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Prep football opening practice: At Osseo, a new coach but same lofty aspirations

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 08/15/16, 10:32PM CDT

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Osseo made an improbable and thrilling run to the Class 6A championship in 2015, winning its final three games by a combined five points. They did it once. Why not twice?


New Osseo Oriole head football coach Ryan Stockhaus directed his players at their first meeting on the field at practice Monday afternoon at the high school. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The first day of practice for high school

Long blond hair flowing from underneath his helmet (who says only hockey players have flowing manes?), Osseo senior linebacker Nick Norman admitted to having specific plans for the upcoming football season.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in the new U.S. Bank Stadium,” he said in all earnestness.

A bold prediction, considering only teams who qualify for the state tournament semifinals will get the chance to play in the Vikings’ new stadium. But slack must be cut: Monday was the first official day of practice for fall sports teams. Hope is universal on Day 1.

Norman has another reason for optimism. Osseo made an improbable and thrilling run to the Class 6A state championship in 2015, winning its final three games by a combined five points. They did it once. Why not twice?

“We can do it again,” Norman said. “We just have to work our hardest and play every play through the whistle.”

It’s been an interesting offseason for the defending champs. Not only did the Orioles lose significant talent to graduation, they also have the distinction of being one of the few championship teams to have its head coach resign. Derrin Lamker stepped down in January and is now an assistant at Edina.

Former Holy Angels assistant Ryan Stockhaus was hired in May and rarely has slowed down, spending his time preparing for the season, getting to know the players and the community and bringing boundless energy to the program.

“I really like him,” senior offensive lineman Nash Jensen said. “He’s so well-organized. We’re all excited.”

Like any good coach, Stockhaus shied away from making any predictions for his team. He did, however, believe his team has all the ingredients for another successful season.

“I said when I was hired that this was a special place to coach, and I still think that, times 10,” he said. “This is a football community. They are willing to do anything for this team. I get chills just thinking about it.”

Jim Paulsen

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