OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
WHAT'S IN THE WATER?
It seems a little repetitive to ask this every year, but what's in the water in Minneota?
Many of the athletic teams in Minneota continue to shine even after losing key players to graduation year after year.
The Minneota volleyball team proved to be as good as anyone in the state again this season. Despite a five-set loss to Russell-Tyler-Ruthton in the section championship that could have gone either way, the Vikings again had a remarkable season. RTR went on to win the Class A state title in relatively easy fashion. Had Minneota won that close match with the Knights in the Section 3A final (they beat them in five sets earlier this season), it's very likely they would have repeated as state champions.
That brings us to this year's Minneota football team. The Vikings lost some solid linemen to graduation last year, as well as the conference MVP, their starting quarterback, and one of the best kickers in the state, to name a few, from a Class A state championship team.
They regrouped and came out in dominating fashion again this year. Teams that reach the state tournament are not supposed to steamroll an opponent, let alone two in a row like the Vikings have done. Minneota has outscored its state quarterfinal and semifinal opponents by a combined score of 118-6 and outgained the two opponents by a combined 1,208-124 in total yardage.
It's hard enough to amass those kinds of numbers in a regular season, but this is the state tournament. These are among the best teams in the state in Class A.
As Minneota players and coaches likely felt in volleyball after losing to RTR in the 3A final, BOLD's football team deserved to be in the state tournament after losing 14-6 to Minneota in the Section 5A championship. The Warriors were way more of a formidable opponent than Braham or Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa proved to be.
Certainly, it's the Minneota players who work hard to achieve greatness every year. But I have seen enough high school sports to know that programs eventually have "down" seasons when graduation hits them hard or the cupboard is simply void of talent. It happens to the majority of successful programs. What it really boils down to is coaching at all levels. And Minneota is blessed with an array of quality coaches.
Look at some of the schools in any class level where one or more of its sports team reaches the state tournament on a consistent basis. Now see how many of those schools have achieved the level of success that Minneota has in at least four programs on a consistent basis.
New London-Spicer girls' basketball team is an example of a program that perennially qualifies or wins a state championship. Why? Because Mike Dreier has been coaching over 40 years and has the program structured at all levels the way he wants, so when players reach the varsity level, they understand what's expected to achieve greatness. That's why he is the all-time wins leader in Minnesota girls' basketball history.
That's just one sport at one school, though. NLS doesn't reach the state tournament in other sports consistently like they do in girls' basketball.
Some of the same schools show up in the state tournament in a certain sport yearly. But very few of them reach the Big Show in other sports as Minneota has shown.
Minneota community members, parents, coaches and students should be proud of the way its sports programs are run. Outsiders might say "enjoy it while you can because it won't last forever."
I'm not so sure about that.
BETHEL FELLOWSHIP THANKSGIVING
Bethel Fellowship Church is again hosting a Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday, Nov. 23. This meal features all the traditional Thanksgiving food such as turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the other trimmings.
Serving begins at noon. There is no prayer service before the meal, however, as was erroneously printed in last week's Mascot. Pastor Tom Nomeland will, however, say a prayer before the meal.
The family-style meal is open to the public and will be prepared and served by members of the church.
DESMET IN ALL-STAR GAME
Minneota senior tight end/defensive end Sawyer DeSmet has been selected to play in the 2023 Minnesota Football Coaches Association High School All-Star Game at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
DeSmet was one of three tight ends selected for the South team. An excellent blocking tight end, DeSmet has caught 17 passes for 370 yards and eight touchdowns through 13 games this season. He also has produced nine sacks from his defensive end position.
REGISTER FOR LIGHTING CONTEST
Registrations are open for the Mascot's 4th annual "Battle of the Bulbs" Holiday Lighting Contest with over $1,000 worth of prizes being awarded.
The deadline for registering for the contest is Monday, Dec. 11. Judging will be held on Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16. Those wishing to register can find details on an ad on Page 8.
Winners will be notified on Monday, Dec. 18 and the winners will be printed in Dec. 21 Mascot.