Football previews

In Esko, numbers and hopes are high

With around 60 players out for this year’s team, the Esko football team may be the envy of most Class AAA teams around the state. Those are solid numbers for a school of that size and the Eskomos are hoping to parlay that into success on the field as well.

The Eskomos struggled last season and finished 3-7, including a second-round playoff loss. With leadership from returning veterans such as Dylan Vinje at wide receiver, Keegan Akervik at defensive end, Eli Blue at wide receiver and Trevor Spindler at linebacker, the Eskomos must feel they have the nucleus of a solid squad.

As far as new players go, the Eskomo coaching staff points to running back Cade Berger as someone to watch.

“We are not sure what to expect, but we are hopeful,” said coach Scott Arntson earlier this week. “Our numbers have been steady for the past five years, with around 60 boys in grades 9-12.”

If the Eskomos are going to have a strong season they’ll need to find replacements for last year’s quarterback Mason Vinje and outside linebacker Peyton Koskela, who both had tremendous senior seasons a year ago.

Barnum is young but driven to succeed

The Barnum Bombers had a solid regular football season last year. The Bombers finished 6-1, but then suffered a tough first-round loss to end their promising season. This season? The Bombers have a team that is young and driven to win all at the same time.

“We are coming into the season with a lot of inexperience,” said Bombers coach Mike Klyve. “Our players are ready and the younger players played well when given the opportunity.”

There are a number of players returning to lead the Bombers. Senior Blaze Hurst will be this year’s Bombers quarterback after playing as a wide receiver last year. Braiden Davis, another senior, will be a tight end on offense and a defensive back on defense, while junior Garrett Coughlin will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. Fans can also expect good things from Reed Kornivich, a junior running back and linebacker.

Bombers backers can also look for some names that did not see much action last year making bigger impacts this season, including junior Ethan Berthiaume, an offensive and defensive lineman, junior lineman Sean Nyblom, plus sophomores Max Moors, a running back and linebacker on defense, and Willie Richardson, a running back and linebacker.

“We expect to compete every week this season,” Klyve said. “Practice has gone well so far and we are excited to get the season started.”

South Ridge returns experience, high expectations

After an undefeated season last year, South Ridge was poised to make a run to the 9-man Minnesota State high school state tournament. Instead? The Panthers suffered a tough loss in the section championship game and saw their dream season end at the hands of a longtime rival.

This year? The Panthers hope to get past that rival and to the state playoffs.

“We went undefeated in the regular season and lost to Cromwell in the section championship game to finish the season 9-1,” recalled South Ridge coach Brent Johnson, adding that the team will miss leading rusher Joe Janke as well as offensive and defensive end Jayton Nelson, and offensive and defensive tackle Matt Kilbourn.

While the Panthers lost some key players to graduation, opponents should note that the cupboard is not bare, as they still return a large group of players who have a ton of experience. Returning key players include quarterback Riley Kinsley, fullback Matt Clark, defensive end Jase Graves, multiuse player Nick Larson, center Deekon Anvid, defensive back Connor Bushbaum, safety Weston Stroschein, tackle Tarius Lovejoy and defensive back Logan Young.

“We have 29 kids out this year, and for the first time since I’ve been coaching we are below 30,” Johnson said.

However, as far as 9-man programs go, the numbers at South Ridge are far healthier than at many other small school programs suffering with numbers in the teens.

“Our goal for the year is to work hard in practice, and to focus on each game to win and play in the section finals, and play injury-free,” said Johnson. “Practices are going well, and it is good when you have a lot of returning players who don’t have to spend a lot of time learning plays.”