Happy Thanksgiving from myself and the Fee Family, and the KROX staff. We are thankful for all of our website readers, listeners, and everybody else. We hope you have a great Thanksgiving.
Here is a short list of what I am thankful for. Not that you asked, but it is my column so tough;)
- Tiffany Fee (my wife). She is one of the best wifes a guy could ask for. I am a very lucky guy and defiantly outkicked my coverage on this one.
- The KROX staff. I have a great crew here at KROX and EVERY employee is extremely important to what we do. We have a great team and we are very fortunate to have all our employees.
- Advertisers. Without the businesses that advertise with us, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We are fortunate to have the support of so many businesses. We are blessed.
- KROX listeners, website readers, and streaming viewers. We keep adding more to what we offer and the listenership, website views, and streaming audiences continue to grow bigger and bigger each year. Again we are blessed to have people like you check us out every day.
- Coaches and Activity Directors. We “badger” a lot of coaches and Activity Directors for interviews, spots to broadcast, information like stats, internet availability, etc throughout the year. We have a lot of great coaches and A.D.’s in the area and we appreciate all of them. Even the coaches that don’t like to be interviewed when we come to the games.
- My family and friends. I am lucky to have great kids, parents, siblings, and relatives on my side and my wife’s side of the family. As I get older, I realize how important family and friends are and no longer take time with them for granted. Every day is a gift so make it count.
- We are lucky to be able to do what we do and thank everybody that allows us to do what we do.
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Congratulations to the Fertile-Beltrami Falcon Football team on making it to the State 9-Man Football Championship game on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. KROX will be carrying the game with a RiverView Health pre-game show at 9:00 a.m. Listen on KROX Radio, online by clicking listen live, the KROX app, or your smart speaker (Listen to K-R-O-X in Crookston).
Let’s take a look at the scouting report for LeRoy-Ostrander, which is making their third ever state championship game appearance. The other two came in 1993 and 1995.
The Cardinals are led by their 5’6 senior quarterback Chase Johnson. He has carried the ball 240 times for 2,599 yards for an average of 10.83 yards per carry!!! He has 77 of 162 passing for 1,422 yards with 19 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
They converted an All-District lineman to a running back/fullback and Tanner Olson has 86 carries for 662 yards for an average of 7.7 yards per carry. The top receiver is Tristan Lewison with 36 receptions for 849 yards.
Defensively it is a pretty balanced team attack with a lot of blitzing of the linebackers and sending seven or eight guys. The defensive leader is Tanner Olson with 128 tackles, 13 sacks, and nine pass deflections. The team has 30 sacks on the year and 57 tackles for a loss!
LeRoy-Ostrander (11-2) comes from a talent-rich Section 1 where Grand Meadow, Lanesboro, and others come from with a handful of state championships in the last decade. They are big, athletic, and VERY good!
Taking a look at the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons, who will be making their first-ever appearance in the state football championship game. The Falcons are led by Senior running back Everett Balstad with 219 carries for 1,775 yards for an 8.11 yard per carry average, along with 30 touchdowns. Levi Qualley is second on the team with 86 carries for 798 yards and nine touchdowns. The top receiver is Everett Balstad with 24 for 493 yards and eight touchdowns.
Defensively, Fertile-Beltrami is led by Tyler Stuhaug with 94 tackles, Everett Balstad with 72, and Derek Sorenson with 60.
Coach Brian Nelson is in his 27th year as head coach and he has a career record of 171-94 with 12 of those 12 season seasons coming as they opted up to play Class A even if they could have played nine-man football! This is the third year they have played nine-man football.
