PARKERS PRAIRIE, Minn.– Parkers Prairie Football is coming off their best season in school history.
“It was a great experience. The seniors were great leaders and us seniors we’re just trying to do the same things they did last season,” said senior Trevor Rounds.
The Panthers won back to back section 6A titles in 2024, along with their first ever state football tournament win to finish top-4 in the state.
“I think we have the potential to make it back to where we ended. Like i said before, one game at a time,” said senior Zak Koep.
It led to record-high offseason turnout from the team. Now, the goal in the first weeks of practice for 9th year head coach Mike Johnson is replacing last year’s 15-athlete senior class to reload for another section title defense.
“We have 41 kids out on the roster this year. Which is down from what we’ve been at the last couple years. So we kind of have a pretty big split,” said Johnson. “Some wiley veterans that have been around for quite a while at the top end. and we’ve got a lot of rookies who don’t have a lot of experience.”
Core elements of Panther football, including physicality on defense, controlling the clock, and hard work, are all staying the same. But coach Johnson says they need to re-invent themselves each year to carve out a new story. Starting by excelling at the small factors.
“Last year, we talked about how we read Chop Wood, Carry Water and this year we read the next sequel to that, which was Pound The Stone,” said Johnson. “That talks about doing the ordinary things, extraordinary. Doing the small things the right way and getting perfect at the small things.”
Parkers Prairie jumps into the deep end to begin the season. facing off against Upsala/Swanville Area in a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal matchup. Senior Zak Koep is ready for the opening game of the season.
“I say week one is a big one,” said Koep. “But every week is a big week. All of the games add up.”
Koep has been waiting for this moment since last season ended in Minneapolis last November. Now with another year of experience and development, Koep is ready to use his size to power the Panthers in 2025.
“I think my strength is a big part of my game,” said Koep. “My feet have gotten a little bit quicker. and a lot quicker since junior year. So that’s a big thing too.”
Senior offensive lineman and linebacker Trevor Rounds is ready to go all out in his senior season. Patrolling the middle of the field at linebacker, a role rounds knows is crucial for the Panther defense.
“It’s kind of like the quarterback of the defense. You have to make sure everybody is doing what they are supposed to do and get them to know where everyone else is going,” said Rounds. “I like to be confident with my reads. Even if I make the wrong read, I got to do it 100 miles an hour so it still works.”
Underneath the lights on friday nights is where Parkers Prairie will get an opportunity to make it a 3-peat in a new-look section 6A. but coaches and players know the panther faithful will be with them every step of the way.
“We’re hoping that we’ll see some filled stands and a lot of people out there on Friday nights to support us,” said Johnson. “If it’s been anything like it’s been the last couple years, then that’s what they’ll see.”
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