PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2019
West Central Tribune
Willmar's Carter Ochsendorf (82) and Kaden Streed (40) are two of the Card’s promising returnees.
WILLMAR
New-look Cardinals not stepping back Despite loss of key players, Willmar confident it can replicate 2018 success By Joe Brown jbrown@wctrib.com Willmar’s goals in 2018 were to be good enough to get a first-round bye and to make a run in the Section 8AAAA tournament. But few could have seen the kind of run the Cardinals made in 2018. They got the top seed and a first-round bye
in the section tournament, ultimately getting to state for the first time in 30 years with a 50-28 win against Detroit Lakes in the finals. At state, Willmar knocked off Hermantown (44-0) and St. Paul Johnson (62-20) and qualified for the Prep Bowl for the first time in 45 years. Ultimately, the Cardinals were one game short of a state championship, losing to SMB
44-18. Twenty-three seniors graduated from last year’s record-setting group. But a promising group is back in Cardinal red as Willmar looks to replicate its 2018 success. “There will be many new faces contributing for the Cardinals this season,” said 11th-year head coach Jon Konold. “The exciting thing about the new faces
that will be contributing this fall is that there is a lot of athleticism, speed and a determination to be great.” Last year, Willmar was the top-scoring team in Class AAAA at 44.5 points per game. Gone are the video game-like numbers put up by quarterback Drey Dirksen (2,367 passing yards, 1,261
CARDS: Page D2
Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.
Wishing all area teams the best of luck this season! Play hard and have fun!
WWW.CHRISTIANSONCPA.COM Willmar • 320.235.5937 | Litchfield • 320.373.1040 | Paynesville • 320.235.5937