A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
The Cloquet football team comes together with their helmets raised after every practice, scrimmage, and game as a collective to celebrate their accomplishments.
Senior players wait on the sidelines for the huddle as their fellow players finish up the last scrimmages as daily practice winds down. Pictured (from left) are Conrad Kiehn, Eli Lah, Cal Pertler and Dom Jones.
Two years ago the Lumberjacks finished second in the Minnesota State Class AAAA football tournament. Last season, Cloquet entered the 7AAAA tournament as the favorite, but suffered a key injury and eventually lost the section title to the Hermantown Hawks.
If the 'Jacks are going to get back to the section title game this season they will need to rely on some key players.
Markus Pokornowski was a huge cog in the Lumberjack offense and defense last season, but was injured late in the season and was not on the field in the loss to Hermantown. Pokornowski returns at fullback and linebacker and will be a major key on both sides of the football to Cloquet's success this season.
Joining Pokornowski in the running game will be Trey Harkins - who will be one of the 'Jacks running backs and do double duty on the defensive side of the ball at strong safety. Mason Erickson will be back on the offensive line at center this season and Conrad Kiehn will be back at tight end and defensive end for Cloquet.
"If we can stay healthy we feel like we should compete for a district and section title," said longtime Cloquet head coach Tom Lenarz. "The addition of Chisago Lakes to Section 7AAAA is a big challenge."
Newcomers that should help buoy the 'Jacks include Eric Elwood on the offensive line and Zach Undahl on the defensive line. You can also expect to see a lot of Cal Pertler at cornerback this season.
While some schools around the area are seeing a large dropoff in numbers, that is not the case for Cloquet.
"Overall we are in good shape this season with 24 seniors, which is a big class for us," Lenarz said. "The junior class is much smaller. Overall we have around 80 kids 9-12. That's down a little from last year but still healthy."
Cloquet's first game this season will be a home affair at Rol Bromberg Field versus the Two Harbors Agates at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30.
"Things have gone pretty well so far," Lenarz said. "It's a fun time of year where we really start to see who can play at different positions. Our practice format has changed and I think it lends itself to the kids and coaches having more energy."
