Vikings expecting big things again
The Vikings were the Class A state runner-up a season ago and finished 13-1. This year's team brings back seven two-way starters from that team, as well as several other letterwinners.
Isaac Pohlen, a senior, returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,453 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. He is backed up by junior Ryan Dalager, who saw some playing time behind center last year and threw for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
"Each of these two players have their own strengths and weaknesses," said head coach Chad Johnston. Obviously, Isaac has the benefit of the experience from starting last year and he will be in that role to start the season. You will see Ryan Dalager reps throughout each game and it will probably stay that way until one of them clearly separates themselves as the leader of our offense."
The Vikings' offense has several skill players back that proved they can put points on the board. However, the team's stellar offensive line was hit hard by graduation and several newcomers will have to step up to fill those vacancies.
"We do feel we have enough experience returning in our skill positions that we should be able to have a good passing game and successful running game," Johnston said. "Our ability to do those things well will depend on how our offensive line progresses. We do have kids working at those positions and feel they will continue to grow with more experience as the season goes on."
Returning in the backfield are seniors Anthony Rybinski and Zack Fier. Rybinski gained 405 yards in 41 carries (9.9 average) and Fier ran for 339 yards in 43 carries (7.9 avg.). Junior Max Rost and sophomore Ryan Meagher will also be counted on to carry the ball again after each finished with over 100 yards last season.
Rost is the top returning receiver with 18 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Rybinski had 15 receptions for 280 yards and three TDs. Gillund added 12 catches for 118 yards and one TD.
The Vikings' run defense was solid last season but that area between the tackles and inside linebackers was also hit hard by graduation and Johnston is counting on those players filling the gaps will progress quickly.
"We have several young linebackers that are rotating on the inside that we feel will become very good as they season progresses," he said. "There are multiple players that we will rotate at defensive tackle, which should allow us to keep kids fresh and competitive."
Fier, a linebacker, leads the way among tackle leaders returning after making 68 a season ago to go along with two interceptions. Gillund had 53 tackles and three interceptions as a free safety, while Rybinski had 52 stops, three sacks and two interceptions as a linebacker; Alex DePestel, a junior linebacker, had 41 tackles; Rost, a defensive back, had 35 stops and a team-high six interceptions; and Hudson Scholten, a senior lineman, added 34 tackles.
Special teams is a strength of the team with the return of senior kicker Peyton Gillund, who is one of the top kickers in Class A as evidence by his deep kickoffs and converting 65 of 68 extra points in 2021. Gillund also averaged over 33 yards per punt last season.
"No areas of concern with special teams as we expect things to be good," said Johnston. "And we are expecting big things from Peyton."
HEAD COACH - Chad Johnston
ASSISTANT COACHES - Matt Myrvik, Les Engler, Steve Sussner, Brian Rodas, Matt Buysse, Bryce Jeppeson, Alex Pohlen, Bryce Bruner
CAPTAINS - Peyton Gillund, Anthony Rybinski, Lane Loyson
2022 ROSTER
Grant Anderson, junior, TE/DE
Kyson Arndt, freshman, WR/DE
Caleb Bottelberghe, freshman, C/DT
Kellen Bradley, freshman, LB/RB
Parker Bradley, sophomore, WB/LB
Hunter Carstensen, freshman, OG/DE
Bretten Coequyt, sophomore, WR/DB
Ryan Dalager, junior, QB/DB
Alex DePestel, junior, OL/LB
Sawyer DeSmet, junior, TE/DE
Tom DeSmet, freshman, OT/DT
Adam DeVlaeminck, freshman, LB/RB
James Douglas, sophomore, WR/DB
Brayden Downing, sophomore, C/DT
Destin Fier, sophomore, OLB/RB
Brock Fier, freshman, MLB/RB
Zack Fier, senior, RB/LB
Matt Gamrak, sophomore, OT/DT
Peyton Gillund, Senior, WR/FS/K/P
Noah Gorecki, sophomore, OT/DT
Eli Gruenes, sophomore, FB/TE/LB
Devyn Hansen, senior, OG/LB
Leo Hennen, freshman, WR/DB
Carson Javers, freshman, QB/OLB
Lincoln Jerzak, sophomore, WR/DB
Branden Johnson, senior, OL/DL
Chase Johnson, sophomore, WR/DB
Emerson Johnson, freshman, WR/DE
Easton Johnston, freshman, LB/RB
Keaton Jurrens, junior, WR/DB
Jack Lacek, senior, WR/DB
Joey Lacek, freshman, WR/DB/RB
Brody Larson, sophomore, QB/OL
Kaden Lasnetski, freshman, WR/DB
Drew Lipinski, junior, WB/LB
Browdy Lozinski, freshman, OG/DT
Kyler Lozinski, sophomore, OT/DT
Vance Marty, freshman, WR/DB
Ryan Meagher, sophomore, RB/LB
Ezequiel Monzon, senior, WR/DB/RB
Kaden Neyens, junior, OT/DT
Dalton Orvis, freshman, OT/DT
Dantae Orvis, junior, WR/DE
Tate Peterson, sophomore, WR/DE
Isaac Pohlen, senior, QB
Evan Popowski, senior, OL/DL
Michael Popowski, senior, OL/DL
Max Rost, junior, WB/DB
Anthony Rybinski, senior, WB/LB
Lucas Rybinski, sophomore, OLB/RB
Ben Schmidt, junior, OG/DE
Hudson Scholten, senior, OL/DL
Easton Sheik, freshman, OG/DT
Peyton Sheik, junior, WR/DE
Stanley Siekman, junior, OG/LB
Hayden Sorensen, junior, WR/DE
Joe Verschelde, senior, OL/DL
2022 SCHEDULE
Sept. 1 - at Adrian
Sept. 9 - YME
Sept. 16 - at LQPV
Sept. 22 - Lakeview
Sept. 30 - at RTR
Oct. 7 - MACCRAY
Oct. 13 - Canby
Oct. 19 - at Dawson-Boyd
Photo: The 2022 Minneota football team. Front row, left to right: Max Rost, Peyton Gillund, Anthony Rybinski, Lane Loyson. Second row, left to right: Evan Popowski, Michael Popowski, Joe Verschelde, Isaac Pohlen, Hudson Scholten, Zack Fier, Jack Lacek, Branden Johnson, Devyn Hansen, Ezeqiuiel Monzon, Stanley Siekmann. Third row, left to right: Hayden Sorensen, Ben Schmidt, Keaton Jurrens, Drew Lipinski, Alex DePestel, Sawyer DeSmet, Peyton Sheik, Dantae Orvis, Kaden Neyens, Ryan Dalager, Grant Anderson. Fourth row, left to right: Joey Lacek, Tate Peterson, Kyler Lozinski, Destin Fier, Lincoln Jerzak, Chase Johnson, Lucas Rybinski, Noah Gorecki, Brayden Downing, Brody Larson. Fifth row, left to right: Emerson Johnson, Hunter Carstensen, Adam DeVlaeminck, Bretten Coequyt, Matt Gamrak, Eli Gruenes, Ryan Meagher, Brock Fier, Parker Bradley, James Douglas. Sixth row, left to right: Tom DeSmet, Browdy Lozinski, Kyson Arndt, Easton Sheik, Easton Johnston, Kellen Bradley, Caleb Bottelberghe, Leo Hennen, Dalton Orvis, Carson Javers. Seventh row, left to right: Coaches Les Engler, Steve Sussner, Matt Buysse, Chad Johnston, Matt Myrvik, Bryce Bruner, Alex Pohlen, Brian Rodas, Bryce Jeppesen. Mascot photo by Brian Jeremiason