Inside: Class AA, Class A and 9-man Football Previews / Capsules / Schedules A 2023 supplement to The Jamestown Sun
Wolves could do some damage. Page 13
South Border is talent-loaded.
Blue Jays have potential for a thirdstraight special season - Page 20 Page 27
HWC Hornets building toward deep run .............. 4
Oakes going to be strong defensively ................... 5
LaMoure/LM going to look different 6
Hi-Liners working to stay healthy 7
UJ looking to continue building 10
Wolves eager to win 9-man games 13
Irey set to lead Ellendale/EK Thunder 14
Linton/HMB back in 9-man division 16
Jimmies look back at old Bucket wins ..................18
COVER: 2022 champs training for 3-peat......... 20
Carrington gunning for playoff berth ...................25
South Border guaranteeing a fun year ............... 27
New Rockford-Sheyenne to co-op ....................... 30
Capsules/schedules ............................................... 36-42
Members of the 2022 Jamestown High School football team hoist their trophy in celebration of winning their second-straight state football title last November. The Blue Jays’ 2023 squad has the potential to defend the title for a third time this fall. See page 20.
Photo by David Samson / The Forum
First Team Offense
Joel Edland, Sr., OL, Bismarck Century; Dylan Carlquist, Sr., OL, Shanley; John O’Neil, Sr., OL, Davies; Mason Hart, Sr., OL, West Fargo Sheyenne; Owen Gress, Sr., OL, Mandan; Lincoln Wiseman, Sr., RB, Mandan; Oliver Lucht, Sr., RB, Davies; Karsyn Jablonski, Sr., WR, Mandan; Sam Ovsak, Jr., WR, Shanley; Payton McGregor, Sr., WR, West Fargo; Michael Rostberg, Sr., QB, Shanley; Mason Klabo, So., QB, Davies.
First Team Defense
Brennan Palmer, Sr., DL, Davies; Karter Menz, Sr., DL, West Fargo Sheyenne; Kaydn Turnbow, Sr., DL, Minot; Jacob Burckhard, Sr., DL, Bismarck Century; Will Mehus, Sr., DL, Shanley; Adam Leininger, Jr., LB, Shanley, Nic Renner, Sr., LB, West Fargo Sheyenne; Josh Balstad, Sr., LB, West Fargo; Jaxon Kellog, Sr., LB, Legacy; Ryan Brynjolfson, Sr., DB, Bismarck Century; Grant Tschosik, Jr., DB, Fargo Davies; Logan Conklin, Jr., DB, Minot; Tahrye Frank, Sr., DB, Mandan.
Second Team
Mason Riegel, Sr., Bismarck Century; Ray Brown, Sr., Davies; Vegas George, Sr., Legacy; Wyatt Piehl, Jr., Mandan; Damon Hospidales, Sr., Shanley; Hunter Corbin, Jr., Mandan; Michael George, Jr., Minot; Ty Schlichting, Sr., West Fargo Sheyenne; Zach Lilly, Jr., Fargo Davies;
Race Wilson, Jr., West Fargo Sheyenne; Max Carlson, Sr., Mandan; Logan Miller, Sr., Legacy; Tyson Ruzicka, Jr., Minot; Vuciri Hakim, Sr., Shanley.
Class AA Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year: Karsyn Jablonski, Mandan
Class AA Coach of the Year: Troy Mattern, Fargo Shanley
First Team Offense
Payton Hochhalter, Sr., QB, Jamestown; Dylan LaMont, Sr., QB, Grand Forks Central; Beau Arenstein, Sr., QB, Wahpeton; Peder Haugo, Jr., RB., Fargo North; Gavin Gerhardt, Sr., RB, Valley City; Jack Simmers, Jr., WR, Grand Forks Central; Caden Kappes, Sr., WR, Wahpeton; Preston Gall, Sr., WR, Jamestown; Max Wilkinson, Sr., OL, Dickinson; Adam Jarski, Sr., OL, Fargo North; Tyler Christianson, Sr., OL, Fargo South; Lawson Lotysz, Jr., OL, Grand Forks Red River; Broden Muske, Sr., OL, Valley City. First Team Defense
Ethan Gall, Sr., DL, Jamestown; Logan Arason, Sr., DL, Grand Forks Red River; Cole Kegbeh, Jr., DL, Fargo South; Zach Sykora, Jr., DL, Valley City; Zack Thomasson, Sr., LB, Fargo South; Colton Schneider, Sr., LB, Devils Lake; Colton Mewes, Sr., LB, Jamestown; Jackson Walters, Sr., LB, Jamestown; Jason Hogue, Sr., LB; Chase Selle, Sr., DB, Dickinson; Emanuel Spiyee, Sr., DB, Fargo South; Ethan Miller, Jr., DB, Valley City.
Second Team
Aden Braun, Sr., Jamestown; Bo Nelson, Jr., Jamestown; Aiden Bryce Volk, Sr., Devils Lake; Drew Hofstad, Jr., Devils Lake; Ben Carlson, Sr., Dickinson; Jim Miller, Jr., Fargo North; Jeremiah Sem, Jr., Fargo North; George Hansegard, Jr., Fargo South; Jayden Haake, Sr., Grand Forks Central; Hudson Flom, Sr., Grand Forks Red River; Quinn Nelson, Sr., Grand Forks Red River; Pearce Parks, So., Grand Forks Red River; Aiden Jacobson, Sr., Valley City; Treyton Mauch, So., Wahpeton.
Class A Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year: Payton Hochhalter, Jamestown
Class A Coach of the Year: Bill Nelson, Jamestown
First Team Offense
Joey Desir, Sr., QB, Shiloh Christian; Ben Schepp, So., QB, Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison; Jace Kovash, Jr., QB, Dickinson Trinity; Trey Heinrich, Sr., RB, Kindred; Owen Wiersma, Sr., RB, Central Cass; Mason Mellmer, Sr., RB, Beulah; Marcus Kingzett, Sr., WR, Langdon/AEM; Carson Haerer, Jr., WR, Bottineau; Jack Packer, Sr., OL, Kindred; Easton Baesler, Sr., OL, Hillsboro/CV; Coy Okeson, Jr., OL, Bishop Ryan; Grant Kees, Sr., OL, Bowman County; Payton Bodine, Sr., TE, Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison. First Team Defense
Jack Romfo, Sr., DL, Langdon/AEM; Riley Sunram, Jr., DL, Kindred; Tyler Cruchet, Jr., DL, Central Cass; Peter Dryburgh, Sr., DL, Hillsboro/CV; Mace Stuber, Sr., DL, Bowman County; Armani Smith, Sr., DL, Beulah; Ty Dassinger, Jr., LB, Dickinson Trinity; Hank Bodine, So., LB, Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison; Boeden Greenley, Sr., LB, Lisbon; Jacob Shriver, Sr., LB, Bottineau; Jake Starcevic, So., DB, Thompson; Tyson Enget, Sr., DB, Ray/ Powers Lake.
Adler Paeper, Sr., Oakes; Xavier Vossler, Sr., Oakes; Charlie Biewer, Sr., Kindred; Noah Sundby, Sr., Oakes; Grant Lyons, Sr., Lisbon; Landon Ptacek, Sr., Oakes; Dylan Sell, Sr., Central Cass; Dylan Bartsch, Sr., Rugby; Gabe Nero, Sr., Bottineau; Cole Hebl, Sr., Hillsboro/CV; Riley Olsen, Sr., Hillsboro/CV; Gabe Allmaras, Sr., Harvey/Wells County; Ryder Pollman, Sr., Bottineau; Mitch Heinert, Sr., Nedrose; Kyle Sandy, Sr., Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison; Logan Rise, Jr., Des Lacs-Burlington; Colling Knorr, Sr., South Prairie; Keaton Cole, Jr., Nedrose; Jack Zimmer, Jr., Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central; Jett Lundeen, So., Bishop Ryan; Tarren Larson, Sr., Beulah; Luke Shobe, Jr., Dickinson Trinity; Michael Fagerlund, Jr., Shiloh Christian; Kaison Kaylor, Sr., Hazen; Isaac Emmel, Jr., Shiloh Christian; Bohden Duffield, Jr., Bowman County.
Class B11 Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year: Trey Heinrich, Kindred
Class B11 Coach of the Year: Larry Sandy, Velva/DrakeAnamoose/Garrison
First Team Offense
Nicholas Mears, Sr., QB, North Prairie; Marshall Lindgren, Sr., QB, South Border; Javin Friesz, Jr., QB, Grant County/ Flasher; Walker Braaten, So., QB, Westhope/Newburg/ Glenburn; Nate Tastad, Jr., OL, North Prairie; AJ Heins, Sr., OL, New Salem-Almont; Caden Belgarde, Sr., OL, St. John; Andrew Arth, Sr., RB, Wyndmere/Lidgerwood; Clay Hovelson, Sr., RB, Maple River; Wyatt Caraballo, Sr., RB, Divide County; Colton Ness, Sr., TE, LaMoure/LM; Landon Carter, Sr., WR, Cavalier.
First Team Defense
Levi Becker, Sr., DL, New Salem-Almont; Ayden Amundson, Sr., DL, Surrey; Garrett Hebl, Sr., LB, LaMoure/ LM; Xyler Carlson, Sr., LB, May-Port-C-G; Jacob Steele, Sr., LB, Cavalier; Ty Wolding, Sr., LB, New Salem-Almont; Wyatt Ottmar, Sr., LB, Grant County/Flasher; TJ Cosley, Sr., DB, North Border; Blake Mattson, Jr., DB, North Prairie.
Second Team
Tate Mart, Sr., LaMoure/LM; Brock Wendel, Sr., LaMoure/ LM; Anthony Hanson, Sr., LaMoure/LM; Cruz Hernandez, Sr., Hankinson; Ethan Steinbrink, Sr., Hatton/Northwood; Marty Rohrbeck, Sr., Maple River; Etan Bergstrom, Sr., May-Port-C-G; Andrew Aarsvold, Sr., May-Port-C-G; Levi Hinkle, Sr., Cavalier; Sterling Enerson, Sr., Cavalier; Ross Thompson, Jr., Nelson County; Carson Brown, Sr., North Border; Reuben Clay, Jr., North Star; Bryce Prouty, Sr., North Star; Garrett Westlind, Jr., North Star; Trevor Moos, Jr., Napoleon; Alex Pitman, Sr., New Salem-Almont; Brock Norton, So., New Salem-Almont; Daniel Schumacher, Jr., South Border; Trey Swenson, Sr., Beach; Kayedenn Rivinius, Sr., Grant Co/Flasher; Cole Manolovits, Sr., Hettinger County; Brayton Baker, Sr., St. John; Jadance McCloud, Sr., St. John; Easton Andel, Sr., WesthopeNewburg-Glenburn; Easton Eriksmoen, Sr. Divide County; Ethan Hanson, Sr., Surrey; Joel Holmen, Sr., Tioga; Deng Deng, Jr., Four Winds.
9-Man Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year: Landon Carter, Cavalier
9-Man Coach of the Year: Steve Kleinjan, New Salem-Almont
BY MAX O’NEILL The Jamestown Sun
HARVEY, N.D. —
Heading into the 2023 season, the Harvey/ Wells County Hornets are hoping to continue the trend of following a disappointing season with an impressive one.
In 2019 the team went 6-4 and followed that up with a 4-5 season in 2020. In 2021, the Hornets went 7-3 and then went 3-5 last year.
“(In) 2021 we were stacked with seniors, that team was really explosive, they had a last-second loss to Hillsboro (Central Valley) and a lastsecond loss to Langdon (Area/Edmore/ Munich), otherwise they could’ve been undefeated,” Hornets head coach Brett Dockter said. “So that team was veteran and then you turn around and you graduate all those guys and you gotta start from freshman and sophomores again.”
Dockter said the turnover of kids over the years is a struggle that most small schools have to deal with but he’s excited to have 11 seniors this year.
Dockter said with his team gaining a year of experience, he wants the players to continue improving.
“We were 3-5 last year and played a ton of sophomores and freshmen so all those kids are back,” Dockter said. “We did graduate three seniors so we don’t have a lot of holes to replace. We’ve got some good guys that we’re going to replace but we don’t have a lot of them. So that’s kind of a nice thing, we got a lot of guys back, in fact, pretty much our whole offensive line is back, our quarterback is back, our tailback, our fullback, one of our two receivers, three receivers are back.”
Dockter said he is expecting big things from multiple players including senior tight end Keaton Keller, junior quarterback Tallen Thorson and senior offensive lineman Gavyn Schuh.
“Keaton Keller is a first-team allregion guy,” Dockter said. “He’s 6-4, probably 195, 190-ish, great hands, big target, runs fit, sometimes plays tight end. He’s one guy we’re counting on. Tallen Thorson was a sophomore quarterback last year and he’s made great strides over the summer.
The Oakes High School football team has some gaps to fill this season.
BY KATIE RINGER
The Jamestown Sun
OAKES, N.D. — For the first couple of weeks of August, Greg Dobitz might as well camp out at Oakes High School.
