2023 Section 6AAA Albany Huskies Football Champions

2023 SECTION 6AAA

Huskies

HUSKIES FOOTBALL

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Page 2: Comeback kids Page 4: Details of the Drive Page 6 & 7: Team Photo

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Pages 7 & 10: Q&A’s Page 8 & 9: Senior Q&A Page 10: Brackets & Statistics Page 11: Not backing down

Albany Huskies Football | Thursday, November 9, 2023| Page 5F

Game Drive from page 4 Ellingson: I knew I didn’t have a timeout left. The thought process was trying to take a shot on second down, so you get two attempts at it. I knew at that point, the first one has to be a throw and the second is up for grabs.

The Huskies indeed threw the ball, with Olson searching for Meyer for the second time of the drive. The pass fell incomplete, but the Wildcats were called for pass interference, setting up a rare situation often only seen in dreams: two seconds left and the final play of the game upcoming, down by seven.

The touchdown was a spiritlifting one and gave the Huskies at minimum a shot of sending the game to overtime, a chance to find poetic justice against NLS. A different outcome loomed larger in the Albany players’ minds, however.

Olson: All of us were like, ‘Nah, let’s go for the win. We wanted to win it right there and lose trying rather than playing conservative.

Ellingson: I looked at the kids’ body language and talked to the coaches, and (the decision) was going for two and winning it right now.

2-point conversion First-and-goal from the New London-Spicer 1-yard-line Albany had a play ready to go even in one of the most unpredictable endgames imaginable.

Hamann established separation over the middle of the field, bringing in a 1-yard touchdown as time expired to put Albany within one.

Olson: Coach called a play we haven’t ran in a long time and we haven’t practiced it. I was shocked when we heard the call.

Rieland: He (Hamann) had a great game. He had two of our touchdowns, and they were both big-time.

When the entire game is on the line, it is all about trust.

So, it was not much of a surprise to see Rieland, Albany’s leading receiver in 2023, be the designed target for the team’s 2-point play.

Running a whip route, Rieland moved up the field before cutting to the outside, gaining just enough of a window for Olson to hit him as he fell to the ground for the game-winning play.

Rieland: As I was getting up, I saw everyone charging the field, and it hit me we were going to state. I just started celebrating and threw the ball in the air. It was a great win.

Ellingson: I feel like it took a couple of seconds for me to get a couple of breaths in there and realize, ‘Holy crap, we did it.’ I don’t know how we did it. It was a flurry of emotions.

ALBANY FOOTBALL 2023 SCORES Achieving a spot in the state quarterfinals was a road full of learning experiences and big-time matchups for the 2023 Albany Huskies football team.

Aug. 31 Albany lost to New London-Spicer 48-20 in Albany Sept. 8 Albany defeated Melrose 43-0 in Melrose Sept. 15 Albany defeated Sauk Centre 66-20 in Albany Sept. 22 Albany defeated Pierz 26-14 in Pierz Sept. 30 Albany defeated Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 21-2 in Albany Oct. 6 Albany lost to Rockford 20-14 (OT) in Rockford Oct. 13 Albany defeated Minnewaska Area 52-6 in Sauk Centre Oct. 18 Albany defeated Montevideo 43-42 in Montevideo Oct. 28 Albany defeated Montevideo 28-0 in Section 6AAA semifinals Nov. 3 Albany defeated New London-Spicer 24-23 in Section 6AAA championship

GOOD LUCK HUSKIES!

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Page 8F | Thursday, November 9, 2023 | Albany Huskies Football

A Q &

With your Albany senior football players

ANDREW OLSON

HUNTER HAMANN

GRANT WOHLETZ

Parents names: Mark and Katie Olson Number: 15 Positions: Quarterback and safety

Parents names: Dale and Melanie Hamann Number: 85 Position: Tight end

Parents names: Jason and Tessa Wohletz Number: 54 Positions: Defensive end and left tackle

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I went and high-fived Ellingson then I charged to mid field to celebrate in pure shock.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Never giving up, team chemistry and putting in the work day in and day out.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? When I got blood on the back of Dominic Winkels’ pants and it looked like he was bleeding.

