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Fergus Falls Football (Season Preview)

By Craig Olson, 08/15/19, 10:30PM CDT

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The Fergus Falls football team doesn’t return a large volume of starters from their 4-5 team of a season ago, however, several players on their roster played significant minutes for them.  Head Coach Steve Olson is entering his seventh year at the helm and will be assisted by Shane Thielke, Kevin Pearson, Keith Pearson, Josh Steer, Judah Burlingame, Matt Johnson and Ike Carlson.

 

“Last season got off to a tough start due to injuries to key players,” recalled Coach Olson.  “Seeing the team battle through tough times and get some exciting wins was a highlight.”

The Otters will need to replace 2018 starters Chase Jensen, Ryan Ratz, JB Sandahl, Bauer Rogelstad, Nic Pearson, Cole Knudson, Jarrett Huus and Cole Fronning.  Jensen is playing college football at St. Olaf in the MIAC and Ratz will line up for Minot State.

Returning starters for the Otters include seniors Ethan Olson (QB), Parker Jacobs (RB/LB), Brenden Adams (OL/DL), Dustin Portales (OL/DL) and Cody Norgren (WR/DB), and junior Kaden Hartwell (RB/DB).

“Ethan has one year under his belt as a starting QB and we expect the game to slow down for him this season,” said Coach Olson.  “Our big question mark will be up front on both the offensive and defensive lines.  We do not have a lot of depth in those spots.  I like our athleticism in our skilled sports.”

The Otters will be looking for varsity contributions from seniors Mike Maanum (WR/DB), Matt Scott (WR/DB), Gus Gerhardson (WR/DB), Mike Wiederich (WR/LB), Brock Kotschevar (WR/DB) and Braedon Wagner (OL/DL), and juniors Dominic Aguilar (WR/DB), Abel Aho (WR/DB), Jack Uhrich (RB/LB) and Bryce Burrill (TE/LB).

Olson says Detroit Lakes is the favorite in the Midwest District Red Division, and points to Pequot Lakes, Perham, East Grand Forks and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton as the top teams in Section 8AAA.  With realignment of classes by the MSHSL this summer, the Otters were moved from Class 4A to 3A.