“It’s a busy time,” said Dobitz, Oakes High School head football coach. “We practice right away in the morning for a couple of hours and then we watch some film from our practice and then we have meetings with our players and go over the film — it’s a lot of time but the kids and our coaching staff does a good job of getting ready and preparing for the season. “
The Tornadoes are coming off a stellar 9-2 finish last year. The squad finished the regular season at 8-1 and then in the first round of playoffs, Oakes dominated Thompson 34-15. Unfortunately for Dobitz’s crew, the 2022 season came to a close the next week when Hillsboro trounced the Tornadoes 20-0 in the Class B 11-man state quarterfinals. Oakes had four seniors selected to the Class B 11-man All-State team last season.
Dobitz and the Tornadoes’ first official practice was on Aug. 3 and then a mere 15 days later, the Tornadoes opened the year hosting Region 1 rival, Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm on Aug. 18. Oakes will also face teams like Kindred, Hillsboro, Northern Cass and 2022 state runners-up Central Cass all during the regular season.
“Our region presents a lot of challenges,” Dobitz said. “There are a lot of really good, well-coached football programs so it will be a challenging schedule.”
Preparation for the challenging schedule has already started.
“We do strength and speed training four days a week in the mornings,” Dobitz said. “We have a dedicated group that comes and the guys that are coming are getting better.
“We lost a lot of seniors who were
major contributors last year but we feel pretty good about the guys we have coming back and we have an exciting group of freshmen joining us
Contributed / Monica Jo Ptacek Trey Skoglund (2) will be back for one final go-around with the Oakes football team this season.
Contributed / Monica Jo Ptacek Oakes’ Blayson Dolney picks up some yards during the 2022 football season. Dolney will be one of Oakes’ key returners this season.
this year,” he said. “Defensively we feel really good about where we are going to be with our linebackers, our defensive backs but offensively, we’ve got some major holes we have to fill right away.”
Marcus Garza, Mario Garza and Brogan Roney are expected to be back for another go-around at protecting the ball on defense. On offense, the Garza brothers could be a threat on the ground while Roney is someone to be watched at tight end. Trey Skoglund, a multi-time all-region selection and standout rusher for the Tornadoes, will also be back in the mix.
With those spots filled, Dobitz has turned his attention to the most obvious hole on the field.
In 2021, he chose Xavier Vossler to fill Garrett Meehl’s shoes and now, he’s looking for just the right someone to take over Vossler’s role as the starting signal caller.
While he is still weighing his options, Dobitz said senior Blayson Dolney could be a part of the starting quarterback conversation. If Dolney is not selected, he will likely line up at receiver or safety.
“From the first practice, we just have to continue to get better,” Dobitz said. “Our program has set a standard for how we work and how we prepare, so these guys are going to have to
TORNADOES: Page 33
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BY KATIE RINGER The Jamestown Sun
LAMOURE, N.D. — Max
Musland’s junior football season didn’t go quite the way he expected.
In reality, it didn’t really go at all for the soon-to-be LaMoure/ Litchville-Marion senior.
“I tore my PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) during the first game of State Legion baseball in Garrison at the end of July last year,” Musland said. “The doctors said I couldn’t play because my PCL was attached by a thread, and if I hurt it more it would not grow back on its own. It was definitely different not being able to play a whole season.”
Things are back to normal for Musland, but there will still be an element of “different” over in LaMoure this fall.
LaMoure/LM has been a dominating factor in 9-man football the past few seasons. Since 2020, the Loboes have gone 32-2. In 2021, the Loboes took home the program’s first state championship since 1991.
But then you graduate 12 seniors who had been contributing for three straight seasons.
“We’re kind of excited for a new stage or a new step in the Loboe football history,” LLM head coach
Andy DelaBarre said. “We’ve had a really good four-year run with some seniors who just graduated so we have a new face to the team.
“It’s the same body and same mind, it’s just going to be a different look with the new players we have filling in,” he said. “We’re excited, we had a two-day camp and got our first look at things before fall camp in August.”
LaMoure/LM kicked off the season on Aug. 3 and opened up the year with a road tilt at Milnor on Aug. 18.
“I think we have a good group that is very dedicated and working hard
to develop their bodies to be the best athletes they can be,” DelaBarre said. “Our tradition has been that we have multi-sport athletes and I think that helps too. They are competitors all year-round, they are always competing and putting themselves in positions where they have to overcome and win and that definitely translates into football season.”
Musland is one of those athletes.
The soon-to-be senior said competing in other sports like basketball and baseball has helped
Valley City was one of the best teams of Class A football last season.
BY KATIE RINGER
The Jamestown Sun
VALLEY CITY, N.D. — Valley City’s new head coach Travis Engen helped Valley City string together a football squad that put two-time defending Class A State Champs Jamestown to shame last season.
But winning seven straight by at least 21 points was a tough streak to keep going — especially when suddenly there weren’t as many players as there once were.
“We had a good run last year,” Engen said. “We just didn’t say healthy — not an excuse but that’s just what happened. Our biggest thing this year will be staying healthy — that’s for sure.”
Staying healthy might be even tougher than getting wins for the Hi-Liners this season.
“We’ve got a couple of kids out right now with ACL tears and stuff like that but the players we have are really good — they are competitive and they work hard,” Engen said. “A lot of our players are doing summer lifting and they have been working at that since the beginning of June and that has been paying off a lot. We also have a passion camp and go to the team camp at Valley City State so they have been working football throughout the whole summer.”
Engen and the Hi-Liners began practices on Aug. 3 and will open the season with a Class A West tilt at Turtle Mountain-Belcourt on Aug. 25. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. On Aug. 19, the Hi-Liners made the 30-mile trek over to Jamestown and scrimmaged the Blue Jays and Devils Lake.
“I am excited no doubt (about the season),” Engen said. “It is going to be a new offense so that is a learning curve and that is why the Valley City State team camp was so important because it allowed our players to see
“Our biggest thing this year will be staying healthy — that’s for sure.”
— Coach Travis Engen
how we would be doing things. The players are excited.”
Engen brings some new blood into the program at Valley City. The former assistant coach and defensive coordinator took the reins of the program after former head coach Scott Roehrich announced he would be hanging up the whistle at the conclusion of the 2022 football season.
Along with losing their longtime head coach, the Hi-Liners lost a good chunk of seniors to graduation, most notably Gavin Gerhardt at running back. Gerhardt rushed for more than 100 yards against the Blue Jays in week No. 7 of the 2022 season and was named to last year’s All-State
HI-LINERS: Page 8
8 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
From Page 7
Team at the conclusion of the season.
While the Hi-Liners’ favorite target on the ground has left to pursue a football career at Valley City State, the Hi-Liners are returning quarterback and kicker Bryson Heck who was instrumental in taking back the Iron Helmet against Jamestown last October.
Heck will have the likes of Scoty Rohde, Christian Beutler, Trey McPartland and Boston Larson protecting him on the line.
Down the field, Heck will have weapons like sophomore Derek Shape at receiver and junior Caden Amann at running back.
“Those are guys who have shown potential in the past and now they’ve got to show it all year,” Engen said. “We have plenty of talent to compete with anybody that we compete against, it’s just that they have to understand that it’s four quarters, it’s nine regular season games and hopefully, three playoff games.”
After winning its first seven games last season, Valley fell on hard times and ended the regular season at 7-2
“Even our practices, it’s not just getting out on the line and running them — it’s a lot of mental work.”
— Coach Travis Engen
overall. The Hi-Liners’ season ended in the state quarterfinals with a 30-28 loss to Fargo North.
Engen said traditionally, the Hi-Liners have not made deep runs into the playoffs. The first-year head coach said this season, the coaching staff is going to work with players and their parents to try and change the culture so they can still be playing in mid-November.
“If they are mentally ready that will solve a lot of our problems,” Engen said. “During two-a-day practices, there is going to be some sweating going on there’s no doubt about it but rest is important.
“Even our practices, it’s not just getting out on the line and running them — it’s a lot of mental work,” he said. “There will be days when we will not be wearing any helmets or shoulder pads. We’ve got to rest our guys so they will last the whole season and be ready if and when we make it to playoffs. We’ll see how it goes. If we can get them ready, we could have a special season.”
kringer@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461 Follow on Twitter @KaitlynRinger
10 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
BY MAX O’NEILL
The Jamestown Sun
JAMESTOWN — Heading into the 2023 season, the University of Jamestown football team has high hopes for a big season ahead.
“We took so many big strides last year that I think the guys are just so dang hungry to keep winning,” Jimmies head coach Brian Mistro said. “Now that we have a better taste of what that feels like, I think they’re just so much more mentally stronger to know what it takes to win a football game. … So my expectation is we’re gonna go out there, we’re gonna be a lot more mindset driven on winning football games and being able to take the next step as far as who we are in this league, in the GPAC.”
Last year, the Jimmies went 4-7, winning their first Paint Bucket since 2018, 27-24 over Valley City State University. The Jimmies also started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2007 and finished the year with a 23-20 win over Mount Marty.
This season, Mistro said he wants the team to finish over .500. It would be the Jimmies’ first season at .500 or better since 2010 when the team went 5-5.
The Jimmies are trying to win backto-back Paint Buckets for the first time since 2009-10. The Paint Bucket game is the annual rivalry game between the Jimmies and the Vikings in which the schools have played for a Paint Bucket trophy since 1961.
“That would be pretty exciting,” Jimmies defensive lineman Paul Vandal said. “Technically I haven’t ever won the Paint Bucket in my years here. I haven’t played in a game that we won it so I’d really like to play in a game and win it. So, that’d be big time.”
Vandal missed last year’s game with an injury.
The Jimmies open their season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 when they
go on the road to take on Valley City.
This is the first time the Jimmies will have a new starting quarterback for the season opener since 2019 after the graduation of Cade Torgerson. As of Aug. 1, Mistro said he has not named a new starting quarterback and will instead be making the decision from the group of seven expected to be on the roster.
Senior wide receiver Micah Madyun said he doesn’t care who replaces Torgerson because he has been working with the signal callers this summer.
“It’s gonna be a little bit of an adjustment just understanding what my quarterbacks feel and what they like, just different throwing speeds and whatnot,” Madyun said. “But, we’ve been working all summer together with all the quarterbacks and I feel confident catching a ball from any quarterback at this point.”
Madyun said spending time working with the quarterbacks this summer has given him an advantage as he learns what they are all good at and need to work on and what they like to do on the field.
to work out and practice together. Mistro said he is looking for the senior class to have a big year, including Vandal, who had a breakout season during his junior campaign. The Jamestown native had 50 tackles, 12 sacks for 83 yards and 20.5 tackles for loss for 101 yards, which led him
Last year, Madyun had 65 receptions for 602 yards and two touchdowns through the air and seven rushing attempt for 33 yards.
The Jimmies have a new defensive line coach this year in Josh Zimmer. Vandal said he has worked with Zimmer already and enjoys his coaching style. Mistro said there are three new coaches on his staff.
According to a tweet from Mistro, 88 players stayed in town this summer
to being named to the GPAC AllConference First Team Defense.
“I’ve kept lifting all summer, try to keep diet a priority too, do what I’ve been doing, trust the program,” Vandal said. “I don’t need to change anything up from my last year, I just keep working hard, that’s a lot of it.”
Last campaign, the Jimmies’ defense gave up 31.5 points per game and 435.9 yards per game, which ranked 89th in the nation.
“Obviously points are going to get scored you know but we can’t lose control of the game,” Vandal said. “We’re all older guys like I said, we’re always improving, we’re always getting better year to year, we definitely have the talent to do it (improve), we just need to prove we can.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Mistro said he is looking for big seasons out of Vandal, linebacker Jed Rantz and safeties Rashawn Benners and Parker Chaffee.
On the offensive side, he wants to see big years from Madyun, running backs Carlos Julian and Zach Hammett and offensive lineman Kole Mack. As far as breakout candidates, Mistro said he wants to see big seasons from Hammett, Julian, wide receiver Isaiah Roebuck and linebackers David Diaz and Ezra Belingheri.
“I’d like to think that a combination of Zach Hammett and Carlos Julian in the backfield, I think those guys are very good compliments to each other and have big years,” Mistro said. “I’d like to have the ability to say a kid like an Isaiah Roebuck who’s such a dynamic player can take that step after a sophomore year that wasn’t as great as he wanted it to be.”
Madyun will be tasked with replacing the production that came from the team’s second and third leading receivers, Steve Justice and Javon Bowie-Monteiro.
“I try not to think too much about
being a focal point or that kind of stuff in the offense,” Madyun said. “I know that as a fifth year and somebody that’s been here for a few years and had some success, that I’m probably going to be featured in certain parts and aspects of the game because of what I’ve shown but I don’t think of myself so much as a focal point.”
moneill@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461 Follow on Twitter @MaxONeill16
BY MAX O’NEILL The Jamestown Sun
STEELE, N.D. — The Kidder County Wolves are heading into their seventh year as a co-op as they look to make the playoffs for the sixth time.