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I heard everyone cheering and I ran to celebrate.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Team chemistry, discipline and having fun.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? Jake Barker jumping over a fountain and breaking it.

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I celebrated and was trying to find Jack to give him a hug.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Team chemistry, working hard and having fun.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? Devon and Connor announcing the pumpkin bowl game.

JOE HOFF

CONNOR FINKELSON

HAYDEN TSCHIDA

Parents names: Jesse and Michelle Hoff Number: 66 Positions: Guard and tackle

Parents names: Scott and Joy Finkelson Number: 11 Positions: Tight end and safety

Parents names: John Trisko and Jessi TschidaTrisko Number: 76 Position: Power tackle and defensive tackle

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? Celebrated with the team.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Never give up, team chemistry and good practices.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? Andrew Olson getting blood on the back of Dominic Winkels’ pants.

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I tackled Jack Rieland so he would stop running away from everybody.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Coaching, effort and comraderie.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? Joe Hoff getting tripped and face-planting into the ground after talking trash to New London-Spicer.

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I ran on the field and hugged someone.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Hard work, respect and determination.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? When Joe Hoff face-planted during the game against New London-Spicer.

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Albany Huskies Football | Thursday, November 9, 2023| Page 9F

Q A &

With your Albany senior football players Q&A from page 8

DYLAN CROSTHWAITE

DEVON SCHAEFER

DOMINICK WINKELS

Parents names: JJ and Heather Crosthwaite Number: 78 Positions: Offensive line and defensive line.

Parent name: Karen Schaefer Number: 71 Positions: Defensive end and left guard

Parents names: Gary and Vicki Winkels Number: 74 Position: Center

What did you do when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I ran right to the middle of the field and ran after Jack screaming.

What have been three keys to this team’s season so far? Team chemistry, practice reps and never giving up.

What has been the funniest moment of the season to you? Andrew Olson’s hand bleeding and the blood getting all over Dominic Winkels’ pants.

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I tried to celebrate with Jack and he ran away.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? The Caped Crusader. Be calm, collected and get the job done. He’s not the hero you want, but he’s the hero you need.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain. I wear my lucky Bob Ross PSDs every game and my “Spread love, not Covid” shirt on the first game, and wear jorts on game day.

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I was in shock that it worked and went to celebrate with my team.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? My dad.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain. Talking to Mader while getting my ankles taped about how the game will go.

JAKE BARKER

TYLER HOFFARTH

JOSEPH SCHMITT

Parents names: Jason and Lisa Barker Number: 83 Positions: Split end and corner

Parents names: Dan and Vanessa Hoffarth Number: 34 Positions: Running back and linebacker. safety

Parents names: Peter and Jodi Schmitt Number: 25 Position: Fallback

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament?

Absolutely astonished that we beat New London-Spicer in the best way possible.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? Coach Kuhn. He has been more than a coach, he’s a best friend.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain.

Every game, I grab a right and left sock and always put them on the opposite foot.

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament?

I could not believe it. At first, I thought we were going to kick the extra point to go into overtime. Luckily, we just went for the win.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? The coaches.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain.

I wear the same lucky Flintstones PSD. I also wear the same undershirt and socks.

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament?

At first, I couldn’t believe it and then I was just waiting for a flag. When I realized there wasn’t one, I lost it.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? Coach Kuhn.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain.

I always go to the bathroom before the game and take some pre-workout. Then, before every game, I say my quote: “You know what they say. You win some, you lose some, let’s go freaking win some.”

ADAM DENNIS

JACK RIELAND

Parent name: Josephine Dennis Number: 26 | Positions: Running back and kick returner

Parents names: Brian and Missy Rieland Number: 18 | Positions: Wide receiver and cornerback

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I was happy that we got to keep on playing.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? Mr. Anderson. He told me to always do the little things.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain.

