in the same program is the general “rule of thumb”.

• Both the head coach and the nominee must be members of the MFCA.

• No more than one assistant from a high school program will be honored in a given year.

• The award will be limited to eight recipients in a given year.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 61 AWARDS

Butch Nash Award Recipients

David Style

Alan Amdahl Derek Parendo Delles Solie

Vaughn Glasener Mark Johnson Robert Nickleby

62 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Butch Nash Award Nomination Form

Candidates name in full First middle last

Address City/Zip Code

E-mail Home phone ( ) Work phone ( )

Birthdate College attended Year graduated

Candidate: Member MSHSCA? Yes; No. Member MFCA? Yes; No.

Head Coach: Member MSHSCA? Yes; No. Member MFCA? Yes; No.

Class: 9M; A; 2A; 3A; 4A; 5A; Conference School

School Address City/Zip Code

Current football coaching assignment

Coaching background (Previous schools, years at the school, and any other significant information).

Total number of years as an assistant coach

List other background information that would help the committee in their selection (previous championships, awards, etc.

Submitted by: Head Football Coach

Return to: Jim Dotseth, 4180 Trenton Lane No, Plymouth, MN 55441 Robert Nickleby

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 63 AWARDS 2007 MFCA Conference Coaches of the Year

CONFERENCE COACH SCHOOL CONFERENCE COACH SCHOOL

Big Nine Jeff Williams Owatonna Prairie North Jeremy Nordick United North Central Lakes Gregg Martig St. Cloud Tech Central Central MN Jamie Luther Kimball Prairie South James Cortez Kerkhoven- Murdock- Classic Lake Kim Nelson Edina Sunburg Classic Suburban Ray Betten Simley Sea Range Dave Hylla Proctor Gopher Valley 1A Chad Gimbel Blooming South Central Randy Kuechmeister Blue Earth Prairie Southern Confederacy East Jason Freed Gopher Valley 1A Chris Stanton Randolph Houston Gopher Valley 2A Dan Stork New So. Confederacy West David Krenik Cleveland Richland-H- E-G Southern Minnesota Joe Kemp Wabasso Great Northern East Jeff Gronner Cromwell Southwest Todd Oye Luverne Great Northern West Arlan Jensen Northland- Southwest Ridge Carter Ross, Leo Theisen Westbrook- Remer Walnut Grove Great Polar Blue Bill Christianson Pine City St. Louis County North Derek Bilben Little Fork-Big Falls Great Polar Red Mitch Dorr Cook County St. Louis County South Wally Kostich Mountain I Great Polar White Dave Louzek Moose Lake- ron-Buhl Willow River St. Paul City Kirby Scull St. Paul Como Heart O’Lakes Classic Darren Baartman Breckenridge Park Heart O'Lakes North Howard Kangas Perham Suburban East Mike Scanlan Cretin- Hiawatha Valley Gold Don Henderson Triton Derham Hall Hiawatha Valley Blue Mike Kesler Rochester Three Rivers North Doug Yost Dover-Eyota Lourdes Three Rivers South Shawn Kennedy Southland Lake Dave Frisell Bloomington Three Rivers South Carl Fruechte Caledonia Kennedy Top of State Mark Kroulik Stephen- Little Sioux Cory Larson & Argyle Phil Lienemann Dawson-Boyd Tri-Metro East Carl Lemke St. Croix Minneapolis City Rodney Lossow Minneapolis Lutheran Roosevelt Tri-Metro West Tim Whalen Minnehaha Minnesota River Dave Hopkins Holy Family Academy Mississippi 8 Earl Bauman St. Michael- West Central North Mike Kleinschmidt Albany Albertville West Central South Terry Karlsgodt Atwater- Missota Andy Rostberg Hutchinson Cosmos- North Country Flint Motschenbacher Detroit Lakes Grove City North Suburban Jeff Schlieff Spring Lake West Central South Dave Schimming Montevideo Park Wright County Dave Dose Glencoe- North Tri-County Dan Jorgenson Norman Silver Lake County West Northern Plains Peder Naatz Hawley Northwest Suburban Derrin Lamker Osseo Pheasant North Mike Mahlen Verndale Pheasant South Tony Thiel Wheaton

64 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association 2007 Minnesota Section Coaches of the Year

CLASS: 9 MAN – SECTION COACH CLASS: 4A – SECTION COACH 1 Jason Freed, Houston 1 Tony Buthe, New Prague 2 David Krenik, Cleveland 2 Pat Foley, Waconia 3 Tony Thiel, Wheaton 3 Peter Haugen, Minneapolis Washburn 4 Mike Mahlen, Verndale 4 Dave Muetzel, Mahtomedi 5 Bob Staska, McGregor 5 Earl Bauman, St. Michael-Albertville 6 John Clark Sr., Wauban 6 Jeff Ferguson, Totino Grace 7 Derek Bilben, Littlefork-Big Falls 7 Joe Hietala, Duluth East 8 Mark Kroulik, Stephen-Argyle 8 John Ross, Sartell-St. Stephen

CLASS: 1A – SECTION COACH CLASS: 5A – SECTION COACH 1 Clair Austin, Goodhue 1 Mike Zweber, Lakeville North 2 Dan Rotchadl, Mankato Loyola 2 Jim Galvin, Mounds View 3 Randy Strand, Adrian 3 Kelly Sherwin, Eastview 4 Joel Swenson, Royalton 4 Mike Scanlan, Cretin-Derham Hall 5 James Cortez, KMS 5 Brad Anderson, Wayzata 6 John Clark Jr., Mahnomen 6 Mike Grant, Eden Prairie 7 Mitch Dorr, Cook County 7 Rich Wilkie, Andover 8 Mark Nohner, Lake of the Woods 8 Ron Stolski, Brainerd

CLASS: 2A – SECTION COACH 1 Carl Fruechte, Caledonia 2 Don Henderson, Triton 3 Todd Oye, Luverne 4 Paul Henn, Norwood-Young America 5 Ray Tri, Eden Valley-Watkins 6 Leo Pohlkamp, Pierz 7 Dave Louzek, Moose Lake-Willow River 8 Peder Naatz, Hawley

CLASS: 3A – SECTION COACH 1 Mike Kesler, Rochester Lourdes 2 Terry Turek, LeSueur-Henderson 3 Dave Dose, Glencoe-Silver Lake 4 Dick Weinberger, DeLaSalle 5 Steve Merila, Rockford 6 Mike Kleinschmidt, Albany 7 Dave Hylla, Proctor 8 Howard Kangas, Perham

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 65 AWARDS Winningest All Time High School Coaches 200 or more wins Wins Losses ties Coach School Years 307 66 6 George Larson-r Cambridge 40 304 140 5 Ron Stolski Brainerd 46 304 94 3 Mike Mahlen Verndale 39 287 65 2 Ken Baumann-r Mahnomen 32 285 69 2 George Thole-r Stillwater 31 277 89 2 Grady Rostberg-r Hutchinson 34 272 126 3 Dwight Lundeen Becker 37 272 126 2 Stuart Nordquist International Falls 40 267 111 3 Jim Roforth-r Osakis 41 265 122 11 George Smith-r Mahtomedi 43 264 80 2 Neal Hofland-r Chokio-Alberta 35 259 102 9 Les Dreschel-r Red Lake Falls/Crookston 40 259 105 13 John Hansen-r Osseo 40 256 94 8 Tom Mahoney-r Fairmont 38 247 119 3 Buz Rumrill-r Glencoe/Silver Lake 33 241 91 0 Dave Nigon-r Totino Grace 31 236 79 0 Gerhard Meidt-r Rothsay/Minneota/Big Lake 32 230 106 0 Merrill Pavlovich Delano 32 230 65 0 Jim Mader-r Albany 26 223 91 1 Jim Simser-r Fairmont/New Richland-H 31 222 91 0 Stan Olson-r LeRoy-Ostrander 30 221 111 0 Carl Lemke St. Croix Lutheran 35 221 113 1 Jerry Wallskog-r LeCenter/BDRSH/Monty 35 221 98 0 Dave Brokke-r Granite Falls/YME 29 220 74 0 Clark Bergloff-r Mora 29 219 59 0 Mike Grant Eden Prairie 29 217 121 1 Don Stueve-r Fergus Falls 37 216 130 6 Billy Beck-r Lac Qui Parle Valley 39 214 127 1 Roger Lipelt Wayzata(Providence) 37 212 64 0 Gary Graham-r Browerville 25 212 83 8 Kenneth “Red” Wilson-r Bemidji 34 212 121 2 DeWayne Johnson-r Anoka 33 210 101 1 Larry Thompson Lakeville 27 207 109 2 Andy Nelson-r Lake Benton/Verdi 34 206 89 0 Ron Johnson-r Clearbrook/Gonvick Tr. 31 203 66 1 Stav Canakes-r Edina 27 202 113 0 Terry Karlsgodt Atwater-Grove City- Cosmos 31 202 106 13 Bruce Frank-r Le Sueur 37 200 141 0 Don Seipkes Henning/Ottertail Central 35 200 77 3 Bob Youso-r Moose Lake/Willow River 30 200 120 2 Con Natvig-r Swanville 33 200 89 0 Ken Mauer-r St. Paul Harding 32 200 65 0 Rich Kallok-r Cretin-DH 22

66 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Active High School Coaches with 100 wins or more

Wins Losses ties Coach School Years 304 140 5 Ron Stolski Brainerd 46 304 94 3 Mike Mahlen Verndale 39 272 126 3 Dwight Lundeen Becker 37 272 126 2 Stuart Nordquist International Falls 40 230 106 0 Merrill Pavlovich Delano 32 221 111 0 Carl Lemke St. Croix Lutheran 35 219 59 0 Mike Grant Eden Prairie 29 214 127 1 Roger Lipelt Wayzata/Providence Acad. 37 210 101 1 Larry Thompson Lakeville 27 202 113 0 Terry Karlsgodt Atwater-Grove City- Cosmos 31 200 142 0 Don Seipkes Henning/Ottertail Central 35 197 63 0 John Bakken Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 22 197 69 0 Dave Nelson Blaine/Minnetonka 24 196 81 0 Dave Hylla Proctor 27 187 89 0 Terry Ogorek Kittson Central 28 187 64 0 Jim Reinhardt Rushford-Peteson 22 187 62 0 Steve Solem BOLD 21 181 119 0 Richard Risbrudt Fergus Falls 30 177 145 0 Dennis Hale Worthington 33 174 82 0 Paul Miller-r Apple Valley/SSP/Deer River 25 173 56 0 Don Henderson Triton 20 170 116 0 Earl Bauman St. Michael-Albertville 28 166 77 0 Dave Dose-r Glencoe-Silver Lake 23 166 66 0 Leo Pohlkamp Pierz 22 166 114 2 Dennis Kalpin-r Alexandria 29 163 73 0 Randy Strand Adrian 23 155 101 0 Brad Homstad Northstar 28 154 76 0 Terry Turek Le Sueur-Henderson 23 148 55 0 Ivan Kroulik Kasson-Mantorville 19 147 10 0 Mark Kroulik Stephen-Argyle 12 147 126 0 Steve Radniecki Norman County East 27 146 162 1 Mike Watson Centennial 32 138 99 0 Ray Tri Eden Valley-Watkins 24 137 55 0 Bill Hudspith Esko 18 137 73 0 Bubba Sullivan Northfield 18 137 63 0 Dean Aurich Mayer Lutheran 20 130 141 0 John Sieling Eagle Valley 31 124 57 0 Mark Messman Holdingford 17 115 74 0 Larry Herm Foley 19 115 73 0 Dan Ellingson Hills Beaver Creek 19 114 143 0 Ken Helland LeCenter 26 102 106 0 Bryan Olson Sauk Centre 23

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Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 67 AWARDS

Coaches with the Most State Championships While numerous coaches have coached state championship teams and several have coached teams to two state titles a select few have been able to guide their teams to three or more state championships. The coaches listed below won at least three state titles at one or more schools. If any coaches have been omitted, reader should contact the Secretary-Treasurer.

State Titles Coach School(s) Years 6 Ken Baumann Mahnomen 1980, 90, 91, 92, 93, 98 6 Mike Grant Eden Prairie 1996, 97, 2000, 02, 06, 07 6 Mark Kroulik Stephen 1992 Stephen-Argyle 2003, 04, 05, 06, 07 5 Dick Hanson Burnsville 1972, 80, 85, 89, 91 4 Dave Dose Glencoe-Silver Lake 2000, 04, 06, 07 4 Jeff Ferguson Totino Grace 2003, 04, 06’ 07 4 Rick Manke Glyndon-Felton 1985 Detroit Lakes 1992, 93, 95 4 Gerhard Meidt Rothsay 1972 Minneota 1986, 87, 88 4 George Thole Stillwater 1975, 82, 84, 95 3 Lyle Anderson Cook County 1997, 98, 99 3 Keith Bergstadt Cromwell 1995, 96, 98 3 Don Henderson Triton 1994, 2000, 06 3 Ken Jacobsen Chatfield 1994, 95, 96 3 George Larson Cambridge 1986, 87, 2000 3 Dave Main Gaylord 1973, 75, 79 3 Jim Reinhart Rushford-Peterson 2002, 04, 06 3 Grady Rostberg Hutchinson 1983, 84, 98 3 Larry Thompson Lakeville 1988, 92, 2003

68 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Conference Recaps Tigers Tame the Central Lakes Conference

St. Cloud Tech claimed the Central Lakes Conference crown with an unbeaten football season. The tigers were a perfect Conference Standings 6-0 in the conference with big win over Brainerd (14-13) in week one and statewide televised (FSN) win over Sartell (23-6) Conf. Overall in week 2. Head coach Greg Martig’s team ended the season St. Cloud Tech 6-0 9-1 at 9-1 with a loss to Brainerd (17-21) in the Section 8AAAAA Brainerd 5-1 11-2 finals. The tiger defense led the conference with least points Willmar 5-2 5-4 given up Tech was led by WR/S Colin Stinogel, C Eli Kelley and Sartell 4-3 9-4 LB’s Kevi Kleffman and Alex Coulter Alexandria 3-3 6-4 Coach Ron Stolski’s Brainerd Warriors had another Fergus Falls 3-3 3-6 exceptional season, capped off with an appearance in the Sauk Rapids 3-4 5-5 state semifinals at the Metrodome. The Warriors finished Rocori 3-4 4-6 second in the conference (5-1, 11-2) with their only loss St. Cloud Apollo 1-6 1-8 coming against conference champ St. Cloud Tech. Brainerd Little Falls 0-7 0-8 posted huge playoff wins over Alexandia (27-20), Tech(21-17), Wayzata(13-10), before falling to Cretin-Derham Hall(14-56) in the state semis. The Warriors were led by Mr. Football finalist early to Moorhead (18-27), Alexandria (20-21) and Brainerd QB Nate Schaefbauer and defensive players Laramie Lucas, (18-24) had them off to a 0-3 start. Rocori ended its season at Mike Valesano and junior Colby Ring. Detroit Lakes (20-35) in the Section Semifinal. Rocori was led by The Willmar Cardinals finished third with a 5-2 record in the seniors Cory Crosby, Zach Bork and junior RB Nick Schneider. conference and 5-4 overall. Coach Ken Heitzman’s Cardinals Bill Magnuson and the Sauk Rapids Storm finished 3-4 in featured an impressive air attack behind Mr. Football nominee the conference and 5-5 overall. The Storm had a big win over QB Mike Dunham and receivers Ryan Degree and junior Jordan Rocori (25-14) and two close wins over Apollo (13-12,14-7). Smith. Their season ended in the Section Semifinal at Sartell in a close The Sartell Sabres under the direction of Coach John Ross game (26-28). Sauk Rapids was led on the field by senior RB finished fourth in the conference (4-3) and 9-4 overall. The Tyler Spiczka, juniors LB John Gans and FB Eric Johnson. Sabres made a valiant playoff run losing to Mahtomedi in the St. Cloud Apollo under the direction of Jon Benson finished Metrodome (20-34). The sabres put up a lot of points led by QB with a 1-6 conference mark and 1-8 overall. They earned their Rob Gabrielson, RB Travis Lewellyn and junior WR Nick Rengel. victory over Rocori (13-7) and lost a close playoff game to Sauk Sartell posted big wins over Little Falls (33-7), SR (28-26), Detroit Rapids (7-14) to end their season. The Eagles were led by DE Lakes (35-8), STMA (46-37) before falling to the zephyrs. Patrick Redman and junior LB/HB Matt Spoden. Dennis Kalpin, in his last season as Head Coach of the The Little Falls Flyers finished the season winless in the Alexandria Cardinals, led his team to a fourth place tie (3-3) in conference but showed great improvement throughout the the CLC and 6-4 overall. The cardinals lost a close playoff game season. Head Coach Aaron Sinclair, and the Flyers battled (20-27) to Brainerd to end their season. The team was led by through the conference schedule with a small but determined lineman Jon Vacek, Bryant Pearson and RB Nathan Kelly. squad. Little Falls was led on the field by seniors lineman Mitch Fergus Falls also finished in a tie for fourth place with a 3-3 Zimmer and LB Zach Garrison. CLC record. Head Coach Richard Risbrudt, in his second year with the Otters, led his team to great improvement from last season. The Otters were led by junior standout lineman Josh Campion and junior RB/LB Matt Mithaugen. Fergus Fall lost to Rocori in the Section Quarterfinal (12-20). The Rocori Spartans battled the injury bug and a tough schedule all season to finished with a 3-4 conference record. Rick Theisen and the Spartans finished 4-6 overall with big wins over Sartell (39-14) and Willmar (33-31), but three tough losses

