VERNDALE, Minn.– Verndale Pirates Football is ready to set sail in 2025. Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame head coach Mike Mahlen is preparing for an impressive season number 57 patrolling the Verndale sideline. He’s as energized as ever to begin another season.
“Doesn’t feel like 57. feels like about 20,” said Mahlen. “But every year is different. Kids are pretty much the same. It’s still fun for me. Obviously, I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t. I still enjoy doing it, and I still enjoy working with the kids.”
It’s a dedicated unit for the 2025 Pirate football team that’s being led by their five seniors. Verndale will be relying on youth this fall, with some underclassmen in line for early opportunities on the varsity field. Coach Mahlen and his staff are using these early practices to find out who those players are and trusting their process along the way.
“Like the same old saying take it one game at a time. We’ll go from there,” said Mahlen. “It’s not just one big goal, you got these individual things as we go. We aren’t going to worry about winning the state title the first game of the year.”
One of those senior leaders is Hollister Heinz. A linebacker and running back who loves carrying the ball for Verndale the most. Working as a team to punch the ball into the endzone.
“I like running the ball,” said Heinz. “Having the bond with my offensive line and how they block and that’s the fun part.”
Senior fullback Lincoln Finck also enjoys carrying the football. In fact, it’s one of his favorite football memories.
“It was when we were on the five yard line of the end zone and it was a full back dive right and somebody was standing right in front of me,” said finck. “I popped them off, laid them on their back and got in the end zone.”
Finck knows it’s going to take everyone working as a team to reach their goals for the 2025 campaign.
“A successful season is we want a winning record and at least get to the college field game is what I want to get to,” said Finck.
Fellow senior Tanner Schulke is ready to make his presence felt on the gridiron, especially as a linebacker.
“I get to build up speed and hit people,” said Schulke. “I’m ready to hit someone.”
Wide receiver and defensive back Bryce Schmitz is soaking in every moment with his teammates in his final season in green and black.
“Just out here practicing with the guys and getting better so we can be ready for that first game,” said Schmitz.
The Pirates are ready for everyone on their schedule. But schmitz has a couple opponents he’s looking forward to be competing against.
“I’d say sebeka or [Bertha-Hewitt],” said Schmitz. “I really want to beat [Bertha-Hewitt]. They are our rival and it would just be nice to beat [Bertha-Hewitt].
No matter what happens for the Pirates in 2025, coach Mahlen knows their dedication to each other will determine their success the most.
“The biggest thing obviously is teamwork and playing together,” said Mahlen. “You’re not going to do much individually. In football especially, it’s a team game and football at the high school level is a senior game. Your seniors are expected to lead. Your seniors are going to determine how your team is going to turn out.”