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PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Patriots football team looks to bounce back after struggling last season and compiling a 1-9 record with a young roster.
“We look to redeem ourselves after a tough 2021 campaign,” said Patriots coach BIll Magnuson. “Injuries and small numbers in our senior class limited us to one win. But we return almost all of our starters from last year’s team, and if they stay healthy they should be competitive in the tough Midwest Red District.”
Last season, Pequot Lakes moved to section 7-4A and lost 32-0 in the first round against a talented Aitkin team. This year, Pequot Lakes will have a dozen starters on either offense or defense returning as they look to improve. Those players include: Grant Loge, Clay Wolf, Cullen Kratochvil, Emmett Johnson, Riggs Magnuson, Darby Boelter, Lucas Ganley, Tristen Hoffard, Leo Bolz-Andolshek, Micah Sullivan, Riley Peters and Caden Nelson.
Three of those starters were honored as members of the Brainerd Dispatch All-Area team last year as juniors - Wolf, a running back/linebacker; Kratochvil, a tight end/linebacker; and Boelter, a receiver-defensive back. Wolf rushed for 115 yards and had 67 tackles. Kratochvil was an All-District Midwest Red pick who caught 27 passes for 310 yards and had 49 tackles on defense. Boelter finished with 19 catches for 303 yards and rushed for 118 yards.
Coach Magnuson added that other players to watch are juniors Tommy Blommer, Logan Verville, Joe Kosloski, Payton Scott, Sean Kilpatrick, Griffin Hoffman and Clay Erickson; and sophomores Bryar Nordby, Jacob Lane, JP Elsenpeter and Dane Mudgett.
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This year, the Patriots will be playing in Section 7-3A, and Magnuson said that Esko is a section favorite. He added that Dillworth-Glyndon-Felton and Detroit Lakes are the favorites in the Midwest Red Conference.
Magnuson has coached 32 seasons, including 24 years as a head coach. Assistant Coaches for the Pequot Lakes, who are scheduled to open the season by hosting East Grand Forks Thursday, Sept. 1, are Gregg Martig, Justin Franke, Brian Homan, Kirk Loge, Preston Peters and Blaine Kreisel.
September
1 - East Grand Forks at Pequot Lakes 6 p.m.
9 - Pequot Lakes at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 7 p.m.
16 - Pequot Lakes at Fergus Falls 7 p.m.
23 - Park Rapids at Pequot Lakes 7 p.m.
30 - Detroit Lakes at Pequot Lakes 6 p.m.
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October
7 - Pequot Lakes at Pillager 7 p.m.
14 - Pequot Lakes at Thief River Falls 6 p.m.
19 - Perham at Pequot Lakes 7 p.m.