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 69 Conference Recaps Central Minnesota Conference 2007 was a big year for the Central Minnesota Conference, with three teams making the state playoffs. Pierz won the 2007 Central Minnesota Conference Section 6AA title, Eden Valley-Watkins came out on top in section 5AA, and Rockford won their first Section 5AAA title. Standings In conference play, Eden Valley-Watkins finished 7-0 for EV-W 7-0 the first time in over forty years to win the league. A large Pierz 6-1 group of seniors graduated after being a part of four section Rockford 4-3 championships. HLWW 4-3 Maple Lake 3-4 Leo Pohlkamp’s Pierz squad went 6-1 in the conference and Kimball 3-4 went on to win another section title and another trip to the BBE 1-6 Metrodome. The Pioneers will again be one of the conference Holdingford 0-7 favorites in 2008. Rockford end up 4-3 in league play and came on strong at

CMC Position Players of the Year

Award Name Year Pos. # School Defensive Lineman Emmet Lynch Sr. DT 78 HLWW Defensive Back Josh Brozek Sr. DB 18 Rockford Linebacker Riley Rice Sr. LB 2 EVW Offensive Lineman Jesse Hillyer Sr. C 71 Pierz Offensive Back Jerrod Nohner Sr. RB 21 EVW Receiver Dutsin Kramer Sr. WR 1 EVW Quarterback Kiel Tscumperlin Sr. QB 3 EVW Specialist Jake Stejskel Sr. K 78 Maple Lake

Coach of the Year Jamie Leither Kimball

the end of the season. Steve Merila’s team had several talented seniors and now has momentum for the upcoming season. George Montgomery put together another strong Howar Lake-Waverly-Winsted team. The Lakers got better each week to end 4-3. With three All-Conference players returning, HLWW will be one of the favored teams in 2008. Maple Lake’s speedy team finished 3-4 in the league. Tim Knudsen’s squad was strong on both sides of the ball and will have a lot of young talent in 2008. Kimball finished 3-4 in the conference behind new head coach Jamie Leither. A strong defense and solid running game made the Cubs competitive and they improved each week. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa went 1-6 in the league, and with several starters returning, figure to move up in the standings in 2008. Coach Mike Richards’ team is the lone class A school in the conference. Holdginford struggled with injuries and numbers and had a rare down year. Mark Messman’s Huskers look to improve in 2008 after solid seasons from the JV and freshmen teams.

70 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Classic Lake Football Season Summary

The 2007 version of the Classic Lake Conference Football Meanwhile, Wayzata handled Minneapolis North 51-0, Hopkins season was a typical well balanced, hard fought, exciting lost to a very tough Rosemount club 31-8, with Armstrong example of Minnesota football at its best. Three teams were falling to Woodbury 28-14. ranked in the top ten at one time or another and two finished Hopkins hosted Wayzata for Homecoming with the Trojans there. (Wayzata) getting their third shutout of the season, 28-0. Each team started their season with a win, with Wayzata Armstrong hung tough with talented Mounds View, but lost 37- shutting out Rochester Century 25-0, Minnetonka nipping 28, while Minnetonka headed into the toughest stretch of theirs Rochester Mayo 21-17, Armstrong over Rochester John Marshal or anyone else’s schedule when they traveled to undefeated and by a touchdown 25-18, Hopkins dominated Owatonna 35- number one ranked, Eden Prairie. ‘Tonka gave them a battle, but 14, and Edina went to Wisconsin to get by Chippewa Falls in eventually fell, 24-0. Edina handled St. Louis Park 56-0. overtime, 27-21. Minnetonka’s next opponent was Rockhurst High School out The conference season began with another clash of the of Kansas City, MO. Rockhurst is often nationally ranked and has titans with Minnetonka (defending champ) and Wayzata (one won several state titles in Missouri. A very tough battle found

School Overall Conf. Record Pts. Pts. For Against Edina (Champion) 10-1 4-0 285 133 Wayzata 10-2 3-1 300 81 Minnetonka 5-5 2-2 206 173 Hopkins 5-5 1-3 253 251 Armstrong 1-8 0-4 129 264

of this year’s favorites) meeting in the opener. Both teams were ‘Tonka on the short end only 21-13. That gave the Skippers three optimistic about their seasons and it looked to be a real slug straight losses to undefeated teams. Wayzata posted shutout fest. The fans weren’t disappointed with Wayzata squeaking by number four, when they beat Burnsville, 35-0. The Hornets of 23-21. Edina held off a hard charging Hopkins offense to win Edina celebrated Homecoming by besting Stillwater 22-7 and on the road 33-26, and Armstrong lost to a perennially tough Hopkins nipped Armstrong 21-17. Menominee, Michigan 39-7. The final week of the regular season matched undefeated Minnetonka bounced back in week three with a tough win Wayzata against undefeated Edina, at Edina in a classical “all over Hopkins, while Wayzata’s defense controlled Armstrong the marbles” game for the conference title. Section seeding 21-2. Edina played non-conference against Washburn and held was also at stake. Wayzata scored first, but Edina followed a first them off by the same score, 21-2. quarter field with a touchdown in the second period, to lead Edina hosted Armstrong in the only conference game the 10-7 at half. The second half was all defense as neither team following week and exploded for 28 points in the second could score and the Hornets held off the Trojans repeatedly to period to win 43-7. Hopkins manhandled Minneapolis Patrick win the game and their first Classic Lake title since 2002. Other Henry 56-9 and Minnetonka took out a rebuilding Hastings action saw Minnetonka nip Armstrong 15-7, while Hopkins took team 27-3. Wayzata got by the improving Apple Valley from the care of North Branch 49-14. Lake Conference 21-14. The first playoff round showed the strength of the league Week five again saw only one conference game on the with victories by Edina, 38-7 over Shakopee, Wayzata, 50-0 over schedule, that being Edina at Minnetonka for their Homecoming. Park Center, Minnetonka outscored Minneapolis Southwest 56- After scoring on the opening drive, Edina had to rely on their 44 and Hopkins handled Chaska 38-14. Armstrong ended their defense to hold off the Skippers 7-5 (in the bottom of the ninth). season at Maple Grove on the short end of a 42-22 score.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 71 Conference Recaps

Round Two saw Minnetonka traveling to Edina for a rematch, The Classic Lake has not had a defending champion for several Wayzata hosted Maple Grove and Hopkins played at Eden years, which demonstrates the balance and competitiveness in Prairie. Eden Prairie showed why they were everyone’s number the league. Look for more of the same next season!! one team by ripping the Royals 56-14. Wayzata’s Trojans won a Edina won the Conference and went undefeated. The thriller, 6-0 and Edina was able to repeat against Minnetonka in defense gave up an average of 12 points per game. Anders Lee another close one, 21-13. broke the school record for passing yards with 2049. Mike Rallis Wayzata and Edina were each playing a Section final, with broke the school touchdown record with 21. the Hornets traveling to their section nemesis Eden Prairie, and Wayzata also had an outstanding defense posting six shut Wayzata getting Champlin Park. Wayzata won their way into the outs, 151 tackles for loss, scored 9 touchdowns, gave up 9 State Playoffs 23-21, while Edina found little success against the touchdowns and allowed only 6.1 points per game. defending state champion, Eden Prairie, 38-7. Minnetonka had the toughest schedule in Minnesota with Wayzata’s Trojans lost their first round game in the state their 5 losses against teams with a combined record of, 38 – 3. playoffs to Brainerd at St. Cloud University’s field in another close defensive battle, 13-10. This was Wayzata’s third trip to the state in the last four years! The Great Polar Football Alliance Conference Cook County - Red Division Champion • Moose Lake - White Division Champion Pine City - Blue Division Champion

The 2007 season was the first year of the Great Polar Football Alliance Conference. In essence, this conference was a merger between the former Polar League Conference and the former Great River Conference. In addition, Pine City departed from the Rum River Conference and independent Crosby-Ironton found a conference home. The Great Polar Alliance also welcomed Mesabi East to the conference, which was able to field a team for the first time in years for their community. The conference consists of 22 teams that fall into one of the three divisions according to size. The Great Polar Alliance Conference had two state tournament teams this season in Class A Cook County and Class AA Moose Lake Willow-River. The Red Division Cook County returned to the top of the conference ranks for the first time since 2002. In the final game of the season, the Vikings were pitted against the Ogilvie Lions for a battle of unbeatens for the Conference Championship in the Red Division. After a tough first half of football, the Vikings broke things open in the second half behind the outstanding play of Ryan, and Brock Welch the Lions made an immediate impact in Offensive Conference MVP Tait Sande. their new football conference. Sande finished the season with a school record 2,052 yards Barnum had another successful season in 2007 with a solid rushing and 32 touchdowns while leading the Vikings to the 7-4 record. Their solid defense led the Bombers to the Section Class A state semifinals. Cook County’s lone loss came to Adrian 7A title game. A solid group of seniors, including Defensive in the Metrodome. Conference MVP Kyle Grimm, led the way for the Bombers as they only allowed 11 points per game throughout the season. Ogilvie had a very successful season with a record of seven wins and two losses. Behind the play of All-Conference selections: The Chisholm Bluestreaks were led by their four all- Jens Cornell, Jordan Mclalwain, Marshall Flettre-Wubben, Vince conference players: Trevor Simonson, Taylor Skoglund, Tony

72 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Carrillo, and Nick Casey. Chisholm finished in a tie for third place in the conference and had a 6-4 record overall. The Bluestreaks advanced to the second round of the Section 7A playoffs before losing to the Barnum Bombers. Led by a strong senior class, Ely had its first winning season in nine years, finishing the regular season with a 5-3 record and a tie for third in the conference standings. Ely also won its first playoff game in nine years with a big win over East Central in the first round. East Central had a roller-coaster type season filled with many ups and downs. Leading in many games, the young Eagles could just not find a way to hold on for some key victories. Junior running back David Baxter was a staple for the Eagles as he rushed for 1,101 yards and scored ten touchdowns. The Eagles ended the conference season with a 3-5 record, losing four games by a touchdown or less. The Raiders averaged nearly 30 points a game in their eight wins. The young Onamia Panthers football team was 2-6 in conference play and 2-7 overall. The Panthers were centered Deer River opened the 2007 campaign with a 4-0 record around senior team MVP Chris Steffenson (138 tackles) and a heading into a Parent’s night game against defending State strong young nucleus that started four freshmen. semi-finalist Moose Lake-Willow River. After a tough loss to the Rebels, Deer River finished the regular season with a 5-3 Nashwauk-Keewatin finished the season at 2-7. Despite record. The Warriors opened the play-offs at home with a 22-14 having several young players on the field the Spartans played win over Rush City. The Warriors then traveled to Moose Lake- competitive football each game behind the great play of all- Willow River in the section semi-finals. In an exciting ballgame conference players Brandon Bonderson and Peter Warmuth. the Warriors fell 42-28 to end their season with a 6-4 record. The junior-laden Carlton Bulldogs were only 2-6, but played Esko had another successful season this year with a 4-4 very competitive football. Two one point losses prevented the season record behind the strong play of Jake Olson, Alex “Dogs” from having a .500 season. Jake Rychlak’s outstanding Happanen, and Scott Lindquist. The Eskomos entered the play earned him all-conference honors. Section 7AAA playoffs for the first time and had successful For the first time in several years the Mesabi East Giants games with Aitkin and Crosby-Ironton before falling to Proctor fielded a varsity football squad. The Giants had 23 players which in the Section 7AAA Championship game. were led by sophomore running back Marcus Miranda who Duluth Marshall started out the season 0-6, but then saved rushed for over 1,000 yards. The Giants’ highlight of the season their best football for the second half of the season. The was a season finale win over Carlton, 7-6. Hilltoppers then won back-to-back games against Deer River The White Division and Two Harbors. After a tough 13-18 loss in the first round of the playoffs, Duluth Marshall finished with a 2-7 record. The Moose Lake/Willow River Rebel football team, coming off The Two Harbors Agates finished the season with an overall a trip to the Dome and the State Semi-Finals in 2006, followed record of 1-8. The Agates, a junior-dominated team, were led by that up with a Great Polar Football Alliance White Division All-Conference selections Brady Johnson and Matt Wicklund. Conference Championship and a trip to the State Quarter- Finals. The season was very exciting with new opponents such The Blue Division as Pine City, Rush City, and Braham as well as renewed rivalries with Deer River, Greenway, and Esko. The Pine City Dragon defense did an outstanding job during the 2007 season, putting together five shut-outs and holding The Rebels’ offensive line paved the way for 4600+ yards opponents to just over five points per game. In the middle of of total offense, while the starting defense held opponents their season, the Dragons outscored their opponents 100 – 12 in scoreless through six games. Junior running back/middle five straight wins. Pine City's offense was able to muster enough linebacker Nate Zuk led the Rebels with 2073 yards rushing, 37 firepower to help claim the Blue Division championship against touchdowns, 162 tackles, and 5 interceptions. Junior tight end/ some very strong competition. Josh Marty, an all-conference cornerback Dan Anderson added 56 tackles and 12 interceptions. selection, was a dominating force on defense with 28 solo and Zuk was the conference’s Offensive and Defensive MVP. 83 assisted tackles. Ethan Turner led Pine City’s committee of The Greenway Raiders had a great season with an 8-2 overall backs with 472 yards rushing and six touchdowns. season record. Their only conference loss was to Moose Lake- Hinckley-Finlayson had one of their most successful seasons Willow River. In the second round of the section 7AA playoffs, in school history. The Jaguars ended up with an 8-3 record. The the Raiders lost a heart-breaker to Hinckley-Finlayson, 12-14.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 73 Conference Recaps

Jaguars tied for second in the conference and made it to the school’s first-ever section final game. All-conference players The Great Polar Football Alliance Conference Chris Bostrom and Kyle Flagstad led the way for Hinckley- Standings Finlayson. Bostrom just missed he 1,000 yard mark in rushing yards while Flagstad led a defensive team that gave up less Red Division: Conference Overall than 13 points a game. Cook County 8 – 0 12 – 1 The Rush City Tigers had an overall record of 3-6 and a Ogilvie 7 – 1 7 – 2 conference record of Barnum 5 – 3 7 – 4 Chisholm 5 – 3 6 – 4 3-2. The Tigers tied for second place in the conference. Ely 5 – 3 6 – 4 While a bit inexperienced, the Tigers were able to overcome East Central 3 – 5 3 – 6 that by playing solid football on both sides of the ball. Except Onamia 2 – 6 2 – 7 for a tough loss to Moose Lake-Willow River, the Tigers played Nashwauk – Keewatin 2 – 6 2 – 7 all of their opponents very tough. Carlton 2 – 6 2 – 7 The Braham Bombers finished the football season with Mesabi East 1 – 7 1 – 8 a 3-2 record in the conference and a 3-6 record overall. They were very young in a lot of positions on the field, but proved to White Division: very competitive in all contests. The Bombers lost four games Moose Lake-Willow River 5 – 0 11 – 1 by two scores or less. Senior all-conference selections David Greenway 4 – 1 8 – 2 Vavra and Mitch Gerold led the Bombers on both sides of the Deer River 2 – 3 6 – 4 football. Vavra led the team in all-purpose yards and Gerold led Esko 2 – 3 6 – 5 the team in tackles. Juniors Nick Thiry and Matt Merchlewicz Duluth Marshall 2 – 3 2 – 7 were also key components for the Bomber’s attack. Two Harbors 0 – 5 1 – 8 Aitkin football started the season 0-7. With close losses against Blue Division: Two Harbors, Rush City, Braham, and Pine City, the Gobblers Pine City 5 – 0 8 – 2 never gave up. In the season finale, the Gobblers put together Hinckley – Finlayson 3 – 2 8 – 3 a solid effort in all facets of the game against Crosby-Ironton Rush City 3 – 2 3 – 6 to keep The Stump in Aitkin with a 27-12 victory. They followed Braham 3 – 2 3 – 6 their win over the Rangers with their first playoff victory in Aitkin 1 – 4 2 – 8 years by defeating Virginia 38-10. Crosby – Ironton 0 – 5 1 – 8 Crosby-Ironton finished their season with a 1-8 record. The Rangers beat Duluth Marshall in an exciting 21-19 season opener. The Rangers’ quarterback duo of Mark Hoge and Derik Midthun passed for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. All- Conference linebacker Ben Rothstein led the Rangers with 112 tackles.

