Returning starters and letter winners from last year include seniors Jaeger Pettit (WR/DB), Eric Benson (OL/DL), Teshe Loer (WR/DB), D’Andre Hammond (RB/LB), Simon Kreklau (RB/LB), Jaxson Brown (OL/DL), Gunner Olson (OL/DL), Grant Seelhammer (OL/DL) and Josiah Kallevig (QB/FS).  Seelhammer, Olson and Kreklau are team captains.

“We will have to rely on our seniors for their experience, as we are not a very deep team,” noted Coach Petermeier.  “Our strength is our speed on the outside and up front.  Our weakness is our size.”

Key newcomers are senior Nicholas Wright (WR/DB), juniors Drew Lorentz (WR/LB), Mason Brauch (WR/LB), Austin Wendt (OL/DL), Jason Rudrud (WR/LB) and Jeremiah Peterson (OL/DL), and sophomores Blake Sundheim (OL/DL), Ettore Pinnella (OL/DL) and James Seelhammer (WR/DB).

“Our section (6AA) will be a very competitive section,” added Coach Petermeier.  “Osakis contends year-in and year-out, while Menahga, Pillager, and Staples-Motley will be very tough opponents.  We are in a new district this year, the Mid Northwest Central which includes Breckenridge, Pillager, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Pine River-Backus, Staples-Motley, and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley.  It is looking to be a competitive district.”