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Parkers Prairie Football (Season Preview)

By Craig Olson, 08/17/19, 12:30PM CDT

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Expectations are high for the Parkers Prairie football team as they return several starters on both sides of the ball.  Head Coach Mike Johnson enters his first year as head coach and will be assisted by Eli Gesell, Mike Felt, Andrew Herder and Caleb Horn as the Panthers make a bid to be in the mix for the Section 4A title come playoff time.

 

“Many underclassmen gained a lot of valuable experience last year,” noted Coach Johnson.  “Defensively, we are returning ten of eleven starters.  We have good size and athleticism upfront on both sides of the ball.  We have a large senior class, which is always a good thing to have.  Our team has put a lot of work into getting, bigger, stronger and faster throughout the off season.”

Among the players lost to graduation are Travis Yohnke, who compiled impressive career numbers (146 receptions, 3,200 total yards, 42 TDs) and is now playing tight end at NDSU.  Andrew Warren (TE/LB), Jake Helling (TE/LB), Tanner Shaw (FB/LB), Matt Jirik (TE/OLB), Brand Schroeder (OG/DL), Grant Euteneuer (WR/DB) and Chris Ahlers (RB/DB) all graduated this past spring.

The Panthers return seniors Preston Yohnke (DE/OG, All-District, Defensive MVP), Josh Helling (DT/OT, All-District, Outstanding Blocker), Zach Olson (RB/LB), Spencer Yohnke (TE/LB, All-District), Carter Rokes (LB/OG), Steven Becker (WR/DB), Lance Smith (FB/DT), Dawson Smith (OT/NG), Austin Ruckheim (DT/OT), Jack Marquardt (RB/DB), Eric Klimek (OL/DL) and Jayden Gylsen (WR/S), juniors Owen Hezlep (C/DE), Brendan Johnson (QB/DB), Jon Jensen (OL/DL) and Carter Hoppe (OL/DL), and sophomores Jesse LaManna (RB/DB, Outstanding Freshman), Jake Wagner (LB/QB/FB) and Jake Ruckheim (DE/TE), all letter winners from a year ago.

“Josh Helling, Spencer Yohnke and Preston Yohnke all received All-District honors last season and Preston is a two-time All-District player,” reported Johnson.  “Brendan Johnson gained great experience last year and set our school record for most passing yards and TD passes in a single season, Jayden Gylsen led the team with five interceptions, and Zach Olson ran the ball really well and looks to get plenty of carries this year as well.  We need to work on developing some of our underclassmen to step up and help us out with depth.  We are looking for some of them to be a big part of our team throughout the season and will need them to grow in experience and become contributors for us on the varsity level.”

The Panthers have added four new seniors to the team, including Lucas Kies (RB/DB), Jordan Schroeder (TE/LB), Devin Krejci (RB/LB) and Dominic Oble (LB/WR).  Junior James Grant (LB/FB) and sophomore Jake Wagner are both expected to be a big part of the varsity team.  Other new prospects looking to compete for varsity time are Wyatt Murray, John Oberg, Brock Peterson, Cole Gesell, Michael Ahlers and Jon Jensen.

Johnson says the Mid State Sub-District 3 race will be very competitive with Royalton, USA, KMS and Browerville, who are always tough, being joined by Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Benson this year.  As for the top teams in Section 4A, Johnson points to KMS, USA, Lester Prairie and Mayer Lutheran.