74 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Heart O’Lakes Conference

The 2006 season was supposed to Classic Standings northern Standings be the last for the Heart ‘O Lakes Conf. Overall Conf. Overall Conference. Instead, Breckenridge 5-0 8-0 Perham 5-0 6-2 the conference was DGF 4-1 5-3 Park Rapids 4-1 6-2 still around in 2007 Pelican Rapids 3-2 5-3 Roseau 3-2 6-2 as strong as ever. With WCA 1-4 2-6 Crookston 2-3 4-4 the conference on WDC 1-4 1-7 Warroad 1-4 3-5 the verge of being Pequot Lakes 1-4 1-7 EGF 0-5 0-8 disbanded it came back even bigger in the form of a two division conference. led by Coach of the Year Darren Baartman. The Dilworth- The HOL Classic was made up primarily by the smaller school Glyndon-Felton Rebels were coached by first year coach Travis in the conference and consisted of Breckenridge, Dilworth- Christenson. After a successful stop at Ulen-Hitterdal Coach Glyndon-Felton, Pelican Rapids, West Central Area, Wadena- Christenson had a good first year at DGF and will look to build Deer Creek, and Pequot Lakes. The HOL Northern consisted on that success in the future. of Perham, Park Rapids, Roseau, Crookston, Warroad, and East The Heart ‘O Lakes Conference appears to be set for the Grand Forks. The format made for some great competition future with some changes coming that should make it even during the season. While not required, most schools used the stronger. In 2008 Staples will be joining the conference with other division for the non-conference portion of the schedule. Thief River Falls slated to begin conference play in 2009. Expect In the Northern Division the Coach of the Year honor lots of great competition in 2008 and beyond with great coaches went to Howie Kangas of the conference champion Perham having their teams well prepared each and every Friday night. Yellowjackets. Kangas’ team went on to win the Section 8AAA title before eventually losing in the State Semi-finals. Perham was challenged in conference play by the Tom Ahrendt coached Park Rapids Panthers as well as by Roseau coached by Doug Borowicz. The Classic Division was won by Breckenridge who was Hiawatha Valley GOLD 2008 The Hiawatha Valley Gold Conference, once again, had a very competitive season and sending two teams to the State Triton 6-0 (10-2) Tournament. How strong was the competition? The runner up, Goodhue 5-1 (13-1) and new comer to the conference, Goodhue Wildcats, led by Winona Cotter 4-2 (6-4) Coach Clair Austin, won the Class 1A State Championship. The Hayfield 3-3 (4-5) Triton Cobra’s, the winner of the HVL Gold and defending State Pine Island 2-4 (2-7) 2AA Champions, also made it to the State Tournament again. Zumbrota-Mazeppa 1-5 (1-8) Another team that had a solid season, led by Thomas O’Brien, was Kenyon-Wanamingo 0-6 (1-8) the Winona Cotter Ramblers. After having a few rough seasons, the Hayfield Vikings emerged as a team that will have to be reckoned with in the future. The Pine Island Panthers, Zumbrota Mazeppa Cougars, and the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights all were competitive but had rebuilding type seasons.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 75 Conference Recaps Hiawatha Valley BLUE 2008

The Hiawatha Valley Blue Division , once again, a very competitive season, sending its winner, the Rochester Lourdes Rochester Lourdes 5-1 (9-3) Eagles, to the State Tournament again. The LaCrescent Lancers, LaCrescent 5-1 (8-3) new to the conference and led by Derek Kubicek, lost in the Stewartville 4-2 (6-3) section finals but had a very strong team. The Stewartville Kasson-Mantorville 3-3 (5-4) Tigers, whom are on the right track, led by Coach Aaron Meyer, Byron 3-3 (5-5) had a great season after many losing seasons. The Kasson- Lake City 1-5 (2-7) Mantorville Komets and The Byron Bears had competeive but Cannon Falls 0-6 (0-9) average seasons after going to the section finals the past few years. The Lake City Tigers and the Cannon Falls Bombers were competitive but are looking towards a bright future. Little Sioux Conference

Ortonville 42 to 6, and Adrian defeated Canby 40 to 12. Little Sioux Conference Standings Week 3 had the Dawson Boyd BlackJacks travel to Minneota for the game of the week in the Little Sioux and it was the Conference Overall Blackjacks pulling the upset 42 to 18. For the Blackjacks Josh 1. TMB 8-0 – Champion 9 - 1 Aakre had 3 touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the 1. Dawson Boyd 8-0 – Champion 10 - 0 way for Dawson-Boyd as it was their first win ever at Minneota. 2. Adrian 6-2 - Runner up 11 – 3 Other scores in the Little Sioux in week 3 had TMB defeat Canby (Class A State Runner Up) 47 to 0, RTR defeat Ortonville 8 to 0, Adrian defeat Fulda 29 to 0, 3. Minneota 5-3 6 - 4 and MACCRAY defeat MCC in a wild shootout 33 to 32. 3. MACCRAY 5-3 6 - 4 Week 4 had Minneota travel to Canby in the game of the 4. MCC 3-5 4 – 6 week as the Highway 68 championship was won by Minneota 5. Fulda 3-5 3 - 6 14 to 6. For the Vikings Sam Derynck’s had a punt return for a TD 6. RTR 2-6 2 - 7 of 60 yards and Craig Peterson ran in from 3 yards out. Peterson 7. Canby 1-7 1 - 8 leads the conference in rushing with 798 yards after 4 games. 8. Ortonville 0-8 0 - 8 The Dawson Boyd Black Jacks defeated the Fulda Raiders 48 to 8 moving the Blackjacks to 4 & 0. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton defeated MACCRAY 29 to 0 moving the Panthers from TMB to Week 1 had the defending Little Sioux Champions the Adrian 4 & 0. Adrian defeated Ortonville 56 to 6 and the Dragons from Dragons who finished 8 & 0 in 2006 take on the MACCRAY Adrian moved to 4 & 0. MCC over RTR moving the Rebels from Wolverines who finished 7 & 1 last year. Due to the schedule MCC to 2 & 2. rotation these two teams didn’t get an opportunity to play in 2006. Adrian defeated MACCRAY in the Week 1 game of the Week 5 had the game of the week Minneota 3 & 1 traveled week in the Little Sioux Conference 29 to 6 as Glen Kruger to Adrian 4 & 0. The Dragons used a punishing running attack rushed for 129 yards on 18 carries. Other scores in the Little and defeated the Vikings 41 to 14 as Tony Their rushed for 100 Sioux in Week 1 had Minneota defeat Fulda 51 to 6, MCC defeat yards on 11 carries and Brett Nowotny was 4 for 5 passing for Ortonville 48 to 17, Dawson-Boyd defeat Canby 20 to 8, and 80 yards and one TD for the Adrian Dragons. In other games Tracy-Milroy-Balaton defeat Russel-Tyler-Ruthton 36 to 0. MCC defeated Fulda 30 to 0, TMB defeated Ortonville 39 to 0, Dawson Boyd defeated RTR 48 to 0, and MACCRAY defeated Week 2 had the TMB Panthers take on the MCC Rebels in the Canby 28 to 6. game of the week in the Little Sioux and it was the Panters that won this one 39 to 14. Issac Dolan led the way for the Panthers Week 6 had the game of the week as 5 & 0 Adrian traveled throwing for 5 TD’s and running for another in this win for the to 5 & 0 Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. It was all TMB Panthers defeating Panthers. In other scores for week 2 MACCRAY defeated Fulda Adrian in a 41 to 7 thrashing as Junior QB Issac Dolan threw 34 to 7, Minneota defeated RTR 39 to 12, Dawson-Boyd defeated for 240 yards and rushed for 80 to account for 320 total yards

76 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association and 4 TD’s. Fulda won their 1st game 7 to 6 over Canby. Dawson Boyd moved to 6 & 0 with a 42 to 0 victory over MCC. MACCRAY defeated RTR 48 to 8. Minneota defeated Ortonville 24 to 6. Little Sioux Conference Awards – 2007 Week 7 had the game of the week on Thursday at Adrian as 6 Coach of the Year Cory Larson & & 0 Dawson Boyd traveled to 5 & 1 Adrian. It was the Blackjacks Phil Lienemann winning their 1st game ever over the Adrian Dragons coming (Dawson-Boyd) from behind to win 20 to 7. Dawson Boyd moved to 7 & 0 to vault Assistant Coach of the Year Dan Lee them into Conference Championship status with one game (Dawson-Boyd) to go. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton moved to 7 & 0 with a 41 to 6 win Offensive Back of the Year Josh Aakre (Dawson- over Fulda. Minneota downed MCC 24 to 6. MACCRAY defeated Boyd) Ortonville 48 to 12. Canby played RTR on Friday evening and Isaac Dolan (TMB) RTR won 14 to 7. Craig Peterson Week 8 had two key games as Dawson Boyd traveled to (Minneota) MACCRAY and Tracy-Milroy-Balton traveled to Minneota. Each Offensive Linemen of the Year Joe Plante (MACCRAY) visiting team of those two games needed to win to secure the Tyler Flattum (Dawson- 2007 Little Sioux Conference Championship with an 8 & 0 Record. Boyd) Dawson Boyd won 50 to 41 in a wild shoot out at MACCRAY. The Defensive Back of the Year David Schmidt (TMB) Blackjacks trailed at halftime and 5 of the touchdowns in the Defensive Linemen of the Year John Gervais (TMB) game were over 40 yards for both teams. TMB trailed 22 to 21 in a rainy wet evening at Minneota with 6 minutes remaining. The Panthers faked a punt on 4th and 9 and David Schmidt broke 3 tackles on the play. The Panthers went on and scored and won the game 27 to 21. Both TMB and DB were crowned score came on a Brett Nowotny to Adam Diemann 11 yard TD 2007 Champions. Because of the 10 team conference DB and pass. TMB did not play each other in 2007. Other games in week 8 had Adrian defeat MCC 30 to 6 to earn runner up honors in the Little Sioux, Fulda defeated RTR 14 to 7, and Canby defeated Ortonville 28 to 0. In the 1st round of 2A playoffs TMB defeated St. James 50 to 6 and MACCRAY defeated Yellow Medicine East 20 to 0. In the 1st round of 1A playoffs Dawson Boyd defeated Canby 34 to 0, , Minneota defeated BBE 32 to 27, Adrian defeated Red Rock Central 36 to 8, MCC defeated SouthWest United 36 to 6, Fulda lost to Wabasso 45 to 8, and RTR lost to KMS 39 to 13. In the 2nd round of 2A playoffs TMB was defeated by Jackson County Central 37 to 21 to end the year 9 & 1, and MACCRAY was defeated by Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 37 to 6 to end the year 6 & 4. In the 1A 2nd round Minneota was defeated by KMS 42 to 20 to end the year 6 & 4, Dawson Boyd defeated Renville County West 26 to 3 to move to 10 & 0, and Adrian defeated MCC to move to 8 & 2 and MCC finishes 4 & 6. In the Section Finals Dawson Boyd played KMS and was defeated 26 to 24 and Adrian played number one ranked Wabasso Rabbits and won the Section 3A title 19 to 7 behind the running of Glen Kruger 55 yards in the 4th quarter on 10 carries. In the State Quarter Finals Adrian downed Mankato Loyola 25 to 14 behind the 3 headed Dragon Tony Their, Jesse Brake, and Glen Kruger rushing for 320 yards. In the State Semi Finals Adrian downed Cook County 21 to 0 behind a great defensive performance. Touchdown runs by Brett Nowotny of 9 and 1 yard while Glen Kruger added a 1 yard TD. Adrian fell in the Class A Prep Bowl 28 to 7 to a very strong Goodhue team. Adrian’s lone

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 77 Conference Recaps Minnesota River Conference

The 2007 season witnessed two Minnesota River Conference teams winning Section Championship’s. The LeSueur- Henderson Giants won the conference title for the third time in the last four years. The Giants took their 8-0 record into the play-offs and won a Section Championship with a 26-0 victory over Wasecca. The Giants season came to and end with a loss to Glencoe-Silver Lake in the next round. Holy Family Catholic finished second in the conference play with a 6-1 record. Fire head coach Dave Hopkins was named MRC Head Coach of the Year. Norwood Young America only lost two regular season games prior to winning their Section title with a 7-0 victory over Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop. The Raiders were eliminated in the following week by Caledonia 13-16. Belle Plaine started the season very strong and finished with a 6-4 record that included a play-off victory over Fairmont LSH QB Luke Frauendienst reads the Veer, with diveback Joe Sav- before losing to LeSueur-Henderson. Mayer Lutheran had the age, against the Holy Family defense. return of head coach Dean Aurich and finished the season 4-6 with a play-off victory over Kimball before losing to Norwood Young America. Defending conference champions Jordan went 3-6 in 2007 with a young squad that will be tough in 2008. Montgomery- Lonsdale and Sibley East finished in seventh and eighth place in conference play. The 2007 season was also the final season for Randy Walsh as head coach of the Wolverines.