“I’d like to see us improve,” Wolves head coach Dave Silbernagel said. “I’m not really a guy that puts a number on wins and losses for expectations. I’d just like to see us react better to situations where we need to make the play. I think a lot of times last year we had those big plays in the game, those turning point plays, and we didn’t execute those situations. So, I’d like to see us execute a little bit better when
we get those big chances in games.”
In 2017, Steele-Dawson and Tappen consolidated to make Kidder County.
Last year the Wolves went 2-7, finishing the year on a three-game losing streak in which they were outscored 122-12. That was not the norm, though, as their first three losses of the season were by a combined 14 points.
“We had a couple big injuries right away so we had to redo what we were going to do offensively and defensively, lost a couple seniors for the first couple games and one for the first six games,” Silbernagel said. “So, that changed what we had to do and we’re so young that we got overwhelmed at times. We couldn’t really finish off games. I think five of our losses were eight points or less.
So, we played a lot of tight games and couldn’t find ways to win.”
This season, the Wolves are expected to return seven players who made an impact last year, including their starting quarterback and their leading rusher, receiver and tackler.
“I think it’s gonna help a lot. Anytime you got guys that have been through it before, it’s gonna help them,” Silbernagel said. “We got enough guys back now that have played a lot of varsity football that you expect them to react better to those stressful situations.”
One of those players is Collin Zimmerman, who was named to the Region 5 All-Region team and recorded six receptions for 116 yards and ran for 31 yards.
WOLVES: Page 34
BY MAX O’NEILL The Jamestown Sun
ELLENDALE, N.D. — The Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm
Thunder are continuing to work on changing the culture around the program under second-year head coach Garitt Irey.
“I expect us to be a little bit more experienced than we were last year,” Irey said. “We played a lot of underclassmen. We still have some growing pains to work through but we bring back a lot of experience. (We) expect the kids to understand the way we practice and the expectations for them day in and day out. ... I think we’re going to be able to start in a lot better place than we did last year.”
Last season, the Thunder went 0-9, heading into this season on a 10-game losing streak. Their closest loss last season was 37-36 to Oak Grove Lutheran.
Irey said he doesn’t feel any pressure to end the losing streak and building a new culture takes time.
“We just gotta play more consistent for four quarters,” Irey said. “We can’t continue to make the same mistakes that we made last year that cost us big plays and things that turned the momentum of the game. Our biggest key this season is just to play more consistent football.”
The Thunder are trying to have their first season with a record above .500 since 2017.
The Thunder started their season off against Oakes on Friday, Aug. 18. With a win over the Tornadoes, it
would be the Thunder’s first win over Oakes since 2016.
Nitschke specifically highlighted the Tornadoes’ running attack as something the Thunder have to pay attention to during the game.
“It would be really big because in the past seasons, we haven’t really performed well against them,” senior quarterback Jacob Nitschke said. “It would be really nice to open the season with a win, especially against those guys, it would be awesome to finally get a win.”
This year, the Thunder return Nitschke, who threw for 695 yards and four touchdowns last year, landing him among the All-Region selections. In order to have the offense click more effectively, Nitschke said his team has to work together.
“We just need to all be on the same page as an offense,” Nitschke said. “… That’s what football is, just be on the same page and play as a team. I don’t know that’s all you can really ask for I guess.”
Nitschke said this season he wants to continue to work on his team’s rushing attack. Last year, the team was led by Ivan Carruth’s 76 carries for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Carruth also added 36 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. The Thunder is a veteran team
this year and is expected to have 16 upperclassmen who Irey said will be important to the team’s success.
“We gotta lean on some of our seniors, Jacob Nitschke, Joe Kramlich is a junior that we’ll lean on,” Irey said. “Ivan Carruth is gonna be a sophomore running back, linebacker that we’ll need some production out of.”
Nitschke is not only a quarterback, he is also trying to play linebacker. He said playing linebacker will help him as a quarterback because he will
“We played a lot of underclassmen. We still have some growing pains to work through but we bring back a lot of experience. (We) expect the kids to understand the way we practice and the expectations for them day in and day out...I think we’re going to be able to start in a lot better place than we did last year. ”
— Head Coach Garitt Irey
be able to better understand what the linebacker is thinking and where they are trying to go.
“I’m looking forward to it because I’ve never really played linebacker,” Nitschke said. “I’ve always been on the d (defensive) line but I expect it to be really fun; gotta go out there and play well for my team, whatever I can do.”
Irey said he is excited to get the season going and get to work on a bounce-back season.
16 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Linton HMB QB Gentry Richter throws the ball during practice on Monday, Aug. 8, at Linton High School.
BY MAX O’NEILL
The Jamestown Sun
LINTON, N.D. — Only three years removed from winning the nine-man state title, the Linton/ Hazelton/Moffit-BraddockStrasburg-Zeeland Lions are dropping back down from 11-man football to nine-man football for the 2023 season. Lions head coach Kurtis Walls said his expectations for his team are to immediately return to competing at a
high level in the nine-man class. “Moving back down to nine man, our expectations are an attempt to pick off right where we left off at a few years ago, get back to our foundation of who we are as Linton/HMB (Strasburg-Zeeland), develop that structure and that discipline and to be in every ball game,” Walls said. “I think this year is a new year just like every year is, but we have a lot of potential, we have a lot of returning players.
BY MAX O’NEILL The Jamestown Sun
JAMESTOWN — When the University of Jamestown takes the field at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, against Valley City State University, the Jimmies will try to do something that hasn’t been done in 13 years — win back-toback Paint Buckets.
“I think it’s such an awesome rivalry and it’s such a great game and the atmosphere is so fun that no matter what you’re still able to take away the memories of playing in a game,” Jimmies head coach Brian Mistro said. “As far as coaching of it, being able to come home with it, put it in your office and have it be a part of your program for another year, I think that would be really cool to experience that because obviously, we haven’t yet. I think our guys are super excited to make sure to keep it at home and this is where it belongs.”
The last time the Jimmies kept the trophy for two consecutive years was in 2009-10 when they were in the midst of a five-game winning streak. The head coach for both of those games was Emmitt “Bud” Etzold.
“We had a nice bunch of guys that went through the program,” Etzold said. “I had actually joined in 2008, Tom Dosch had been the coach up through the 2007 season. So, we had a good group, when I came we had a seniordominated bunch and they were pretty highly successful all the way along and Valley had a good bunch of guys too. It’s always made for a good rivalry.”
The Jimmies won the 2009 game 38-19 with Max Boe recording five receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns. His final touchdown was a 53-yard reception that put the game out of reach.
Boe said specific plays from the games don’t stand out but he remembers trying to return a kick against Valley City and getting obliterated by a Vikings tackler.
“We circled that game I think because it’s such a good rivalry, go in with a game plan and got lucky that they threw me the ball a couple times I guess,” Boe said.
Boe said the expectation heading into all of his team’s games was to win and that the games against the Vikings were no exception.
The 2010 game was significantly more competitive as the Jimmies won 19-13 with Dustin Erbes coming up clutch with a game-saving interception late in the fourth quarter. Erbes said he felt pure joy the moment he caught the ball and avoided celebratory tackles on his way back to the sideline.
“That was a battle, back and forth,” Erbes said. “There’s a picture I’ve been wanting to get put on a big poster actually, right after I caught it and four of my teammates, defensive backs, were celebrating. I remember the formation they were in and where it was on the field exactly when I caught that. It was a tipped pass, drag route in front of me and a
“I
”
— Jimmies Head Coach Brian Mistro
teammate got a hand on it and it happened to come right to me, we were able to end the game that way.”
The winning streak did let Erbes and his teammates brag to their friends on the other side of the rivalry.
“Honestly that’s something that I never let any friends down that either we played with or went to Valley,” Erbes said. “I think our first year, my wife had a plaque made for
me with the college fight song and all the Paint Bucket trophy scores since like 1960s. We had a winning streak from, yeah, ‘07 to 2010, that’s something I brag about. I don’t do it too often. But something I always poke and jab on is that I never lost to them when I was playing there. … It’s always a rivalry, it’s one of the biggest ones in the country to continue to be played, a great week and a great battle every time we play.”
When the Jimmies beat the Vikings last year, Mistro became the second coach in program history to win the Paint Bucket as a player and a coach, joining Josh Kittell.
“That’s what you do when you come to Jamestown, you’re going to play Valley and you’re going to win the Paint Bucket, so the mentality of it is pretty much the same,” Mistro said. “I think the difference now is as a coach, I care more about the guys having the ability to have that feeling as a player than I do as a coach because I remember having it as a player. I think we lost my sophomore year in college and it sucked and it hurts and it wasn’t great but that was a selfish personal feeling. I didn’t feel it for the
other hundred guys, as a coach I think you feel it for the other hundred guys, and it’s like, ‘Oh man that really does sting.’ I think that could be the bigger difference, if we lose it, I feel like I let the guys down.”
Thanks to his role as a part-time color commentator for the Jimmies radio broadcasts, Etzold continues to pay attention to the current Jimmies and is excited that Mistro has continued to recruit local players. He said it is hard to compare his teams from the current roster because of the increase in technology and the impact it has had on recruiting.
Boe said he sees an increase in talent from the teams he played on that beat the Vikings to the current Jimmies squad.
“It’s funny, all the stuff I see out there, they look better,” Boe said. “I would think that they’re probably a bit more talented, a bit bigger, faster, stronger than we were back in the day. But I’m sure coach Mistro has a lot of the same traditions that we were a part of and I’m sure there’s a lot of similarities as well.”
moneill@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461 Follow on Twitter @MaxONeill16
For the past two seasons, Jamestown has been one of the most successful teams in the state winning back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022.
The Jamestown High School football team is entering the 2023 season as the two-time defending Class A State champions.
BY KATIE RINGER
The Jamestown Sun
JAMESTOWN — Jamestown High School head football coach Bill Nelson says the same thing every year:
“Every group is different.”
But this year’s group — especially the seniors — is all kinds of different.
First of all, they entered the program in the middle of a global pandemic.
“This group of seniors has had a little bit of a different road because they were the COVID class — they
Katie Ringer / The Jamestown Sun Blue Jay football players listen to coaches’ instructions during practices on Aug. 7 at Ernie Gates Field.
were the freshman class that kind of practiced on their own, they had to be by themselves,” Nelson said. They always practiced at a different time than everybody else and you still help them but it’s different when you don’t get to work alongside sophomores, juniors and seniors. You learn how to do things differently.”
Secondly, they are the secondlargest senior class in Nelson’s tenure with 18 seniors.
“I’d say the class has a lot of dedicated kids who stick with the game they love and want to keep having success as a team,” now-senior Tyson Jorissen said.
Thirdly, they are the first class to have three consecutive seasons at .500 or higher since the JHS Class of 2001.
As freshmen, the Class of 2024 watched as quarterback Ty Monson helped lead the Blue Jays to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The squad’s season ended at 4-4. The next two seasons the Jays went 10-2 through the year.
Lastly, they are the first senior class
in program history that could win a third-straight state title.
But — we’re not really talking about that — yet.
“I credit these kids,” Nelson said. “They’ve put in a lot of time. They are a determined bunch. They are going to roll up their sleeves and go to work. We’re going to keep the kids humble and they are going to keep working extremely hard. It’s a new team, it’s a new year, and 2023 has the potential to be a special season.”
It may be a new team but it’s sure going to look a lot like the 2022 squad.
“The past two classes of seniors have made a great impact on the program by leading by example and showing all the younger guys what’s the right thing to do and what’s not OK to do,” JHS senior Bo Nelson said.”They have been amazing people to look up to and see what needs to be done to be successful.”
BLUE JAYS: Page 22
From Page 21
The Blue Jays began practices on Aug. 7 and will be opening the season on Aug. 25 at Grand Forks Red River. The Jays have four home games on the schedule and will play five on the road.
“There is a lot of potential — a lot of different routes we can go,”
Coach Nelson said. “There are a lot of different combinations but it all comes down to getting off of the ball and which people are getting off blocks and pushing the line of scrimmage the other way and making life hard for the other team’s offense.
“What’s unique about this group — on paper — is that we have more depth up front than we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “That’s where games are won and lost — you have to control the line of scrimmage.”
The Jays will return four of their five starters to the offensive line this season. Seniors Jack Van Berkom, Bo Nelson and Colin Conway will line up at left tackle, center and right tackle, respectively, while junior Vaughn Romsdal is expected to take over the left guard position again this season.
The foursome will be tasked
with protecting a new signal caller this season as the Jays lost twoyear starter Payton Hochhalter to graduation.
Hochhalter threw for 2,630 yards in his final year as a Blue Jay. He averaged more than nine yards per pass and more than 219 yards passing each game.
In Dakota Bowl XXX, Hochhalter and the Blue Jay offense produced 485 yards of total offense. The quarterback ended his prep career with a stat line that read 16-for-25, 296 yards passing, three passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown and two interceptions.
