PILLAGER, Minn.– Pillager Huskies football is ready to run the race of the 2026 season.

“People might be a little surprised this year with the Pillager Huskies.
just leave it at that,” said Huskies head coach Paul Clark.

Clark is in his 5th season pulling the reins of the program. With 54 athletes on the team, 13 of them seniors, coach Clark loves the veteran presence and leadership. Highlighting their efforts to get bigger, faster, and stronger in the offseason.

“Right now we’ve got a limited amount of pads on. Everyone looks good. When that guy across from that 6’3″, 200-pound kid across from you, things get a little different. Having that experience and knowing, okay, I can handle this, I can go through it, when the bright lights are on. It helps a lot,” said Clark.

Three seasons in a row, Pillager was a win away from the section title game at the Fargodome. Coach Clark and company again expect to compete in an always tough section 6AA. But the Huskies know to do that, the work starts now.

“We are actually going the other way,” said Clark. “We kind of put that Fargodome and the section championship on a pedestal and we’re breaking it down. Like I said, we are, ‘what’s my job this play?’ That’s the only thing that matters.”

Senior Isaiah Jares is ready to lead the team in his senior season.

“I want to step up. I want to lead the team. I want to be the Danny Heldman that I had when I was a freshman. But it hasn’t quite hit me. I can’t believe it’s coming to an end here,” said Jares.

Playing as a tight end and outside linebacker, Jares loves the versatility that his defensive position requires.

“I like that it is kind of a mix between both the [defensive] line and coverage,” said Jares. “I like that you can play both sides and get reps on both ends.”

Another senior, offensive lineman Jaxon Nygren, is ready to showcase the team’s physicality in 2026.

“Oh I’m definitely ready for it,” said Nygren. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Football can be played in any type of weather condition. But for Nygren, he will always be ready for a good old fashioned mud bowl.

“We had a home game where it rained the whole game and at the end the field was covered in mud. Then we did this whole mudslide at the end. probably my favorite memory,” said Nygren. “it sure makes it a lot more fun when you’re slipping around.”

The huskies will be tested all season long. The schedule is filled with tough opponents in class AA and AAA. Including the school’s biggest rival, Staples-Motley.

“I would have to say [Staples-Motley] week. We always look forward to that. Trying to beat up on the team over there,” said Jares.

The Huskies open the season with back to back home games against Warroad and Thief River Falls. Coach Clark is itching at the chance to get out in front of the huskie faithful. And some shorter bus rides this fall.

“ooh, it’s going to be awesome. I mean, I’m not going to lie. My back still hurts from that drive to the world last year’s first game. So that’s what I’m looking forward to most is having it at home,” said Clark. “You know, seeing the community come out. can’t beat it.”

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