After I get tape, I usually take a 20-minute nap so when I wake up, my mind will be in a race. It helps me and my mind to be focused on the game.

What was your reaction when your team converted the 2-point conversion to advance to the state tournament? I was excited and shocked we completed the comeback.

Who has been a mentor to you on and off the field? The coaches.

Do you have any pregame rituals? Explain.

Listening to music to get hype and take a nap if I’m able.

Page 10F | Thursday, November 9, 2023 | Albany Huskies Football

Section 3: Waseca November 11, 2023 @ 7:00 PM Hastings High School

TBD

Section 1: Stewartville November 18, 2023 @ 2:00 PM U.S. Bank Stadium

TBD

Section 8: Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton November 10, 2023 @ 7:00 PM Alexandria Area High School

TBD

Section 6: Albany November 25, 2023 @ 1:00 PM U.S. Bank Stadium

Section 4: Minneapolis North Community November 11, 2023 @ 7:00 PM Orono High School

CHAMPION TBD

TBD

Section 2: Dassel-Cokato November 18, 2023 @ 4:30 PM U.S. Bank Stadium

Section 7: Esko November 11, 2023 @ 1:00 PM Brainerd High School

TBD

TBD

Section 5: Annandale

CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!

Good Luck at state

s c i t s i t a t S Ethan Meyer 12 receptions, 256 yards and 4 TDs Hunter Hamann 11 receptions, 176 yards and 5 TDs Joseph Schmitt 12 RUSHING: receptions, 145 Adam Dennis 111 carries, yards 879 yards and 14 TDs Tyler Hoffarth 5 Joseph Schmitt 107 receptions, 56 yards carries, 710 yards and 7 TDs TACKLES: Drew Lehner 30 carries, Grant Wohletz 78 198 yards and 2 TDs Cooper Brinkman 72 Tyler Hoffarth 20 carries, Haiden Linn 57 132 yards and 1 TD Andrew Olson 52 Andrew Olson 46 carries, Devon Schaefer 48 111 yards and 1 TD SACKS: RECEIVING: Cooper Brinkman 7 Jack Rieland 20 Devon Schaefer 6 receptions, 374 Hunter Hamann 4 yards and 4 TDs Grant Wohletz 3 PASSING: Andrew Olson 70-for134, 1,025 yards 13 TDs and 7 INTs Boone Roemeling 3-for5, 59 yards

Brandon Thelen and Jack Eveslage 1 FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Haiden Linn 3 Cooper Brinkman and Hunter Hamann 2 Brady Rueter, Devon Schaefer, Andrew Olson and Jack Eveslage 1 INTERCEPTIONS: Ethan Meyer, Drew Lehner and Jack Rieland 2 Tyler Hoffarth, Zachary Birr, Devon Schaefer and Hunter Hamann 1

Good luck at state!

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Albany Huskies Football otb tbal alll | TThursday, hurs hu rsda day,, N November ov o vem mbe berr 9, 2 2023| 023| 02 3| P Page age ag e 11 11FF

Not backing down Albany coach relishes keeping tradition alive e

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

Mike Ellingson was well aware of the expectations and sometimes intense pressure that comes with being a head football coach at Albany High School, and it is something he embraces.

Rather than shy away from the many challenges involved with upholding a tradition-rich football program, Ellingson has jumped in with enthusiasm Ellings and rig rigor and already has made a mark with th the Huskies.

Although Ellingson is in only his Alt second season, his team’s improbable come-f come-from-behind 24-23 victory over defendi defending Class AAA state champion New London-Spicer L Nov. 3 at Rocori High S School’s Blattner Stadium in Cold Spring not only will be tough to top, but it also pput his name in the program’s thick bo book of records while affirming his decisio decision to move his family to central Minnes Minnesota.