He was named the 2022 Class A Senior Athlete of the Year.
“We’ve obviously had some good quarterbacks come through the program and I don’t foresee that changing,” Coach Nelson said. “These guys are working hard, they have a goal. The beautiful part about having depth and competition within the team is that you get the best out of everyone.”
Juniors Ryan Kallenbach and Thomas Newman are the top two athletes vying for the Jays’ starting
BLUE JAYS: Page 24
“They’ve put in a lot of time. They are a determined bunch. They are going to roll up their sleeves and go to work. We’re going to keep the kids humble and they are going to keep working extremely hard. It’s a new team, it’s a new year, and 2023 has the potential to be a special season.”
— Head Coach Bill Nelson
24 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
From Page 23
quarterback this season. Kallenbach played in four varsity games as a sophomore and was 4-for-5 for 39 yards. No official passing stats for Newman were recorded last season.
“They are both working for stuff, they’ve got strong points and they have weak points,” Nelson said. “Just because someone might start week one, it could change — it’s got to be a week-to-week progression. It’s not going to be a snap of a finger, who would want that? That would be way too boring.”
A week-to-week progression seems to be the expectation for every Blue Jay no matter their position.
“Caden Michaelson is another senior who was behind Jackson Walters last year on both sides of the ball,” Nelson said. “As we know, Jackson Walters didn’t come off the field a whole lot so Caden got to learn from a pretty darn good receiver and one of the best middle linebackers in the state and he’s going to be in the mix on both sides of the ball.”
Michaelson played five games for the Blue Jay defense last season and recorded 12 total — eight solo — tackles and three sacks.
Seniors Sam Mayhair, Tyson Jorissen and junior Nate Walz are expected to be joining Michaelson on both sides of the ball.
Mayhair, a middle linebacker, went down with a non-contact ACL injury last season but still managed 24 tackles through his six games played.
Walz played in 11 of the Jays’ 12 games as a sophomore and solidified himself as one of the Jays’ main threats at receiver making 21 catches for 490 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, Walz was credited with 25 solo and 33 total tackles five interceptions and one defensive score.
Jorissen, one of the Jays’ slot receivers, hauled in 39 receptions for 453 yards and four touchdowns last fall. He also had six punt returns for 107 yards.
“I may not always get all the big deep routes but I get the routes to get us first downs and gain yardage,” Jorissen said. “I have played many positions. I was a running back in junior high and switched to quarterback my freshman year. Now, I play receiver and stuck with that because I liked the position the most
and that was the role they needed me in.”
Jorissen, like many athletes in Jamestown, started playing football as soon as he could.
“I remember playing flag football and just hoping the time would fly by so I could put on some pads and actually start tackling people and playing how the bigger kids played,” Jorissen said. “As I grew up I found out how much I had fallen in love with the sport, the people, my teammates and the feeling you get when you step on the field in front of all these people watching.”
Those people who venture out to Charlotte and Gordon Hansen Stadium to watch a Blue Jay football game again this year will see a returner at the kicking position.
“Up until last year we had never had a female on the team,” Nelson said. “Then in May of 2022, Sara (Sletto) came in. She’s just like anyone else on the team, she’s just as important as anybody else. She’s a teamfirst person.
“Last year, two guys didn’t do their job and a seam opened up and if it wasn’t for her, we would have been
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down a touchdown at home,” he said. “She came to the sideline just giddy because she actually got to hit somebody. She wants to be treated as a part of the team.”
Sletto, a senior, was named one of the Blue Jays’ kickers last season and is expected back for a second go-around this fall. She was 38-for55 in terms of extra-point attempts last year.
“We feel like our blueprint is pretty solid,” Nelson said. “We know what needs to be done from a training and preparation standpoint. The Xs and Os are important, but how much you care about that bird on the side of your helmet and how much you care about the guy next to you — that’s the most important.
“If we work together as a team, we have the chance to be a pretty good football team again this year,” he said.
kringer@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461 Follow on Twitter @KaitlynRinger
BY MAX O’NEILL
The Jamestown Sun
CARRINGTON, N.D. — For the second year in a row, the Carrington Cardinals starting quarterback at the start of the 2022 season was not the quarterback at the end of the season.
In week four, Josh Bickett moved from wide receiver to quarterback, replacing Grady Shipman, who did the reverse.
“We were looking for a change,” Cardinals head coach Kyle Smith said. “We were 0-3 at the time and we moved a lot of different kids around. That’s when we moved Hudson Topp back into the backfield and we
were just trying to change the whole chemistry of the team and both kids graciously moved into other positions and performed very well and showed their team leadership and their teamfirst mentality. That was a big part to turning the season around, those kids accepting their new roles and excelling at them.”
Bickett said he did not expect to be the starting quarterback last year but he’s happy to be under center this season.
Last year, the Cardinals went 3-5, which saw them go on a three-game winning streak over the last three games of the regular season. During that winning streak, they outscored their opponents 90-32.
“I think any time you get on a winning streak late in the year, it
means you’re playing much better football and you’re peaking at the right time,” Smith said. “I think that’s great momentum heading into this next season, just getting that feeling of what it takes to win a close football game and how it feels to take care of the ball and play well defensively. So I think that’s really big at carrying some momentum into this season.”
Last fall, the Cardinals’ season was dictated by who scored first, as they went 0-5 when giving up the first points of the game while going 3-0 when scoring first.
“It’s very important (to score first) especially for our team because we use momentum a lot and when we get on the board first or stop the team right
CARDINALS: Page 26
— Head Coach Kyle Smith
From Page 25
away and then get on the board it’s huge just knowing that we have the lead and can protect,” Bickett said. “We’re also a run-heavy team, so we know we can keep running the ball and not force the pass.”
Last season, Bickett, Shipman and Tate Wolsky combined to throw three touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
“Sometimes the best play is to take a sack and not just throw the ball away,” Smith said. “I think a couple of those turnovers, I guess several of them were unforced, and we just need to ... make better decisions, know when to throw the ball away, know when to take a sack and that’s gonna come with experience. Both of our guys are gonna have another year of experience under their belt. I feel real good about going into the season with those two.”
During his sophomore season, Bickett played in all eight games, completing 52.5% of his passes for 534 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions. On the ground, he had 31 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Bickett also played defensive back where he had 17 total tackles and three interceptions. Bickett said his three interceptions came from his ability to watch the quarterback’s eyes.
“Which helps when I’m also a quarterback myself so I can think, what would I be thinking right now, knowing what the quarterback might be thinking so just reading off that,” said Bickett, who expects to play free safety this year.
Smith said his expectations this year are to compete in the region and make the playoffs.
“I’m hoping that we can finish in one of those top four region spots and get into the playoffs and then peak at the right time and hopefully make a run,” Smith said.
The Cardinals are looking to finish at least .500 for the first time since 2020. The Cardinals are also looking to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2018.
Smith said he is looking for breakout seasons from senior running back Logan Weninger, sophomore running back McKade Zink, senior defensive back Jackson Schaefer, Shipman, junior running back Corbin Clifton and sophomore offensive tackle Cody Otto.
This season, the Cardinals open their season at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 when they welcome Bottineau High School.
“They’re very athletic,” Smith said. “I think they’re gonna be built a lot like us this year where they’re not overly
big up front but they’re very athletic. They’ve got good team speed in their backfield as well. I know one of their better running backs is back. They do have to solidify their quarterback position but they’re well-coached and they’re a very well-disciplined team. We’re gonna have to come out of the gates and play really good football if we’re gonna have a chance to win.”
moneill@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461 Follow on Twitter @MaxONeill16
BY KATIE RINGER
The Jamestown Sun
WISHEK, N.D.
— A grade 3 acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation was probably not the way Connor Kosiak was hoping to start his junior football season.
But as South Border head coach Evan Mellmer told him:
“It was a blessing in disguise.”
Kosiak, a now-senior for the Mustangs, suffered the grade 3 joint separation in his right shoulder on Aug. 19, 2022. The injury to his shoulder took him out of playing contention for the entire 2022 football season.
“I remember going out for a fly route on the right side of the field,” Kosiak said in reflection. “The ball was a bit under thrown so I had to slow down and jump for a 50/50 ball against the defender. I landed on my right side with my arms extended in the air so a lot of the impact was on my shoulder.”
As the game went on, Kosiak said his shoulder started to feel worse so he came off the field and notified South Border head coach Evan Mellmer of the pain. Kosiak’s father, who is a practicing physical therapist, also came to the sideline to try and assess what was wrong.
“My dad couldn’t really tell what was wrong due to all of the swelling,” Kosiak said. “I told him to tape it up and told my coach to put me back in. Towards the end of the game, we were at the goal line and my coach pulled me over and asked if I could punch a run in for a touchdown to solidify the win.
“I said yes and as I got tackled in the end zone I landed on it and knew for sure this was more than a stinger,” he
said. “I came off the field screaming in pain and was done the rest of the night.”
When Kosiak’s MRI results came back the senior said he knew right away that his season was over. A grade 3 tear requires at least three months of recovery time.
“I was devastated hearing this because I’ve put a lot of hard work into the program,” Kosiak said. “This injury showed me no matter how hard you work for something, no matter what you sacrifice, nothing is promised. It made me more grateful for how blessed I am and helped me
think beyond the game of football.”
Due to the severity of the joint separation, it took Kosiak’s shoulder the full 12 weeks to heal. During his time spent on the sideline, Kosiak worked to better his knowledge of the game and quickly became a resource for his teammates.
“He kind of slid in and became a coach and what he learned last year being able to watch a whole season through a coaching lens — he’s probably the smartest kid we have on the football field,” Mellmer said of Kosiak.
South Border could be one of the most dangerous 9-man teams in Region 4 this season.
From Page 27
At the three-month mark, Kosiak was cleared to play sports again and since then has been readying his body — whether through other sports or through training for his last go-around with the Mustang football team.
“The biggest motivator for me to come back has been my teammates,” Kosiak said. “I’ve been playing with these guys my whole life. A lot of them have put a lot into this program as well. I’d be letting them all down if I didn’t return. I wouldn’t wanna do this with any other group of guys. I love each and every one of them and can’t wait to share the field with them one last time.”
The wait is over for Kosiak.
The Mustangs began practices on Aug. 3 and had its first game of the
year, a Region 4 tilt against Beach, on Aug. 19 — exactly 365 days after Kosiak’s shoulder injury.
“We’re really excited for this year,” Mellmer said. “We’ve done a lot of work during the offseason — kids have been in the weight room, kids have been working really hard.”
Since Mellmer took over the head coach position at South Border in 2021, the Mustangs have gone 15-4 overall. After a stellar 8-1 regular season performance, the squad’s 2022 campaign came to a close in the second round of the 9-man playoffs. Grant County topped South Border 44-18 to advance to the state quarterfinals.
“They have been sitting on that loss for 10 months now,” Mellmer said. “They were ready to get back to work and see what we can do.”
The Mustangs lost five seniors to graduation. 2022 First-Team All-State
Contributed / Evan Mellme
quarterback Marshall Lindgren threw for 1,492 yards and rushed for more than 375 yards. Through 10 games, he threw for 24 touchdowns and only had seven picks.
Lindgren was also the Mustangs’ leading rusher, racking up 611 yards and 10 touchdowns on 78 carries.
A big producer no doubt, but with the talent the Mustangs have back, Lindgren is far from irreplaceable.
“We have a lot of returning guys this year,” Kosiak said. “We’ve got the guys to run the ball, throw the ball, and play some lockdown defense. I’m not joking when I say most of the guys on the field are a threat. I expect a lot out of my team this season. We have seven returning starters this year, so knowing our jobs on the field won’t be an issue. We all know what we are capable of this season and don’t want to settle for anything less.”
It all starts up front, where opponents will have to face the Mustangs’ 2022 All-State selection.
“With us, everything starts with Daniel Schumacher,” Mellmer said. “He’s our dude. That’s the best way I can describe him. A dude on a football field is a good thing. He’s a lineman and a middle linebacker. He’s the heartbeat, he’s the energy, he’s a little out of his mind but on the football field, you need a few guys who are crazy like that. He makes everything go.”
Schumacher, the little brother to former South Border standout James Schumacher, has adopted the center and middle linebacker responsibilities for the Mustangs. Schumacher was the Mustangs’ leading tackler with 38 solo and 87 total tackles.
Schumacher was named to the second-team all-state defense after his performance as a junior.
Other returners to the line are senior Trevor Schmidt and junior Shane Nitschke.
“Trevor is kind of our brains up front,” Mellmer said. “He’s probably our smartest lineman and keeps all the other guys on the right page. He’ll be really important for us too. Shane will only be a junior for us but he’s a beast of a human being — he was the 220pound state wrestling champion.”
The Mustangs’ weapons aren’t just on the line though.
