The defending Section 8AA champion and state runner-up Barnesville Trojans have been picked to win the section again in 2019. KROX Radio/KROXAM.com compiled our annual Section 8AA Football preseason coaches poll/season preview and the poll and preview are below. As always, a BIG thank you to the coaches for their cooperation again this year!
| Team | Points |
| 1. Barnesville (7) | 49 |
| 2. Hawley | 39 |
| 3. Crookston (1) | 29 |
| 4. Warroad | 26 |
| 5. Pelican Rapids | 25 |
| 6. Bagley | 21 |
| 6. Frazee | 21 |
| 8. United North Central | 14 |
CLICK HERE FOR THE SECTION 8AA MASTER SCHEDULE
BARNESVILLE TROJANS – Coach Bryan Strand
The Barnesville Trojans were the perfect example of playing your best football at the end of the year. Barnesville was 11-3 and the State Class AA runner-up. Barnesville lost to Hawley during the regular season and bounced back to beat them in the section championship 34-23. At state, the Trojans beat Moose Lake-Willow River 40-0. In the semi’s, they beat Minneapolis North 34-20 and lost to Caledonia 21-0 in the state championship. It was a great run for Coach Bryan Strand and his squad and they certainly were playing their best football at the end of the year. The good news for Trojan fans, they have a lot of their players back this year. Barnesville is the heavy favorite to win the section this year with players like Hunter Zenzen (going to Iowa State next year to play football) and a lot of other top-notch talent. They will be fun to watch.
Top returners – Hunter Zenzen (TE/LB), Adam Tonsfeldt (QB/DB), Hunter Anderson (RB/LB), Aaron Schiefert (RB/LB), to name a few. The list could go on for a while!
Season outlook according to Coach Strand – We are returning enough on both sides of the ball in my opinion to be a very good team in 2019. Adam Tonsfeldt is back under center, with some great backs behind him led by Hunter Anderson, Aaron Schiefert, Cam Heng and Jackson Wahl. Hunter Zenzen will anchor the line at TE, Joey Mark and Kaden Zenzen will split time at the other end. Returning starters on the offensive line include 3-year starters Matt Samuelson and Connor Morse and two-year starter Jonny Robideau and Brady Kroll. As good as we can be on offense, I believe defense is where we have the ability to shine. Robideau and Hunter Zenzen will play MLB’s with Anderson and Schiefert being the outside two linebackers. We have many to rotate up front include Joey Mark, Brady Kroll, Damian Camperud, Caleb Ott, as well as Samuelson and Morse. DB’s and safeties will be Tonsfeldt, Heng Wahl, Blake Torfin Juaquin Nelson, and some others we are currently looking at. Team has set high goals and only time will tell if we can reach them, but this group is confident, and easily strongest team we have had in many years. 1st day of practice we had 21 guys bench 205 or better and we look as fast if not faster than last year. Our schedule has many good teams on it so we will get tested and need to be ready week in and week out. The first five games all should be good.
HAWLEY NUGGETS – Coach Peder Naatz
The Hawley Nuggets are coming off another great season with a 9-2 record and a Section 8AA runner-up finish. They lost to their rival Barnesville in the Section 8AA championship 34-23. They lost some top-notch talent with QB Jake Vetter graduating (now at Northern State), Chase Libak, Gunnar Lawson, Traton Cossette, Noah Glad, some lineman and a lot of defensive starters. One thing Hawley does year after year is reload. They always have tremendous athletes and will have their work cut out for them this year. And Nugget alumni Ben Ellefson is a captain for the NDSU Football team and Logan Alm is playing at UND too!
Top returners – Matt Thompson DL/TE, Justin Bentley (OL/DL), Tanner Leister (OL/DL), Logan Reiland (OL/DL) to name a few.
