Welcome to another Sports Feever Column by Chris Fee. If you have anything that might be of interest for the column, send it to me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com.
On Saturday afternoon, I broadcast the best high school football game since the 2005 or 2006 season when the Polk County West Thunder (Climax-Fisher-Sacred Heart) beat the Mahnomen-Waubun Thunderbirds in triple overtime.
Not only was it a great game, but the best part of the game was players on both sides were making play after play. Mahnomen-Waubun didn’t lose the game…..PCW won the game and that is what you want to see at playoff time.
It was a game I will never forget, but there is a possibility that one of the three games KROX is carrying on Thursday could try to rival the game on Saturday.
KROX will be carrying the following Section Football Championship games on Thursday, October 31. You can listen to KROX Radio (1260AM) or you can listen on your computer, cellphone, tablet, etc at www.kroxam.com and click on listen live or you can listen on Alexa (Say – Alexa, Listen to KROX in Crookston).
Section 6 9-Man Championship at Fargodome-
12:30 PM – Fertile-Beltrami vs Win-E-Mac – pre-game at NOON
Section 8 9-Man Championship at Fargodome
3:00 PM – Warren-Alvarado-Oslo vs North Central – pre-game 2:30 PM
Section 8A Championship at Fargodome-
5:30 PM (Tentative) – Polk County West vs Ada-Borup/West – pre-game 5:00 PM
The second and third game start times are tentative depending on how fast the previous games go.
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Last week I talked about UMC Athletics and trying something else. I wanted to make it straight that UMC isn’t the problem. The problem is the University of Minnesota and previous and current leadership (Chancellors) at UMC.
I know Steph Helgeson takes some heat from some people, but her hands are tied by the U of M and the bosses at UMC. There hasn’t been a significant investment in athletics since Charles Casey was UMC Chancellor. The new President of the University of Minnesota will be in Crookston next week and I (and many others) have been invited to meet with the President and I will ask her about athletics if I get the opportunity. I will let you know next week what she has to say.
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The Gopher Football game hosting Penn State next weekend will be at 11:00 a.m. After some scuttle bug the truth has come out….the truth comes out and Penn State and Wisconsin have both said they won’t play a night game in November. TV doesn’t get to choose what time games are played in November in the Big 10. The visiting team gets to choose if they want to play at night so all the Gopher Football big games will be played in the afternoon.
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Crookston Central High School graduate, Darin Mjoen, threw out the first pitch at the Minnesota Twins game on September 11 of this year. Darin is the brother of Robin Reitmeier and she and some of her family were able to attend the game and watch the first pitch.
[yotuwp type=”videos” id=”SWdN2kGNa94″ ]
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Congratulations to Hawley Nugget Cross Country Coach Nathan Stoa on being named the Section 8A Coach of the year! He led his team to the state tournament for the first time since 1991.
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The Crookston Youth Basketball Association will be hosting our annual Parent/Coaches meeting for all K-8th grade students wanting to participate in basketball this season. It will be located at the High School Commons on November 4. Coaches will meet at 5:30 pm and parents at 6 pm.
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Congratulations to area official, Charlie Johnson, on his induction to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Honor Class of 2019.
L to R: Charlie Johnson, John and Jini Bruns, Gary Noren, John Klinnert, and John Scharenbroich. Davis Gilbertson was unable to attend.
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It is Section Football Championship time at the Fargodome on Thursday and Friday. Last week I picked most of the games right and I will see if we can do the same thing this week.
SECTION 6 9-MAN (Thursday at 12:30 – on KROX at Noon)
Fertile-Beltrami (9-1) vs Win-E-Mac (10-0) –
The two teams met during the regular season and Win-E-Mac won 16-8 on September 20 in Fertile. Win-E-Mac is the #3 team in the state QRF rankings and Fertile-Beltrami is the #5 team in the state QRF rankings. It was a great game the first time the two teams met and the championship game should be another dandy.