2007 M.R.C. Season Awards: Offensive Back of the Year: LSH RB, #41 Joe Savage, tries to evade Mayer Lutheran defenders, Bryce Prax/LeSueur-Henderson #77 Alex Petterson , and #15 David Mielke, on a rain soaked, mud Offensive Lineman of the Year: covered field at LSH. Nick Mackenthun/Norwood Young America

Defensive Back of the Year: 2007 M.R.C. Team Records Joe Savage/LeSueur-Henderson Team MRC Season Coach Defensive Lineman of the Year: LeSueur-Henderson 7-0 11-1 Terry Turek Jordan Krenik /LeSueur-Henderson Holy Family Catholic 6-1 7-3 Dave Hopkins Norwood Young America 5-2 9-3 Paul Henn Special Team Player of the Year: Belle Plaine 4-3 6-4 Justin Johnston Sergio Garcia/Belle Plaine Mayer Lutheran 2-5 4-6 Dean Aurich Head Coach of the Year: Jordan 3-4 3-6 Jay Lepper Dave Hopkins /Holy Family Catholic Montgomery-Lonsdale 1-6 2-7 Tony Barnack Sibley East 0-7 0-9 Randy Walsh

78 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Mississippi 8 Conference

The 2007 football season was another outstanding 2007 Final Standings year for the Mississippi 8 Conference. The Mississippi 8 Conference Overall Head Coach consisting of Becker, Big Lake, St. Michael/Albertville 6-1 8-3 Earl Bauman Buffalo, Cambridge-Isanti, Cambridge-Isanti 5-2 7-3 Todd Larkin Monticello, Princeton, Rogers, Becker 5-2 8-3 Dwight Lundeen and St. Michael/Albertville, was Buffalo 4-3 6-4 Gerald Rohl more balanced in 2007 as this Rogers 4-3 6-4 Marc Franz conference matured into its Princeton 3-4 4-6 Scott Walquist third season. Big Lake 1-6 1-8 Brett Wedlund St. Michael/Albertville, led by Monticello 0-7 1-8 Brian Odlund conference coach of the year Earl Bauman, dethroned Becker’s bid to three-peat as conference champions. The Knights continued their championship run by earning the Section 5AAAA championship. Coach Bauman used a wide open, quick scoring offense and a “bend, but don’t break” defense as the formula for success. Congratulations go out to the entire St. Michael-Albertville football program on their trip to the state tournament. The Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets and Becker Bulldogs were the runners-up in the M-8 with identical 5-2 records. Coach Todd Larkin’s Bluejackets led the conference in scoring (34.6 points per game). Coach Dwight Lundeen’s Bulldogs led the conference in scoring defense (15.8 points against per game). Led by this dominating defense, the Bulldogs reached the Section 5AAAA championship games where they ran into rival St. Michael/Albertville. Coaches Gerald Rohl of Buffalo and Marc Franz of Rogers relied on ground control offenses and stingy defenses to tie for fourth in the conference with 4-3 records. Princeton led by Scott Walquist experienced a trying season with many ups and downs finished with a 3-4 conference record. These squads are looking to the 2008 season to improve. The Big Lake Hornets under the direction of Coach Brett Wedlund used a variety of offensive formations to finish 1-6 in the conference. Monticello’s Brian Odlund had a challenging 2007 season. With a solid number of underclassmen, the Magic Back award and teammate Matt Jeska received the Most will look to rebound in 2008. Valuable Linebacker award. Garrett Lee of Rogers received the The 2007 season also featured many outstanding individual Most Valuable Defensive Lineman award. performances in the Mississippi 8 Conference. Vikings All- The Mississippi 8 Conference will be adding the Zimmerman State QB Sam Solberg of Cambridge-Isanti was voted the Most Thunder to the football conference in the fall of 2008 to bring Valuable Player in the Mississippi 8. St. Michael/Albertville its members up to nine. The name of the conference will remain teammates Theo Rothstein, Jason Dehmer and Dane Carlson the Mississippi 8 a la the Big Ten with its eleven members. received Most Valuable Receiver, Most Valuable Quarterback With this addition, non-conference games have been added and Most Valuable Special Teams Players of the year awards, between the Mississippi 8 and the North Suburban. This new respectively. Cambridge-Isanti teammates, Christian Metz and agreement will renew some old rivalries from the “old” North Kyle Groves, received the conference’s Most Valuable Defensive Suburban Conference. Back and Most Valuable Offensive Lineman awards, respectively. Dee Broadnax of Buffalo received the Most Valuable Running

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 79 Conference Recaps Missota Conference 2007

Hutchinson ruled the Missota Conference this year going undefeated in conference play. With a very stingy defense and Final League Standings: a ball hogging offense, Andy Rostberg’s Tiger’s outscored their conference opponents 253-60. The senior dominated Tigers Conf. Overall season highlight was an impressive televised win over Farmington Hutchinson 7-0 8-2 in week 3. Andy Rostberg was selected as conference coach of the Farmington 5-2 5-4 year for his and his coaching staff’s outstanding performance this Prior Lake 5-2 6-4 year. Holy Angels 5-2 6-4 Farmington’s season was highlighted with an exciting 1 point Northfield 3-4 5-5 victory over Holy Angels in week 7. Mark Froehling’s Tigers battled New Prague 2-5 6-6 some inexperience at the beginning of the year, but put together Red Wing 1-6 1-8 a 3 game win streak at the end of the season. Shakopee 0-7 0-9 Coach Mike Smalley’s Holy Angels squad was led by a couple of Division 1 recruits, but also faced a lack of experience early in the season. The Stars highlights included a quality win over Prior Lake Tony Buthe’s New Prague Trojans were the only Missota team in week two and a nail biting overtime win over Northfield. to advance to the State Tournament this year. The Trojans handled The Lakers of Prior Lake also had a strong season. Matt a solid Faribault team in the section semi-finals to advance to the Gegenheimer’s eleven earned a hard fought victory over finals. Then they beat Northfield 42-36 in overtime in the Section Farmington in week 5. The Laker’s opened the playoffs with an 1 Final in one of the most exciting football games played in the impressive shutout of Bloomington Jefferson before falling to state this year to advance to State for the third year in a row. Eastview in the section semi-finals. First year coach, Kevin Horvat’s Red Wing squad found success The Northfield Raider were another of the many conference in week 5 with an exciting victory over Shakopee. The Wingers teams lacking experience as the year started. However, Bubba also tested New Prague in a hard fought defeat in week 7. Sullivan’s griders opened the season with one of their best The Shakopee Sabers showed solid improvement in coach performances in a victory over Mankato West and earned another Jody Stone’s second season at the helm. The Sabers look for more quality win over New Prague in week 5. success in the win/loss column in the future. North Suburban Conference The 2007 football season was a year to remember for the North Suburban Conference. The year was filled with highlights and accomplishments. These include six teams being ranked in the top 10 of the 4A and 5A football polls, a section final pitting #1 Spring Lake Park vs. #2 Totino-Grace, and what will go down as most memorable finish ever at a Prep Bowl. The NSC, consisting of Benilde St. Margaret, Chisago Lakes, Columbia Heights, Cooper, Fridley, Irondale, North Branch, Saint Francis, Saint Louis Park, Spring Lake Park, and Totino-Grace, was once again one of the strongest and most competitive in the state of Minnesota. Spring Lake Park, led by Conference Coach-of-the-Year Jeff Schlieff, claimed the conference crown. This was the third consecutive year the Panthers have won or tied for the conference title. Coach Schlieff used a high scoring (33.8 ppg) Spring Lake Park QB Tim Merritt on the option vs. Palm Desert, CA option attack and a stingy defense (10.7 ppg) to go undefeated in conference play. Coach Schlieff also reached a personal in the NSC with identical 6-1 records. Coaches Jeff Ferguson of milestone of 100 wins in a week seven win over Benilde St. Totino-Grace and Ben Geisler of Irondale relied on quick strike Margaret’s. offenses and hard hitting defenses as their method for success. Their week 2 matchup, a 21-20 win by Irondale, was the first of The Totino-Grace Eagles and Irondale Knights tied for second

80 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association many of the close battles among the top teams in the NSC. Co-head coaches John Hanks and Patrick Krieger of Benilde- 2007 North Suburban Conference St. Margaret’s, Bill Weiss of Chisago Lakes, and Kelly Kalina of Conference Overall Fridley all used different formulas to bring winning records Spring Lake Park 7-0 9-1 to their respective schools. Benilde’s defensive unit posted 5 Totino-Grace 6-1 13-1 shutouts in ten game, Chisago Lakes scored nearly 38 points Irondale 6-1 7-2 per game, and Fridley spread it out and let all-everything Benilde St. Margaret’s 5-2 7-3 quarterback Blake Cook run wild on most defenses. Chisago Lakes 4-3 7-4 After the top six teams, the conference became very Fridley 4-3 5-4 crowded. Cooper, Columbia Heights, and St. Francis all had 5-2 Columbia Heights 2-5 3-6 records. These teams, led by Erick Norby, Matt Townsend, and St. Francis 2-5 3-6 Chris Lindquist, had difficult stretches throughout the year, but Cooper 2-6 2-7 showed steady improvement. Andy Ewald of St. Louis Park and St. Louis Park 0-7 0-9 Dave Eyre of North Branch had difficult years, but used young North Branch 0-7 0-9 lineups that will be much improved in 2008. The 2007 season also featured many outstanding individual performances in the North Suburban Conference. Cook of of the Year award. Fridley was voted the Most Valuable Player in the NSC. Senior The 2007 Football Season ended on a high note for the All -State Free Safety Cameron Harper of Spring Lake Park and NSC with “The Play” in Prep Bowl XXVI. Totino-Grace won its’ Senior All-State Linebacker Jake King of Totino-Grace were fourth state title in five years on the last play of the game. named the Co-Defensive Player of the year. Senior quarterback Senior halfback Micah Koehn caught a desperation pass that Nick Colwell of Irondale was named the Offensive Player of the was tipped twice and raced thirty yards for the game winning Year. Spring Lake Park’s Nick Eder, Defensive Tackle, received the touchdown with no time remaining on the clock. It will go Conference’s Lineman of the Year Award and Return Specialist down as the most dramatic finish in Prep Bowl history. ChiChi Ojika of Irondale was awarded the Special Teams Player Northern Plains Preview 2008 Mahnomen Indians teams on our schedule were state ranked at one point last year. The Indians return three starters on offense and four on defense. Red Lake County Rebels Only four other players saw any significant action, couple that with low participation numbers and you’ll see an inexperienced Red Lake Falls and Red Lake County Central will join forces team on the field to start the season. The Indians won’t have the this fall and be known as the Red Lake County Rebels. RLCC was size up front they’ve had the past few years but should be more 4-4 in 2007 playing 9-man football, they will enter the Northern Plains playing with RLF who was 6-2 last season in the league. athletic across the board. A strong sophomore class will have to The Eagles lost to BGMR in the Section Semi-finals last year in fill in gaps created by graduating seniors. Anthony LaVoy will double overtime. be a player to watch on both sides of the ball. Logan Handyside returns as the starting QB after a strong junior season. The Rebels look to improve and get better each week as the 2008 season progresses. QB Brett Gerardy and offensive lineman Frazee Hornets Jordan Gustafson were key players for the Mustangs last fall and We are excited about the upcoming season. Last year we will look to be leaders for the Rebels. Chad Thode, Leland Johnson, fielded a team with zero offensive starters returning to their Curtis Olsen and Cody Glass are all returning starting linemen positions, and this year we will have eight starters returning to that should help Red Lake County feature a strong running game. that side of the ball. Defensively we will have seven returning Running back brothers Alex and Eric Derosier will lead a talented, starters. Overall, we have nearly twenty letter winners returning but inexperienced backfield entering the 2008 season. for the 2008 season. We lost some quality football players to Head Coach of the Rebels Brian Remick expects it to take some graduation, so it will be a major plus having this much experience time for the new co-op to gel, but hopes for a strong running back on the field. game and aggressive defense. The Rebels will shoot for a top 3 In addition to returning several players, we have had finish in the Northern Plains Conference and try to improve to more athletes in the weight room during the off-season, then ever challenge for the Section 8 A title come play-off time. before. The players are well motivated and are hungry to build on what we started last season. This will prove to be very important, Blackduck Drakes as the conference has several high caliber teams. Three of the The Drakes are coming off a tough season in 2007. With only

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 81 Conference Recaps

one win and a number of close games that didn’t end in our favor, fighting it out for linebacker time and we have numerous kids our team is looking for some real improvement and more great that could find time in our secondary. competition in the conference. In spite of last year’s trials, our The outlook for the 2008 season is that we will once again be team is highly motivated and looking forward to showing what competitive, but I am not sure we will have the horses to contend they can do in the coming season. for either the conference championship or section championship We have a number of standouts returning next year. The class this year. We have some great young kids and if everything comes of 2009 is large and talented; many will return to their starting together it could be a very fun year. I see Hawley as a clear favorite roles while others will take over those positions from our ten in both the section and conference race, with no one team being graduating seniors. Our backfield has some experience and will very close to them, many teams will shoot it out in the section be running behind a line that will be greatly improved with hard and the conference to see who will finish 2nd and 3rd. work in the off season and another year of maturity. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves Barnesville/Rothsay Trojans The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves are excited about the The Barnesville/Rothsay Trojans will be looking for a lot of new second Northern Plains Conference and are looking forward to leaders to emerge next year with the graduation of 11 seniors. the 2008 season! Although the Wolves are once again building That class included 3 years starter and all state selection, Cody on a young team, there are a number of members who are going Cox. Cody started 3 years on both sides of the ball and will be to be formidable in the next couple of years. The 2008 Wolves extremely hard to replace. Also we will be losing Anders Gylland may not have the experience yet of other teams due to the small RB/DB, Zach Olson QB, Devon Brakke RB/LB, Justin Lee E/LB, number of seniors, but they will more than make up for it with Michael Brandt DB, James Holland OL/DL, Brady Jorud OL/DE, their enthusiasm for the game and their indomitable will to win! Derek Jordahl E/DE, Josh Grondahl T/DT. These seniors were By the end of the 2007 season the Wolves were well on the way great in the weightroom and had a lot to do with turning the to becoming a cohesive team and in 2008 they will continue program in the right direction. We are coming off a 7-3 season, to build on their strengths and look forward to a second year which is the first winning season in 10 years. of competition in the Northern Plains Conference. We will have some key players back for next year and we are looking on continuing what has been started. We return 3 of our Fertile-Beltrami Falcons 5 offensive lineman, SR Casey Johnson 5’10 240 lbs, SR Corey The falcons return only 3 players on offense and 3 on defense Praska 6’0 230 lbs, and SR Richie Stenger 6’1 215 lbs joining them from last year’s conference championship team. The falcons will will be a toss up between Chad Haugrud (SR), Brad Halverson (So) need to rely on quality underclassmen from last year to fill in the Andrew Janssen (SO), Corey Amundson (JR) and a few others will gaps created from graduation. We will need to see dedication in go for the remaining two positions. In the backfield we will be the weight room and at summer camps to have a competitive looking at starting a new QB, and more than likely that will be team again this year. Improving depth during the season and JR Spencer Cook. Spencer came on late in the year last year and avoiding injuries will be the keys to success. played some defense for us, he is a strong kid with a good head on his shoulders, backing him up will be RB/QB Bryce Schmaltz, Fosston Greyhounds he will more than likely start the season as our right wing back The 2008 Fosston Greyhounds expect to have a competitive but can play many different positions. The backfield will be football team. Young players must step up to fill holes lift by rounded off with a number of possibilities between Jake Bashor, departing seniors in key positions. In the trenches four of the five Zach Hochhlater, Jake Grosz, and a few others. The end positions starting offensive linemen must be replaced by underclassmen. will be a toss up, SR Alec Albright returns with experience as Reed Sander and Andrew Juve return in the backfield, but a does junior Zach Buth who missed all of 2007 with a shoulder replacement for Brandon Rud, a starting quarterback for three injury, he did letter as a freshman, and John Janssen who has seen years must emerge. Linebacker Cooper Wilson is back to anchor time at both FB and End will be fighting for a starting spot at the the Fosston defense. end. Ryan Melkert and Jon Wellnitz will also vie for time at those positions. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River Defense will be a crap shoot, we will have to see who shows up Strengths: Returning 2 all-conf. players in back in August and what things we are strong at, we will be looking at fld. Alan Dostal, Zack Creviston both 2 year starters. either playing a 4-4 or 5-3 depending on our line and linebackers. Returning 6 starters on Defense Returning starters on the defensive side of the ball will be Jake Weaknesses: Only returning 2 players on the offensive line Grosz anchoring the defense from the middle lb position, Jordan Trevor Ingle and Cole Christianson 2 year starters. Rice at a nose guard or tackle position, Casey Johnson and Corey I feel our strength will be at the QB position and even though Praska on the D-line. The other positions we will have to wait and we lost most of our line we are returning 2 others that received see. Many kids have experience playing but not the minutes of a lot of playing time mixed in with Trevor and Cole we should be the ones who graduated. Leland Volrath and Josh Ullrich will be O.K. but need to improve.

