PERHAM, Minn.– Kickoff to the 2025 football season is fast approaching for the Perham Yellowjackets.

“The boys are very thrilled to just be out here,” said Hein.

Fast is exactly how third year head coach and 2012 Perham graduate Jesse Hein wants to compete.

“We got a lot of speed out here this year,” said Hein. “Just play fast. Play fast, with your hair on fire. Just, again, rally to the football on defense and making them cover us sideline to sideline on offense and score a lot of points.”

A young Yellowjackets team went through a learning curve a season ago. But now with a year of varsity experience, coach Hein is already seeing a ramp up of intensity and fundamentals in the first weeks of practice.

“So some of those sophomore guys who probably would have been pretty good JV players ended up having to play a lot for us on Friday nights and baptism by fire a little bit but this year we’re definitely reaping the benefits from that,” said Hein. “The expectation is set. Now we just have to go out and execute.”

Senior wide receiver and linebacker Ty Rooney is excited to build upon last year’s experience. Especially after scoring his first varsity touchdown in the final game of the season.

“Just playing football,” said Rooney. “That’s just my favorite part.”

Leadership is important for Rooney as one of the seniors on the team. Which means his final football season in perham is about wins, not stats.

“I could care less about what I am as an individual. The only focus that I have is as a team, team wise. So we are just going to try and rack up as many wins as we can and just do all of the best things that we can,” said Rooney.

Another senior ready to lead on the field is Trystan Larson, starting linebacker. More importantly, relaying the play call from the sideline to the huddle.

“I love defense. I love getting on the ball out there and just making plays. It’s probably one of my favorite things,” Larson.

It’s a schedule full of tough opponents again in 2025. Larson is ready for every game. Although, he has one particular game circled against the Staples-Motley cardinals on September 19.

“We wrestled them so they got a lot of people that I know. I got a couple of buddies on that team but just honestly there’s been kind of a rivalry between, for wrestling at least, so a lot of them guys have a rivalry with us,” Larson.

Coach Hein and company are gearing up for the season opener in Park Rapids against the Panthers on August 29. With a squad that’s another year wiser, the Yellowjackets are ready to make a buzz this fall.

“When it comes time to hear the whistles blowing, strap on the helmet, they’re ready to go. They’re itching to get after it,” said Hein.

“I’m always itching to put on some pads and a helmet and just go out there and crack with the boys but honestly it’s a great feeling. There’s nothing like it,” said Larson.

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