Montevideo Thunder Hawks

Montevideo freshman running back Francis O’Malley looks to break a tackle during a Section 6AAA quarterfinal against New London-Spicer on Nov. 17, 2020 from Pederson Field in New London. West Central Tribune file photo

Montevideo expects to be better in ‘21

Thunder Hawks aim for a full schedule after a pandemic-shortened 2020

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

MONTEVIDEO — To call the 2020 season arduous for the Montevideo Thunder Hawks would be to understate, Kyle Goslee admits.

In his first season as head coach, pandemic protocols enabled his team to play only four games, making Montevideo one of the hardest hit in the West Central Tribune area in terms of lost games.

“It was brutal,” said Goslee, back for his second season after going 1-3 in 2020. “We had one shutdown, then we came back and got shut down again.”

Montevideo hopes to get in a full schedule led by 12 seniors. The Thunder Hawks open at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at home against the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters.

Goslee and his staff are optimistic about 2021. There’s some talent and the players are enthusiastic about having a normal year.

“Absolutely,” Goslee said. “Get rid of COVID and let these kids go and play, have fun, build some team chemistry, make some memories and create something special for themselves. “Embrace the moment.”

Quarterback Kaden Boike returns to run the Thunder Hawks’ double-wing offense. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior is a “student of the game,” Goslee said. “He’s a heady kid.”

Also back is Francis O’Malley, a dynamic athlete who’ll lead Montevideo at running back and linebacker. Only a sophomore, he’s 6-1 and 220 pounds.

“He’s a phenom,” Goslee said. “There are so many good things to say about him. He’s a role model and a great leader, an extremely hard worker. He’s the real deal.”

Montevideo’s line will be anchored by Callim Schmitz. At 6-2, 200, the senior will start both ways.

“He’s a heady kid and a student of the game, like a coach on the line,” Goslee said.

The Thunder Hawks opened 2020 on Oct. 23, which would have been Week 3 for most teams. They lost 24-0 to Minnewaska. After missing another week, they beat Melrose 28-27 in overtime on Nov. 6, then closed the regular season with a 33-13 loss to Pierz. In the Section 6AAA playoffs, they lost 36-6 to New London-Spicer.