High School

Prep Soccer: Duluth Denfeld Boys, Superior Boys, Proctor Girls Winners at Home

The Hunters, Spartans and Rails picked up wins at home.

DULUTH, Minn. – Joe Eklund finished with four goals on the night as the Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team picked up their third straight win with a victory over Grand Rapids 5-1 Thursday night at Public Schools Stadium. In other prep soccer action, Jakob Kidd scored the lone goal for Superior as they topped Proctor 1-0. And the Proctor girls…

Bus Driver Shortage Causing ‘Very Real Concerns’ For Barnum Student Athletes

BARNUM, Minn. — A shortage of bus drivers with the Barnum School District is causing “very real concerns” about not being able to transport student athletes to their games, according to a letter from the district to parents and students Wednesday (see below). Parents are being asked to get ready to figure out how to get their own athletes to…

Duluth East Volleyball Picks Up Home Win Over St. Francis

The Greyhounds bounced back in a big way as they topped St. Francis 3-1 on Wednesday night.

DULUTH, Minn. – After dropping a five-set thriller to Hermantown on Tuesday night, the Duluth East volleyball team bounced back in a big way as they topped St. Francis 3-1 on Wednesday night. Categories: High School, Sports

Great Start to the Season for the Duluth East Football Team

Next up for the Greyhounds is a road trip Friday night against North Branch.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, the Duluth East football team opened their season with a bang. The Greyhounds knocked off Hibbing 54-8 behind three touchdowns from Austan Orvedahl. The team says it was important to get off to a great start, both in the game and for the entire season. “It feels good to see everything come together with weeks…

Prep Volleyball: Home Wins for Hermantown, Cloquet, Esko, Duluth Denfeld

Home court advantage was key for the Hawks, Lumberjacks, Eskomos are Hunters volleyball teams.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown volleyball team shook off a slow start and went the distance to get the five-set win over Duluth East 3-2 Tuesday night to stay undefeated on the season. In other prep volleyball action, Esko got the home sweep over Virginia, Cloquet did the same to Carlton and Duluth Denfeld earned a home win over Hibbing…

Prep Soccer: Duluth East Boys Settle for Draw with Minneapolis Washburn, Duluth East Girls Fall to Wayzata

Kai Hoffman scored the lone goal for the Greyhounds, while Eli Kramer made a few huge saves during overtime to keep it tied at 1.

DULUTH, Minn. – It was not the home team’s day on Saturday at Ordean Stadium as the Duluth East boys settled for a 1-1 draw with Minneapolis Washburn, the while Duluth East girls were shut out 1-0 to Wayzata. Kai Hoffman scored the lone goal for the Greyhounds, while Eli Kramer made a few huge saves during overtime to keep…

GoFundMe Page Launched for Grand Rapids’ Thomsen Following Spine Injury.

Thunderhawks quarterback/linebacker Andy Thomsen suffered a severe cervical spine injury during practice last Saturday. On Monday, he underwent a spinal fusion surgery which was successful and he is expected to make a full recovery. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A GoFundMe page has been launched to help out a member of the Grand Rapids football community. Thunderhawks quarterback/linebacker Andy Thomsen suffered a severe cervical spine injury during practice last Saturday. On Monday, he underwent a spinal fusion surgery which was successful and Thomsen is expected to make a full recovery. The GoFundMe is to help…

Coaches Corner: Esko Football

For this week's segment, we hear from the Eskomos as they started their season with a big home win.

ESKO, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with the Esko football team, including head coach Scott Arntson and seniors Brett Lillo and Keone Anderson. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Prep Football: Moose Lake-Willow River, Cloquet Earn Road Wins; Northwestern Stays Undefeated

The Rebels, Lumberjacks and Tigers all picked up wins on the road on Friday night.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – On the first Friday of the Minnesota prep football season, Moose Lake-Willow River picked up a big road win over Hermantown 28-21 at Centricity Stadium. In other prep football action, Cloquet also got a road win as they topped Proctor 38-6, Grand Rapids blanked Mora 24-0, Two Harbors rolled past Barnum 53-20 and Northwestern stayed undefeated on…

Prep Boys Soccer: Hermantown Tops Proctor, Duluth Denfeld Wins Nail-Biter Over Duluth Marshall