Fertile-Beltrami is a balanced offensive attack with Soren Larson, a senior quarterback, leading the way with almost 700 yards rushing and over 450 yards passing. Senior runningbacks, Micah Tollefson, Hunter Hitchen, and Addison McCollum have combined for 1,924 yards in 10 games. Win-E-Mac’s offense is similar with their junior quarterback, Gavin Walker running for over 700 yards and throwing for over 700 yards. The Patriots mainly go to one other guy and that is Nathan Fortman, a senior runningback, who has carried the ball 175 times for 1,115 yards this season.
Even with all the offense, I believe it will come down to defense and taking care of the ball. Like any game, turnovers – or lack of – will be huge.
I am going to go with the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons to win 21-16.
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SECTION 8 9-MAN (Thursday at 3:00 p.m. – on KROX at 2:30)
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo (7-3) vs North Central (10-0) –
The Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies have battled some tough years recently and part of the tough times have been devastating injuries to key players. The Ponies did something that hasn’t been done very much in the last 20 or 30 years, they beat Stephen-Argyle twice in one season! In the semi-finals, the Ponies forced the Storm into several penalties and turnovers and were able to play some tremendous defense when they needed it. Offensively, WAO has Brandon Miller. He is a stud and showed that on Saturday with some impressive runs. He has a great combination of speed, strength, and toughness. He is making up for lost time after an injury took his season away last year and it looks like he won’t be denied.
I honestly don’t know much about North Star. They held on to beat Badger-Greenbush-Middle River in overtime in the semifinals so that has to give a lot of confidence to the Ponies. It sounds like they are a solid, fundamental team.
I am going to pick Warren-Alvarado-Oslo to win 28-14.
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SECTION 8A (Thursday at 5:30 p.m. – On KROX at 5:00 p.m.)
Polk County West (8-2) vs Ada-Borup/West (9-1)
Ada-Borup/West beat Polk County West 29-16 in week 29-16 in week three. Polk County West threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown and fumbled the ball several times in the game and didn’t play very well. Ada-Borup/West has some great athleticism and that will be accentuated on the turf. Polk County West plays half of their home games on the turf and has some great athletes along with some size.
I honestly think the game will come down to whoever takes care of the ball and whichever team can contain the others speed. It should be another great game and I am picking PCW 24-21.
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SECTION 8AA (Friday at 8:00 p.m.)
Barnesville (10-0) vs Pelican Rapids (7-3)
NOBODY has given Barnesville a game this year and I don’t see that changing this week. I pick Barnesville to win by 30 and the Trojans won’t have a close game until the state semi-finals or championship!
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KROX has received our Gopher Men’s Basketball season tickets. If you want to take in a game, we have four tickets to every home game, including the very “tough” non-conference. The games are listed below. If you are interested, email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com.
Gopher Tickets –
November 21 vs Central Michigan
November 24 vs UND
December 2 vs Clemson
January 5 vs Northwestern
January 15 vs Penn State
February 5 vs Wisconsin
February 16 vs Iowa
February 19 vs Indiana
February 26 vs Maryland
March 8 vs Nebraska
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The Crookston Blue Line Club will have several intro to hockey nights for both boys and girls. For more click on the flyers here.
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The Midwest Red District announced its all-conference awards this week. The award winners are below –
Player of the Year – Isaiah Thompson (Detroit Lakes)
Coach of the Year – Anthony Soderberg (DGF)
Quarterback of the Year – Colton Hackel (Perham)
Specialist of the Year – Reed Mace (DL)
Receiver of the Year – Nathan Willett (EGF)
Linebacker of the year – Carter Steen (DGF)
Offensive back of the year – Isaiah Thompson (DL)
Defensive back of the year – Bode Magnuson (PL)
Offensive lineman of the year – Caleb Tangen (DL)
Defensive lineman of the year – Jackson Fields (DL)
All-District Team
Detroit Lakes – Max Gunderson, Isaiah Thompson, Reed Mace, Gabe Hanninen, Caleb Tangen, Jackson Fields
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton – Justin Wang, Aiden Leach, Carter Steen, Ben Edeen, Logan Tucker
Fergus Falls – Parker Jacobs, Ethan Olson, Cody Norgren, Brock Kotschevar
Perham – Finn Diggins, Dawson Kellog, Colton Hackel, Maddux Kovash
Pequot Lakes – Daltin Ackerman, Zach Jorgens, Cale Wolf, Bode Magnuson
East Grand Forks – Sam Votova, Nathan Willett
Park Rapids – Joe Stachowski
Thief River Falls – Cole Johnson
All-District Honorable Mention –
Detroit Lakes – Brock Harrier, Jordan Skadsem, Andrew Annette, Seth Renney
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton – Cade Sogge, Ethan John, Drew Caldwell
Fergus Falls – Kaden Hartwell, Abel Aho, Gus Gerhardson
Perham – Noah Rooney, Rowdie Lindquist, Isaac Lung
Pequot Lakes – Tyler Hidde, Alex Morgan, Hunter Nybakken
East Grand Forks – Julian Benson, Brody Schultz
Park Rapids – Jens Anderson, Jeff Haas
Thief River Falls – Gunner Zutz
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JOKES –
“Wow,” I said. “That’s an amazing car.”
