Isaac Hennen (24) will take 2,180 yards rushing last year into his senior season. He will depended on to run the ball, catch it, block, play safety as well as linebacker on defense and lead his team as a captain. Hennen was a crucial part of the 36-game winning streak and was instrumental in the state championship win over Minneapolis North two seasons ago.

How many can say they are 36-1 in their careers?

“How many kids can say they went through their high school career with one varsity loss?” Coach Chad Johnston posed the question.

Yet, that’s where players like quarterback Alex Pohlen and wing back Isaac Hennen stand today — 36-1. If they run the table and win another state title, they could be 50-1. And that would be a remarkable feat. Yet, it’s that “1” the coach hopes makes the strongest impression on his players.

“I hope it’s a motivator to push them to be good.” He couldn’t help but say it again. “Their whole career and lost one game. That’s so impressive!”

The 30-20 loss to Wabasso in the Section 5 Finals last year was a “stinging defeat” in so many ways. “We’d beaten them before and I knew we could beat them,” the coach said.

“That milestone should look over their heads,” he said about his 2017 Vikings. Not only do they have, “Something to prove,” but they’ve got nearly an entire line to rebuild. They’ll build around 6-2, 225-pound junior Ty Lipsinski, the team center and a veteran whose experience by the end of the year drew attention from his coaching staff. “By the end of the year he was one of our better lineman and a leader,” said Coach Johnston.

Starting at the center and working out, well, the cupboard is hardly bare.

Juniors Mitchell Rost and Cole VanOverbeke look to man the guard positions.

Rost is 200 pounds and VanOverbeke 170. Beside them will be some pretty hefty tackles, seniors Lucas Bot (240); TJ Esping (260) and Ethan Krier (245). The three will share the two positions. Beside them at tight end will be Logan Sussner (205).

It’s likely 190-pound junior Shawn Buysse will fit in there at times as well and he’s being groomed as a possible tackle for next year’s team.

“They are doing a good job. Yes, they lack experience, but for the most part they are juniors and seniors and they’ll step up,” said the coach.

“The cupboard is anything but bare,” Coach Johnston added. Offensive line Coach Matt Myrvik has experimented with several scenarios, including 185-pound senior Tyler Myhre into a line position.

He fully intends to keep moving his players around until he finds the combinations that work. The mind set of most of these linemen is to tackle people (play defense), “So we’ve had to help them understand they need to block as well. We don’t have the luxury of people going just one way this year,” said the coach.

Blocking should be somewhat easier knowing the skill set of the athletes behind the line. Running back Isaac Hennen is back as the 10th all-time career rushing leading in Viking history with 2,180 yards.

Also back is the fifth career passing leading in Viking history in quarterback Alex Pohlen, He returns for his fourth year with 4,799 yards and 59 touchdowns in his career. Also back is wide receiver Thomas Hennen is a talented junior with great hands.

But there is much more. Sophomore Cole Sanow is the fullback, with seniors Tanner Sik, Blake Reiss, Landon Abraham, Tanner Sterzinger, Rolbiecki and others waiting in the wings to help out.

Other receivers are Abraham, Brant Buysse, Alex Saltzer and the team’s top kick run-back man, Skylar Gilbertson. “We have a good bunch of guys to throw the ball to,” said the coach.

So if the line gives them time, there’s plenty of good things that can happen in the backfield. When it comes to defense, the linebacker position perhaps holds the most worry for coaches. Inside linebackers Rost and Shawn Buysse will get some help from Josh Laleman. “He’s been looking good and gives us depth,” said Coach Johnson.

The outside linebackers are Abraham, Reiss and Sanow. Logan Sussner and Cole VanOverbeke with Tyler Myhre and even Sik will spend time at defensive end. “Tanner Sik is our speed rush guy,” said the coach.

