PEQUOT LAKES, Minn.– After a top-4 finish in Class AAA a season ago, the Pequot Lakes Patriots are determined to get back to the state football tournament.
“Make it as far as we can and hopefully make it further than last year,” said senior Sutton Sullivan.”
“You’re 47 seconds away from a championship game. It means a lot to our whole program how these kids, they want their opportunity to do that,” said Pequot Lakes Patriots head coach Bill Magnuson.
The journey won’t be without challenges. Mission number one for 8th-year head coach Magnuson is replacing a highly productive 25-man senior class from last season. Leaving nine starting spots open on the defensive side of the ball.
“There are a couple spots where you go, ‘Yep, that’s the guy.’ But a lot of the other ones, we have kids that are showcasing their talents, trying to fight for that spot. So this has been really good for us because that competition makes you go harder,” said Magnuson.
New faces will be on the field for Pequot Lakes. But coach Magnuson knows that the key to success for any Patriot on the field starts at the line of scrimmage.
“We still have playmakers, it’s a matter of can we get our o-line and d-line to give us the time we need to do,” said Magnuson. “Our d-line to stay stout so to speak. but our athletes are still going to do what we want them to do. They’re going to get them and we’re going to give people problems with some of the things we do.”
Senior middle linebacker and running back Jackson Olsen got a taste of playing time in 2024. Creating havoc in the middle of the field defensively is what he enjoys the most.
“I can set the tone for our defense and I can just bring the energy for our team and change the way the game goes,” said Olsen.
An MCL injury in his first start of 2024 caused Olsen to miss half of last season. Olsen still was able to come back and make a huge play on special teams in the Patriots 29-26 state semi-final loss to Dassel-Cokato. Those moments motivate him to get back to the big stage of the state tournament.
“It was just cool to see all of the people from your community and the other communities. Just to fill it up and just make it feel so special. It motivates all of us because we want to be back in that atmosphere and just go prove to the state how good of a team we are,” said Olsen.
Wide receiver and defensive back Sutton Sullivan is ready to earn a big role in his senior season.
“It will be fun to show what I can do,” said Sullivan. “Getting open and then after the catch going and getting some yards.”
Every Friday night will be a battle. Starting with a week one matchup where Pequot lakes hosts section rival Esko.
“First game against Esko I’m really excited for,” said Sullivan. “It will be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.”
“We take it one game at a time but we open with Esko,” said magnuson. “That has become a really big rivalry for us. So we’re very excited about game one.”
Both coaches and players are eager for kickoff. and to play in front of the home fans for another fall.
“We have a great community who support all of our activities here. Our Friday nights are amazing here with the patio we have here. Everybody in town comes. You can hear the loudspeaker through town. We get great support here and we’re honored to wear the red, white, and blue and be a Patriot,” said Magnuson.