Reasons why Fertile-Beltrami will win –
1. Everett Balstad
2. The team of running backs
3. Rylin Petry at quarterback could have a monster game
4. The Falcon fans. What a huge crowd for the semi-final game and even more will be at the game on Saturday.
5. The Falcon coaching staff. They are great coaches and will have the boys as prepared as possible.
6. They are a great team and heck, you have made it this far so you might as well win the whole darn thing!
Reasons why LeRoy-Ostrander will win –
1. They are very good and led by quarterback Chase Johnson.
2. The defensive pressure they put on teams.
3. That is about it.
4. Like last week, there is no reason why Fertile-Beltrami can’t win the title. Go Falcons!
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The 2021 Crookston Hockey Alumni games/scrimmages will be held Thursday, December 23 at the Crookston Sports Center. Alumni from Crookston Central High School, Crookston High School, Cathedral, and the Mount will be back/are invited back to participate in this year’s games. The schedule and info are listed below –
GAME 1……..4:00-5:15………… ODD vs EVEN
GAME 2……….5:30-6:45………PIRATE GIRLS vs GIRLS ALUMNI
GAME 3……..7:00-8:15……….PIRATE BOYS vs PIRATE ALUMNI
Cost – $10.00 (Make checks out to Pirate Hockey)
Social at the Crookston Eagles Club from 9PM to 1AM
Mail registration forms to
Steve Biermaier
PO Box 496
Crookston, MN 56716
or email steve.biermaierchiro@midconetwork.com
For the registration form click here.
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The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team has 24 boys out in 9-12 (including one eighth-grader).
Seniors (4) – Evan Christensen, Jack Garmen, Jacob Hebsy, Hayden Michaelson
Juniors (6) – Ryan Abeld, Tanner Giese, Tatum Lubinski, Omar Petithomme, Juan Ramirez, Gavin Winger
Sophomores (5) – Caden Boike, Antonio Romero, Eli Schultz, Brannan Tangquist, Isaac Thomforde
Freshman (8) – Matthew Contreras, Michael Deng, Jack Everett, Rylan Lubarski, Tyler Michaelson, Michael Miller, Hunter Nicholas, Brayden Pederson
Eighth-grader (1)– Reggie Winjum
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The defending Section 8A Champion Crookston Pirate Wrestling team has 16 out in 7-12th grade. They are below –
Seniors – Adrew Schwede, Eli Pruneda
Juniors – Braxton Volker, Hunter Kresl, Hunter Knutson, Layten Fuentes, Ethan Bowman, Ethan Boll
Sophomores – Evin Trudeau, Spencer Ness, Carter Coauette
Freshman – Alex Schwede
8th-graders – Casey Weiland, Lucas Perala, Gavyn Hlucny
7th grader – Julian Torres
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The Crookston Pirate Dance team will “kick” off their season on Friday, December 3 when they travel to Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School in Glyndon for the first Varsity Kick competition of the season. The full schedule is below –
Friday, December 3 – at DGF – Varsity Kick
Friday, December 17 – at Frazee – Varsity Kick (Jazz TBD)
Thursday, January 6 – at Wadena – Varsity Kick and Jazz (JV kick TBD)
Saturday, January 8 – at Alexandria – Varsity Kick, Jazz, and JV Kick
Monday, January 21 – at Hawley – Varsity Kick, Jazz
Saturday, February 5 – at Wadena (Sections) – Varsity Kick, Jazz
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SECTION 8A PREVIEW By Roger Mischke
MAT RATS PREVIEW (2021-2022)
SECTION 8A FAVORITES: UNITED NORTH CENTRAL WARRIORS and the BADGER/GREENBUSH/MIDDLE RIVER GATORS
DARK HORSES: CROOKSTON PIRATES and the FRAZEE HORNETS
UNITED NORTH CENTRAL WARRIORS
Head Coach Jacob Oyster
Park Region Conference: 4-3
Overall: 20-8
The Warriors were defeated in the Section 8A semifinal by Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 39-27. They did graduate two seniors last spring, both were twenty match winners and super section place winners. The Warriors will return ten with a great deal of experience. This includes eight section place winners and six super section place winners, including one state medalist. The Warriors should make a serious challenge to their dual marks from last season. They should move up in the conference standings. This crew should make strides of improvement thru out the season if they stay healthy. They should make a strong challenge for possible section honors in what could be a pretty balanced section 8A dual meet campaign. Their key wrestling should include: Ethan Hendrickson (34-1, 3X state medalists), Dylan Rasmussen (22-9), Torrey Carlson (22-8), Marcus Peterson (20-9), Hank Tellers (14-8) and Eion Ness (injured).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Ethan Hendrickson 12th 34-1 Top 2/1st/2nd State/AC