Season outlook according to Coach Naatz – We lost a ton of talent in our skill positions from last year but we hope that our OL size and experience can help us overcome some of those losses. We will once again become a power, run-based offense hoping to control the time of possession clock and keep the ball from our opponents. The preseason has been very positive and our kids are working very hard on becoming a solid “unit” that plays together and holds each other accountable. We are improving from day to day and look forward to getting the regular season underway. We have had some guys really step up and be those examples of how to focus and work hard during practice sessions and have had many younger players take advantage of their opportunities during practice and scrimmage reps.
CROOKSTON PIRATES – Coach Scott Butt
The Crookston Pirates are coming off a disappointing 2-7 season last year. Things were going fine until junior quarterback hurt his knee early in the year and the rest of the season was a struggle. Crookston lost to Roseau 23-12 in the first round of the playoffs. How can one person make that kind of a difference? It is pretty easy, Salentine (like his older brother Cade – who is now at UND playing) is a special athlete. At the quarterback position, he can run, throw, and has the ability to read holes that can’t be taught. With Salentine back in the lineup, that leaves an experienced offensive line in front of him and mix in some experienced backs and a freshman that looked really good in the playoff game at Roseau and the offense could be SIGNIFICANTLY better than last year. Crookston has three defending section champions on the schedule with Pillager, Ottertail Central and Barnesville so the schedule is tough, but they should be ready at playoff time if they stay healthy.
Top returners – Leyton Salentine (QB/DB) (416 yards rushing/261 yards passing before his injury), Brady Butt (OL/DL), Brooks Butt (OL/DL), Caden Osborn (OL/DL), Cade DeLeon (OL/DL), Ty Hamre (OL/DL) Joe Doda (RB/LB) (430 yards rushing), Brady Wisk (RB/DB), Zach Brown, Quin Westlake (DB), Jacob Hesby (LB), Easton Tangquist (WR), Walker Winjum (WR), Ethan Boll (LB/RB) and many more.
Season outlook according to Coach Butt – Crookston will have Leyton Salentine returning which will be a big help at QB and Corner, Leyton was lost to a knee injury that hurt us greatly. He was all section 2years ago. In the offensive line, we return 4-year starter Brady Butt who has been all section the last 3 years and all-district the past 2 seasons. We return starter Brooks Butt at guard and Caden Osborn. A newcomer in offensive line Gavin Salem and Greg Gonzalez will be players to watch.
Defensively Leyton Salentine, Brady Butt, and Brooks Butt return along with Joe Doda, Brady Wisk, and Zach Brown., and Jaxon Wang. Quinn Westlake returns at safety. Jacob Hesby will be count on to man a linebacker position. Gunnar Gunderson will be count on for many roles. Quinn Winand returns from injury which should help us on both sides of the ball. Easton Tanquist will be counted on at wide receiver and QB, with Walker Winjum at wide receiver. We have some young kids that could help in Ethan Boll, Alex Longoria and Jaren Bailey.
WARROAD WARRIORS – Coach Gabe Richards
The Warroad Warriors are looking to improve after a 3-7 record last season with a 50-30 loss to Hawley in the section semi-finals. Warroad, like a lot of area teams, graduated a large senior class and have some holes to fill. They return two of their offensive leaders with seniors Jeremy and Cooper Cole who combined for over 1200 rushing yards last year. Warroad always plays hard, they play the game the right way and are always an extremely tough opponent to beat, especially on their own field.
Top returners – Sr. Cooper Cole QB (672 yards rushing), Sr. Jeremy Cole LB/RB (646 yards rushing/122 receiving), Sr. Lincoln Nash OL/LB, Sr. Seth Larson DL/RB, Jr. Blake Norris RB/LB, Sr. Jacob Davis OL/DL, Jr. Kyle Thompson OL/DL, Sr. Jacob Hagen TE/DB.
Season outlook according to Coach Richards – We graduated a big group last year so we will have a lot of fresh young faces involved this season. Our learning curve will be steep and our success will depend on how quickly we can get everyone up to speed. We start our season with Roseau and Bagley. Both of those games have big playoff implications for us and will be major tests to start the season.