82 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Teams to watch for: Fosston, Fertile, RLF McGinnis. Returning seniors will be Brett Finn, Kelvin Howard, and Players to Watch for: Kraft from LOW, Solie from FB, Reed Ryan Connor contributed to the team in the past three seasons. Sanders from Fosston and Ryan Oas WAO Players to keep an eye on this season are Tyler Trosen, Nolan Goss, Kevin Jackson, Mike Masten, Brett Fredrickson, Nick Ruzek, Zach Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies Vail and Steve Frazer. The Panthers are young and willing to work. The Ponies return the entire back field. Again the Ponies will By keeping this attitude they should be able to accomplish the be small and young but playing many freshman and sophomores goals and strive for even larger ones. the year before they should be playing at a higher level. QB Hawley Nuggets Casey Larson WR Ryan Oas and RB Austin Owens should provide an explosive backfield. Like the previous years success will be The 2008 Hawley Nuggets are looking forward to the second determined by the off season strength training. The ponies have season of Northern Plains football. The Nuggets return six starters the smallest enrollment in the section and the conference and on offense. However, they will have to replace both tackles, both will have to work hard to make .500. tight ends and one guard. On the bright side, the people doing the replacing have abundant experience and really good size. LOW – Baudette Bears Look for the Nuggets to rotate quarterbacks and to continue Lake of the Woods will move to the “Big School” side of the to have a strong running game as the majority of the backfield Northern Plains Conference for the upcoming season and renews which rushed for over 5,300 yards returns. Someone will have to old rivalries with former North Star Teams such as Pine River step up and assume the “go to receiver” role as we look to replace and Blackduck, while adding Barnesville, Frazee, and tradition 75% of our receptions. powerhouse Hawley to it’s schedule. Come playoff time L/W will Defensively the Nuggets need only replace four players. Look be back in familiar Section 8A where the Bears will seek to defend for the defensive line to be strong again and the linebackers their 2007 Section 8A title. to have a stronger year as experience will be on their side. The L/W lost heavily to graduation but returns a solid group of secondary will have to replace two players. The Nuggets are players in the upper grades. Andrew Kraft ( 6’2” 240) returns from hungry to get back on the field as they will be looking for another a junior season cut short by injury, to anchor the defense from his successful season. middle linebacker spot and figures prominently in the running game. He is flanked by fellow senior linebacker and leading Pine River – Backus Tigers returning tackler Jalen Stay ( 66 tackles, 2 int. ) The receiving corps Pine River-Backus will try to replace ten seniors off last years and defensive backfield should again be a strong points for the team. QB Ben Kline will be back and will be joined in the backfield Bears as leading receiver Cody Hasbargen ( 20 catches 248 yards), by Glen Abbott, Jordan Farmer, and Levi Allen. The line will have and interception leader Josh Smart (3 int., 29 tackles) along with three letter winners returning. They are center Andy Davidson, Eric Anderson, and Shae Pepera all saw extensive action in the Dylan DeLong, and Jordan Stockman. Mitch Klien looks to be the 2007 campaign. TE. This will be a team without a lot of experience but should be ok with a little time. The offense will really be tested as the line will The offensive and defensive lines need to be rebuilt with only have one returning starter. On defense PR-B has five starters underclassmen led by jr. Chris Flores (6’1” 210) as the Bears return returning and should be fairly quick. Young players will play a big only 2 of 5 starters on the offensive line and 1 of 4 on defense. part on both sides of the ball. We hope they can hold their own as Pepera, Hasbargen and soph. Chris Novak will probably all see they gain some experience. time at the QB position with junior speedster Chad Reed (22-156) penciled in at the tailback spot. Lake Park Audubon Raiders Cass Lake-Bena Panthers LPA lost some great leadership from the 2007 season. The loss of offensive player of the year, Alex Cigelske, and offensive lineman Panther are looking to have a promising season in 2008. After of the year, Josh Seley, will be tough to replace. The Raiders the past two season of taking punishing defeats. The panthers look for a talented junior class to step up and fill the roles that have eleven juniors returning to the line up with an attitude to were vacated by 6 seniors on offense and 7 seniors on defense. work hard and win. This junior class has taken the brunt of the Returning starters include: Seniors: Kenyon O’Brien, Thomas beatings but has not given up. This off season this class has taken Brown, Zach Downs, and Braeden Hogie; and Juniors: Brandon the initiative to train and encourage the younger and older classes Schoeberl and Jesse Wixo. The Raiders will rely on speed, not size, to join their crusade to put Cass Lake-Bena Football back on the and will have to look to improve every week, to have a successful map in the conference. The panthers also have good numbers season. Depth will be limited, so the health of the team will also coming in the freshman class to help fill the roster. The Panthers impact its success. have many young athletes that have the potential of making a name for themselves in the conference this year. Bagley – No report The team will be led this year by senior captains George (Geo) Cass Lake Bena – No report Chester, Darold Madigan, and junior captains Mike Hanson, Mike

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 83 Conference Recaps Northwest Suburban Conference

2007 was a great year in the NWSC. With a record of 7-1, Osseo won the conference. Congratulations to Derrin Lamker Conference Standings and his staff for an awesome season. Congratulations should also go out to Anoka, Champlin Park, and the Maple Grove Osseo 7-1 program for great seasons finishing in second place with the Anoka 6-2 same conference record of 6-2. The league was very competitive Champlin Park 6-2 again this season. Maple Grove 6-2 Again this year the conference was very balanced in its Andover 5-3 power. On any given night, any team could knock off any Coon Rapids 5-3 team. The NWSC has proven year in and year out to be one of Blaine 2-6 Minnesota’s toughest conferences. Each team respects their Centennial 2-6 opponent and knows the outcome of the game will come Elk River 1-7 down to the wire. This makes for an exciting game every week. Park Center 0-8 We are all proud to be part of an exciting league and we can’t wait for the challenges that 2008 will bring. The conference awards were spread evenly this year. The Defensive Lineman award was received by Jason Engstrom of Most Valuable Offensive Player Award went to Osseo’s junior Coon Rapids. The Most Valuable Special Teams Player of the quarter back Tate Christopherson. Champlin Park’s Sam Maresh Year Award was split and was awarded to Brett Eklund of Maple won the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year award for the Grove and Matt Kloss of Coon Rapids. second straight year. We are all wishing Sam a speedy recovery Osseo’s Head Football Coach Derrin Lamker received the from his recent surgery and can’t wait to watch him run on the Coach of the Year Award. Congratulations to all the NWSC field for the Gophers. The Most Valuable Offensive Lineman award winners. Award went to John Kath of Coon Rapids and the Most Valuable Pheasant North Conference The Pheasant North Conference provided another year of exiting play and overall success in the post season. Verndale look the crown in 2007, but it was definitely not handed to them. With close regular season games against Ashby and Bertha-Hewitt, the well tested Pirates readied themselves for a trip to state, where they defeated Houston in the quarterfinals before losing to eventual State Champions, the Storm from Stephen-Argyle. Verndale Head Coach Mike Mahlen, made it through his 39th year and captured his 300th win and ultimately finishing the year tied with Brainerd’s Ron Stolski for most wins by an active coach. Along with Mahlen, Sam Moenkedick broke numerous school records such as: 2197 yards rushing in a season, 4279 yards in a career, and also 375 yards in a single game, a section #6, Sam Moenkedick scores a TD vs. Houston in Verndale's 28-12 final win over a tough Ashby Arrows team. win in the state quarterfinals. Verndale's #83 and #54 look on as do Houston's #14, Eric Kerrigan and #8, Pierce Edminston. 2008 looks to be another good year for the Pheasant North side of the conference. Hillcrest Academy returns after a few years absence and will bring even more parity to an already the higher level. Underwoodk fought through a rebuilding year “black and blue” conference. Hillcrest returns many young after winning the conference in 2006, but looks to its tested players from last year’s squad, along with Eagle Valley and young players to get back to its championship status. Overall, it Bertha-Hewitt. All three schools saw numerous underclassmen appears as though the Pheasant North Conference in 2008 will see multiple minutes on the gridiron. Ashby and Verndale will up-for-grabs to any team. do their best to replace key seniors and keep their success at

84 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Prairie South Conference

The Prairie South had another very successful year as two of its five teams made it to the state tournament. Kms 11 – 1 (2nd Round State Play-Offs) The Prairie Conference South is made up of five teams. Royalton 9 – 3 (First Round State Playoffs) Browerville, KMS, Osakis, Royalton, and USA. Because of this Osakis 3 – 6 (5a - Section Finals) small conference they match schedules with the Prairie Browerville 3 – 6 Conference North and all games played between the two USA 2 - 7 conferences determine the winner of each split conference. The Prairie North consists of New York Mills, OTC (Ottertail Central Osakis would find life after the conference season was done. (Battle Lake-Henning)), Parkers Prairie, Pillager, UNC (United With a big win over Royalton the Silverstreaks found some life North Central (Menhaga-Sebeka)). and made a run in the 5A playoffs. They would gain convincing KMS (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) won the Prairie wins over Parkers Prairie and Lake Park-Audubon and have an Conference South with a perfect eight win regular season. They outstanding defensive battle with Mahnomen in the 5A section then went on to post wins over RTR, Minneota, and Dawson- final. They would fall to Mahnomen by the score of 7 – 14. Boyd to get them to the state play-offs. KMS would then face Browerville had an up and down season and would end the Lake of the Woods in the first round of the Minnesota State conference at 2 – 6 and fall to Pillager in the first round of the Play-offs and win 21- 12. They would fall to Goodhue in the playoffs. The Tigers could not sustain drives the last half of the second round of the state play-offs 44 – 12. year which put a lot of pressure on their defense and special Royalton who took second in the conference with a 6 – 2 teams needed to be a bit more special. record would beat USA, Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity, and Saint USA ended the up with a 2 – 7 record but were in every game Agnes to advance to the Minnesota State Play-offs. They would they played with all loses coming under the 12 point deficit. face Goodhue in the first round and fall to Goodhue by the With only one senior on the team they look for better things score of 14 – 40. this year.

Southern Confederacy East Houston wins the Southern Confederacy East 9-Man Division

Houston outlasted six other divisional teams and two cross Year. Other statistical leaders for the Canes were senior Steve divisional teams in order to claim its first outright conference Thompson who led the team in receiving with 44 receptions title since 1986. and 723 yards and a total of 12 Touchdowns. Junior Zach The Hurricanes, who are coached by Jason Freed and in his Stackhouse had 870 yards and 11 TD, and junior quarterback fourth year as head coach, were at the top of the conference Andy Sires led the team with 1,663 yards passing, 17 TD, along with Mabel-Canton and Lanesboro for much of the and 9 INT. The Hurricane Defense was led by a pair of senior whole season. During the course of the season, for the most of linebackers, Pierce Edmiston and Erric Kerrigan. They finished the part, there were two to three teams in the conference either the season with 75 tackles and 98 tackles respectively. For his ranked or received votes in the AP 9-Man Poll. The Hurricanes efforts Edmiston was named the Conference Defensive Player topped out the year at #4 in the final AP 9 Man Poll. of the year. Lindh led the way with 14 sacks, and Thompson with 4 INT. These all-conference players, along with many Statistically, the Hurricanes were at the top of the conference other valuable team members in advancing the Hurricanes to as a team. They finished the conference schedule second in the their second state tournament, and the first one since 1982. league in offense, averaging 37.8 PPG and first in the league in They finished the season 11-1 and lost to Verndale in the state defense, allowing 11 PPG. Offensively the Hurricanes were led quarterfinals. by junior Kevin Lindh. Lindh was the leading rusher, grounding out 1,301 yards rushing on 152 carries, 395 yards receiving, and Mabel-Canton finished the season second in the conference 22 touchdowns. To go along with these numbers he was also with a 9-2 record. Much like the Hurricanes they were lead by named the Southern Confederacy East Offensive Player of the a host of juniors with some key seniors sprinkled in. Mabel-

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 85 Conference Recaps

Canton averaged 43.1 PPG, which was first in the division, and allowed 16.8 PPG, which was good for fourth in the division. Southern Confederacy East Standings The Cougars had a very balanced team and were led by juniors Laurence Caldwell and Mike Williams in the backfield. Team Conf. Overall They finished with 691 yards and 597 yards respectively and Houston 6-0 11-1 accounted for 19 of the Cougars conference touchdowns. Mabel-Canton 5-1 9-2 Leading the Cougar defense were host of players including Lanesboro 4-2 7-3 all conference picks, sophomore Joe Smith, junior Sam Storlie, Grand Meadow 2-4 5-5 senior Zach Lind, and senior Bryant Cox. Storlie finished the LeRoy Ostrander 2-4 4-5 conference season with 3 INT. The Cougars continued to show Lyle-Pacelli 2-4 3-6 a balanced offensive and defensive attack under the guidance Spring Grove 0-5 2-7 of Head Coach Karl Urbanik. They were often ranked in the AP 9 *Houston Lost to Verndale in the 9-Man State Man Polls and were as high as #6 during the season. Quarterfinals 26-12. Lanesboro finished their 2007 campaign third in the 2007 Southern Confederacy Season Awards conference and with a 7-3 record, averaging 29.9 PPG on offense Coach of the Year – Jason Freed (Houston) and allowing 20 PPG on defense. The Burros sported a very Offensive Player of the Year – Kevin Lindh (Houston) good ground attack and leading the way was all conference Defensive Player of the Year – Pierce Edmiston (Houston) running back Brawley Witte who led the conference in rushing Lineman of the Year – Blake Julian (LeRoy Ostrander) and rushing touchdowns. He finished his senior campaign with 1398 yards and 20 touchdowns. Other key members in the Burro attack this season were all-conference performers Colin Spring Grove under the guidance of first year Head Coach th Bakke who is a junior and senior quarterback Matt McGrath. Zach Hauser, finished the season 7 in the conference. Spring The Burros are coached by James Semmen. Grove finished with a 2-7 overall record. The Lions had a very potent offensive attack averaging 29.4 PPG. Leading the way The Grand Meadow Superlarks, under the direction of Gary Sloan, finished their 2007 campaign in fourth place and with a 5-5 record. The Superlarks were led by All-Conference quarterback CJ Inglebret, who was a dual threat passing for 355 yards and rushing for 482 yards. Other key players for the Superlarks were all-conference pick Michael Gehling who rushed for 560 yards and 7 touchdowns and senior lineman Mitch Baldus. Overall, the Superlarks averaged 19.1 PPG a game on offense and allowed 16.6 PPG on defense. Gehling also led the defense and conference with 8 INT. LeRoy-Ostrander finished fifth in the conference fifth with a 4-5 overall record. They were led by Conference Lineman of the Year and senior Blake Julian. He helped pave the Cardinal offense to 26.9 PPG while defensively allowing 25.4 PPG. Doing much of the damage in the running game for the Cardinals was senior All-Conference running back Jordan Rosedahl who finished the season with 904 yards and 11 TD, and senior quarterback Kelvin Stern who rushed for 505 yards and 8 TDs, and passed for 643 yards and 6 TD. Mark Buntje and the Lyle-Pacelli Athletics were sixth in the conference finishing with a record of 3-6 overall. The Athletics, much like many other teams in the conference were led by a dual threat quarterback. Senior All-Conference quarterback Sam Stier led the way for the Athletics, who on offense averaged 20.8 PPG. Stier rushed for 427 yards, 3 TD, and passed for 1027 yards and 13 TD. Other statistical leaders for LP were senior all conference wide receiver Ryan Fett who had 23 receptions for 393 yards and six touchdowns. Brady Stier was fourth in the conference in receiving catching 32 balls for 407 yards and 6 TDs.

86 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association for the Lion’s offensive attack were All-Conference quarterback 19 TD. Both of those stats led the conference as well. Both Kurk Colin Kurk and dual threat Chris Connelly. Connelly led the and Connelly are juniors. conference in points with 134. He also rushed for 500 yards and had 912 yard receiving on 52 catches. Eleven of those 52 receptions were touchdowns. Kurk passed for 1645 yards and

Southern Confederacy Conference: West Division How The West Was Won

Alde-Conger had their sights set on repeating as champions for 2007 but it would not be as 2007 was the year of ìThe Clippersî in the West. Cleveland led by conference coach of the year Dave Krenik dominated the west division. (6-0, 10-2) There week 2 match-up with defending champ A-C was a real black and blue battle that the Clippers won 22-16. They never really looked back after that led by the conference lineman of the year and all-state selection Jason Hankins, conference back of the year Marty Scmitz the Clippers won the section championship and became the first team in Cleveland history to make it to State! The section win was also coach Kreniksí 100th victory he will also coach Jason Hankins one more time as both were selected to be in the MFCA all-star game in June. Alden-Conger finished the year as runner-up to the Clippers with a 5-1 conference record. They were led by defensive player of the year Matt Brimseth. Granada-Huntley-East Chain-Martin Luther finished 3rd in 2007 with a 4-2 record but with a solid foundation for 2008 with Marcus Teachout and Tim Garry returning. The Truman Bluejays improved on their record from their first year in the conference to finish in 4th place at 3-5. Two time all-conference player and all-state selection Rob Zehnder led the Bluejays for the second straight year in tackles. Nicollet was probably the most improved team in the conference in 2007. The Raiders played tough in every game and gave champion Cleveland everything they could handle in a 14-0 loss. Look for coach Tom Murphy to have more success in 2008. Barry Scmidtís Madelia Blackhawks finished 6th in conference led by senior QB Nate Haynes and Glenville ñ Emmons finished 7th to round up the conference standings. Who knows what 2008 will bring for the Southern Confederacy ñ West Conference? (Might be a new name for 2008?) Four new teams have been added for 2008 so we will no longer cross over to play game against the East division. Edgerton, JWP, Westbrook-Walnut Grove, and Hills Beaver Creek-Ellsworth have joined the West this is a great addition and makes our conference very tough!