Dylan Rasmussen 12th 22-9 Top 4/5th
Torrey Carlson 12th 24-10 Top 2/2nd
Eion Ness 12th 13-5 Injured
Marcus Peterson 11th 21-9 Top 2/5th
Hank Tellers 11th 16-8 Top 2/4th
Cooper Hasbargen 9th 11-14 Top 6
Logan Torma 11th 9-14 Top 2/4th
Shawn Hendrickson 11th 9-9 Top 6
Zach Hendrickson 10th 14-8
GRADUATES:
Hunter Skaro 26-6 Top 2/3rd/AC (63-37 Career)
Dakota Meech 23-9 Top 4/5th (90-67 Career)
BADGER/GREENBUSH/MIDDLE RIVER GATORS
Head Coach: Isaac Novacek
Overall: 22-9
The Gators defeated United North Central in their first Section 8A dual 39-27 and they were defeated by Crookston 39-27. The Gators did graduate four very good seniors, all winning 22-plus matches. All four were super section place winners and one a 3X time state champion. That is a huge loss for any program, they do have ten back with a great deal of experience. This includes five twenty match winners, nine section place winners, and four super section place winners. The Gators should make steady improvement over the course of the season if they can stay healthy. Look for them to challenge those dual meet marks from last season. The Gators should make a strong challenge in what should be a pretty balanced section 8A dual meet campaign for a final four spot, possibly for section honors. Their key leader should include Caleb Vancura (27-6), Jaxon Janousek (25-6), Ethan Waage (22-7), Nathan Waage (22-8), Body DeZelar (15-13), and Danny Janousek (15-12).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Caleb Vancura 12th 27-6 Top 2/1st
Jaxon Janousek 11th 25-6 Top 2/4th
Ethan Waage 12th 22-7 Top 2/2nd
Nathan Waage 12th 22-8 Top 6
Ethan Vancura 12th 22-7 Top 2/2nd
Bode DeZelar 10th 15-13 Top 4
Danny Janousek 9th 15-12 Top 6
Elliott Isane 11th 12-15 Top 5
Brogan Beito 11th 10-20 Top 6
Christian Berg 9th 6-10
GRADUATES:
Dominick Vacura 33-0 Top 2/1st/1st State
Dawson Beito 25-6 Top 2/Top 5
Tony Olson 23-7 Top 4/5th
Garrett Underberg 22-10 Top 2/2nd
CROOKSTON PIRATES
Head Coach Wes Hanson
North Star Conference:
Overall: 22-11
The Pirates defeated their Frazee 43-29 and Badge/Greenbush-Middle River 39-27 for the Section 8A dual title. They were defeated by Royalton/Upsala 49-26 in the super section. The Pirates did graduate five seniors last spring including four second-place winners and a pair of super section place winners. The Pirates will have eleven returning a wide range of experience. This includes eight with double-figure wins and seven section place winners, three were super section placers and one earned a state medal. The Pirates should challenge those dual meet marks from last season. They should make steady improvement thru out the season, if they stay healthy, look for the Pirates to make a strong challenge for one of the top four spots in what should be a balanced section 8A section dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Ethan Boll (38-3), Ethan Bowman (35-3), Carter Couautte (24-6), Braxton Volker (25-14), Hunter Knutson (22-15), and Evin Trudeau (15-11).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Ethan Boll 11th 38-3 Top 2/1st/5th State/AC
Ethan Bowman 11th 35-3 Top 2/4th
Carter Coauette 10th 24-6
Braxton Volker 11th 25-14 Top 4/5th
Hunter Knutson 11th 22-15 Top 4
Evin Trudeau 10th 15-11 Top 4
Spencer Ness 10th 12-23 Top 5
Hunter Kresl 11th 14-18 Top 4
Layton Fuentes 11th 7-11
Cade DeLeon 12th 6-25
Casey Weiland 8th 2-5
GRADUATES:
Zach Brown 34-5 Top 2/2nd/AC (171-39 Career Wins)
Nolan Dans 28-8 Top 2/5th (115 -41 Career)
Cameron Weilland 17-16 Top 4 (121-111 Career)
Gregorio Gonzales 10-9 Top 4 (20-24 Career)
Cade Coauette 9-11
FRAZEE HORNETS
Head Coach: Travis Nagel
Heart of Lakes Conference:
Overall:
The Hornets were defeated in their first section 8A dual by Crookston 43-29. They did graduate four seniors, including four section place winners and a pair of super section place winners. The Hornets return nine with a great deal of experience, including eight with double-figure wins, nine section place winners, and four super section place winners. Look for this young team to make huge strides of improvement thru the course of the season. If they stay healthy they should challenge last season’s dual meet marks and move up on the conference standings. The Hornets should make a strong challenge for one of the top four spots in what should be a very balanced section 8A dual meet campaign.
