Wood and his coaching staff will need to replace some stellar talent as Jaden Norby (UND), Tate Christenson (Concordia-Moorhead), Jordan Lohse, Shane Wrolson, Mark Adams, Brady Reeve, Nate Kisgen (Concordia-Moorhead, Wrestling), Kade Olson, Connor Nadgwick, Austin Mattson and Trent Koloski all graduated.

“We are very excited to represent our communities well by playing disciplined football with great effort,” stated Coach Wood.  “We expect some growing pains as new players adjust to the speed of the varsity game, but expect to compete in every game.  Strengths will be a great deal of natural athleticism, paired with positive, hard-working attitudes.  Weaknesses will be figuring out who will fill the roles left from a group of seniors that provided great leadership.”

Returning starters included seniors Colton Lindquist (C/DL), Mattson Hoff (FB/LB), Evan Paulson (QB/LB), Hunter Norby (RB/LB), Ryder Staples (WR/DB) and Torin Olson (WR/DB), and juniors Anthony Sykora (RB/DB – 2020 Midwest Blue RB of the Year), Tyler Stone (OL/DE), Beau Robinson (OL/DL) and Cole Anderson (WR/DB).

Senior Sam Heeter (OL/DL) would have been a starter last season, but was quarantined and unable to play.  Fellow senior Carson Spangler (WR/DB), juniors Isaac Kreft (TE/DE), Blake Flint (OL/DL) and Damon Sansted (OL/DL), and sophomore Nas Dotts (RB/DB) should all contribute at the varsity level.

Wood, who will be assisted by Dave Stone, Andy Peterson, Peter Nelson, Matt Nemec and Eric Schoenbauer, sees Osakis and Pillager as the top teams in Section 6AA and Barnesville as the team to beat in the Midwest Blue District.