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 87 Conference Recaps Suburban East Conference Cretin-Derham Hall Goes Back-to-Back in SEC

Cretin Derham Hall repeated as Conference Champion of the Suburban East Conference in 2007. The Raiders are the second Suburban East Conference back-to-back champion since the inception of the league in Conf. Overall 2001. The Raiders, from Hastings, won shares of the conference Cretin Derham Hall 8-0 13-1 title in each of the first two SEC seasons in 2001 and 2002. Mounds View 5-2 9-3 The Raiders dominated play in the SEC with the league’s best Park 4-3 5-5 offense and defense. Cretin Derham Hall’s Raiders (13-1, 8-0), Stillwater 4-3 4-5 the only team in the conference to play each conference team, Woodbury 3-4 5-5 out gained their opponents by an average of 240 yards per White Bear Lake 3-4 6-5 contest. The Raiders attack was led by two league leaders, the Roseville 2-5 4-6 top passer in John Nance and the top receiver in Michael Floyd. Forest Lake 2-5 2-7 The Raiders balanced the offense with senior Shady Solomon Hastings 1-6 1-8 and junior Marcus Binns, who combined for more than 1,000 yards rushing in the regular season. CDH scored almost 47 points per game while the defense surrendered just nine. The Raiders won the Section 4-5A Championship to advance to 2007 SEC Awards state for the 16th time in 17 years. The Raiders bid for a second state title was thwarted by Eden Prairie, who defended their Most Valuable Player on Offense: state championship with a 50-21 victory at the Metrodome. Michael Floyd, Cretin Derham Hall The other SEC representative in the 5A state playoffs was the Most Valuable Player on Defense: Mounds View Mustangs. The Mustangs survived many close Tyler Kennedy, Park games and two of their three losses came by only a touchdown. Offensive Lineman of the Year: Mounds View (9-3, 5-2) finished the regular season with an Joe Schafer, Cretin Derham Hall opportunity to share the SEC title with CDH but was denied in the championship game 42-7. This setback did not prevent Defensive Lineman of the Year: the Mustangs from advancing to the state playoffs for the third Danny Offerman, Roseville time in five years. The Mustangs held off conference foe White Coach of the Year: Bear Lake in the Section 5-5A final 21-14. The Mustangs failed Mike Scanlon, Cretin Derham Halla to advance to the Dome for the first time in school history by losing one final barnburner, a state quarterfinal game, against Eastview. Though the Bears season was ended by the Mustangs, the Defensive Lineman of the Year, Danny Offerman. Bears were able to rally in the playoffs to finish with a winning record (6-5, 3-4). The Bears found themselves in familiar territory District rivals Park and Woodbury finished tied for third place leading the conference in rushing yards with 311 yards per in the conference with Stillwater and White Bear Lake. This third game. place finish was a great improvement for both schools that finished winless in the conference during the 2006 campaign. Section 5-5A composed half of the SEC, which also included The Park Wolfpack (5-5, 4-3) featured the second best defense Stillwater and Roseville. The Ponies and Raiders battled in the in the conference led by Defensive Player of the Year, Tyler first week of the season resulting in a 27-0 victory for Stillwater Kennedy. The Wolfpack veer offense was successful in large part (4-5, 4-3). However, Raiders (4-6, 3-5) turned the tables on the because of two year starting quarterback RC Kilgore. Kilgore, a Ponies in the first round of the post season only to fall to the junior, rushed 105 times for 468 yards and threw for another Mustangs in the semifinals. Stillwater featured the league’s 684. The Wolfpack ran into CDH in the Section 4-5A semifinals. second best passer in Aaron Anderson and second leading The Royals (5-5, 3-4) season also ended in the second round of receiver in Joe Mergens. The Pony defense was anchored by the Section 4 playoffs. The Royals depended on a defense that defensive end Brian Arnfelt. Roseville balanced their attack finished third in the conference, led by defensive linemen Matt with the third best passer in senior BJ LeTourneau and second Godfrey and Seth Olson. Junior outside linebacker Mike Willett leading rusher, Tony Kablan. The Raiders defense relied on

88 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association led the Royals in tackles. The Royal offense relied on a steady Park became the third conference school to enjoy artificial run game with the bulk of the carries going to junior fullback grass at their home stadium joining Cretin Derham Hall and Tyler Wakasugi. Mounds View. Woodbury will have the fourth home field with The Forest Lake Rangers (2-7, 2-5) highlighted the new turf in 2008. conference’s second best offense led mainly by option The SEC will be represented in the Minnesota High School quarterback Mike Schultz. Schultz, a junior, led the conference Football All Star Game by Mounds View offensive lineman in rushing with 878 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per touch. Harry Merickel and a pair of defensive ends in Brian Arnfelt of A late injury to Schultz hindered the Rangers playoff run as Stillwater and Danny Offerman of Roseville. they fell 20-7 to Andover in the Section 7-5A opening round. The SEC had 12 players sign letters of intent to play football. Also exiting on the first night of the playoffs was Hastings. The CDH Raiders John Nance and Shady Solomon join six former Raiders welcomed new head coach Dana Strain in 2007. Strain SEC players at the University of Minnesota. and Raiders gained a 17-14 victory over Roseville to finish the regular season 1-8 overall.

Three Rivers Conference Southland, Dover-Eyota and Lewiston-Altura Win Division Championships Caledonia Wins State AA Championship

2008 TRC South Standings 2008 TRC North Standings

Southland 5-0, 8-0 Dover-Eyota 3-1, 6-2 Caledonia 4-1, 7-1 Lewiston-Altura 3-1, 4-4 Rushford-Peterson 3-2, 6-2 Plainview-Elgin-Millville 2-2, 5-3 Chatfield 2-3, 2-6 St. Charles 2-2, 4-4 Fillmore Central 1-4, 1-7 Wabasha-Kellogg 0-4, 1-7 Kingsland 0-5, 0-8

2007 was a great year in the Three Rivers Conference. The be playing in the North Division. (Nick Richmond is back for his Southland Rebels under Shawn Kennedy won the South second year at Wabasha-Kellogg taking over as the Head Coach Division Championship with a perfect 5-0 league mark and an in August of 2007) 8-0 regular season. The North Division had a Co-Championship With the addition of Luther High School (Onalaska, WI), between Dover-Eyota (under Doug Yost) and Lewiston-Altura the Three Rivers Conference is back to twelve teams with two (under Brent Olson) with 4 – 1 league records. The Caledonia divisions. Each division has six teams with five league games and Warriors (13-1) only loss was in the TRC South (Southland 14- three non-division cross over games based on enrollment to 13), but they used that to springboard them throughout the start out the season. 2008 looks to be another very competitive play-offs bringing Coach Carl Fruechte a State Championship year for both divisions. Adding a Wisconsin team provides (Class AA). It was the second time in three years that Caledonia the TRC with three classes (A, AA, and AAA) in Minnesota and reached the Prep Bowl with a Runner-Up finish in 2005. another in Wisconsin (Division 5). The odds are unlikely, but this There will be some coaching changes in the Three Rivers brings a potential of 4 class champions out of one conference Conference for 2008. Doug Yost of Dover-Eyota goes out as – something to shoot for in a great league, 2008 should be as the TRC North Co-Champ, he is stepping down and Tom Passe competitive as ever! will be taking over that program. At Kingland, Wally Beevers is stepping down after a successful tenure with the Knights and Trent Langemo will take over the head coaching duties. Luther High School of Onalaska, Wisconsin is joining the TRC in 2008 (football only), and they are coached by Jon Benrud. Luther will

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 89 Conference Recaps West Central North Summary

Standings Conf overall Albany 7-0 11-2 New London Spicer 5-2 6-4 Sauk Centre 5-2 6-3 Cathedral 4-3 5-5 Minnewaska 3-4 4-5 Staples Motley 3-4 3-6 Melrose 1-6 1-7 Long Prairie Grey Eagle 0-7 0-9

This was a very balanced year in the West Central. Albany was again top dog with an undefeated season in the conference at 7-0. They were led by conference MVP Kurt Schlangan and St Cloud Cathedral’s Tom Spaniol runs around end Conference lineman of the year Eric Dirkes. They also had a great run in the State playoffs and represented the West Central very well. Second place in the conference was New London Spicer led by the Back of the year Levi Schultz who amassed 1,475 yards rushing. Sauk Centre added another winning season to their books and a tie for second in the conference in what ends a successful 22 year head coaching stint for Bryan Olson. Following the Mainstreeters were the Crusaders from St. Cloud Cathedral at 4-3 in conference play and led by a balanced offensive attack from QB Steve Rindelaub and Senior running back Tom Spaniol. Minnewaska and Staples-Motley ended tied for fifth with 3-4 records Staples-Motley boasted the second best offense in the conference while being plagued by injuries. While Minnewaska had the top rated passing attack and WR of the year Mike Stansbury with 35 receptions for 524 yards and nine touchdowns. Melrose was much improved throughout the season. They had great team speed and look forward to a nice future with new coach Jay DeCann at the helm. Rounding out St. Cloud Cathedral’s the conference was Long Prairie-Grey Eagle with an 0-7 year. #84 Adam Theis scores a TD vs Sauk Centre From top to bottom it was a very competitive year with any team being able to win on any given night. Conference Awards There will be some changes in the conference for next season as Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Minnewaska move to Most Valuable Player Kurt Schlangen Albany the south half of the conference and Staples-Motley moves to a new conference. We wish all of those schools luck next season Most Valuable Back Levi Schultz New London and seasons to come. With those three schools leaving, we Spicer will welcome Foley, Milaca, and Mora into the conference next season. Most Valuable Lineman Eric Dirkes Albany Most Valuable Receiver Mike Stansbury Minnewaska Most valuable Defense Kyle Litchy Albany Coach of the Year Mike Kleinschmidt Albany

90 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association West Central South Conference

WCC South Awards MVP Nic Leither Senior ACGC “D” Player of the Year Josh Vosika Junior BOLD MV Lineman Jeff Jerve Junior Montevideo MV Back Kurt Huisman Junior ACGC MV WR Tyler Wolters Senior Paynesville Co-Coach Of the Year Terry Karlsgodt ACGC Dave Schimming Montevideo

WCC South Top Stats Top Average “Offensive Yards” 374.1 ACGC Top Average “Defensive Yards” 164.6 BOLD “Points for” Average 38.7 ACGC “Points Against” Average 9.9 ACGC

Individual Leaders Receiving Tyler Wolters Senior Paynesville Passing Ted Hoffman Senior Paynesville Rushing Mitch Neubauer Junior BOLD Scoring Kurtis Huisman Junior ACGC Punting Justin Johnston ? Morris Tackles Josh Vosicka Junior BOLD Interceptions Travis Frederiksen Junior ACGC Eric Brandon Junior Montevideo

The WCC South once again lived up to its reputation as a Tied for third place in the WCC South with 5-2 records were strong, physical conference. Montevideo and ACGC were co- the YME Sting and the BOLD Warriors. The Sting are coached champs, each going 6-1 in conference play. by Mike Gaffaney, while Steve Solem is still at the helm for th The Montevideo Thunderhawks, under the direction of Dave BOLD. Finishing in 5 place was the Paynesville Bulldogs at 3-4 th Schimming, finished conference play at 6-1, 8-2 overall. In WCC (coached by Ted Nett). The Morris Tigers finished 6 (coached by South play, Montevideo averaged 314 yards of offense and 28 Jerry Witt) followed by LQPV at 1-6 (Mark Bjornjeld) and Benson points. They were led by Senior QB Tyler Grey. He completed at 0-7 (Scott Gonnerman). 52% of his passes and threw for 8 TD’s in conference play. Tramel Barnes and Todd Bergerson were his main targets through the air, while Junior Brock Ackerman rushed for 669 yards and 7 TD’s. The ACGC Falcons, coached by Terry Karlsgodt, were co- champs with Montevideo. The Falcons finished 9-2 overall, losing to EV-W in the section 6AA finals. ACGC averaged 374 yards per game, mostly on the ground, and gave up the fewest points per game in conference play at 9.9. Junior Kurtis Huisman rushed for 106.6 yards per game and scored 10 conference TD’s. Senior Nic Leither scored 8 times for the Falcons.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 91 Conference Recaps 2007 Wright County Conference GSL Repeats 3A Championship

Final Standings: Conference Overall Glencoe-Silver Lake 7-0 14-0 Waconia 6-1 11-2 Orono 5-2 8-3 Dassel-Cokato 4-3 6-5 Litchfield 3-4 5-5 Watertown-Mayer 1-6 2-7 Annandale 1-6 1-8 Delano 1-6 1-8

In 2007 Glencoe Silver Lake defended its Class 3A state championship by defeating DeLaSalle 56-20 in the Prep Bowl to win its fourth title in the past 8 seasons. The win capped off a perfect 14-0 season. Waconia lost to Totino Grace in the semi finals in Class 4A. These were the only two Wright County Conference teams to make the state playoffs this year. With the past season being a realignment year, all of the 3A WCC teams were put into section 3, a big change from the past. There are five 3A and four 4A schools in the Wright County for next season. Mound returns from a two year leave after being on an independent schedule. Waconia defeated New Ulm and then both Mankato East and West to win their section. In the state tournament they defeated Washburn to make it to the semi finals before losing to eventual 4A state champion Totino Grace. GSL defeated three WCC foes to make it to the state tournament, Watertown- Mayer, Litchfield, and Dassel-Cokato. In the state tournament they defeated LeSuer-Henderson, Albany, and DeLaSalle for the 3A state championship. GSL’s Coach Dose was named the WCC Coach of the Year, along with Section 3AAA and Class 3A Coach of the Year. He received the man of the year award at the MHSFCA clinic this past March. Also receiving an award for GSL was Matt Muenchow, QB, he was a finalist for the Mr. Football award given out by the association. GSL’s Dave Dose announced his retirement at the conclusion of this season, long time assistant Scott Tschimperle will take over as the new head coach at GSL. At this time that is the only known coaching change for the conference for the upcoming 2008 season.

