1Change of scenery: Northfield and Red Wing have left the defunct Missota Conference to join the Big Nine Conference, and it’s now a 12-team league. Red Wing also made a change in its coaching staff, bringing in former University of Minnesota quarterback Rickey Foggie to run the show. Foggie previously coached at Park Center. The Wingers are 1-17 over the past two seasons. Their only victory during that span was against Big Nine foe Austin. The two teams also square off this year.
2Challenge accepted: Becker coach Dwight Lundeen is the third-winningest coach in state history, with a career record of 317-144-3. He also isn’t one to back down from a challenge. His Class 4A Bulldogs will travel to Class 6A power Minnetonka for the season opener. Becker won the Class 3A state championship under Lundeen in 2005.
3Significant jump: Tom Kish has averaged only four wins per season during his seven-year tenure as coach at Zimmerman. He is optimistic that will all change in 2014. “A six- or seven-win regular season is very realistic,” Kish said. “Finishing second behind Becker in the Granite Ridge Conference is very possible.” He has a deep team and will have the fewest players starting both ways in program history.
RON HAGGSTROM
Teams (listed in alphabetical order)
1. Becker
Coach: Dwight Lundeen 2013 record: 8-2
2. Howard-Lake-Waverly-Winsted
Coach: Ben Anderson 2013 record: 6-5
3. Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity
Coach: Joseph Scoblic 2013 record: 8-4
4. Northfield
Coach: Bubba Sullivan 2013 record: 4-6
5. Red Wing
Coach: Rickey Foggie 2013 record: 0-9
6. Rockford
Coach: Dan Houghton 2013 record: 4-6
7. Spectrum
Coach: Seth Mills 2013 record: 2-7
Coach: Nathan Veach 2013 record: 4-4
9. Zimmerman
Coach: Tom Kish 2013 record: 2-7
Players to watch
LB/FB • Junior • Becker
Austin Solberg
RB/SS • Senior • Howard Lake-W-W
RB/LB • Senior • Lester Prairie/HT
T/DT • Junior • Northfield
Nick Connelly
DL • Senior • Red Wing
LB • Senior • Rockford