The defending champion Kittson County Central Bearcats are the unanimous favorite to win the Section 8 9-Player championship this year. They are loaded and will be a tough team again this year, and possibly even a little better!!! Not bad for a team that made it to the state semi-finals last year. Of course, Goodridge/Grygla and Stephen-Argyle are in the top three as well. It should be another competitive section and it will be another battle in every section game this year.
POLL RESULTS –
1. Kittson County Central – 7
2. Goodridge/Grygla – 19
3. Stephen-Argyle – 22
4. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River – 29
5. Northern Freeze – 34
5. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo – 34
7. Win-E-Mac – 40
8. Lake of the Woods – 54
The team previews are below.
BADGER/GREENBUSH-MIDDLE RIVER – Strike Hasson (4th year)
BGMR was 4-6 last year, beat the Northern Freeze 8-7 in the first round of the playoffs, and lost to KCC 37-12 in the semifinals.
Top Returners –
Will Foss (Sr. QB) – was 83 of 142 for 1,256 yards and 13 TD’s. He also ran the ball 83 times for 491 yards and 5 TD.
Nathan Gust (Sr. WR/RB/LB) – had 25 receptions for 414 yards and 4 TD and 44.5 tackles.
Micah Wahl (Jr. LB/OL) Led the team with 64 total tackles last year and had 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery.
Linemen – Austin Przekwas, Bennett Bertilrud, and Levi Wahl ( all 3 are impact players and seniors)
Top Newcomers –
Levi Olson – (Sr. DB/WR)
Payton Gust – (Sr. RB/DB)
Keegan VonEnde (Sr RB/DB)
Adrien Nelson (Soph. WR/DB)
Key Losses –
Breydon Foss (RB) – Had 172 carries for 1,277 and 12 TD’s last year and over 1,000 rushing yards as a junior.
Tryg Olson (OL/DL)
Season Outlook according to Coach Hasson – “We will be returning a lot of players from last season, looking to make a deep run in the playoffs this year! great group of kids and hungry to show off the hard work they have put in.”
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GOODRIDGE/GRYGLA CHARGERS – Coach John Wilebski (29th year)
The Chargers were 7-3 last year with their two regular-season losses by a combined 10 points. They beat Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 47-6 in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Stephen-Argyle 26-7 in the semi-finals.
Top Returning Players –
Shay Jacobson – Had 1,185 yards rushing and 16 TD’s. He had 3 interceptions
Gus Jones – Was in on 54 tackles and had 2 sacks
Brett Rychlock – Was in on 27 tackles, had 2 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries
Landon Nordby – passed for 314 yards and 4 TD’s
Cooper Aune – Was in on 17 tackles
Top Newcomers –
Evan Rubischko
Isak Ball
Players lost:
Sawyer Jacobson – had 64.5 tackles last year
Sabastian Groven – had 66.5 tackles last year
Owen Larson
Season Outlook according to Coach Wilebski – “We need to replace some key Senior Players. Hopefully, we are in the mix come the playoffs.”
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KITTSON COUNTY CENTRAL BEARCATS – Coach Cory Waling (18th year)
The Kittson County Central Bearcats are coming off a great season as they went 11-1, including 7-0 against section opponents during the regular season. They had a first round bye in the playoffs before beating BGMR 37-12 in the semifinals and beat Stephen-Argyle 22-14 in a great section championship game.
At state, they beat Cook County 49-0 in the first round and lost a great game to Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 27-21 in the state semifinals.
Top Returners –
Ashton Knutson (RB) had 1238 yards last year with 11TD’s. He had 67 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 INT’s.
Elijah Muir (RB) had 922 yards with 9 TD’s. He had 41 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 INT.
Eli Peterson (QB) threw for over 1000 yards and 22 TD’s and had 402 yards rushing with 7TD’s
Kellen Johnson (WB) had 30 receptions 464 yards and 9 TD’s. He had 81 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks last year.
James Cerkowniak (WR) had 10 receptions for 156 yards and 2 TD’s. He had 63 tackles with 4 tackles for a loss.
Keaton Brewer – He had 71 tackles, 9 for a loss, and 4 sacks.
