Minneota will need to sort out their offensive and defensive lines if they hope to move back to the state tournament this year. One of those being counted on is senior T.J. Esping, who underwent blocking drills under the tutelage of lineman coach Brian Rodas.

Can Vikings climb back to top?

Minneota’s dominance in Class A football is well documented.

They won the state title in 2014 and again in 2015 and claim six state championships including 1986, ‘87, ‘88, and 2009.

But last year, a season in which they hoped to repeat their “three-peat” of the 1980s, the wheels came off the wagon when they lost in the Section 5A finals to Wabasso — a team that went on to play in the state tournament. So one year removed from the “fall from the state,” Coach Chad Johnston and his staff are re-tooling their squad for what the hope will be another “title run.”

But this time the questions are probably more dominant than last year and may not be answered until later in the season. As practice opened Monday or the start of the 2017 season, most folks are salivating at the return of all-area running back Isaac Hennen, fifth year quarterback starter Alex Pohlen, wide receiver Thomas Hennen and center Ty Lipinski returning to the lineup.

But the big question is: What about the line?

One of the men in charge, Offensive Coach Matt Myrvik says he doesn’t have all the answers, “But we have a lot of big boys. It’s a matter of where they fit in and who works the hardest.”

Certainly there are answers, such as: Senior state heavyweight wrestling champion T.J. Esping. He most likely will anchor the line for the Vikings and probably be joined by sophomore Logan Sussner, whose growth spurt in the last couple of years has put him in the 6-3, 200-pound category.

But, like so many others, “They lack experience and will have to learn fast,” said Myrvik. Getting their feet wet a year ago on the line were the likes of 200-pound senior Ethan Krier; 240-pound senior Lucas Bot; 6-4, 200-pounder junior Mitchell Rost and 5-10, 190-pound junior Shawn Buysse. Certainly, the size is there. But at the start of practice, the coaching staff doesn’t have any solid answers. Several others are likely to fit in on offense and defense, the likes of 6-1, 170-pound junior Cole VanOverbeke and junior Landon Rolbiecki.

Several others may also work their way into the picture. There are always surprises — and sometimes, disappointments. But the Vikings have the kick return speed of senior Skylar Gilbertson, the burning speed of sophomore Cole Sanow and Brant Buysse and the good hands of Landon Abraham.

While the team usually benefits from a foreign exchange student doing the point kicker — well, that commodity isn’t quite known at this time. Depending on how you look at it — the schedule may or may not be in the Vikings favor.

While they lost the always competitive Wabasso from the schedule, they picked up Sleepy Eye Public, a team whose football program has been in disarray in recent years.

Springfield and Yellow Medicine East are newcomers on the Vikings schedule. But the most challenging part of the season points to the second game of the season — the Boxelder Bug Days matchup between the Vikings and arch-rival Dawson-Boyd at K. P. Kompelien Field on Friday, Sept. 8.

The early showdown between the two rivals isn’t usually this early, and the fact Minneota should be jumpin’ with people for Bug Days could make it a big crowd for a big game.

Contact Us

The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492