Thursday afternoon featured big wins for the Hawks and the Hunters.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – A three-goal first half would be the difference as the Hermantown boys soccer team knocked off Proctor 3-1 Thursday afternoon at Centricity Stadium. Nathan Hill, Wylee Arro and Dylan Onofreychuk scored for the Hawks, while Zach Schnabel scored the lone goal for the Rails. In other prep boys soccer action, Simon Davidson would score the go-ahead goal…

Prep Football: Rock Ridge Wins First-Ever Game; Duluth East, Esko Start Season on High Note

The Wolverines, Greyhounds and Eskomos started the 2021 season with wins at home

EVELETH, Minn. – In their first-ever game as a program, Rock Ridge got the win over North Woods 20-14 Thursday night at Eveleth-Gilbert High School, behind three touchdowns from Ryan Manninen. In other prep football action, it was Duluth East all over Hibbing 54-8 and Esko blanked Duluth Denfeld at home 37-0. Categories: High School, Sports

Superior-Eau Claire North Football Game Cancelled

It's a tough blow for the Spartans, who now only have two home games left on their schedule and were looking for their first win of the season.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Some tough news across the bridge as this Friday’s football game between Superior and Eau Claire North has been cancelled due to a lack players on the Huskies’ team. It’s a tough blow for the Spartans, who now only have two home games left on their schedule and were looking for their first win of the season….

Loaded Senior Class Ready to Lead Duluth East Boys Soccer to Another Successful Season

The Greyhounds will be back in action on Tuesday hosting Mounds View. 

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East boys soccer team opened the 2021 season on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout of section foes Forest Lake. The Greyhounds made it all the way to the section championship last year and now have the goal of finally getting back to the state. With a long season ahead, shutting out a section opponent in…

Deer River Football’s Tait Kongsjord Commits to UMD

Kongsjord guided the Warriors to a 4-1 shortened season last year and a 7-1 regular season in 2019, on their way to going back to the state tournament. 

DEER RIVER, Minn. – Deer River lineman Tait Kongsjord has committed to joining the UMD football team. The 6’5″ tackle guided the Warriors to a 4-1 shortened season last year and a 7-1 regular season in 2019, on their way to going back to the state tournament. Kongsjord is also a member of the Deer River basketball team, helping them…

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Boys Soccer Drops Home Contest to Mounds View

The Lumberjacks gave up their first goal of the early season.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys soccer gave up their first goal of the season and then couldn’t get much going offensively, as Mounds View got the 1-0 win over the Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks (1-1) get back in action on Thursday hosting Mesabi East. Kickoff is set for 4:45 p.m. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth East Blows Past Forest Lake in Season Opener

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth East Boys Soccer Team opened their regular season this afternoon at Ordean Stadium against the Forest Lake Rangers. The Greyhounds went up early in the first half with goals from two different seniors, Kai Hoffman and Amma Okoro. Hoffman Scored from a Penalty Kick while Okoro’s came from a breakaway and assist from Jackson Descombaz. The…

Prep Football: Northwestern Tops Rice Lake in First Meeting in 35 Years, Superior Gets Shut Out

Greg Ohman and Tanner Kaufman finished with two touchdowns each as the Tigers improved to 2-0. 

MAPLE, Wis. – The Northwestern football team jumped out to an early lead then hung on late to get the 28-20 win over Rice Lake in the programs’ first meeting in 35 years. Greg Ohman and Tanner Kaufman finished with two touchdowns each as the Tigers improved to 2-0. Meanwhile, Superior struggled to get anything going as SPASH got the…

Prep Girls Soccer: Duluth Denfeld, Marshall, East Drop Home Openers

Alyssa Doyle scored the lone goal for the Hunters while Nina Thorson scored for the Hilltoppers.

DULUTH, Minn. – Leah Hamm made her debut as head coach of her former program, but the Duluth Denfeld girls soccer team couldn’t fight back as North Branch got the 2-1 win. Alyssa Doyle scored the lone goal for the Hunters. In other prep girls soccer action, New Prague defeated Duluth Marshall 4-1, with Nina Thorson scoring the lone goal…

South Ridge Football Ready to Complete Unfinished Business This Fall

The Panthers will open this season at Bigfork on Thursday, Sept. 2. 

CULVER, Minn. – We have one week until the Minnesota high school football season officially gets started and after not getting to end their season the way they had hoped last year, the South Ridge football team is eager to get going. The Panthers bring back a good amount of experience, especially on the line this year. They say they…

Prep Volleyball: Esko, Duluth East, Hermantown Win Season Openers at Home

The Eskomos and Greyhounds gave their new head coaches their first wins in their debuts.