Junior Cole Stock is expected to be back as a running back while Kosiak can be used as a receiver or at running back. Mellmer also said sophomore receiver Levi Buchholz will be in the mix. Buchholz took over for Kosiak after the injury to his shoulder.
“He caught 44 balls for like 899 yards and 14 touchdowns,” Mellmer said of Buchholz. “He kind of slid in there and made me look like an idiot as a coach. We’ll lean on him a lot.”
While he’s got all the weapons to make the 2023 season a special one, Mellmer is only making one guarantee.
“The only guarantee that I will ever make is that it is going to be a fun year,” Mellmer said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to win a lot of games, that doesn’t mean we’re going to win any games but we’re going to have a blast doing it. We’re going to play our butts off and see what happens.”
kringer@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461
Follow on Twitter @KaitlynRinger
“We have a lot of returning guys this year,” Kosiak said. “We’ve got the guys to run the ball, throw the ball, and play some lockdown defense. I’m not joking when I say most of the guys on the field are a threat. I expect a lot out of my team this season. We have seven returning starters this year, so knowing our jobs on the field won’t be an issue. We all know what we are capable of this season and don’t want to settle for anything less.”
— Connor Kosiak
The
BY KATIE RINGER The Jamestown Sun
NEW ROCKFORD, N.D.
— After more than 20 years in the football coaching profession, Elliott Belquist probably thought he had seen it all.
Then 2023 came around.
Belquist and the 9-man New Rockford-Sheyenne football team are co-oping with Benson County in the 2023 season. The cooperation is the first one in the program’s history.
“We’ve never done something like this before,” Belquist said. “It was a little nerve-wracking thinking about it but it’s been good and a smooth transition so far.”
The Rockets kicked off practices on Aug. 3 and had its first of nine games on Aug. 18 at North Star.
So how do you prepare a football team to be game-ready in 15 days?
“It’s a lot of reps,” Belquist said. “You’ve got to get things installed early on. Hopefully, they’ve been doing stuff in the offseason for conditioning so we don’t have to worry about that so much but we are going to try and do as many reps as possible so we can be ready for that first game.”
Connor Knatterud is one who has been putting in those reps.
Knatterud, a soon-to-be senior at New Rockford, has been slotted as one of the Rockets’ main running backs most of his high school career but due to an unfortunate hit last September, he had to sit out most of his junior season with a severe concussion.
“It was hard having to watch the team play without me,” Knatterud said. “It hurt because I really love playing football with those guys. I actually had a couple of other injured teammates that I stood on the sidelines with. I’m pleased with how some of our younger guys stepped up and played.”
The Jamestown Sun
Knatterud didn’t play the rest of his junior season but as soon as he cleared concussion protocol, he was back training with Belquist.
“I have put a lot of time in during the offseason lifting weights and staying in shape which plays a big role at the start of the season,” Knatterud said. “My workouts are a little out of the ordinary because we do not have a big facility like Fargo would. I usually go to our local gym and lift weights, then when I’m done with that I will go run on some treadmills with Coach Belquist. So he is right there with me while I train all offseason.”
Knatterud is slated to be back at the running back position which is where he has played most of his football career.
“My first year of football (in third grade) I had a coach compliment how
fast I could run,” Knatterud said. “Except he phrased it like this, ‘It is like his legs are not even touching the ground because of how fast they are moving.’ That made me think I was the fastest kid on earth.”
While Knatterud has been a frontrunner for the leading rusher role, there are still some questions to be answered for the Rockets.
“We’ve got some figuring out to do of different positions and where everyone will play,” Belquist said. “The last couple of years we have been a young team so we’ve been rebuilding but now Maddock has joined us and they have brought over around 12 kids. They’ve got a lot of juniors and seniors and that’s kind of where we are short so it was a perfect fit. We’re looking forward to a good year.”
New Rockford-Sheyenne only lost
two seniors to graduation but the added challenge for Belquist has been those Maddock athletes as he is still learning their strengths and figuring out where they would be best served on the field.
“We’ll be able to build some depth this year which is something that we’ve never done,” Belquist said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had more than 25 kids. “Some kids will be playing just one way and we’ll be able to play a lot of fresh kids on special teams so it’ll be fun to play a lot of kids. That’s never really happened before.
“We’re excited,” he said. “We really enjoy the kids that we got from Maddock and we’re excited to have some more bodies.”
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From Page 4
He got invited out to Easton Stick’s 50 quarterback camp and he felt really good about his progress there.”
Thorson was not the only Hornet to participate in a camp this summer.
Dockter said the team hosted a camp alongside Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Cordell Volson.
“We had a ton of great coaches, Bison coaches, guys that are playing in the NFL, guys that are playing college, local coaches come to work,” Dockter said. “I think we had 30 of our guys show up for that camp. We’re really excited about the progress we’ve made this summer.”
Last year, Keller had seven carries for 25 yards, 41 receptions for 552
From Page 5
meet that standard. The juniors and seniors are going to have to make sure that the freshmen and sophomores are learning how to do that and get better every day. We want to compete for a playoff spot and hopefully, we can win the games we’re supposed to win. We’re excited to get going for sure.”
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/
yards and three touchdowns. He also added 33 total tackles.
Keller said he thinks he’s better at offense because he makes a big impact on the offensive side of the ball.
“I think me having a big impact on catching the ball is gonna be spreading the ball around a little more and making the defense not be able to key so hard on me running routes or double-teaming me,” Keller said. “That means one other guy is open. So just gotta be able to keep our eyes open and find the open guy.”
As an upperclassman, Keller said he thinks his teammates view him as a leader. Keller said in order to have success this year, he needs to continue to lead his teammates in a productive manner.
“I think personally, I gotta be positive and hold up the younger kids
From Page 6
with his confidence after sustaining the injury to his knee but added that it still involved a lot of training to become competition ready.
Musland said he usually trains for around three hours per day and also incorporates speed workouts into his week twice a week.
“My goal for this year is to be as good as I can be wherever the coaches want me and help our team win a lot of football games,” Musland said. “I think that my biggest motivation for me playing football is that it is my last year. After this year I will never be able to play football again, so I might as well make the most of it.”
The results of his training are evidently readily apparent.
“He’s really in good shape,” DelaBarre said of Musland. “He’s strong, he’s fast, so we’re excited to have the pads back on him this season. The more you physically train your body as you grow, the better it will be for you.”
But no one man does a championship-hopeful team make.
“I definitely expect us to go and win state just like every other year,” Musland said. “Everyone thinks that we will be bad this year because we lost a lot of great players but we have a lot of good athletes replacing them.
“We are going to have a couple of good athletes this year such as Gunner Thielges, he will be able to
and make sure they’re playing well so we can play well as a team,” Keller said. “It’s a lot more than just one person to make the team go around. So you gotta be positive and be a good teammate to your teammates.”
The Hornets headed into their game with Rugby on Friday, Aug. 19, on a three-game winning streak against their foes.
“They’re one of our bigger rivals as the year goes on and we get to play them first,” Keller said. “It’s always a good way to start the season and build up our confidence to the rest of the season when we beat a rival early. Hopefully, we can make it a fourgame winning streak against them this year.”
Contributed / Karen Thielges LaMoure/LM’s Gunner Thielges tucks the ball and runs during the 2022 9-man football season. Thielges will be one of the main offensive threats for LaMoure/LM this season.
do everything,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he scores four touchdowns a game. Our coaches are also a big threat because of their experience and also our playbook. We also have a ton of plays we can run at any time.”
Musland will line up with fellow seniors Blaise Isaacson and Ryder Wendel. DelaBarre said the Loboes are expecting to see anywhere from 20 to 25 kids out this season.
“There’s a lot of unknown but it’s not a bad unknown, it’s a good unknown,” DelaBarre said. “These kids can take us as far as they want to, we’ll just see how it all plays out.”
kringer@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461 Follow on Twitter @KaitlynRinger
August 23, 2023
From Page 13
He also contributed on the defensive side of the ball with 59 tackles, three tackles for loss, eight passes deflected, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Zimmerman said his best skill on the field is his vision and his speed.
“I think personally, I need to keep my head up, keep everybody focused on the game until the game’s over,” Zimmerman said. “We all gotta play with each other.”
Zimmerman said his goal for this season is to get back to .500 or better, which would be the team’s first winning record since 2020. In order for that to happen, Zimmerman said the team has to be physical and cut down on penalties and turnovers.
“We’ve only got about 19 guys out so number one is we gotta stay healthy,” Silbernagel said. “We’ve had some bad luck in that regard the last couple years. We gotta stay healthy. The second thing is our kids gotta
From Page 16
It’s really just about putting it down on the field and making it happen.”
Junior quarterback Gentry Richter said his expectations are to make the playoffs but the team will need to replace all but one player on their offensive line.
Last year, the Lions went 4-4 and ended the season on a two-game winning streak. Over the course of the winning streak, they outscored their opponents 56-30.
Walls said he is expecting big things out of seniors Riley Richter, Jace Jochim, Justin Tschosik and Blake Ketterling. He also wants to see a big season from new starting quarterback Richter. Walls said he is eagerly anticipating seeing his team’s rushing attack.
“Kashton Moser, he’s gonna be a junior this year, we’re looking at him at the tight end position,” Walls said. “....Gentry, he’s gonna be our first-year starting quarterback, we’re gonna look for a big year from him. I’m excited for
“I’m not really a guy that puts a number on wins and losses for expectations. I’d just like to see us react better to situations where we need to make the play.”
— Head Coach Dave Silbernagel
mature mentally, I think if we do that we’ve got a chance to win quite a few football games. The inexperience last year really hurt us so I think those are the two things. ...”
Zimmerman also said he wants to be the first Wolves player to make it to the Shrine Bowl since Keaton Luhmann and Blake Braun made it this year.
“We just gotta stay strong through the whole game,” Zimmerman said. “I know last year, the fourth quarter, the ending of those games, we didn’t push through. We just gotta stay strong through the whole game this year.”
our run game this year, I think Justin Tschosik at tailback is gonna surprise a lot of people and do a lot of good things for us.”
This year, Richter will be taking over at quarterback after backing up Trace King, who had 2,043 yards of offense last season. Richter said he feels a lot of pressure as the new quarterback but as the team practices his nervousness is fading away.
“I learned a lot,” Richter said. “He moved really quick. I learned how to drop back. I learned a lot from his reading and how he read.”
Richter is not coming in blind, though, as he did play a little bit last year. As he looks to this season, Richter said he wants to gain arm strength and get a tighter spiral on the football. He said he has been working hard this summer to improve his team’s performance.
“It helped me a lot because what I was worried about was my reading (the field),” Richter said. “I wasn’t doing well reading my receivers and the safety. That helped me a lot because this year, I’ve been learning a lot,
Before fall camp officially started on Aug. 3, Zimmerman said he and his teammates were working out to try to get better ahead of this season.
“We have open fields and stuff every Sunday night, in order to get together and get on the field a little bit, play with each other,” Zimmerman said. “I think it’s bringing us together, strengthening our bond together. I think that’s a huge factor in it all too.”
The Wolves opened their season on Friday, Aug. 18, against defending state champions New Salem-Almont.
moneill@jamestownsun.com | (701) 952-8461
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especially watching Trace last year and just seeing how he read the defense and he taught me a lot when I was behind him as a quarterback.”
In order to have a good season, Walls said Richter needs to stay calm and not try to be a superhero and carry the team.
On the defensive side of the ball, Richter plays linebacker and had 25 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and two interceptions last year.
“I think the best skill is I can read the guards pretty well and I know which direction they’re going to,” Richter said.
The Lions opened their season at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, when they took on Hettinger/Scranton.
“What I’ve heard is they have big o (offensive) line and defense but I think our quickness is going to help us out a lot,” Richter said. “We have a quick team, a really quick team, and I feel like we can throw some deep balls against them.”
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Bismarck Century
Head coach: Ron Wingenbach, 34th year
Last season: 5-7
State titles: 2015, 16, 19, 20
Key returners: N/A
CENTURY SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. West Fargo
Sept 1: vs. Mandan
Sept. 8: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Sept. 15: vs. Minot
Sept. 22: vs. Fargo Shanley
Sept. 29: vs. Williston
Oct. 6: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Oct. 13: vs. Fargo Davies
Oct. 20: vs. Bismarck High
Bismarck
Head coach: Mark Gibson, 25th year
Last season: 0-9 overall
State titles: 1928, 29, 40, 43, 49, 84, 85, 01, 08, 09, 11, 12, 18
Key returners: Preston Lemar, Sr., TE/LB; Carter Henke, Sr., TE/LB.
