YME aims for more victories

Yellow Medicine East sophomore quarterback Andrew Flaten attempts to stiffarm Russell-Tyler-Ruthton senior defensive tackle Brady Gifford on Friday, Oct. 15, in Granite Falls.

With a strong off-season program, the Sting believe that will translate to better results on the field

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

GRANITE FALLS — There is nowhere to go but up for Yellow Medicine East.

The Sting went 0-9 in 2021 and bring a 15-game losing streak into the 2022 season.

Head coach Lucas Damm said YME made changes to his staff and there is something to build on. There are 18 returning letterwinners, including 10 seniors on the roster.

“We are setting the goals high as a team and a staff,” Damm said. “We have lots of new faces on staff and some coaching changes.

“We are ready to rise to the challenge and have a great first year as a new staff. The kids are excited and ready to change the culture. We believe in them and I hope they believe in us.”

Leading the way will be Andrew Flaten (Jr., QB/DB), Nolan Hildahl (Sr., FB/LB), Bryce Sneller (Sr., RT/ DE), Cody Dahlager (Sr., WB/LB), Landon Anderson (Sr., OL/DE) and Owen Torvik (Sr., OL/DL).

“Nolan Hildahl will be the backbone of his team and running game,” Damm said. “Nolan will be a key leader all year and his work this summer showed up during his max-out week. He will be a huge part of our defense (at) middle linebacker as well.”

Hildahl rushed for 320 yards on 90 carries, a 3.6 yardsper-carry average. He had a team-leading 15 catches for 136 yards. He led the Sting with 36 solo and 18 tackles, including two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

A key player to watch is Brady Dahlager, a sophomore. He’s one of the fastest players in the west central area. He’s expected to start at halfback and has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has a 36-1/2- inch vertical jump.

Cody Dahlager, a senior, led YME with 382 yards rushing on 99 carries, a 3.9 average, running for three Tds. He also caught 12 passes for 150 yards and three TDs.

Damm said a summer weight-lifting program has helped improve his players a great deal. Many players are squatting more than 300 pounds and deadlifting 400 pounds or more.

“We are very excited for the year,” Damm said.