ESKO, Minn. – Esko opened the season in a big way, getting the 3-0 win (25-16, 25-13, 25-13) over Cook County to give Pete Stasiuk his first win as the Eskomos head coach. Another new head coach also picked up their first win, Duluth East’s Susan Schmidt led the Greyhounds to a 3-1 over Princeton. The Tigers took the first…

Prep Soccer: Duluth Denfeld Boys, Cloquet-Carlton Girls Drop Season Openers

Simon Davidson and Matt Eklund scored the goals for the Hunters.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Denfeld boys soccer team battled back but couldn’t hang on, as Mahtomedi got the 4-2 win to open the 2021 season. Simon Davidson and Matt Eklund scored the goals for the Hunters. Denfeld will be back in action on Saturday hosting Hill-Murray. Kickoff is set for noon. In prep girls soccer action, Cloquet-Carlton couldn’t find…

Experienced Cloquet-Carlton Girls Soccer Eyeing Another Big Season

This year's team is led by nine seniors with a lot of speed, scoring ability and experience up front as they aim for their third straight section title.

CLOQUET, Minn. – This year’s soccer season officially gets started on Thursday afternoon and the Cloquet-Carlton girls soccer team is entering the season with high expectations and are ready to continue on what they’ve built the past few years. With no state tournament last season, the Lumberjacks dropped just one game and had the unique opportunity to end their season…

Nate Hanson Excited to Lead Hermantown Girls Soccer as Season Opener Approaches

Hanson and the Hawks will open the season Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at North Branch. 

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown girls soccer team will kick off their season on Thursday with Nate Hanson officially taking over the reigns. Hanson has spent the past eight years as an assistant coach and is now excited to be a head coach and to lead this young Hawks program. “He has a lot of soccer knowledge and it’s been…

Duluth Denfeld Football Looking to Continue Building Success in Erik Lofald’s Third Season as Head Coach

The Hunters will open their season next Thursday, Sept. 2, at Esko. 

DULUTH, Minn. – The countdown is on until high school football returns in Minnesota. For Duluth Denfeld, it’s time to turn up the intensity at practice and continue embracing this year’s theme of never quit. It’s a big year for Duluth Denfeld as it’s year three for Erik Lofald as head coach. Last year, the Hunters won their first game…

Denfeld Boys Soccer Looking to Continue Next Man Up Mentality Heading Into Fall Season

The Hunters will have to replace a few key pieces, specifically Mr. Soccer finalist Keegan Chastey, if they want to get back to the state tournament, but feel the foundation they're building within their programs allows them to continue their success

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s officially game week for Minnesota high school soccer teams and after ending the year with a win last season, the Duluth Denfeld boys are ready to get this year started. The Hunters are eyeing another big season but will have to replace a few key pieces, specifically Mr. Soccer finalist Keegan Chastey. But this is nothing…

“Tight-Knit” Senior Class Ready To Lead Esko Football Back to Successful Season

This year's senior class for Esko is a smaller one with just 13 players, but they say it's one of the closest groups they've ever had.

ESKO, Minn. – We’ve officially kicked off the second week of practice for Minnesota High School football and for Esko, they used week one to build their chemistry and are now feeling ready to go. This year’s senior class for Esko is a smaller one with just 13 players, but they say it’s one of the closest groups they’ve ever…

Rock Ridge Football Wraps Up First Week of Practice as New Program

The Wolverines will open its inaugural season Sept. 2 hosting North Woods. 

EVELETH, Minn. – The first week of practice for Minnesota high school football teams is in the books, and it was also the first week of practice ever for the newly consolidated Rock Ridge Wolverines. The Wolverines are in the process of merging the Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia programs together. This past season, a few teams consolidated and now it’s the…

USA Hockey’s Level 5 Coaches Symposium Welcomes Over 400 Attendees

Topics of discussion include how to be a better passing team, as well as developing a team culture and identity.

DULUTH, Minn. – Over 400 coaches from all levels came together for the 2021 Level 6 Coaches Symposium, which is hosted by USA Hockey. The four-day symposium features several guest speakers, including coaches from the AHL and NHL. Organizers say it’s a way to celebrate coaches all over the country who care about the game and want to give back,…

Prep Football: Northwestern Dominates Ashland, Superior Falls to Ellsworth

The Tigers got the road win over the Oredockers, while the Spartans struggled at home against the Panthers.