He replied, “If you work hard, put all your hours in, and strive for excellence, I’ll get another one next year!”
On the same day the following week he is back and does the same thing with the three beers. This goes on for a month or two. The bartender is getting curious. The next time the man comes in, the bartender says, “I don’t mean to be nosy, but why do you drink from three beers at one time?”
The man says, “When my two brothers and I lived close, we would go to the bar every week and have a beer together. Now we are all married and have moved far away. We all agreed that wherever we are, every week, we will each go to a local bar and have three beers to remember old times.”
The bartender nods and goes on. The man finishes his three beers and leaves. A month later the man comes in and orders only two beers. He takes a drink from one… sets it down. Takes a drink from the second beer… sets it down, and repeats this process until the two beers are gone. This goes on for about a month and the bartender gets curious. The next time the man is in the bar, the bartender inquires, “I don’t mean to be nosy, but what happened? Did one of your brothers pass away or something?”
The man says, “Oh, no, nothing like that. It’s just that my wife said that I couldn’t go to the bar and drink anymore… but she didn’t say anything about my brothers.”
Harry went to his doctor on Thursday to review his test results.
The Doctor told him I have good news and bad news.
“Good news is you have 48 hours to live,” he said to Harry.
“Bad news is I should have told you on Tuesday.”
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Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “And what starting salary are you looking for?” The engineer replies, “In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.” The interviewer inquires, “Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a red Corvette?” The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow! Are you kidding?” The interviewer replies, “Yeah, but you started it.”
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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
Paul Bittner is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket. Paul scored his first goal of the season and had a plus-three in a 7-1 victory over Rockford on Friday. Paul didn’t play in a win over Rockford on Saturday. Cleveland will host Charlotte on Friday and Sunday.
Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota. Cade didn’t play in a 16-12 victory over Montana State on Saturday. UND will be off this weekend as they prepare for a trip to Weber State on Saturday, November 9.
Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown. Mason didn’t play in a double-overtime tie with Dordt and a double-overtime tie with Concordia University in Nebraska. He also didn’t play in a 2-1 loss to Northwestern College of Iowa, Jamestown will wrap up the regular season on Saturday hosting Doane.
Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska. Rachel is playing on the J.V. team. The varsity team is 9-14 on the year.
Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s. Thea was on the first place 200 Freestyle Relay team with a time of 1:44.40. She was on the fourth-place 200 Medley Relay team with a time of 2:00.11, she finished fourth place in the 100 freestyle with a time of 58.00, and she finished fifth place in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.90.St. Ben’s will be at Macalaster on Saturday.
Brady Heppner, is a Senior, playing hockey at St. Johns University in Collegeville. The first game of the year will be November 2 at Eau Claire.
Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris. The first game of the season will be at Concordia College on November 8.
Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Ben Trostad is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team. The Golden Eagles will be off until the spring.
Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team. Winona State will be off until the spring.
Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Northwestern will be off until the spring.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Brody Davidson is an Assistant Pirate Football coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the 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
Wade Hanson is the 8th grade boys basketball 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 an Assistant Wrestling Coach
Nate Merten is an Assistant Wrestling Coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
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.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.
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
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.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
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
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