“Having to replace a 4-year starter at QB will be a challenge and we are not very big up front on offense or defense, which hurts us against physical, run-heavy teams,” noted Petermeier.  “We do have lots of kids with game experience and will have some position battles in camp which will breed competition.  We have athletes on the outside that are pretty fast and our O line has some decent experience.  We will definitely need to improve the turnover battle this year.”

Returning starters/letter winners include seniors MJ Lunde (TE/LB), Koby Endres (OL/DL/LB), Charlie Bushinger (DB), Tyson Barthel (WR), Cole Woods (WR), Isaac Hamann (WR/DB), Evan Lunde (RB/LB) and Kaden Peterson (DL), and juniors Grant Seelhammer (OL), Gunner Olson (OL/DL), Teshe Loer (WR) and Simon Kreklau (LB).

Petermeier sees senior Brandon Wheeler (WR/DE) and juniors D’andre Hammond (RB), Josiah Kallevig (QB) and Jaeger Pettit (WR/DB) also contributing at the varsity level.

Keith Ferris (Defensive Coordinator), Norm Gallant, Paul Drange and Jordan Folkestad will assist Coach Petermeier.

As for the competition, Petermeier says, “New York Mills and Pine River/Backus return atop the Northwest (South) standings, with a good Menahga team as well.  Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, Red Lake and Bagley round out a competitive conference.  In Section 6AA, West Central Area/Ashby returns as state runner-up and Osakis has been in the section final each of the last four seasons.”