MAPLE, Wis. – Greg Ohman found the endzone twice as the Northwestern football team knocked off Ashland 42-7 Friday night at Oredocker Stadium. In other prep football action, Superior dropped their season opener at home to Ellsworth 50-22. Categories: Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports

Numbers Not An Issue for Cloquet Football Team

Cloquet will battle Proctor in Week One on Friday, September 3rd.

CLOQUET, Minn. – We are just two weeks away from the start of the high school football season in the state of Minnesota. And one team that will be making noise once again is Cloquet. The Lumberjacks were able to host their offseason programs over the summer. But it’s not just the players who have to get ready. The coaching…

Pete Stasiuk Leading New Era of Esko Volleyball

The Eskomos will open their season next Thursday against Cook County.

ESKO, Minn. – High school volleyball teams are back in the gym. That includes Esko, who have a new head coach. Pete Stasiuk takes over for Desiree DeLeon, who retired back in January. He comes over from Duluth Denfeld and so far, it’s been an eventful week to start fall practices. “First few days, we’re really focusing on skills. Understanding…

Proctor Seniors Excited for Final Year with Rails Football Team

The five seniors on their team is the smallest group in program history.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor football is halfway through their first week of fall practices. The Rails will lean heavily on their seniors going into this upcoming season. The five seniors on their team is the smallest group in program history. But even with the added pressure, they are taking the challenge head on. “That’s forced a lot of us…

Duluth Marshall Joins Two Harbors For Football Co-Op

The Hilltoppers folded their program back in 2015 and now have five players traveling to Two Harbors this fall to play as Agates.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Duluth Marshall folded their football program back in 2015, but that all changed this week as the Hilltoppers are back thanks to the help of another Northland team. Duluth Marshall will join Two Harbors as they will compete as a co-op. The team will still be known as the Two Harbors Agates and continue to play…

Superior’s Don Dembroski Retires as Head Baseball Coach

In 22 seasons, Dembroski led the Spartans to seven conference titles and 240 career wins.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Longtime Superior baseball coach Don Dembroski is retiring after 23 years with the program and 22 as the head coach. In that time, he led the Spartans to seven conference titles and 240 career wins. Athletic director Ella Olson says Dembroski will still continue teaching within the school district. Categories: High School, Sports

Duluth Denfeld Hires Three New Head Coaches for Fall Season

Cienna "CJ" Strother, Elizabeth Peterson and Leah Hamm will lead their respective programs this fall.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld has hired three new head coaches for the upcoming fall season. Cienna “CJ” Strother will be the new head coach of the volleyball team as Pete Stasiuk left to coach at Esko. Elizabeth Peterson will take over the girls swimming program after spending time as an assistant at Duluth East, as well as the Lake…

Hermantown Football Opens First Day of Practice With Annual Hawk Olympics

The Hawks open the 2021 season on Sept. 3 hosting Moose Lake/Willow River. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. 

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Things feel normal again in Northern Minnesota as high school football practices are officially underway. “It’s good to be back out here and on time. It was definitely easier to get after it and get to work knowing that we’ll have a season. Last year we never knew if the season was going to happen so it…

Grand Rapids Post 1720 Wins VFW State Title

The Thunderhawks dropped the first game of state to Sartell, then won seven straight games in four days to capture their second VFW state title. 

AUSTIN, Minn. – The Grand Rapids Post 1720 team won the VFW state championship on Sunday with a 4-2 win over Elk River and a 2-0 win earlier in the day. Myles Gunderson pitched the complete game shutout in game one, then Kyle Henke gave up two runs in the first then threw six shutout innings in the second game…

Regular Season Rapidly Approaching for Northwood/Solon Springs Football Team

The Evergreens were one of many teams that were able to play last fall, but it was a season filled with cancellations and postponements.