Austin Sorensen and Esping may also see some time there — depending on opponents. Isaac Hennen, while spending time at free safety, will be pulled in from time to time to play linebacker. Lipinski will get inside linebacker duties much of the time as the big boys move around in the line.

Cornerbacks are Thomas Hennen, Pohlen, Gilbertson, Sterzinger, Brant Buysse and Alex Saltzer. “There are a lot of buys fighting for spots,” the coach said.

Rolbiecki will handling the kicking chores and his point after kicking has vastly improved.

“Landon is the guy. He’s doing a nice job of kicking at about 80 to 90 percent on point after’s. He will also kickoff. And Pohlen will return as the team’s punter.” Minneota opens on Thursday, Aug. 31 at home against Sleepy Eye and play their second game during Bug Days at home against Dawson-Boyd.

When asked if the annual tussle with Dawson-Boyd is coming too early, the coach said, “It will be nice to know where we are at. Our cupboard isn’t bare and we see this game as giving us some bearing for the future.”

There are four teams on the schedule Minneota hasn’t seen at all lately.

They are Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Yellow Medicine East and Lac qui Parle Valley. Keying off the only loss Minneota has had in three years, the coach said, “It was when we found out you can’t take anyone for granted. You’ve got to keep getting better.”

Wabasso, “Made the plays when they had too. Hopefully that will be our motivator.” He added, “We’re going in with high expectations.” The coaching staff will utilize Isaac Hennen in a variety of ways, running, blocking, pass receiving. “He’s one of our best blockers and he has speed on sweeps,” the coach said.

“Hopefully they won’t be able to key on him in the backfield,” the coach added. Last Year: Coming off two straight Class A State Championships, the Vikings were hoping to repeat their 1986, 1987, 1988 feat of three straight.

But Wabasso ended the 36-game winning string in the Section 5A finals and the Vikings ended the season with a 10-1 record, including a Southwest District North Championship.

This Year: They start the season with key players in the specialty positions — quarterback, running back and receiver. But they need to rebuild their line if they hope to return to the state tournament. They are also looking for a kicker after using a foreign exchange student exclusively a year ago. The best bet is Landon Rolbiecki.

Players including quarterback Alex Pohlen and wingback Isaac Hennen are going into their fourth seasons with a 36-1 record.

Coaching staff: Les Engler, Matt Myrvik, Steve Sussner, Matt Buysse, Jordan Fink, Brian Rodas, Tony Esping, Chuck Josephson and Ryan Koopman.

Roster: Seniors: Brant Buysse, Landon Abraham, Tanner Sik, Alex Pohlen, Skylar Gilbertson, Isaac Hennen, Tyler Myhre, Lucas Bot, Ethan Krier and Trent Esping.

Juniors: Thomas Hennen, Tanner Sterzinger, Landon Rolbiecki, Ryan Vlaminck, Mitchell Rost, Shawn Buysse, Cole VanOverbeke, Layne Lozinski, Josh Laleman, Austin Sorensen, Zach Van Keulen and Ty Lipinski.

Sophomores: Alex Saltzer, Logan Sussner, Cole Sanow, Blake Reiss, Austin Kloos, Grady Moorse, Bronson Lozenski, Michael Josephson and Tate Walerius.

Freshmen: Kaden Culver, Jacob Hennen, Eric Carrasco, Joseph Rybinski, LaShad Smith, Alex Lacek, Dylan DeSmet, Justin Johnson, Beau Banish,Trey Gronke and Jacob Citterman.

Schedule: Games at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 31 Sleepy Eye at Minneota

Friday, September 8 Dawson-Boyd at Minneota (Bug Days)

Friday, September 15 Minneota at Canby

Friday, September 22 Yellow Medicine East at Minneota (HC)

Friday, September 29 Minneota at Ortonville

Friday, October 6 Minneota at Springfield

Thursday, October 12 Lakeview at Minneota (Parent’s Night)

Thursday, October 19 Minneota at Lac qui Parle Valley

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Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492