BISMARCK HIGH SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Fargo Shanley
Sept 1: vs. St. Mary’s
Sept 8: vs. Fargo Davies
Sept. 15: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Sept. 22: vs. West Fargo
Sept. 29: vs. Mandan
Oct. 6: vs. Minot
Oct. 13: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Oct. 20: vs. Bismarck Century
Bismarck Legacy
Head coach: Chris Clements, 9th year
Last year: 6-4 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: N/A
LEGACY SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Sept 1: vs. Minot
Sept 8: vs. West Fargo
Sept. 15: vs. Bismarck High
Sept. 22: vs. Williston
Sept. 29: vs. Fargo Shanley
Oct. 8: vs. Bismarck Century
Oct. 13: vs. St. Mary’s
Oct. 20: vs. Fargo Davies
Mandan
Head coach: Todd Sheldon, 12th year
Last season: 8-3 overall
State titles: 1939, 42, 47, 48
Key returners: N/A
MANDAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Fargo Davies
Sept 1: vs. Bismarck Century
Sept. 8: vs. Minot
Sept. 15: vs. Williston
Sept. 22: vs. St. Mary’s
Sept. 29: vs. Bismarck High
Oct. 6: vs. Dickinson
Oct. 13: vs. Fargo Shanley
Oct. 20: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Minot
Head coach: Chauncy
Hendershot, 4th year
Last season: 6-4 overall
State titles: 1910, 35, 41, 50, 80
Key returners: N/A
MINOT SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. St. Mary’s
Sept 1: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Sept. 8: vs. Mandan
Sept. 15: vs. Bismarck Century
Sept. 22: vs. Fargo Davies
Sept. 29: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Oct. 6: vs. Bismarck High
Oct. 13: vs. Williston
Oct. 20: vs. West Fargo
Williston
Head coach: Mark Kennedy, 1st year
Last season: 2-7 overall
State titles: 1917, 19, 20, 28, 45, 52
Key returners: N/A
WILLISTON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Grand Forks Central
Aug. 25: vs.Fargo South
Sept 1: vs. Dickinson
Sept. 8: vs. St. Mary’’s
Sept. 15: vs. Mandan
Sept. 22: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Sept. 29: vs. Bismarck Century
Oct. 6: vs. Watford City
Oct. 13: vs. Minot
Bismarck St. Mary’s
Head coach: Tobias Schweitzer, 1st year
Last season: 3-6 overall
State titles: 1951, 59, 88, 91, 94, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20
Key returners: N/A
BISMARCK ST. MARY’S SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Minot
Sept 1: vs. Bismarck High
Sept. 8: vs. Williston
Sept. 15: vs. Fargo North
Sept. 22: vs. Mandan
Sept. 29: vs. West Fargo
Oct. 6: vs. Fargo South
Oct. 13: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Oct. 20: vs. Fargo Shanley
Region
Fargo Davies
Head coach: Wayne Werremeyer, 4th year
Last season: 7-4 overall
State titles: 2014
Key returners: Nicholas Hasbargen, Sr., WR/ LB; Luke Lorenz, Sr., RB/LB; Grant Tschosik, Sr., QB/DB.
DAVIES SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Mandan
Sept. 1: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Sept. 8: vs. Bismarck High
Sept. 15: vs. West Fargo
Sept. 22: vs. Minot
Sept. 29: vs. Fargo South
Oct. 6: vs. Fargo Shanley
Oct 13: vs. Bismarck Century
Oct 20: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Fargo Shanley
Head coach: Troy Mattern, 7th year
Last season: 10-2 overall (state champion)
State titles: 1939, 40, 41, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 81, 83, 09, 10, 12, 18, 22.
Key returners: N/A
SHANLEY SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Bismarck High
Sept. 1: vs. West Fargo
Sept. 8: vs. Fargo South
Sept. 15: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Sept. 22: vs. Bismarck Century
Sept. 29: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Oct. 6: vs. Fargo Davies
Oct 13: vs. Mandan
CAPSULES: Page 36
Oct 20: vs. St. Mary’s
West Fargo
Head coach: Jay Gibson, 33rd year
Last season: 4-6 overall
State titles: 1993, 98, 99, 02, 03, 17
Key returners: N/A
WF SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Bismarck Century
Sept. 1: vs. Fargo Shanley
Sept. 8: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Sept. 15: vs. Fargo Davies
Sept. 22: vs. Bismarck High
Sept. 29: vs. St. Mary’s
Oct. 6: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Oct 13: vs. Fargo North
Oct 20: vs. Minot
West Fargo Sheyenne
Head coach: Jeremy Newton, 10th year
Last season: 8-2
State titles: 2021
Key returners: N/A
WFS SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Bismarck Legacy
Sept. 1: vs. Fargo Davies
Sept. 8: vs. Bismarck Century
Sept. 15: vs. Fargo Shanley
Sept. 22: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Sept. 29: vs. Minot
Oct. 6: West Fargo
Oct 13: vs. Bismarck High
Oct 20: vs. Mandan
West Region
Jamestown
Head coach: Bill Nelson, 9th year
Last season: 10-2 overall (state champion)
State titles: 1933, 45, 56, 2021, 22.
Key returners: Eric Chea, Sr., RB/DB; Damien Cross, Sr., OL/LB; Eric Levin, Sr., TE/DL; Tyson Jorissen, Sr., RB/DB; Josh Robertson, Jr., RB; Nate Walz, Jr., RB.
JAMESTOWN SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Sept 1: vs. Turtle Mountain
Sept. 8: vs. Grand Forks Central
Sept. 15: vs. Watford City
Sept. 22: vs. Wahpeton
Sept. 29: vs. Dickinson
Oct. 6: vs. Valley City
Oct. 13: vs. West Fargo Horace
Oct. 20: vs. Fargo North
Dickinson
Head coach: John Tuchscherer, 11th year
Last season: 4-6 overall
State titles: 1997
Key returners: N/A
DICKINSON SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. West Fargo Horace
Sept 1: vs. Williston
Sept. 8: vs. Watford City
Sept. 15: vs. Valley City
Sept. 22: vs. Devils Lake
Sept. 29: vs. Jamestown
Oct. 6: vs. Mandan
Oct. 13: vs. Turtle Mountain
Oct. 20: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Turtle Mountain
Head coach: Jason Gourneau, 6th year
Last season: 1-8 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: N/A
TURTLE MOUNTAIN SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Beulah
Aug. 25: vs. Valley City
Sept 1: vs. Jamestown
Sept. 8: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Sept. 15: vs. New Town
Sept. 22: vs. Watford City
Sept. 29: vs. Devils Lake
Oct. 13: vs. Dickinson
Oct. 20: vs. Wahpeton
Watford City
Head coach: Justin Johnsrud, 10th year
Last season: 2-7 overall
State titles: 1975, 76, 78, 79, 85, 86, 98, 06, 08
Key returners: Judd Johnsrud, Sr., QB. WATFORD CITY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Grand Forks Central
Aug. 25: vs. Hazen
Sept 1: vs. Valley City
Sept. 8: vs. Dickinson
Sept. 15: vs. Jamestown
Sept. 22: vs. Belcourt Turtle Mountain
Oct. 6: vs. Williston
Oct. 13: vs. Devils Lake
Oct. 20: vs. West Fargo Horace
East Region
Devils Lake
Head coach: Todd Lambrecht, 4th year
Last season: 3-6 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: Jackson Baeth, Sr., TE/DL; Drew Hofstad, Sr., WR/DB. DEVILS LAKE SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Wahpeton
Sept 1: vs. West Fargo Horace
Sept. 8: vs. Valley City
Sept. 15: vs. Fargo South
Sept. 22: vs. Dickinson
Sept. 29: vs. Turtle Mountain
Oct. 6: vs. Fargo North
Oct. 13: vs. Watford City
Oct. 20: vs.Grand Forks Central
Valley City
Head coach: Travis Engen 1st year
Last season: 7-3 overall
State titles: 1907, 24, 36
Key returners: Michael Schmidt Sr.; Peyton Olson Sr.; Ayden Mooradian Sr.; Jonah Harstad, Sr.
VALLEY CITY SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Turtle Mountain
Sept 1: vs. Watford City
Sept. 8: vs. Devils Lake
Sept. 15: vs. Dickinson
Sept. 22: vs. West Fargo Horace
Sept. 29: vs. Wahpeton
Oct. 6: vs. Jamestown
Oct. 13: vs. Grand Forks Central
Oct. 20: vs. Fargo South
Wahpeton
Head coach: Wade Gilbertson, 5th year
Last season: 5-5 overall
State titles: 1930, 71
Key returners: N/A
WAHPETON SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Devils Lake
Sept 1: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Sept. 8: vs. Fargo North
Sept. 15: vs. West Fargo Horace
Sept. 22: vs. Jamestown
Sept. 29: vs. Valley City
Oct. 6: vs. Grand Forks Central
Oct. 13: vs. Fargo South
Oct. 20: vs. Belcourt Turtle Mountain
Fargo North
Head coach: Adam Roland, 9th year
Last season: 7-5 overall
State titles: 1995, 00
Key returners: Adam Jarski, Sr., OL/DL. FARGO NORTH SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. West Fargo Horace
Aug. 25: vs. Grand Forks Central
Sept. 8: vs. Wahpeton
Sept. 15: vs. St. Mary’s
Sept. 22: vs. Fargo South
Sept. 29: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Oct. 6: vs. Devils Lake
Oct. 13: vs. West Fargo
Oct. 20: vs. Jamestown
Fargo South
Head coach: Tyler Kosel, 7th year
Last season: 7-4 overall
State titles: 1978, 82, 86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 96,
04, 06, 07, 10, 13
Key returners: Kolby Nissen, Sr., QB/LB; George Hansegard, Sr., WR/DB; Dorian Sandness, Sr., RB/LB.
FARGO SOUTH SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Williston
Sept. 1: vs. Grand Forks Central
Sept. 8: vs. Shanley
Sept. 15: vs. Devils Lake
Sept. 22: vs. Fargo North
Sept. 29: vs. Fargo Davies
Oct. 6: vs. St. Mary’s
Oct 13: vs. Wahpeton
Oct 20: vs. Valley City
Grand Forks Central
Head coach: Jake Schauer, 1st year; Joe Drumm, 1st year
Last season: 4-6 overall
State titles: 1906, 11, 13, 15, 16, 34, 40, 45, 46, 05
Key returners: Jack Simmers, Sr., RB/SS; Leo Strandell, Sr., WR/FS; Ross Wilber, Sr., K; Noah Morkve, Sr., QB/LB; Tyler Whalen, Sr., WR/SS; Erick Paye, Sr., WR/DE; Harley Marynik, Sr., OL/LB.
GRAND FORKS CENTRAL SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Watford City
Aug. 25: vs. Fargo North
Sept. 1: vs. Fargo South
Sept. 8: vs. Jamestown
Sept. 15: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Sept. 29: vs. West Fargo Horace
Oct. 6: vs. Wahpeton
Oct. 13: vs. Valley City
Oct 20: vs. Devils Lake
Grand Forks Red River
Head coach: Vyrn Muir, 20th year; Travis Martin 2nd year
Last season: 8-3 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: Lawson Lotysz, Sr., OL/D; Pearce Parks, Jr., QB.
GRAND FORKS RED RIVER SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Williston
Aug. 25: vs. Jamestown
Sept. 1: vs. Wahpeton
Sept. 8: vs. Turtle Mountain
Sept. 15: vs. Grand Forks Central
Sept. 22: vs. West Fargo Sheyenne
Sept. 29: vs. Fargo North
Oct. 6: vs. West Fargo Horace
Oct. 20: vs. Dickinson
West Fargo Horace
Head coach: Harvey McMahon, 2nd year
Last season: 0-9
State titles: None
Key returners: Charlie Leshovsky, Sr., RB/ SS; Dylan Johnson, Sr., FB/LB; Gavin Olson, Sr., WR/CB; Asher Kranz, Sr., OL/DL; Lucas
CAPSULES: Page 38
38 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
From Page 37
Holsing, Sr., WR/FS; Xavier Burrow, Sr., RB/ CB; Mike Siffoi, Sr., RB/CB; Axel Anderson, Jr., QB/FS; Levi Gorden Jr., OL/DL; Jakobe Mcdonald, Jr., OL/ILB; Kaden Manske, Jr., TE/ DL; Alexander Perez, Jr., K; Daniel Reyes, Jr., OL/LB.
WEST FARGO HORACE SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Fargo North
Aug. 25: vs. Dickinson
Sept. 1: vs. Devils Lake
Sept. 15: vs. Wahpeton
Sept. 22: vs. Valley City
Sept. 29: vs. Grand Forks Central
Oct. 6: vs. Grand Forks Red River
Oct. 13: vs. Jamestown
Oct. 20: vs. Watford City
Region 1
Central Cass
Head coach: Tommy Butler, 5th year
Last season: 9-3 overall
State titles: 1980
Key returners: Dylan Sell, Sr., DL/OL; Tyler Cruchet, Sr., DL/OL.
CENTRAL CASS SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Kindred
Aug. 25: vs. Oakes
Sept. 1: vs. Northern Cass
Sept. 8: vs. Lisbon
Sept. 15: vs. May-Port-C-G
Sept. 22: vs. Hillsboro
Sept. 29: OPEN
Oct. 6: vs. Ellendale/EK
Oct. 13: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Kindred
Head coach: Eric Burgad, 1st year
Last season: 10-1 overall
State titles: 2021
Key returners: Riley Sunram, Sr., OL / DL; Dilon Filler, Sr., OL / DL; Kylan Swenson, Jr., RB-S.