92 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Academic All-State Football Team Concept Purpose of Awards – To promote and recognize academic * Grades will be rounded to two decimal points. achievement by Minnesota high school football teams in each * Grades will be from the past full school year. No summer school or classification. current fall grades should be included. Proposal – Team academic recognitions in each class will be awarded * Individual GPA’s will be added together and divided by the number based on the following standards and procedures. of team members to determine the team GPA. The team GPA must be included on the entry form. STANDARDS * A school official (principal, councilor, etc.) must sign the form. Gold Awards – Top teams from each class regardless of section will * To be eligible for the team academic awards, the head coach must win Gold award plaques. The standard will likely be established using be a current member of the MFCA. the top eight team GPA’s from each class until a standard is set. * Forms must be submitted to the class representatives by November Silver Awards – The Silver awards are the second level recognitions 1st and award winners must be submitted to the committee by for the next 10 to 12 teams after the Gold teams. Once again, future November 8th. GPA standards will be determined based on the top 18 to 20 teams in both gold and silver categories. Silver plaques will be awarded. TEAM ACADEMIC ALL STATE REPRESENTATIVES Bronze Awards – The next 12 to 16 teams in each class will receive Class name School Fax Number certificates. 9 Man Dave Krenik Cleveland 507-931-9088 1A Wayne Petermeier Browerville 320-594-8105 GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES 2A Tony Barnack Montgomery 507-364-8103 * The teams and awards from each class will be chosen by the 3A Dave Hylla Proctor 218-628-4937 Academic All-State Team Committee. 4A Bubba Sullivan Northfield 507-645-3455 * A team must use all members on their official home roster in 5A Dave Nelson Minnetonka 952-401-5905 determining the team GPA. (may include Grades 10-12, no freshmen Chairman Con Natvig Browerville 320-594-8105 for small schools.) * Each player’s name and GPA must be recorded and sent to the class representative. * A 4.00 system will be used and 4.00 will be the highest grade possible. No weighted grades. INDIVIDUAL Academic All-State Football - Player Guidelines and Procedures A review of the Minnesota State Football Coaches Association's basic and data. requirement for the team are: 2) The selection committee must have a good summary of 1) Must be a senior varsity letterman for the current season who is not only the player's academic record, but the player's football a starter on either offense, defense or kicker. accomplishments. 2) The player must have outstanding football and leadership 3) If the first quarter grades are not out for the applicant's senior ability plus academic excellence. year, his first quarter senior subjects must be listed. 3) Player must carry a 3.0 (4.0 scale) grade-point average in an 4) All applications must be sent to your class academic team academic core curriculum in his sophomore, junior and first quarter representative. If you have any problems, contact your class of the senior year. representative first. Please check the time deadlines on the 4) Player shall not have any Minnesota State League eligibility application form. penalties or infractions during his high school career. Remember: This is your state's FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION'S 5) Each class will select a team consisting of the number stated endeavor. below: 9-Man=11 3A=14 1A=12 4A=15 Individual All-State Player Committee 2A=13 5A=16 Class name School Fax Number 6) The teams will not be selected by position, but the committee 9 Man Mike Mahlen Verndale 218-445-5185 will select the top football players of each class who meet the criteria 1A Wayne Petermeier Browerville 320-594-8105 2A Steve Solem BOLD 320-523-1031 stated above. 3A Scott Tschimperle GSL 320-864-6475 7) The Coach submitting the player application must be a member 4A Rick Sutton Eagan 651-683-6910 of the Minnesota State Football Coaches Association. 5A Todd Olson Richfield 612-798-6129 Guidelines & Procedures: Chairman: Mike Watson, Centennial, 763-792-5039 1) All applications should be typed or printed with correct names

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 93 Academic All-State Football Team Application

School ______Class ______Address ______Section ______Head Coach ______Phone ( ______) ______Players Name G.P.A. Players Name G.P.A. 1) ______26) ______2) ______27) ______3) ______28) ______4) ______29) ______5) ______30) ______6) ______31) ______7) ______32) ______8) ______33) ______9) ______34) ______10) ______35) ______11) ______36) ______12) ______37) ______13) ______38) ______14) ______39) ______15) ______40) ______16) ______41) ______17) ______42) ______18) ______43) ______19) ______44) ______20) ______45) ______21) ______46) ______22) ______47) ______23) ______48) ______24) ______49) ______25) ______50) ______Send Team Application to (Fax Numbers): 9 Man: Dave Krenik, Cleveland 507-931-9088 Class 1A: Wayne Petermeier, Browerville 320-594-8105 Composite Class 2A: Tony Barnack, Montgomery 507-364-8103 Class 3A: Dave Hylla, Proctor 218-628-4937 Class 4A: Bubba Sullivan, Northfield 507-645-3455 (Signature of verifying school official) Class 5A: Dave Nelson, Minnetonka 952-401-5905 Chairman: Con Natvig, Bowerville Title Class 5A, 4A and 3A make copy of page for additional names. INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION Academic All-State Player Name of Applicant ______Grade ______Birthday: Month ______Day ______Year ______Height ______Weight ______School ______Coach ______Football position played as a Starter Offense: ______Defense: ______Circle Class: 9-Man 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A Kicking Game: ______

Accumulative High School G.P.A. ______Attach a Transcript or list subjects completed or enrolled in. Grade 10 Subjects Grade 11 Subjects 1st Quarter Senior Subjects 1.______1. ______1. ______2.______2. ______2. ______3 ______3. ______3. ______4. ______4. ______4. ______5. ______5. ______5. ______6. ______6. ______6. ______7. ______7. ______7. ______Use a 4.00 Scale for G.P.A. Pursuant to the provision of PL 93-380 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974), I hereby grant permission to release a copy of my academic record and G.P.A. average for use by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association in selecting the Academic All-State Team.

______Signature of Parent or Student Applicant if 18 years or older

PLAYER INFORMATION Coaches: Please use the following format to submit data for Time Deadlines: your applicant. 1) All applications must be in the hands of the class representatives School Background Information: by Nov. 1. 1) List academic honors. 2) Class selection committees must have teams picked by Nov. 1 2) List other school activities and leadership role in school. and sent to the academic chairman. 3) List other sports with varsity participation. 3) Class representatives must notify all team selections by Nov. Football Information: 1. 1) Football position: List in order of which player has best demonstrated ability (offense, defense, kicking game). Send Individual Application to (Fax Numbers): 2) List all football honors - previous and this season. 9 Man Mike Mahlen Verndale 218-445-5185 3) Statistics (list stats from this season and career totals). Mention 1A Wayne Petermeier Browerville 320-594-8105 2A Steve Solem BOLD 320-523-1031 any school or conference records. Mention if a lineman has any 3A Scott Tschimperle GSL 320-864-6475 team stats that may be pertinent to the team's success. 4A Rick Sutton Eagan 651-683-6910 4) Coaches comment: Please submit a short letter to the academic 5A Todd Olson Richfield 612-798-6129 team selection committee describing your player in terms of Chairman: Mike Watson, Centennial, 763-792-5039 ability, performance, potential character and what makes this football player special.

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 95 2007 Academic All State Teams 9-MAN - GOLD COACH 9-MAN - SILVER COACH Hancock Adam Steege Kittson County Central Terry Ogovek Stephen/Argyle Central Mark Kroulik Cleveland Dave Krenik Cromwell Jeff Gronnen Hills-Beaver Creek /Ellsworth Dan Ellingson Glenville/emmons Derek Nelson McGregor Bob Staska Verndale Mike Mahlen Grand Meadow Gary Sloan Ada-Borup Mike Gullingsrud

CLASS 1A - GOLD COACH CLASS 1A - SILVER COACH Wabasso Joe Kemp Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg James Cortez LeCenter Ken Helland Springfield Paul Dunn Red Rock Central Brian Walker Ely Darren Visser Bethlehem Academy Scott Hanson Lewiston-Altura Brent Olson Mankato Loyola Dan Rotchadl Goodhue Clair Autstin Canby Scott Snobl Cook County Mitch Dorr Lakeview Grant Will Royalton Joel Swenson Parkers Prairie Scott Peterson Adrian Randy Strand Red Lake Falls Brian Remick Blooming Prairie Chad Gimble CLASS 2A - GOLD COACH Eden Valley-Watkins Ray Tri Minnesota Valley Luthern Jim Buboltz Tracy-Milroy-Ballaton Derek Flann Caledonia Carl Fruechte Benson Scott Gonnerman NRHEG Dan Stork Montgomery-Lonsdale Tony Barnack Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Jon Bakken

CLASS 3A - GOLD COACH CLASS 3A - SILVER COACH Melrose Jay DeCann Glencoe-Silver Lake Dave Dose St. Cloud Cathedral Jamie Kinzer Montevideo Dave Schimming Foley Larry Herm Albany Mike Kleinschmidt Holy Family Catholic Dave Hopkins Proctor Dave Hylla New London-Spicer Dan Essler St. Peter Marc Bachman LeSueur Henderson Terry Turek Plainview - Elgin - Millville Bill Ihrke Pine City Bill Christianson

CLASS 4A - GOLD COACH CLASS 4A - SILVER COACH Willmar Ken Heitzman Northfield Bubba Sullivan St. Michael, Albertville Earl Bauman Orono Jeff Weiland New Prague Tony Buthe Spring Lake Park Jeff Schlieff Detroit Lakes Flint Motschenbacher Columbia Heights Matt Townsend Princeton Scott Walquist Fergus Falls Richard Risbrudt Mound Westonka Kyle Inforzato Chisago Lakes Bill Weiss

CLASS 5A - GOLD COACH CLASS 5A - SILVER COACH White Bear Lake Bob Jackson Rochester Mayo James Miller Alexandria Dennis Kalpin Anoka Jeff Buerkle Eastview Kelly Sherwin Lakeville South Larry Thompson Edina Kim Nelson Cretin Drerham Hall Mike Scanlan Eden Prairie Mike Grant Minnetonka Dave Neslon Andover Rick Wilkie Park Center Rufus Bess Lakeville North Mike Zweber Brainerd Ron Stolski

96 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Academic All State Individuals

Class 9-Man Zachary Ring – Minnesota Valley Erik Fabry – Eastview Alex Busselman – Lincoln High-Lake Lutheran Geoff Schmalzer – Andover Benton Ian Cameron – Rochester Mayo Austin Quade – Westbrook-Walnut Class 3A Jacob Esch – Cretin-Derham Hall Grove Anthony Theisen – Plainview-Elgin- Jason Engstrom – Coon Rapids Dustin Dalbey – Kittson County Central Millville John Cicchese – North St. Paul Joe Harren – Eagle Valley Brett Gruber – Melrose Area Jordan Hauschild – Farmington Kyle Bruns – Brandon/Evansville Cole Schiffler – Albany Joseph Schafer – Cretin-Derham Hall Logan Hansen – Glenville-Emmons Dan Landrus – Aitkin Matt Swanson – Eden Prairie Matt Miller – Cleveland Ethan Anderson – Maple River Nick Smith – St. Louis Park Pierce Edmiston – Houston Joseph Leveille – Proctor Nick Stang – Irondale Robert Zehnder – Truman Kurt Schlangen – Albany Ryan Grant – Eden Prairie Ryan Horn – Clearbrook-Gonvick Kyle Winkelman – Foley Tom Lyscio – Brainerd Sam Moenkedick – Verndale Levi Schultz – New London-Spicer Tyler Kennedy – Park-Cottage Grove Scot Tamminen – Floodwood Logan Becker – Blue Earth Area Tyler Malm – Stephen-Argyle Central Mike Nelson – Holy Family Catholic Nathan Maher – Rockford Class 1A Todd Pauly – Sibley East Adam Trettel – Royalton Trent Johnson – Holy Family Catholic Brett Watson – Goodhue Tyler Grey – Montevideo Christopher Eichten – Wabasso Zach Flies – Plainview-Elgin-Millville Elliott Herdina – Blooming Priarie Ethan Preisler – LeCenter Jeff Weiss – Red Lake Falls Class 4A Josh Fredrickson – Red Rock Central Ben Lippert – Willmar Mark Skogland – Kerkoven/Murdock/ Cameron Harper – Spring Lake Park Sunburg Chris Gilson – Detroit Lakes Max Rotchadl – Mankato Loyola Cory Callahan – Northfield Tait Sande – Cook County Jon Lien – Chisago Lakes Tanner Pierce – Badger/Greenbuch/ Jordan Marshall – Totino Grace Middle River Josh Hofmann – Fergus Falls Zane Ziebell – Lewiston/Altura Kyle Atchley – Mankato East Logan Deopere – Mankato West Class 2A Lukas Inveiss – Sartell Brad Kruckeberg – NRHEG Mark Barten – New Prague Cody Schenck - Hawley Matt Kilpo – Duluth East Dakota Tracy – NRHEG Mike Castle – Duluth East Daniel Holdvogt – Eden Valley-Watkins Mike Sorenson – Columbia Heights Daniel Timm – Minnesota Valley Nick Zweber – New Prague Lutheran Parker Deutz – Marshall Jesse Hillyer – Pierz Ryan Whitacre – Chisago Lakes John Gervais – Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Josh Pearson - ACGC Kyle Heronimus – Luverne Class 5A MacEagon Voyce – Hayfield Andrew Hanske – Minnetonka Morgan Vetter – Frazee Bryant Pearson – Alexandria Nicholas Leither - ACGC Eli Francis Kelley – St. Cloud Tech Reed Sallstrom – GFW Eric Dowling - Moorhead Tyler Ahlf – United North Central

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 97 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

2007 State Football Tournament

State tournament experience was a key to the 2007 Minnesota State High School State Football Tournament. Many of this season’s Prep Bowl participants had been there previously, giving a familiar feel to the playoffs.

Class 9A but also used a very effective passing game to keep the The Stephen-Argyle Storm continued their record setting Islanders off balance, as GSL came up with four touchdowns run of success by winning their fifth consecutive state passes. GSL gained over 500 total yards in picking up the title and increasing their state record winning streak program’s fourth state title, all under Dave Dose. to 67 games. Head coach Mark Kroulik led the storm to a convincing win over the Waubon Bombers, coached Class 4A by John Clark. The Storm also set a Prep Bowl record by Mahtomedi, 10-4, and Totino Grace, 13-1, provided rushing for 426 yards in the game. Waubon completed a one of the most dramatic finishes in Prep Bowl history. very successful season with an 11-1 record. Mahtomedi, coached by Dave Muetzel, scored TD and two point conversion with less than a minute to play to take Class 1A the lead, 8-7, in what had been a very tough, defensive Two state tournment experienced teams squared off game. But the Eagles, coached by Jeff Ferguson, came for the Class 1A game and the Goodhue Wildcats, 13-1, right back to midfield, on the following drive. With time coached by Clair Austin, prevailed over the Adrian Dragons, running out Grace made the dramatic last TD on tipped coached by Randy Stand, 11-3. Goodhue used consistent pass for the 13-8 victory. The title was Totino Grace’s second running game to pile up 26 first downs and control much consecutive and sixth overall. of the time of possession during the game to come out on top 28-7 and gained their second state title, having also Class 5A won the Class 1A championship in 2003. A much anticipated matchup between two tradition rich programs turned out be one sided with Mike Grant’s Eden Class 2A Prairie Eagles, 14-0, prevailing over the Mike Scanlon Carl Fruechte’s Caledonia Warriors, 13-1, captured the coached Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders,13-1. The game began program’s first state title since 1976, although the Warriors with both teams making big plays and scoring points as 57 have been state tournament participants in recent seasons. points were put on the scoreboard in the first half. But the The Warriors beat the Luverne Cardinals, 11-2, coached by Eagles took control in the second half to defend their state Todd Oye, who were making their second consecutive state title from the previous season, 50-21. It was the sixth state title game appearance. Caledonia used a tough defense to title for Eden Prairie since 1996. keep the Cardinals in check and come out on top 14-7. Class 3A The Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers, 14-0, defended their state championship from 2006 with a convincing 56- 20 over Dick Weinberger’s DeLaSalle Islanders, 11-3. The ground oriented Panthers rushed for over 300 yards

98 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association 2007 Playoff Results SECTION CHAMPIONS 2007 CLASS 5A PLAYOFFS Cretin-Derham Hall(11-0)(H) 26

Cretin-Derham Hall H.S. 56 Lakeville North H.S. 18

Cretin-Derham Hall H.S. 50 Wayzata H.S. (10-1) 10 Brainerd H.S. (H) 14

Brainerd H.S. (10-1)(H) 13 Eden Prairie H.S.

Mounds View H.S. (9-2) 13 AAAAA State Champion

Eastview H.S. 0 Eastview H.S. (10-1) (H) 21 Eden PrairieH.S. (H) 21

Eden Prairie H.S. (11-0) 42 Eden Prairie H.S. (H) 30

Andover H.S. (8-3)(H) 7

SECTION CHAMPIONS 2007 CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS New Prague H.S. (6-5) 15

Mahtomedi H.S. 34 Mahtomedi H.S. (8-3) (H) 31 Totino-Grace H.S. 13 St. Michael-Alberville H.S. (8-2) 37 Sartell-St. Stephen H.S. (H) 20

Sartell-St. Stephen H.S.(8-3) (H) 46 Totino-Grace H.S.

Waconia H.S. (10-1) 28 AAAA State Champion

Waconia 8 Minneapolis Washburn (9-2) (H) 0 Totino Grace (H) 8 Totino Grace H.S. (8-3) 31 Totino Grace (H) 24

Duluth East H.S. (7-4) (H) 13

SECTION CHAMPIONS 2007 CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS Rochester Lourdes H.S. (9-2) 16

DeLaSalle H.S. 49 DeLaSalle H.S. (9-2) (H) 35

Rockford H.S. (8-3) 33 DeLaSalle H.S. 20 Perham H.S. (H) 14

Perham H.S. (9-2) (H) 49 Glencoe-Silver Lake H.S.

