SEBEKA, Minn.– As the 2025 high school football season approaches, the Sebeka Trojans stand ready at the gates of a new campaign.

“It’s so fun. I love it. I love football season,” said senior Cooper Rife.

The Trojans are in their fifth season of Sebeka football, once again guided by head coach Tanner Burgau. Ground and pound on a run-first approach will be the specialty of choice for the Sebeka offense.

“We want to pound the rock all year long. We want to run the ball down your throat and hopefully we can keep that going this year,” said Burgau.

Sebeka will rely on their three seniors and nine juniors to lead the march in 2025. leaning on their previous years of varsity experience to make another leap this fall.

“It definitely helps when you have guys that have been starting now two, three years. just in the leadership, teaching other kids plays and how we act out here on the field. definitely helps out big time,” said Burgau.

Leading the ground game on the offensive line is senior and starting center Henry Erickson. Coming back for his second year as the offense’s starting point, Erickson will lean on his past knowledge to guide the line.

“I feel that it’s a little bit tougher than some of the other line positions because you have to get the ball to the quarterback before you go out and hit somebody,” said Erickson. “You have to make sure that you handle the ball and do your job on your blocking duties.”

Laying down blocks is the best part for Erickson just as much as getting the ball across the goal line on Friday nights.

“I like center because I like offense. I like scoring the ball,” said Erickson.

Parker Kiser is one senior leader ready to step up in his final season in purple.

“Just getting to play with the people you love, surrounded by a bunch of your friends,” said Kiser. “It just helps because you can be more of a leader. Tell people what to do, like show them where to go and stuff like that. Just help the team out.”

Defensively, Kiser loves being able to throw the pads around as a linebacker.

“Just being able to hit guys and stuff like that,” Kiser.

Another linebacker is senior Cooper Rife, who is itching for another opportunity to play underneath the Friday night lights.

“I am so excited. I just want to be out there so bad. We got the scrimmage on Saturday so I’m going to play my heart out.”

Kickoff to the 2025 season starts when Sebeka hosts Kelliher/Northome on August 28. However, they add another level of excitement when it comes to playing their regional rivals.

“[Bertha-Hewitt] is always a fun game to play,” said Burgau. “Verndale, you know they’ve had our number the past few years so it’s always a game that we have circled too that we want to try and take care of business.”

“Every game but mostly Verndale definitely. That should be a great game. Should be a fun game too. Always a fun game to play them,” said Kiser.

Trojan football continues to build, getting more and more experience to give their fans something to cheer about under the Friday night lights each weekend.

“Oh, I’m just really excited because my favorite part of football is probably the atmosphere. Just to be able to go and play under the Friday nights lights with the whole school there. That’s probably the best part about it,” said Erickson.

Follow Sebeka Trojans athletics all season long by clicking here.