KINDRED SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Central Cass
Aug. 25: vs. Cavalier
Sept. 1: vs. Hillsboro
Sept. 8: OPEN
Sept. 15: vs. Northern Cass
Sept. 22: vs. Oakes
Sept. 29: vs. Lisbon
Oct. 6: vs. May-Port-C-G
Oct. 13: vs. Ellendale/EK
Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm
Head coach: Garitt Irey, 2nd year
Last season: 0-9 overall
State titles: E/K: 1994, 04. E/E/K: 2016
Key returners: Eli Mathern, Sr., WR/DB; Jacob Nitschke, Sr., QB/LB; Eli Fernandes, Sr., TE/DE.
ELLENDALE/E/K: SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Oakes
Aug. 25: vs. Northern Cass
Sept. 1: vs. Lisbon
Sept. 8: vs. May-Port-C-G
Sept: 15: vs. Bottineau
Sept. 22: vs. Oak Grove
Sept. 29: vs. Hillsboro
Oct. 6: vs. Central Cass
Oct. 13: vs. Kindred
Lisbon
Head coach: Mark Moss, 2nd year
Last season: 6-4 overall
State titles: 1992
Key returners: Kelley Seamus, Jr., RB/CB; Greyson Lyons, So., WR/CB; Jayden Bittner, Sr., WR/CB; Wyatt Olson, Sr., QB/LB; Ethan Schwab, Sr., WR/LB.
LISBON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Northern Cass
Aug. 25: vs. Hillsboro
Sept. 1: vs. Ellendale/EK
Sept. 8: vs. Central Cass
Sept: 15: OPEN
Sept. 22: vs. Carrington
Sept. 29: vs. Kindred
Oct. 6: vs. Oakes
Oct. 13: vs. May-Port-C-G
Oakes
Head coach: Greg Dobitz, 13th year
Last season: 9-2 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: Brogan Roney. Sr., WR; Mario Garza, Sr., RB/OLB; Trey Skoglund, Sr., RB/ MLB/OLB; Josh Meehl, Sr., OL/DL; Blayson Dolney, Sr., WR/DB. OAKES SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Ellendale/E/K
Aug. 25: vs. Central Cass
Sept. 1: vs. Oak Grove
Sept. 8: OPEN
Sept: 15: vs. Hillsboro
Sept. 22: vs. Kindred
Sept. 29: vs. May-Port-C-G
Oct. 6: vs. Lisbon
Oct. 13: vs. Northern Cass
Thompson
Head coach: Brady Schwab, 1st year
Last season: 7-3 overall
State titles: 2016, 18
Key returners: Carter Inglis, Jr., WR/FS; Joshua Juve, Jr., B/LB; Jesse Hegg, Jr., OL/ DL; Jordan Gustafson, Sr., OL/LB; Kellen Thomsen, Sr., OL/DL; Karter Peterson, Jr., TE/ LB; Jakob Starcevic, Jr., QB/SS.Will Welke, Jr., RB/OL/LB; Brody Gibson, Sr., WR/DB; Tom Schumacher, Jr., WR/DB. THOMPSON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Grafton
Aug. 25: vs. Park River
Sept. 1: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Sept. 8: vs. Carrington
Sept: 15: vs. Rugby
Sept. 22: vs. Bottineau
Sept. 29: vs. Northern Cass
Oct. 6: vs. Langdon/EM
Oct. 13: vs. Cavalier
Grafton
Head coach: Dave Muhonen, 7th year
Last season: 0-9 overall
State titles: 2011
Key returners: N/A
GRAFTON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Thompson
Aug. 25: vs. Bottineau
Sept. 1: vs. Park River
Sept. 8: vs. Cavalier
Sept: 15: vs. Carrington
Sept. 22: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Sept. 29: vs. Langdon/EM
Oct. 6: vs. Hillsboro
Oct. 13: vs. Rugby
Langdon/Edmore/Munich
Head coach: Josh Krivarchka, 12th year
Last season: 6-4 overall
State titles: 2018,19, 20
Key returners: Dawson Hein, Sr.; Rayce
Worley, Sr., QB/DE.
LANGDON/EM SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Bishop Ryan
Aug. 25: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Sept. 1: vs. Bottineau
Sept. 8: vs. Rugby
Sept: 15: vs. Cavalier
Sept. 22: vs. Park River
Sept. 29: vs. Grafton
Oct. 6: vs. Thompson
Oct. 13: vs. Carrington
Park River
Head coach: Robert Goll, 15th year
Last season: 1-8 overall
State titles: 1914, 15, 2014, 15
Key returners: Emmitt Miller, Sr., QB/S. PARK RIVER SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Cavalier
Aug. 25: vs. Thompson
Sept. 1: vs. Grafton
Sept. 8: OPEN
Sept: 15: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Sept. 22: vs. Langdon/EM
Sept. 29: vs. Rugby
Oct. 6: vs. Carrington
Oct. 13: vs. Bottineau
Carrington
Head coach: Kyle Smith, 8th year
Last season: 3-5 overall State titles: 1981, 88
Key returners: Dylan Bachmeier, Jr., OL/DL; Mark Thomas, Sr., CB/WR; Gabe Ricter, Jr., OL/DL; Logan Weninger, Sr., RB/LB; Grady Shipman, Sr., CB/QB; Ryder Bickett, Jr., DE/ WR.
CARRINGTON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Bottineau
Aug. 25: vs. Rugby
Sept. 1: vs. Cavalier
Sept. 8: vs. Thompson
Sept. 15: vs. Grafton
Sept. 22: vs. Lisbon
Sept. 29: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Oct. 6: vs. Park River
Oct. 13: vs. Langdon/EM
Harvey/Wells County
Head coach: Bret Dockter, 10th year
Last season: 3-5 overall State titles: 1998, 07, 08
Key returners: Keaton Keller, Sr., TE/DE/ WR; Jayden Vlaminck, Sr., DL/OL; Andrew Fry, Sr., OL/OL; Izaak Richter, Sr., OL/DL: Gavyn Schuh, Sr., OL/DL; Quinton Deede, Sr., LB/RB; Grant Anderson, Sr., LB/RB; Jadyn Vollmer, Sr., DB/RB/WR; Alex Smith, Sr., DB/ WR/QB; Collin Meckle, Sr., OL/DL; Luke Meranda, Sr., LB/RB; Kayl Sieg, Jr., RB/LB; Tallen Thorson, Jr., QB/DB; Porter Johnson, Jr., OL/DL; Ty Jenner, Jr., OL/DE; Boston Fike, Jr., OL/DL; Tyler Swang, Jr., LB/RB; Avery Williams, Jr., WR/DB; Lucas Copenhaver, Jr., DE/TE; Maddix Martinson, Jr., WR/DB.
HWC SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Rugby
Aug. 25: vs. Langdon/EM
Sept. 1: vs. Thompson
Sept. 8: vs. Bottineau
Sept: 15: vs. Park River
Sept. 22: vs. Grafton
Sept. 29: vs. Carrington
Oct. 6: vs. Cavalier
Oct. 13: vs. Central Cass
Rugby
Head coach: Travis Risovi, 7th year
Last season: 4-5 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: Tucker Volk, Jr., QB/FS; Weston Kuntz, Jr., RB/CB; Austin Schneibel, Sr., FB/LB; Kolton Bohl, Jr., RB/LB; Taytum Risovi, Jr., RB/CB; Connor Ramsey, Jr., TE/DE.
RUGBY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Harvey/Wells County
Aug. 25: vs. Carrington
Sept. 1: vs. May-Port-C-G
Sept. 8: vs. Langdon/EM
Sept: 15: vs. Thompson
Sept. 22: vs. Cavalier
Sept. 29: vs. Park River
Oct. 6: vs. Bottineau
Oct. 13: vs. Grafton
Velva
Head coach: Matt Weidler, 1st year
Last season: 13-0 (state champion)
State titles: Velva: 1983, 06, 09, 10; Velva/ Sawyer: 1997, 2000, 01, 03, 04, 05; Velva/ Garrison/Drake-Anamoose: 2022.
Key returners: N/A
VELVA/GARRISON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Hazen
Aug. 25: vs. Beulah
Sept. 1: vs. Des Lacs-Burlington
Sept. 8: vs. Nedrose
Sept. 15: vs. South Prairie
Sept. 22: vs. Kenmare
Sept. 29: vs. Stanley
Oct. 6: vs. Bishop Ryan
Oct. 13: vs. Ray
Stanley
Head coach: Dave Leith 1st year, Justin Roses, 1st year
Last season: 1-8
State titles: 1999, 02, 11
Key returners: Jack Hynek, Sr., TE/LB; Ethan Jesson, Sr., RB/LB. STANLEY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Killdeer
Aug. 25: vs. Bowman County
Sept. 1: vs. Nedrose
Sept. 8: vs. Ray
Sept. 15: vs. Kenmare
Sept. 22: vs. Bishop Ryan
Sept. 29: vs. Velva
Oct. 6: vs. South Prairie
Oct. 13: vs. Des Lacs-Burlington
Des Lacs-Burlington
Head coach: Taylor Teske, 4th year
Last season: 6-3
State titles: 1993
Key returners: Braylon Fisher, Sr., WRCB; Paxton Ystaas, Sr., QB/FS; Levon Duchaine, Jr., RB/LB; Kaiden Smith, Sr., WR/CB; Kashdyn Officer, Sr., TE/LB;Jacob Schaefer, Jr., RB/LB; Ty Hughes, Sr., RB/LB; Elijah Miller, Jr., WR/FS.
DES LACS-BURLINGTON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Dickinson Trinity
Aug. 25: vs. Minot North
Sept. 1: vs. Velva
Sept. 8: vs. Kenmare
Sept. 15: vs. Nedrose
Sept. 22: vs. South Prairie
Sept. 29: vs. Bishop Ryan
Oct. 6: vs. Ray
Oct. 13: vs. Stanley
Bishop Ryan
Head coach: Brock Nagel, 1st year, Doug Richter, 1st year
Last season: 4-6
State titles: 1963, 94, 97, 99
Key returners: Coy Okeson, Sr., OL/DE; Connor Harvey, Sr., RB/ILB; Jett Lundeen, Jr., QB/SS; Teagan Coonrod, Jr., TE/SS; Faron Overby, Jr., WR/CB; Boden Erck, Jr., WR/ CB; Jace Schwan, Jr., WR/SS; Drew Zwak, Jr., RB/OLB; Parker Baier, Jr., OL/ILB; Gus Engelhard, So., QB/FS; Hayden Seay, So., RB/OLB; Cade Okeson, So., OL/DL.
BISHOP RYAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Langdon/EM
Aug. 25: vs. Dickinson Trinity
Sept. 1: vs. Kenmare
Sept. 8: vs. South Prairie
Sept. 15: vs. Ray
Sept. 22: vs. Stanley
CAPSULES: Page
40 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
From Page 39
Sept. 29: vs. Des Lacs-Burlington
Oct. 6: vs. Velva
Oct. 13: vs. Nedrose
Region 4
Beulah
Head coach: Jim Dooley, 12th year
Last season: 9-3 overall
State titles: 1989, 2015
Key returners: Simon Buchfinck, Sr., RB/LB; Trace Beauchamp, Sr., QB/DB; Aiden O’Brien, Sr., RB/DB.
BEULAH SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Turtle Mountain
Aug. 25: vs. Velva
Sept. 1: vs. Bowman County
Sept. 8: vs. Dickinson Trinity
Sept. 15: vs. Washburn
Sept. 22: vs. Hazen
Sept. 29: vs. Belfield
Oct. 6: vs. Killdeer
Oct. 13: vs. Shiloh Christian
Hazen
Head coach: Bret Johnsrud, 9th year
Last season: 4-5 overall
State titles: 1996, 12, 13
Key returners: Bradyn Braithwaite, Sr., SB/ CB; Joshua Kaelberer, Sr., SB/SS; Mark Lora, Sr., WR/FS; Brayden Haack, Sr., RB/LB; Owen Thigpen, Sr., OL/DL; Troy Taylor, Sr., WR/CB; Bryce Lesmann, Sr., WR/CB; Jaran Reinhardt, Jr., WR/CB.
