“We have a lot of questions as we did lose a full varsity team,” acknowledged Coach Ness.  “I think all the questions also bring many opportunities for our young guys.”

Returning letter winners include Matthew Niblock, Ian Stumbo and Abdallah Abdallah, all juniors.  Niblock will be joined by seniors Shane Wahlund and Patrick Sullivan as captains.  Senior Arafat Abdallah should make an impact at the striker position.

Other players vying for varsity time will be seniors Jack Baker, Andrew Starzl and Jack Culbertson, junior Sterling Andrews, sophomore Anders Anthonisen Brown, freshmen Kasey Eggen, Joey Johnson and Jaydon Manteufel, and eighth-graders Shane Zierden, Jose Rodriguez and Abram Ness.

“I expect Sartell and St. Cloud Apollo to be strong again this year in the Central Lakes Conference, and Bemidji has to be the Section 8A favorite,” said Ness.