Track Folland – He had 90 tackles last year with 4.5 for a loss.
Kam Gullickson – He had 32 tackles with 3 for a loss.
Sam Webster – He had 17 tackles last year with 2 for a loss.
Top Newcomers –
We have a solid number of sophomores and juniors that were able to get quality time and situational football last year that we are looking to take the next step.
Karsynn Peterson
Aiden Campbell
Aidan Wiese
McCall Anderson
Mason Ogorek
Evan Schwenzfeier
Rider Vig
Key Losses –
We will be replacing a handful of important pieces from last year’s team.
All State-Willie Nelson-C/DT – had 48 tackles and 1.5 for a loss and was a key lineman on offense.
All-State-Brody Scalese-E/LB – Had 152 tackles!!!! 5.5 for a loss and 2 INT’s. He also had 12 receptions for 171 yards and 4 TD’s.
Brock Scalese-WB/CB – Had 70 tackles and 2 INT’s. He also had 12 carries for 85 yards.
Alex Peterson-G/DT – He had three tackles on defense.
Gavin Johnson– Who missed most of his senior year due to injury.
Season outlook according to Coach Waling – “Expectations are high after the amazing run we had last year with a Section 8 Championship and a semifinal run to the US Bank Stadium. It’s a new team/year so we are focused on building from the ground up, putting players in the best possible spot for success, and playing good football. We are excited to put a product on the field that our families, communities and “Bearcat Nation” can be proud of!”
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LAKE OF THE WOODS BEARS – Coach Bryan Sathre
Lake of the Woods didn’t field a varsity team last year so they didn’t have a season last year and there isn’t a lot we can tell you about the Bears. They will be new to everybody. We haven’t received anything from coach Sathre yet, so this is all I can tell you.
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NORTHERN FREEZE – Coach Eric Melcher (3rd year)
The Freeze were 3-6 last season (2-5 in Section play). They won three of their first four games and lost a great game to the BGMR Gators 8-7 in the first round of the playoffs.
Top Returners –
Trig Anderson with a 6.8 yard per carry average and 15 yards per catch along with 35 tackles and 3 interceptions.
Cale Pearson with a 9.0 yd per carry average and 8.2 yards per catch average.
Avynn Ryba Leading receiver with 7.6 yards per catch along with 26 tackles and 2 sacks.
Jaxon Melcher had 80 tackles last year.
Brekken Bring had 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks
Top newcomers:
Alex Maurstad– Defensive line
Luke Brown– Offensive line
Rhett Pearson– Defensive Back
Key Losses –
Garrett Rominski-Offensive line and LB
Sawyer Torgerson– Running Back and Defensive Back
Brandon Shenkey-Running Back and Defensive Back
Eizen Olson-Running Back and LB
Season outlook according to Coach Melcher – “We have 11 seniors this year and 6 Juniors!! We are looking to improve on our record from last year and make it deeper into playoffs!!”
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STEPHEN-ARGYLE STORM – Coach Ethan Marquis (19th year)
Stephen-Argyle went 9-2 last year with playoff wins over Win-E-Mac (49-30) and Goodridge/Grygla (26-7). They lost to Kittson County Central in the Section 8 9-Player Championship game 22-14 to finish runner-up.
Top returning players:
Owen Widner (3rd year starting at Center, top 10 District tackler in ’25), Kellen Johnson (948 yards rushing in ’25)
Top newcomers:
Seniors Reid Rivard and Owen Osowski will take on much larger roles this year.
Juniors Ryan Swanson, Sam Durand, and Zaiven Martinez will see more action at running back.
Senior Mason Smith returns to football following injury recovery
Key losses –
The entire senior class was great last year. (Anders Thompson, Raydon Woinarowicz, Dylan Widner, Shay Setterholm, Jake Carlson, Caden Pagnac, Keenan Srynsky, and Rylan Anderson.)
Woinarowicz was the District 9 West MVP and All-State player.
Dylan Widner was Academic All-State and All-Star game participant
Season outlook according to Coach Marquis: “A very exciting year ahead. We have some new faces that have been waiting for their turn and once again Section 8 9-Man will be very competitive with at least three teams capable of winning the Championship with several others very close behind. Will be a fun and exciting year.