PELICAN RAPIDS VIKINGS – Coach Dave Haugen
The Pelican Rapids Vikings are back in Section 8AA after two years in Section 6A. Last year, Pelican Rapids went 5-5 and beat New York Mills 35-6 in the first round of the playoffs before losing to Ada-Borup 42-22 in the semi-finals. The Vikings had a good crew of seniors last year and will be short on seniors this year. It is good to see the Vikings back in 8AA.
Top returners – McHale Korf – Jr QB/DB, Jayden Rutherford – Jr RB/DB, Matty Ziebell – Sr RB/LB, Liam Sytsma – Jr OL/DL, Johnny Ziebell – Jr RB/LB
Season outlook according to Coach Haugen – With a small number of seniors we will rely heavily on our junior class and fill in with a few younger players. We have the potential to be a good football team, but depth will be a real concern for us. If we stay healthy I expect us to have a successful regular season setting us up to compete well in the section playoffs.
BAGLEY FLYERS – Coach Brandon Schwegel
The Bagley Flyers are coming off a 4-5 season and lost to Warroad 48-21 in the first round of the playoffs. Bagley has had a very good stretch of players come through in the last four or five years and Coach Schwegel seems to be building a solid program. They play a fast-paced fun to watch style of football and might not be the biggest teams, but they are athletic, strong and play hard.
Top returners – Justin Brtek-QB, Jacy Benson-RB (211 yards rushing), Jaden Sunderland-FB, John Ranisate-OL/DL, Sam Scherzer-OL/DL, Chase Lavine-RB (246 yards rushing), Andrew Agnes WR, Jaxsyn Lewis-OL/DL, Kenly Gordon-WR, Tristan McCoy
Season outlook according to Coach Schwegel – The Bagley Flyers football team is looking to build upon their 4-5 season from a year ago. The Flyers had several young players who gained valuable experience last year and are looking to take the next step by being competitive in the post-season. The Flyers should be competitive in their district and with valuable experience gained a season ago. A primary goal of this season would be to return to being competitive in the post-season.
FRAZEE HORNETS – Coach Russ Hackel
The Frazee Hornets went 1-8 last year and trying to recover and build the program back up after forfeiting the entire 2017 season. The Hornets are still trying to get the numbers to where they would like, but we know they always have some good athletes and players that like to hit. It is great to see the Hornets building the program and I know everybody in the section wishes them good luck.
Top returners – Brett Graham OL/LB; Broden Fleisher WR/DB; Jaden Guhlke OL/DL; Luke Tweeton RB/DL; Cole Fleisher QB/DB.
Season Outlook – We are still working on our overall numbers 9-12. Solid Junior and Senior players, but still needing to work on depth. The line of scrimmage has some good size and maturity. We are looking to have a competitive season, where we compete at a high level in all games. Our expectation is to play with intensity and give a solid show for Friday night football.
UNITED NORTH CENTRAL WARRIORS– Coach Luke Roberts
United North Central is in their last year as a coop with Menagha and Sebeka. The two schools will go their separate ways next year. The season will be even more challenging this year because they are playing a nine-man schedule and will play in the Section 8AA playoffs! Besides that, it is just another year of football. Last year UNC was 0-9 and lost to Hawley 48-12 in the first round of the playoffs.
Top returners – Jonah Howard 12 RB/LB, Kolby Kiser 12 QB/TE/DE, Tyce Lee 12 WR/DB, Brandon Miller 12 RB/LB
Season outlook according to Coach Roberts – It will be an adjustment being 9-man this year and being this is my first year as a head coach. We have some seniors we will be leaning on for leadership and to carry the team. I am expecting some quality running out of both Brandon Miller and Jonah Howard. Tyce Lee has great hands at wide receiver and is explosive. Kolby Kiser will be either lined up at TE or quarterback. He has good size and a good arm. I am looking forward to the season. We have a good core of seniors, who I expect to have a good year. Staying healthy is going to be a key to us having any success. Hopefully, every player comes each week ready to play.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SECTION 8AA MASTER SCHEDULE
