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MADISON — Lac qui Parle Valley head coach Tony Smith begins his sixth season as Lac qui Parle Valley’s head coach with a young, unproven team.
“We are going to be young and don’t have a lot of experience returning from last year,” said Smith, who has a 19-26 career record and whose coaching staff includes Josh Benson, Mark Bjornjeld, Paul Lowry and Mike Weick. “This group will need to learn, grow and gain confidence from their experiences.”
LQPV went 3-6 last season. The Eagles beat MACCRAY 33-22, Yellow Medicine East 14-6 and Canby 19-6. Losses were to Tracy-Milroy-Balaton (38-13), Minneota (61-0), Dawson-Boyd (50-8), Lakeview (28-21) and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton (25-0) during the regular season. Dawson-Boyd then beat LQPV 20-13 in the Section 5A playoffs at Dawson.
There are six seniors on the roster. They are: Jacob Bringle, Levi Hanson, Aidan Lewis (6-0, 170), Alexander Lewis (6-0, 165), Ethan Schommer (6-0, 150) and Damian Torres (5-10, 125).
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There are five juniors: Cael Benson, T.J. Mitchell (6-4, 175), Kaden Molden (6-4, 235), Kaden Mortenson (6-1, 225) and Petyon Rademacher (5-10, 160).
Eleven sophomores may contribute. They are: Brock Bjornjeld (5-9, 175), Cole Bjornson (5-10, 130), Drew Borstad (5-9, 155), Bradyn Danziesen (5-9, 170), Tyler Erp (5-8, 155), Dylan Keimig (5-2, 115), Kayden Kessler (5-8, 150), Noah Meyer (5-8, 150), Davis Patzer (5-10, 140), Landon Weber and Blake Wells.
There are also 11 freshmen out for football.
Molden was LQPV’s quarterback last year. He’s big and strong and will be looked upon to lead the offense.
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“I coach to encourage and promote excellence in each student athlete,” Smith says is his purpose statement. “I want to help people develop an energy and a drive to be the best. My hope is that I make them a good teammate and a better person.”
LQPV opens the season at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 against Tracy-Milroy-Balaton at Madison.
LQPV Eagles
Sept. 1 vs. T-M-B, 7 p.m.
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Sept. 9 at MACCRAY, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Minneota, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Dawson-Boyd, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 vs. YME, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Canby, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Lakeview, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. R-T-R, 7 p.m.