“This is my 21st year coaching “T footbal football, so I’ve been doing this a while, le, there are moments like this that still and the till ti ll make yyou feel like a kid,” Ellingson said. “T “There’s genuine excitement to win in that fashion. I don’t know thatt words can c describe the feeling that it mean meant for me, that it meant for the people of this community, my family and for the players on the field. It was a ssurreal moment.”

The win cemented Albany’s Th 21st ap appearance in the Minnesota State H High School League state tournament and first since 2015. tournam The Huskies won the section Th title in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, finished 8-0 and were considered a championshipcaliber team, but the state tournament was canceled.

The Huskies (8-2) will face fifth-ranked Dilworth-GlyndonFelton (9-1) at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria. The Rebels were hard-luck runners-up iinn Class AAA last year, losing on a H Hail aill ai LS onn Mary-type play at the hands of NLS the game’s final play.

Ellingson arrived in Albany with an impressive pedigree as the defensive coordinator for a Triton (Dodge Center) program that won a Class AA title in 2006 and finished second in 2010. He was elevated to head coach at Triton for four years before opting to take over the Huskies.

Ellingson said he was not necessarily looking to move, but being from Hinckley, he missed the lakes and ultimately decided to take the position.

“Things kind of came into place for us to come here,” Ellingson said. “I’ve got a big family with five kids, and it wasn’t a needed move or anything like that. We came up, looked at the area and saw the lakes. It seemed like a good fit for us, and it has turned out really well for us. We feel very fortunate to be here.”

His first regular season ended with a 5-3 record, relatively mundane for Albany standards. But the Huskies started to find their game at the perfect time, winning two Section 6AAA playoff games before dropping an overtime thriller to NLS in the section title game at St. Cloud State University’s Husky Stadium.

Season No. 2 started in inauspicious fashion with a 48-20 loss to NLS, but

PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK

Albany football head coach Mike Ellingson gives an impassioned speech to his team following a 24-23 Section 6AAA championship win Nov. 3 at Blattner Stadium in Cold Spring.

Ellingson is in his second season at the helm of the Huskies.

(Left) Albany football assistant coach Jim Mader (right) greets his players after the Huskies’ comeback win over New London-Spicer Nov. 3 at Blattner Stadium in Cold Spring. Mader was the head coach at Albany from 1980 to 2003 and returned to the program in 2022 as a member of a coaching room led by Mike Ellingson.

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Albany’s offense found its stride the rest of the way, helping the team win six of the last seven games on the way to a No. 2 seed in the section.

Ellingson has the advantage of a support staff that includes a Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame coach in Jim Mader, who returned for the 2022 season as assistant coach and has served as a bit of a mentor. Mader coached Albany to two state titles from 1980 to 2003 and posted a 230-65 record in 26 years as a head coach.

Mader served as an assistant coach at St. John’s University and when an opening arose at Albany before the 2022 season, he figured it was the chance to stay involved while helping Ellingson in any way he could.

“Probably my biggest role is just being a guy who can be a resource for him,” Mader said. “Mike’s done a great job. He’s a guy who is direct with people, and he also has a kind heart. He has all the attributes that you really have to have. He’s good with people and with parents. I’ve learned a couple of things from him that maybe I wasn’t the best at as a head coach. He’s just a good guy to work with. He’s thorough, fair and honest.”

CENTRE Having SAUK Mader close has been 864both Mainon Street immeasurable for and off-field Centre, MN 56378 knowledgeSauk for Ellingson, who said simply being aroundALBANY a hall of fame coach has been a great140 experience.

5th Street “Jim is just an overwhelming Albany, MN 56307 positive person who connects with coaches and students,” Ellingson said. “He’s got HOLDINGFORD a wealth of knowledge, he is just a 580 Mainbut Street Holdingford, MN 56340 very positive and influential person to be around. I’ve just been very blessed LONG for him to come backPRAIRIE and help us out.

9 Central Ave. I think I’ve grown exponentially as a Prairie, MN 56347 coach beingLong around him.”

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Page 12F | Thursday, November 9, 2023 | Albany Huskies Football

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CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK at state!

Wishing you the best at state competition!

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