Pelican Rapids returns 19 letter winners, including all 11 starters on both sides of the ball, making for a lot of optimism leading into the 2020 season.

“With a lot of returning players who had advanced to the section championship game a year ago, I expect us to be a very good football team,” acknowledged Haugen.  “We will have the ability to attack on offense with a power running game between the tackles.  As teams work to defend that we can also open up the offense, throw downfield, or run to the outside, making us a difficult team to defend.  Defensively, I expect that we will play more consistently that we did a year ago.  If we can avoid giving up big plays and force teams to put together a sustained drive we will be very successful.”

Top returning players are seniors McHale Korf (QB/DB), Liam Sytsma (OL/DL), Johnny Ziebell (RB/LB), Jayden Rutherford (RB/DB) and Logan Fahje (WR/DB), and junior Nick Haugrud (OL/DL).

Korf returns as 2019 team MVP, leading rusher and one of the top rated passers in the district.  “As a three-year starter Korf has a great understanding of both the offense and defense and will provide valuable on-field leadership for the 2020 team,” said Haugen.

Sytsma returns as the districts’ top offensive lineman in 2019.  “He will be an excellent two-way player for us and is expecting to have a big 2020 season,” noted Haugen.

Ziebell is a very hard runner with good instincts defensively.  Haugen says, “Ziebell’s ability to run between the tackles is going to provide great balance for our offense.  Defensively, he will provide great leadership and a strong inside presence.”

Rutherford is the fastest player on the team and Haugen is “looking for explosive plays from his in both the running and passing game this fall. We also expect to see big plays from him in both kickoff and punt returns.”

Fahje was the leading receiver for the Vikings last season.  “He is a very reliable receiver who will play a huge role in our passing game,” acknowledged Haugen.  “Defensively, we will rely on Fahje to communicate and make sure that everyone is on the same page before the ball is snapped.”

Haugrud had a real strong second half of the season in 2019 and according to Haugen he improved himself during the off-season.  “After an excellent off-season in the weight room I expect him to have an excellent 2020.  His aggressive play, good technique and size will make him a strong presence offensively and defensively as he plays a key role in the success of the 2020 season.”

Haugrud will be assisted by Ryan Syverson, Kyle Haugrud, Dan Beck and Brian Korf.  He sees Barnesville as the top team in Section 8AA and Frazee as the team to beat in the Northwest District, South Division.

“The 2020 Vikings football team had an excellent off-season in the weight room,” concluded Haugen.  “I’m extremely proud of how they continued to work throughout the summer despite the uncertainty of when or even if they would have a chance to play this year.  I’m excited they will get to play this fall and look forward to seeing what they are able to accomplish on the field.”