The Montevideo football team will kick off the season Friday against St. Cloud Cathedral at 7 p.m. at St. Cloud State University.
The Thunder Hawks, who were 5-4 last season, have beaten the Crusaders in the last three season opening games, including last year by a 31-27 score.
Dave Vik, in his second season as head coach, was
pleased with his team’s play in a scrimmage at Benson Saturday.
Vik says Cathedral returns two very good running backs, their starting quarterback and several good offensive linemen and defensive linebackers.
“They’re not overly big, like we are, but they’re fast,” said Vik.
The Thunder Hawks were hit hardest by graduation in the offensive line and they will not have as much size this season.
Starting on offense will be Brett Bergeson at quarterback, Logan Ackerman at fullback, Joe Bednar and Isaac Jaspersen at wingback, Ryan Boike and Colton Vien at wide receiver and Austin Hoehne, Derek Rodeberg, Thomas Stoeckman, Tanner Lindemann and Jordan Tollakson on the offensive line.
Manning the defensive line will be Hoehne, Tollakson, Bednar and Jake Douglas, with Ackerman, Lindemann, Jaspersen and Bergson at linebacker and Jacobey Johnson, Boike and Vien in the secondary. Boike will handle the punting and kicking duties.
“Our perimeter players are very talented. The neat thing about these guys is they improve every day and they’re very coachable,” said Vik.