Their key leaders should include: Jake Nagel (22-6), Preston Mayfield (17-9), Tyler Moe (16-9), Bryon Kropuenske (15-11), and Sebastian Sonnenberg (14-14).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Jake Nagel 11th 22-4 Top 2/2nd
Preston Mayfield 10th 17-7 Top 2/2nd
Tyler Moe 10th 18-8 Top 4
Byron Kropuenske 11th 16-11 Top2/5th
Sebastian Sonnenberg 9th 3-14 Top 5
Daniel Graham 11th 15-12 Top 4
Cade Nagel 9th 14-14 Top 4
Bailey Peichel 9th 12-8 Top 4
Xander Kohler 9th 9-14
Max Rue 11th 6-17 Top 4/5th
GRADUATES:
Brock Barlund 17-8 Top 2
Kaden Hiemenz 18-9 Top 2/4th
Christian Carlson 14-12 Top 5
Howard Solem 16-13 Top 4
Brady Borah 2-2
Brady Crabtree 3-4
FOSSTON/BAGLEY BRAWLERS
Head Coach: Pat Wolf
North Star Conference: 4-1
Overall: 12-17
The Brawlers graduated two seniors last spring, both were super section place winners, including a state medalist. That is a big loss, but they will return fifteen with a wide range of experience. This includes six section places winners and two super section place winners. Look for this young team to make strides of improvement thru out the course of the season. They could challenge those dual meet marks from last season if they do stay healthy. They could make a challenge for one of the top four spots in what should be a very balanced section 8A dual meet campaign. Their key leaders should include: Keegan Senger (31-5), Aidan Wolfe (30-3), and Zach Thompson (13-15).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Keegan Senger 12th 31-5 Top 2/3rdAC
Aidan Wolfe 10th 30-3 Top 2/5th/AC
Zach Thompson 9th 13-15 Top 5
Jayce Thompson 12th 12-18 Top 5
Kaden Sanford 11th 11-18 Top 5
Noa Halberg 9th 9-15 Top 5
Jakob Rudie 8th 9-13
Jesse Beckman 11th 8-20
Alex Hagen 11th 6-21
Mason Erickson 10th 6-10
Zac Swenson 10th 5-4
Alex Johnson 9th 3-16
Kadin Harwood 9th 2-2
Tegan Larson 12th 1-9
Curt Green 10th 1-5
GRADUATES:
Carter Sorenson 34-2 Top 2/1st/2nd State/AC (205 Career Wins)
Dan Schoenborn 26-9 Top 4/3rd/AC (123 Career Wins)
BARNESVILLE TROJANS
Head Coach: Stuart Brandt
Heart of Lakes Conference:
Overall:
The Trojans did graduate one senior last spring, a super section place winner with 27 wins. The Trojans will return nine with a great deal of experience, including five section place winners, two were super section place winners. This young group if they can fill in with junior varsity and they stay healthy should make strides of improvement thru out the season. They could challenge their dual meet marks from last year’s season. Their key leaders should include Ayden Hauck (25-6), Jordan Kroll (2011), Dawson Gregg (16-17), and Tim Wells (17-17).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Ayden Hauck 10th 25-6 Top 2/6th
Jordan Kroll 11th 20-11 Top 2/6th
Dawson Gregg 10th 16-17 Top 5
Tim Wells 11th 17-17 Top 5
Asher O’Brien 10th 14-20 Top 5
Gavin Grommesh 11th 6-22
Hunter Blilie 10th 10-19
Elias Cox 8th 1-6
GRADUATES:
Brady Kroll 27-6 Top 2/6th (96-64 Career)
FERTILE-BELTRAMI FALCONS
Head Coach: Willie Meine
Overall Duals:
The Falcons graduated one very good senior last spring, he earned a third-place medal in the super section. They will be returning eight with experience from last season. This includes six section place winners and a pair of super section place winners. Look for this young team to fill in with some junior varsity and to make steady improvement thru the course of the season. They could challenge their dual numbers from last season. Their key leaders should include: Tyler Stuhaug (12-11), JT Flynn (12-12), Wesley Ramberg (11-10), and Micah Kerbel (10-10).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Tyler Stuhaug 12th 12-11 Top 4/5th
JT Flynn 9th 12-12 Top 4
Wesley Ramberg 11th 11-10 Top 5
Micah Kerbel 12th 10-10 Top 4
Tyler Henderson 11th 10-12
Levi Qualley 12th 9-4 Top 4
Seth Lavalier 12th 10-4 Top 4/5th