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WARREN-ALVARADO-OSLO PONIES – Coach Ben Miska (1st year as head coach, also was head coach at Canby for 2 years)
The Ponies went 3-6 last year and lost to Goodridge/Grygla in the first round of the playoffs 47-6.
Top Returners – These guys did everything last year and will be important pieces again this year.
Owen Dvorak – 156 carries for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns, 9 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, 2 for 2 passing with 13 yards and a touchdown, 64 solo tackles, 35 assisted tackles, 2 INTs
Sidney Carlson – 59 carries for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns, 49 for 79 passing with 537 yards and 3 touchdowns, 36 solo tackles, 19 assists, 1 INT, 2 Fumble recoveries
Weston Olson – 35 solo tackles, 18 assists, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
Lucas Mock – 55 carries for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns, 18 solo tackles, 10 assists, 1 sack
Top Newcomers –
Bennett Dvorak – (Soph. RB/LB),
Levi Potucek (Jr. TE/S),
Ezra Miska (Jr. TE/S),
Tristan Stroble (Soph. OL/DL)
Key losses –
The Ponies lost some great seniors to graduation last year.
Noah Dvorak TE/DE
Noah Sedlacek WR/S
Cooper Deschene TE/S
Chase Kalt OL/LB
Rylan Fredrickson OL/DL
Matthew Johnson OL/DL
Season outlook according to Coach Miska – “I am excited to take over a program that was led very well by Tony Gullikson. Like everyone, if we can stay healthy and continue to build on what we did this summer in the weightroom, we will prepare and compete every Friday night. I will lean heavily on the senior leaders we have to take steps for the program and lead it this season.”
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WIN-E-MAC PATRIOTS – Coach Aaron Cook (10th year)
The Patriots were 1-8 last season and suffered several injuries which hampered the season. They ended the regular season with a 42-0 victory over NCE/UH before losing to Stephen-Argyle 49-30 in the first round of the section playoffs.
Top Returners –
Jayden Close– 90 carries, 587 yards , 5 TD, 44 tackles (6 games played)
Jayden Haugen – 85 carries, 585 yards, 8 TD, 4 rec, 97 yards, 1 td, 19 tackles (4 games played)
Nick Schow – 106 carries, 430 yards, 4 TDS
Austin Langseth – 75 carries, 250 yards, 4 TDS, 11 rec, 85 yards, 35 tackles
Other returning starters – OL/DL Charley Carlson, Cooper Gieseke, Hayden Johnson, Carter Fortman, Kolten Schow, DL – William Howard
Top Newcomers –
Nathaniel Spry (He missed all of last season, his junior year, and most of his sophomore season with an injury.) We are excited to have him back anchoring the QB position and to have his instincts back on defense.
Garrett Davis (missed all of last season with an injury). Garrett has a chance to be an anchor on the DL as he is a big strong kid who has set some weight room records for us.
Key Losses – None!
Season Outlook according to Coach Cook – “We have two returning all district players who need to continue to take s step forward in Jayden Close and Jayden Haugen. Both those players will be a major part of our running game this season. Nathaniel Spry returns from injury to lead the offense at the QB position and will provide a great opportunity for us to excel in the passing game this season. With the return of Spry, that allows Nick Schow to move into a slot/WR role where he will be very dangerous in open space. Austin Langseth will help in the running game, but we will be reliant on him to get key blocks from his FB/HB role. The anchor of this years team is going to have to be the OL. We bring everyone back on the line and many of them have been starters for multiple years. We need to have the mindset that everything we do is going to be physical and take it out in our opponents.
Defensively we need to have major improvement from a year ago. We need to have better gap control on the DL and better flow from our LB position to limit big plays. I expect us to take a major step forward from where we were a year ago.
Injuries were the biggest story of the season last year. The lineup we had for our playoff game was the first time we had that lineup on the field all season and were still down multiple starters. While we have some depth on the line this year, we will continue to be thin at the skill positions. We will need to make sure to spread the ball around to keep everyone as fresh as possible.”