Le Sueur-Henderson H.S. (11-0) 12 Class AAA State Champion

Glencoe-Silver Lake H.S. 22 Glencoe-Silver Lake H.S. (11-0) (H) 33 Glencoe-Silver Lake H.S. (H) 56 Albany H.S. (10-1) 26 Albany H.S. (H) 8

Proctor H.S. (11-0) (H) 9

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 99 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ” 2007 Playoff Results

SECTION CHAMPIONS 2007 CLASS 2A PLAYOFFS Caledonia H.S. (10-1) 16

Caledonia H.S. 35 Norwood Young America H.S. (9-2) (H) 13 Caledonia H.S. 14 Eden Valley-Watkins H.S. (11-0) 27 Hawley H.S. (H) 20

Hawley H.S. (11-0) (H) 34 Caledonia H.S.

Triton H.S. (10-1) 7 AA State Champion

Luverne H.S. 29 Luverne H.S. (10-1) (H) 10 OT Luverne H.S. (H) 7

Pierz (10-1) 44 Pierz (H) 22

Moose Lake/Willow River (11-0) (H) 14

SECTION CHAMPIONS 2007 CLASS 1A PLAYOFFS Goodhue H.S. (10-1) 40

Goodhue H.S. 44 Royalton H.S. (9-2) (H) 14 Goodhue H.S. 28 KMS H.S. (11-0) 21 KMS H.S. (H) 12

Lake of the Woods H.S. (7-4) (H) 12 Goodhue H.S.

Mankato Loyola H.S. (10-1) 14 A State Champion

Adrian H.S. 21 Adrian H.S. (9-2) (H) 25 Adrian H.S. (H) 7 Mahnomen H.S. (8-3) 7 Cook County H.S. 0

Cook County H.S. (11-0) (H) 30

SECTION CHAMPIONS 2007 CLASS 9-MAN PLAYOFFS Houston H.S. (11-0) 12

Verndale H.S. 14 Verndale H.S. (9-1) (H) 28

Stephen-Argyle Central H.S. 43 MacGregor H.S. (10-1) 8 Stephen-Argyle Central H.S. (H) 35

Stephen-Argyle Central H.S. (10-0) (H) 44 Stephen-Argyle Central H.S.

Cleveland H.S. (10-1) 14 9-Man State Champion

Wheaton H.S. 8 Wheaton H.S. (11-0) (H) 50 Waubun H.S. (H) 21 Waubun H.S. (9-0) 12 Waubun H.S. (H) 14

Littlefork-Big Falls H.S. (11-0) (H) 6

100 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Eden Prairie - Section 6 Champion - Class 5A CHAMPION

Totino Grace - Section 6 Champion - Class 4A CHAMPION

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 101 “Th e Ke e p e r s o f t h e Ga m e ”

Glencoe-Silver Lake - Section 2 Champion - Class 3A CHAMPION

Caledonia - Section 1 Champion - Class 2A champion

102 - Minnesota Football Coaches Association Goodhue - Section 1 Champion - Class 1A CHAMPION

Stephen-Argyle - Section 8 Champion - Class 9-Man champion

Minnesota Football Coaches Association - 103 35th Annual Minnesota High School 7:00 P.M. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 • ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY

34th Annual All Star Game Recap METRO: 22 OUTSTATE: 17 Metro – Dave Ziebarth (St. Thomas Academy) Outstate – Flint Motschenbacher (Detroit Lakes)

On a cool, wet and windy Saturday night, the Metro All-Stars held Outstate was missed and Metro was within one point at 17-16. On the next Metro scoreless in the second half and rallied from a 10 point deficit to win the possession, Metro RB Paul Bernier (Lakeville North) swept right and ran 14 35th Annual Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game 22-17 at St. yards for the go-ahead touchdown. And attempted shovel pass on the Cloud State University’s Husky Stadium. Outstate leads the series 15-14 conversion attempt was unsuccessful and Metro led 22-17. after 29 games. Metro and Outstate have split the four games played in Led by Muenchow, Outstate drove methodically down the field (and into St. Cloud. the wind) for a potential winning score. A fourth down pass into the right This game started with a bang on the first play from scrimmage. Outstate’s corner of end zone was knocked down by Zac Kallas (Eden Prairie), ending Mario Butler (RB, Rochester Mayo) took a handoff, swept around right end the threat. and ran 80 yards for a touchdown. The play set two Minnesota All-Star The close game was reflected in the total yardage: 356 for Metro and 350 Football Game records: longest rushing touchdown and fastest scoring for Outstate. Metro relied on the pass with 272 yards in the air and 84 on play at the start of the game (15 seconds). Charlie Klaverkamp (St. Cloud the ground. Metro Offensive MVP Greg Morse was 8 of 11 for 200 yards Tech) added the PAT and Outstate had a quick 7-0 lead. and two TD passes. Ryan Grant was 5 of 12 for 78 yards. Fritz Waldvogel led Both teams alternated quarterbacks on every series, with Ryan Grant (Eden the Metro receivers with three catches for 86 yards and a TD. Brad Weiers Prairie) starting for Metro and Logan Becker (Blue Earth Area) starting for (New Prague) caught two passes for 45 yards and Matt Dvorak (St. Croix Outstate. Greg Morse (St. Paul Como Park) entered the game at QB on the Lutheran) caught two for 41 yards. On defense, Metro defensive MVP Billy second Metro possession. On his first play, Morse hit Fritz Waldvogel (St. Morgan (Rosemount) was in on 8 tackles and Danny Offerman (Roseville) Thomas Academy) on a 36 yard pass to midfield. Two plays later, Morse was in on 9 tackles. Andy Joyce (Wayzata) had the only Metro interception. found Waldvogel again for a 48 yard TD pass. The PAT by Matt Kloss (Coon Jordan Eaton (DL St. Paul Highland Park) was credited with two sacks. Rapids) tied the game at 7-7 with 10:20 remaining in the first quarter. Outstate rolled up 261 yards on the ground and 98 in the air. Outstate Late in the first quarter, Outstate was on the move, driving to the Metro 6 offensive MVP Matt Muenchow (QB Glencoe-Silver Lake) was the offensive yard line before the drive stalled. Klaverkamp kicked a 23 yard FG with 52 leader. He had 20 carries for 92 yards rushing and was 6 of 10 for 98 yards seconds left to give Outstate a 10-7 lead after one quarter. passing with one TD pass. Mario Butler (Rochester Mayo) had 7 carries for With Glencoe-Silver Lake QB Matt Muenchow at the helm, Outstate 84 yards and a TD. Ben Kall (RB Rochester John Marshall) was a workhorse drove into Metro territory late in the 2nd quarter. In the final minute, with 11 carries for 40 yards and 1 catch for an 8 yard TD. On defense, Muenchow hit Collin Stinogel (St. Cloud Tech with a 30 yard pass, with Outstate defensive MVP Mike Valesano (LB Brainerd) was in on 6 tackles Stinogel winning a one-on-one battle to come down with the catch. as was Nathan Maher (LB Rockford). Tyler Spiczka (Sauk Rapids-Rice) had With 24 seconds left in the half, Muenchow rolled left and hit RB Ben Kall an interception. (Rochester John Marshall) with an 8 yard TD pass. Klaverkamp’s PAT made Metro Captains: Brian Arnfelt (Stillwater), Ryan Grant (Eden Prairie), Curtis it 17-7 Outstate at the half. James (Edina), Zac Kallas (Eden Prairie); Outstate Captains: Eric Dirkes In the third quarter, Metro drove to the Outstate 10, where Kloss kicked a (Albany), Alex Means (Mankato East), Matt Muenchow (Glencoe-Silver 27 yard FG to make the score 17-10 after three quarters. Lake), Mike Valesano (Brainerd). In the decisive fourth quarter, with the gusty wind at their backs, Metro 2008 MVPs: Metro – Greg Morse (QB St. Paul Como Park), Billy Morgan (LB outscored Outstate 12-0 to win the game. In the first minute of the Rosemount); Outstate – Matt Muenchow (QB Glencoe-Silver Lake), Mike quarter, Greg Morse threw his second TD pass of the game, a 9 yard fade Valesano (LB Brainerd). pass to Dan Brown (Osseo) in the right corner of the end zone. The PAT Your support helps benefit Co-sponsored by the the MFCA Award Activities. Minnesota Football Coaches Association, Thanks for helping! Varsity Gold, and American Express Dave Fritze Game Manager 2008 OUTSTATE ALL-STAR FOOTBALL

# First Last POS Ht Wt School Coach 1 Matt Muenchow QB 6’ 1 195 Glencoe-Silver Lake Dave Dose 2 Steve Slater LB 6’ 3 205 Glencoe-Silver Lake Dave Dose 3 Josh Aakre LB 6’ 2 205 Dawson-Boyd Cory Larson 4 Alex Means DL 6’ 6 222 Mankato East Eric Davis 5 Charlie Hrdlicka RB 5’ 8 175 United North Central Jeremy Nordick 6 Blake Kerkhoff LB 6’ 0 195 NRHEG Dan Stork 7 Logan Becker QB 6’ 0 160 Blue Earth Area Randy Kuechenmeister 8 Elliott Herdina WR 5’ 10 172 Blooming Praire Chad Gimbal 9 Mario Butler RB 5’ 6 172 Mayo James Miller 10 Collin Stinogel WR 6’ 3 200 Saint Cloud Tech Gregg Martig 11 Dakota Tracy DB 5’ 10 170 NRHEG Dan Stork 12 Charlie Klaverkamp K 5’ 10 170 Saint Cloud Tech Gregg Martig 13 Nathan Maher LB 6’ 1 200 Rockford Steve Merila/Dan Houghton 14 Cody Hendrickson DB 5’ 10 190 Cromwell Jeff Gronner 16 Ryan Fay DB 6’ 2 200 Princeton Scott Walquist 17 Adam Thielen WR 6’ 1 175 Detroit Lakes Flint Motschenbacher 18 Jason Benson DB 5’ 11 170 Rush City Greg Hills 19 Trent Johnson TE 6’ 5 200 Holy Family Catholic Dave Hopkins 20 Tait Sande RB 5’ 10 175 Cook County Mitch Dorr 21 Zach Gran DB 5’ 8 165 Caledonia Carl Fruechte 22 Leon Clark DB 5’ 8 175 Century Jon Vik 24 Matt Herr DB 6’ 2 190 Owatonna Jeff Williams 30 Jimmy Loonan RB 5’ 10 205 Waseca Brad Wendland 33 Cody Cox LB 5’ 11 205 Barnesville-Rothsay Bryan Strand 34 Caleb Rissman RB 5’ 10 170 Triton Don Henderson 36 Ben Kall RB 5’ 11 227 John Marshall Jack Drews 43 Joe Doubler DL 6’ 2 220 Westbrook Walnut Grove Leo Theisen/Carter Ross 44 Ethan Preisler TE 6’ 3 220 Le Center Ken Helland 54 Kyle Heronimus OL 6’ 1 220 Luverne Todd Oye 56 Jason Hankins OL 6’ 0 258 Cleveland Dave Krenik 58 Cory Callahan OL 6’ 2 295 Northfield Bubba Sullivan 61 Bryant Pearson OL 6’ 1 300 Alexandria-Jefferson Dennis Kalpin 63 Eric Dirkes OL 6’ 2 290 Albany Mike Kleinschmidt 64 Jordan Monson DL 6’ 0 220 Pine City Bill Christianson 67 Zane Ziebell DL 6’ 2 265 Lewiston-Altura Brent Olsen 70 Jason Rodriguez-Cruz OL 6’ 2 320 Rochester Loudes Mike Kesler 72 Kyle Blanchard DL 6’ 2 275 Park Rapids Thomas Ahrendt 73 Patrick Falk OL 6’ 5 285 La Crescent Brett Vesel 74 Garth Heikkinen DL 6’ 4 270 Duluth Central Chris Vold 78 Emmett Lynch DL 6’ 5 288 Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted George Montgomery 79 Ty Beckius OL 6’ 3 305 Mahnomen John Clark Jr. 80 Mike Valesano LB 6’ 2 180 Brainerd Ron Stolski 81 Brady Roden DL 6’ 3 195 Foley Larry Herm 84 Josh Herzog LB 6’ 2 225 Detroit Lakes Flint Motschenbacher

OUTSTATE STAFF Head Coach: Assistants: River Flint Motschenbacher Gregg Martig - St. Cloud Tech David Krenik - Cleveland Detroit Lakes Mark Woitallo - Northfield David Style - Glencoe Silver Lake Dave Louzek - Moose Lake/Willow 2008 METRO ALL-STAR FOOTBALL

# First Last Pos Ht Wt School Coach 1 Matt Kloss TE 5' 11 205 Coon Rapids Jon Young 3 Fritz Waldvogel WR 5' 9 155 St. Thomas Dave Ziebarth 4 Erik Fabry TE/P 6' 1 200 Eastview Kelly Sherwin 7 Jordan Marshall DB 6' 0 180 Totino Grace Jeff Ferguson 8 Dan Brown WR 6' 5 195 Osseo Derrik Lamker 11 Ryan Grant QB 6' 1 215 Eden Prairie Mike Grant 15 Jeff Schuette LB 6' 1 215 Wayzata Brad Anderson 16 Jesse Amar LB 6' 2 200 Andover Rich Wilkie 17 Sam Maresh (injured) LB 6' 3 245 Champlin Park Mike Korton 20 Cameron Harper DB 6' 0 195 Spring Lake Park Jeff Schlieff 21 Matt Dvorak RB 5 '10 185 St. Croix Lutheran Carl Lemke 22 Greg Morse QB 6' 5 195 Como Park Kirby Scull 23 Zac Kallas WR 5' 10 170 Eden Prairie Mike Grant 24 Andy Joyce DB 5' 11 155 Wayzata Brad Anderson 26 Paul Bernier RB 5' 9 195 Lakeville North Mike Zweber 27 Micah Koehn DB 6' 1 198 Totino Grace Jeff Ferguson 28 Brady Cobb DB 5' 11 190 Lakeville North Mike Zweber 31 Lewis Johnson DL 6' 2 250 Como Park Kirby Scull 32 Brandon Mueller RB 5' 8 185 Chisago Lakes Bill Weis 33 Jesse Trimble RB 5' 9 180 Coon Rapids Jon Young 38 Keraus Holliday DB 5' 10 175 Southwest Sean McMenomy 40 Derek Earls LB 6' 3 215 Waconia Pat Foley 41 Peter Joppru LB 5' 10 230 Washburn Peter Haugen 42 Will Jackson RB 6' 1 225 Eastview Kelly Sherwin 43 Nick Zweber LB 5' 10 190 New Prague Tony Buthe 44 Danny Offerman DL 6' 4 260 Roseville Chris Simdorn 47 Jake King LB 6' 1 210 Totino Grace Jeff Ferguson 54 Jimmy Stodolka OL 6' 2 250 St. Thomas Dave Ziebarth 55 Billy Morgan LB 6' 0 215 Rosemount Jeff Erdmann 59 Harry Merickel OL 6' 1 260 Moundsview Jim Galvin 64 Tyler Terry DL 5' 10 250 Eastview Kelly Sherwin 66 Tom Ries OL 6' 2 260 Eden Prairie Mike Grant 67 Zack Sieber OL 6' 5 300 Minnetonka Dave Nelson 69 Curtis James OL 6' 2 290 Edina Kim Nelson 70 Jason Engstrom DL 6' 2 240 Coon Rapids Jon Young 72 Devin Benjamin DL 6' 2 290 DeLaSalle Dick Weinberger 73 Jordan Eaton DL 6' 5 245 Highland Park David Zeitchick 74 Joe Lund OL 6' 2 275 Kennedy Dave Frisell 77 Zach Elliott OL 6' 4 285 Blaine Shannon Gerrety 78 Tim Sauer OL 6' 8 255 Rosemount Jeff Erdmann 81 Justin Gominsky WR 6' 6 175 Mahtomedi Dave Muetzel 86 Mark Muston WR 6' 1 195 Benilde Jon Hanks 88 Brad Weiers TE 6' 6 225 New Prague Tony Buthe 89 Brian Arnfelt DL 6' 4 255 Stillwater Scott Hoffman

METRO STAFF Head Coach: Assistants: Leroy Erickson - Buffalo Dave Ziebarth Kirby Scull - Como Park Dan Hennen - Eden Prairie St. Thomas Academy Rich Wilkie - Andover Darrin Lamker - Osseo

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