Julian Ystenes 8th 4-12
GRADUATES:
Daunte Yost 19-2 Top 2/3rd
MAHNOMEN/WAUBUN THUNDERBIRDS
Head Coach: John Short
North Star Conference:
Overall:
The Thunderbirds did graduate two seniors last spring, both were section place winners, and one a super section place winner. They will have nine returning, of which seven were section, including one super section place winner. They should improve on last year’s dual meet records if they stay healthy thru out the season. The key leaders should include – Will Olson (16-7), Blake McMullen (16-10), and Blake Geray (15-9).
RETURNING WRESTLERS:
Will Olson 12th 16-7 Top 4/4th
Blake McMullen 8th 16-10 Top 4
Blake Geray 12th 15-9
Sophia Rojas 8th 6-9 Top 4
Peyton Stock 10th 6-22 Top 5
Carter Bendickson 12th 6-22
Joseph Slette 10th 5-11 Top 5
Tatum Bement 8th 4-12 Top 5
Trevor Neisen 10th 3-2 Top 5
GRADUATES:
Garrett Eiynck 18-7 Top 4/5th
Nikowa Fortier 11-17 Top 6
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We have the master schedules for Section 8A Boys and Girls Hockey and Section 8AA Boys and Girls Basketball.
SECTION 8A HOCKEY-
We have the master schedule for Section 8A Boys Hockey – CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE for the Section 8A Girls Hockey master schedule
SECTION 8AA BASKETBALL –
For the master schedule for Section 8AA Boys/Girls Basketball – CLICK HERE
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JOKES
Some THANKSGIVING one-liners . . .(They are bad, but it is Thanksgiving so I needed to put some lame Thanksgiving themed jokes in)
Why can’t you take a turkey to church? They use FOWL language.
Why was the Thanksgiving soup so expensive? It had 24 carrots.
What happened when the turkey got into a fight? He got the stuffing knocked out of him!
What do you get when you cross a turkey with a banjo? A turkey that can pluck itself!
Who doesn’t eat on Thanksgiving? A turkey because it is always stuffed.
Dear Turkeys, don’t worry… they only love us for our breasts too. Sincerely, women.
If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for? Their AGE.
Why do pilgrims pants keep falling down? Because their belt buckles are on their hats!
Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside.
What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter? Pumpkin pi.
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Ben Trostad is a senior playing Men’s Golf at UMC.
Kaleb Thingelstad is a freshman playing golf at Kansas Wesleyan University. KWU is done for the fall season.
Joslynn Leach is a freshman playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.
Brady Butt is a sophomore playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, is a junior playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Ty Hamre is playing football at Bemidji State University.
Paul Bittner is playing professional hockey in Sweden. He is the only American playing for Mora IK of the Allsvenskan league.
Gretchen Theis is a sophomore at NDSU on the Equestrian team.
Kate MacGregor is a senior swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Aleece Durbin, is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Nick Garmen is a junior playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Emily Meyer is the Pirate head girls hockey coach and softball assistant coach.
Lacia Hanson is the Junior High softball coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Brock Hanson is a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Ben Halos is a Pirate Baseball assistant coach.
Alex LaFrance is a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.
Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming
Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Ben Andringa is serving our country with the Army in New York.
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.