HAZEN SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Velva
Aug. 25: vs. Watford City
Sept 1: vs. Dickinson Trinity
Sept. 8: vs. Washburn
Sept. 15: vs. Belfield
Sept. 22: vs. Beulah
Sept. 29: vs. Killdeer
Oct: 6: vs. Shiloh Christian
Oct. 13: vs. Bowman County
Bowman County
Head coach: Nathan Kees, 2nd year; Michael Criswell, 1st year
Last season: 6-4 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: Riggs Rotenberger, Sr., LB. BOWMAN COUNTY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Kenmare
Aug. 25: vs. Stanley
Sept 1: vs. Beulah
Sept. 8: vs. Killdeer
Sept. 15: vs. Shiloh Christian
Sept. 22: vs. Belfield
Sept. 29: vs. Dickinson Trinity
Oct: 6: vs. Washburn
Oct. 13: vs. Hazen
Dickinson Trinity
Head coach: John Odermann, 11th year
Last season: 9-2 overall
State titles: 1979, 2000, 01, 05
Key returners: Jake Shobe, Sr., WR/DB; Luke Shobe, Sr., WR/DB. DICKINSON TRINITY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Des Lacs-Burlington
Aug. 25: vs. Bishop Ryan
Sept 1: vs. Hazen
Sept. 8: vs. Beulah
Sept. 15: vs. Killdeer
Sept. 22: vs. Shiloh Christian
Sept. 29: vs. Bowman County
Oct: 6: vs. Belfield
Oct. 13: vs. Washburn
LaMoure-Litchville/Marion
Head coach: Andy DelaBarre, 12th year
Last season: 10-1 overall
State titles: 1991, 2021
Key returners: Max Musland, Sr., QB/FS; Brady Lettenmaier, Sr., RB/LB; Tate Mart, Sr., WR; Owen Lesko, Jr., RB/LB. LAMOURE/LM SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Sargent County
Aug. 25: vs. Enderlin
Sept. 1: vs. Northwood
Sept. 8: vs. Griggs-Midkota
Sept. 15: vs. Richland
Sept. 22: vs. Rolla
Sept. 29: vs. Hankinson
Oct. 6: vs. Maple River
Oct. 13: Wyndmere
Hankinson
Head coach: Jason Monilaws, 19th year
Last season: 4-4 overall
State titles: 1991, 2009
Key returners: Cooper Boll, Sr., WR/RB/DB. HANKINSON SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs.North Border
Aug. 25: vs. Maple River
Sept. 1: vs. Enderlin
Sept. 8: vs. Wyndmere
Sept. 15: vs. Northwood
Sept. 22: vs. Sargent County
Sept. 29: vs. LaMoure/LM
Oct. 6: vs. Richland
Oct. 13: Griggs-Midkota
Wyndmere/Lidgerwood
Head coach: Scott Strenge, 23rd year
Last season: 7-3 overall
State titles: 1987, 92,10,17
Key returners: Jake Kuchera, Sr., Mathias Kackman, Jr.
WYNDMERE/LIDGERWOOD SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Richland
Aug. 25: vs. Griggs-Midkota
Sept. 1: vs. Maple River
Sept. 8: vs. Hankinson
Sept. 15: vs. Sargent County
Sept. 22: vs. Enderlin
Sept. 29: vs. Northwood
Oct. 6: vs. Fairmount
Oct. 13: LaMoure/LM
Region 2
New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock
Head coach: Elliott Belquist, 15th year
Last season: 4-5 overall
State titles: 2012
Key returners: Keaton Cudworth, Sr.; Connor Knatterud, Sr.; DJ Mudgett, Sr.; Logan Maddock, Sr., Brody Weisenburger, Jr. NRS SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. North Star
Aug. 25: vs. Four Winds
Sept. 1: vs. Larimore
Sept. 8: vs. North Prairie
Sept. 15: OPEN
Sept 22: vs. Nelson County
Sept. 29: vs. Midway/Minto
Oct. 6: vs. St. John
Oct. 13: vs. North Border
North Star
Head coach: Daniel Grande
Last season: 5-5 overall
State titles: None
Key players: N/A
NORTH STAR SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. New Rockford-Sheyenne/ Maddock
Aug. 25: OPEN
Sept. 1: vs. Nelson County
Sept. 8: vs. Midway/Minto
Sept. 15: vs. St. John
Sept. 22: vs. North Border
Sept. 29: vs. North Praire
Oct. 6: vs. Four Winds
Oct. 13: Larimore
Region 3
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Head coach: Cody Beck
Last season: 3-6 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Kellan Henry, Sr., QB/DB; Riley Morlock, Sr., RB/LB; Cris Peppard, Sr., TE/DE.
MOHALL/LANSFORD/SHERWOOD SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Dunseith
Aug. 25: vs. Berthold
Sept. 1: vs. Tioga
Sept. 8: vs. Underwood
Sept. 15: vs. Towner
Sept. 22: vs. Alexander
Sept. 29: vs. Divide County
Oct. 6: vs. Surrey
Oct. 13: Westhope
Westhope/Newburg
Head coach: Layne Fluhrer
Last season: 7-4 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Treyton Getchell-Lesmann, Jr., WR/CB; Brody Nordmark, Jr., RB/LB; Jayden Nelson, Jr., WR/CB; Walker Braaten, Jr., QB/ FS; Aidyn Derr, Jr., WR/FS; Ethan Beckedahl,
Sr., TE/DE; Will Artz, Jr., QB/FS; Maddox Juntunen, Sr., RB/LB. WESTHOPE/NEWBURG SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Underwood
Aug. 25: vs. Towner
Sept. 1: vs. Divide County
Sept. 8: vs. Surrey
Sept. 15: vs. Tioga
Sept. 22: vs. Dunseith
Sept. 29: vs. Alexander
Oct. 6: vs. Berthold
Oct. 13: Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Divide County
Head coach: Bob Brown
Last season: 8-1 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Adam Knudson, Jr., TE/FS; Titus Stubbs, Jr., TE/FS; Connor Artman, Jr., QB/DE; Payton Hanisch, Sr., RB/CB; Hayden Smithberg, Jr., RB/ILB; Hunter Nelson, Jr., RB/ CB; Chayton Davis, Jr., TE/DE. DIVIDE COUNTY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Towner
Aug. 25: vs. Surrey
Sept. 1: vs. Westhope
Sept. 8: vs. Alexander
Sept. 15: vs. Berthold
Sept. 22: vs. Tioga
Sept. 29: vs. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Oct. 6: vs. Underwood
Oct. 13: vs. Dunseith
Surrey
Head coach: Connor Hill
Last season: 6-4 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Tegan Walhood, Jr., QB/FS; Trevyn Christianson, Sr., WR/CB; Bryson Smith, Sr., WR/OLB; Jett Visocsky, Sr., OL/ OLB.
SURREY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Tioga
Aug. 25: vs. Divide County
Sept. 1: vs. Towner
Sept. 8: vs. Westhope
Sept. 15: vs. Dunseith
Sept. 22: vs. Underwood
Sept. 29: vs. Berthold
Oct. 6: vs. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Oct. 13: vs. Alexander
Tioga
Head coach: Tim Schaffer
Last season: 5-4 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Dominic Fosburgh, Jr., CB/RB; Nevada Meyer, Jr., CB/WR; Kasey Odegaard, Sr., CB/WR; Hunter Davis, Sr., DE/WR; Drew Davis, Jr., DE/OL.
TIOGA SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Surrey
Aug. 25: vs. Alexander
Sept. 1: vs. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood
Sept. 8: vs. Towner
Sept. 15: vs. Westhope
Sept. 22: vs. Divide County
Sept. 29: vs. Underwood
Oct. 6: vs. Dunseith
Oct. 13: vs. Berthold
Region 4
New Salem/Almont
Head coach: Steve Kleinjan
Last season: 12-0 overall (state champion)
State titles: 2022
Key returners: Ethan Maier, Jr., RB/LB; Wil Mosbrucker, Sr., WR/DB; Chance Hoesel, Sr., WR/DB; Garrett Nehl, Sr., WR/DB; Wyatt Kuhn, Jr., WR/LB; Brock Norton, Jr., RB/LB; Jarret Sanders, Jr., OL/DL; Ray Holle, Jr., OL/ DL; Alex Brandt, Jr., RB/DB; Landon Tellmann, Jr., QB/DB; Cole Gregerson, Jr., TE/LB; Trenton Klatt, Jr., WR/DB; Gavin Engwitch, Jr., OL/DL; Chase Grinsteiner, Jr., TE/DL.
NEW SALEM/ALMONT SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Kidder County
Aug. 25: vs. Hettinger
Sept. 1: vs. Beach
Sept. 8: vs. Napoleon/GS
Sept. 15: vs. Grant County
Sept. 22: vs. Mott-Regent
Sept. 29: vs. South Border
Oct. 6: vs. Linton/HMB
Oct. 13: Richardton-Taylor
Linton/HMB
Head coach: Kurtis Walls, 2nd year
42 Wednesday, August 23, 2023
From Page 41
Last season: 4-4 overall
State titles: 1980, 90, 00, 02, 03, 20
Key returners: N/A
LINTON/HMB SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Hettinger
Aug. 25: vs. Beach
Sept. 1: vs. Napoleon
Sept. 8: vs. Grant County
Sept. 15: vs. Mott-Regent
Sept. 22: vs. South Border
Sept. 29: vs. Richardton-Taylor
Oct. 6: New Salem
Oct. 13: vs. Kidder County
Kidder County
Head coach: Dave Silbernagel, 4th year
Last season: 2-7
State titles: 2019
Key returners: Preston Fischer, So., RB/ CB; Trey Silbernagel, Jr., QB/LB; Collin Zimmerman, Sr., TE/SS; Wyatt Binder, Sr., G/ DE; Thomas Moch, Sr., G/DE; Trevor Miller, Sr., FB/LB; Jayden MacInnis, Jr., OL/D. KIDDER COUNTY SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. New Salem
Aug. 25: vs. Richardton-Taylor
Sept. 1: vs. Hettinger
Sept. 8: vs. Beach
Sept. 15: vs. Napoleon/GS
Sept. 22: vs. Grant County
Sept. 29: vs. Mott-Regent
Oct. 6: vs. South Border
Oct. 13: Linton/HMB
Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter
Head coach: Kelly McCleary, 16th year
Last season: 3-5 overall
State titles: 1975, 06, 11
Key returners: Joren Jangula, Sr., QB/LB. NAPOLEON/GS SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Mott-Regent
Aug. 25: vs. South Border
Sept. 1: vs. Linton/HMB
Sept. 8: vs. New Salem
Sept. 15: vs. Kidder County
Sept. 22: vs. Hettinger
Sept. 29: vs. Beach
Oct. 6: vs. Richardton-Taylor
Oct. 13: Grant County
South Border
Head coach: Evan Mellmer, 3rd year
Last season: 8-2 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: Daniel Schumacher, Sr., OL/ DL; Connor Kosiak, Sr., WR / RB; Cole Stock, Jr., RB; Levi Buchholz, So., WR.
SB SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Beach
Aug. 25: vs. Napoleon/GS
Sept. 1: vs. Grant County
Sept. 8: vs. Mott-Regent
Sept. 15: vs. Richardton-Taylor
Sept. 22: vs. Linton/HMB
Sept. 29: vs. New Salem
Oct. 6: vs. Kidder County
Oct. 13: Hettinger
Richardton-Taylor
Head coach: Brady Martin
Last season: 0-8 overall
State titles: None
Key returners: N/A
RICHARDTON-TAYLOR SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Grant County
Aug. 25: vs. Kidder County
Sept. 1: vs. Mott-Regent
Sept. 8: vs. Hettinger
Sept. 15: vs. South Border
Sept. 22: vs. Beach
Sept. 29: vs. Linton/HMB
Oct. 6: vs. Napoleon/GS
Oct. 13: New Salem
Hettinger
Head coach: Jason LeFebre
Last season: 4-5 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Chason Schumacher, Jr., QB/CB; Hayden DeFoe, Jr., RB/LB; Jaron Frank, Sr., RB/LB; Gavin Parnow, So., QB/LB; Maddox Pierce, Sr., RB/LB; Isaak Guthrie, Jr., WR/CB; Tanner Blackwell, Sr., OL/LB. HETTINGER SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Linton/HMB
Aug. 25: vs. New Salem
Sept. 1: vs. Kidder County
Sept. 8: vs. Richardton-Taylor
Sept. 15: vs. Beach
Sept. 22: vs. Napoleon/GS
Sept. 29: vs. Grant County
Oct. 6: vs. Mott-Regent
Oct. 13: South Border
Grant County/Flasher
Head coach: Jamie Krenz
Last season: 7-3 overall
State titles: N/A
Key returners: Trey Heid, Jr., WR/CB; Pine Fleck, Jr., RB/LB; Javin Friesz, Sr., QB/FS; Connor Doepke, Jr., WR/CB; Brody Froelich, Jr., QB/LB; Christopher Becker, Sr., WR/CB; Tyler Rossow, Jr., RB/LB; Elijah Friesz, Sr., RB/LB.
GRANT CO/FLASHER SCHEDULE
Aug. 18: vs. Richardton-Taylor
Aug. 25: vs. Mott-Regent
Sept. 1: vs. South Border
Sept. 8: vs. Linton/HMB
Sept. 15: vs. New Salem
Sept. 22: vs. Kidder County
Sept. 29: vs. Hettinger
Oct. 6: vs. Beach
Oct. 13: Napoleon/GS