MINONG, Wis. – The regular season is just two weeks away for Wisconsin high school football. And that means practice gets more intense, including for Northwood/Solon Springs. The Evergreens were one of many teams that were able to play last fall, but it was a season filled with cancellations and postponements. In fact, the team would go on to play…

Hermantown’s Ty Hanson Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey

The soon-to-be junior scored nine goals and 20 assists during his sophomore campaign.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown defenseman Ty Hanson announced on Twitter Wednesday that he has committed to joining the UMD men’s hockey team. The soon-to-be junior scored nine goals and 20 assists during his sophomore campaign. He is the third Hermantown player to commit to UMD, joining Joey Pierce and Zam Plante, and they will join current Bulldogs Jesse Jacques, Blake…

Tony DeLeon Resigns as Athletic Director at South Ridge High School

DeLeon has been with the Panthers since 2012 and in that time, several programs experienced success, including multiple state tournament appearances.

CULVER, Minn. – Monday, Tony DeLeon resigned as the athletic director at South Ridge High School. DeLeon has been with the Panthers since 2012 and in that time, several programs experienced success. The football team won back-to-back section titles, softball won their first section title in 2019 and baseball had three appearances in the Class A state tournament. South Ridge…

Hibbing’s Ayden McDonald Commits to Augustana Men’s Basketball

McDonald is Hibbing's all-time leading scorer and holds the record for most career assists.

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing basketball star Ayden McDonald has committed to joining the Augustana men’s basketball team. In his junior season, McDonald led the Bluejackets with 18 points, 11 assists and six rebounds per game. He guided Hibbing to a 16-4 overall record and to their first state tournament since 1989. McDonald, coached by his dad Joel, became the program’s…

Superior’s Rick Kennelly to be Inducted into WFCA Hall of Fame

Kennelly is just the third spartan coach to be inducted, joining Larry Hoff and Tom Mestelle.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Rick Kennelly is the definition of a Spartan for life. He graduated from Superior High School, played on the football team and then coached there for 40 years. And after retiring this past spring, Kennelly will be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. “Coach DeMeyer’s nominated me a few times and…

State Tournament Awaits Hermantown VFW Baseball Team

Hermantown will open up against Owatonna next Thursday.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown VFW baseball team is getting set for the state tournament next week. The Hawks are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind win during the district tournament. And that momentum could be key as they’ll battle some stiff competition. “We were kind of struggling going into the playoffs. We started out as the 5th seed. And that…

Superior Football Team Ready for Quick Turnaround from Alternate Spring Season

Superior will open their season August 20th on the road against Ellsworth.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – While most teams haven’t played a game in nearly a year, the Superior football team were in action just three months ago as part of the WIAA’s alternate spring season. The Spartans finished with a 5-1 record and they’re hoping that positive momentum will carry over into this fall so there are no issues with the quick…

Proctor Junior Legion Baseball Team Gets Set for State Tournament

The Junior Legion baseball tournament will take place in Montevideo. Proctor will open up Friday at 3 p.m. against Caledonia.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Proctor Junior Legion baseball team is getting set for the state tournament this upcoming weekend. The Rails defeated Esko in the Northeast Substate Region behind some stellar pitching. And now, they’ll take on the best teams in the state in their first year as a program. “I think it’s crazy. I never really thought this would…

Fall Practices Begin for Highly Motivated Northwestern Football Team

The Tigers kick off the 2021 season on the road at Ashland in a matchup that hasn't happened in years. Kickoff on August 20 is set for 7:00 p.m. 

MAPLE, Wis. – Last year was a weird one for everyone, especially for the Northwestern football team as the Tigers lost a regular season game for the first time in years and didn’t win the Heart O’North Conference title. Now, these young Tigers are extra motivated to get back to their normal standard. “There’s only one conference champion right, you…

Twin Ports Gymnastics Talk Team USA Success at the Olympics

The most popular USA gymnast is of course St. Paul native Suni Lee, who captured a gold medal last week.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Olympics are well underway and Team USA’s gymnastics squad has already racked up five medals, including two gold. Twin Ports Gymnastics has been following the action too, especially with three Minnesota natives representing the state in Tokyo. “It’s very impressive and it’s very exciting. It really gives these athletes here motivation. And it’s nice that it’s…

Hermantown’s Zam Plante Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey Team

Plante joins a long list of Hawks to become Bulldogs and will also follow in his dad Derek's footsteps who played for the Bulldogs in the 90s and is now the associate head coach.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown hockey star Zam Plante has announced his verbal committment to joining the UMD men’s hockey team. Plante joins a long list of former Hawks to become Bulldogs, including currently Darian Gotz, Blake Biondi and Jesse Jacques. He will also follow in his dad Derek’s footsteps, who played for the Bulldogs in the 90s and is now…