The High School football season is back and so is our coverage at KRWC! Once again AM1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and our app. will have all the best coverage of Wright County football this fall. Also back is my Weekly preview and picks for all the Wright County Area teams. Last we talked Annandale was wrapping up at Class AAA state football championship and this year they are once again ranked #1 in the state going into the season, but they are not the only team with high expectations! Dassel-Cokato, Howard Lake WW, Monticello, STMA and Buffalo all enter this season as Top 20 teams in their class, so it’s going to be an incredible year in the Wright County Area. Bonus this week a preview of each WC Area team. Good luck to all the teams, and below are my previews and picks for Week 1! Good luck to all the teams!
All games subject to change.
Thursday, September 3rd.
Brainerd @ Buffalo, 7 PM. (You can hear this game on AM1360 KRWC, krwc1360.com and on our app. starting with a 6:30 PM pregame show on Thursday night.)
Last season: Brainerd finished 3-6, Buffalo, 6-4.
Last Matchup: Last year, Brainerd scored a late TD and two-point conversion to defeat Buffalo, 28-27.
About the teams:
Brainerd: started 3-0 last season but lost their final six games and lost their QB to a transfer in the offseason. They also lost RB Jaydon Barnum who rushed for over 1,000 yards. They do return top WR Brady Vanek, but they might move him to QB, and they do have a very quick RB in Kyle Syrdal, who avg. 4.5 ypc last season in limited action.
Buffalo: The Bison reached the Section finals last season before losing to Spring Lake Park. They do lose all everything QB Grant Benson to graduation, but Sr. Reiker Wignes will look to step up at QB after missing six games last year after breaking his leg. The Jordan’s will lead the way in both the backfield and at WR, Tony at RB and Matthew at WR. Defensively the Bison return Lucas Phillips a fast riser in the recruiting world, along with Grant Merz who recorded 5 sacks last season. The main man on D is linebacker Dolan Brisk who led the team with 80 tackles last season.
The Pick: Last season the Bison lost a heartbreaker in the last minute on the road. This season both teams are working in new QBs, but Buffalo has a better defense, and will get revenge this time around, 28-20.
Reiker Wignes, above, will take his first snaps as the starting QB for the Buffalo Bison on Friday night.
Champlin Park @ STMA, 7 PM.
Last season: Champlin Park went 8-2, STMA 5-6.
Last Matchup: Last season, Champlin Park pulled away, 21-12.
About the teams:
Champlin Park: The Rebels are loaded! Some even think they have a chance to ruin the much-anticipated championship game of Moorhead and Shakopee! Miles Felton was just named all-metro preseason by the star tribune, a 6’4 weapon at QB and on defense when needed. Preston Nelson is back at RB; Nelson rushed for over 1400 yards last season with 18 TDs. Jitterbug Trace Fitzgerald is back at WR, the 5’7 receiver has extreme quickness. Oh, and on defense they return 6’3 DE Will Ogurti who had 8 sacks last fall.
STMA: The Knights won 5 of 6 games down the stretch last season and look to continue that momentum this fall. Wyatt Mosher does it on both sides of the ball, smashing his way to 13 TD’s last season, while Braydon Bohm dashed his way to 500 yards last fall. The Knights do have to work in a new QB in Jr. Lucas Bryan, but he will have a big receiver to throw to in 6’4 Sr. Dylan Faucher.
The Pick: This is one of the top matchups in the state this week, and the Knights are going to be good, but the Rebels are going to be great, and it will take a few weeks for the Knights offense to click. Rebels in a defensive battle, 21-7.
Wyatt Mosher, above, led the Knights to strong finish last season and is back to lead them both on offense (RB) and defense (LB) this fall.
Rockford @ Dassel-Cokato, 7 PM.
Last season: DC went 6-4, Rockford 1-8.
Last matchup: DC pulled away from a 7-7 halftime tie, to defeat the Rockets, 28-7, last season.
About the Teams:
Dassel-Cokato Chargers: The Chargers were way better than their record last season, losing to ranked Holy Family, twice, the second game a 35-32 shootout in the Section semifinals. DC returns 6’3 QB Ryan Asplin, and two great running backs in Elijah Torola the power back and speedster, JR. Jackson Nyquist. Defensively the Chargers struggled last season giving up 28 points or more, five times. So, defense will be a big focus this season for the Chargers.
Rockford Rockets: Last year I couldn’t figure out the Rockets. Every time I saw them play, I saw talent, but offensively no results! The last five games of the year, they scored one touchdown or less. They had a bruising running back in 6’5 Bradley Graunke, but he has graduated, so they will rely on QB Max Ladman and 6’5 Sr. WR Ethan Robran. The Rockets also lost a lot of key players on defense.
The Pick: Last year the Chargers pulled away from a 7-7 halftime tie, that won’t be the case this season. The Chargers should be able to move the ball at ease, and even though they have an unproven defense, I don’t see Rockford having a big day on offense Thursday. Chargers, 35-7.
The DC Chargers, above, in blue, look to lean on their running game this fall.
Howard Lake WW @ Jordan, 7 PM.
Last season: HLWW went 7-3, Jordan went 7-4.
Last matchup: The Hubman won on the road last season, scoring a late TD, 21-20, and then defeated the Lakers again in the Section playoffs scoring a big 39-22 victory.
About the teams:
Howard Lake WW Lakers: The Lakers had a breakout season last fall and look to expand on that this year. The big losses for the Lakers are in RB Raydon Graham, and TE/DE Zach Murphy, who both graduated. On the plus side for the Lakers, they do return Jr. QB Hunter Bush and power back Jaxson Ewert. On defense the Lakers welcome back Sr. Alex Stueven who led the team in tackles.
Jordan Hubmen: The Hubmen where much better than their record would indicate last season. Their four losses came to Holy Family twice, DC, and Annandale. They lost a lot from their senior class, but they really like this upcoming junior and senior class, so the cupboard isn’t bear by any means. Offensively they still should be able to move the ball, but defensively? That’s a big question.
The Pick: The Lakers are out for revenge, and I can see Ewert having a massive game on the ground, but at home I think the Hubmen have just a few too many weapons for the Lakers and for the third time in a year, the Hubmen pull out a close one, 30-26.
Jaxon Ewert, above, is the Lakers returning leading rusher from last season and also can dominate on defense.
Maple Lake @ Menahaga, 6 PM.
Last season: Maple Lake went 5-4, Menahga went 0-9.
Last Matchup: Last year the Irish at home ended a long losing streak with a 30-24 win.
About the teams:
Maple Lake Irish: For most teams, a 5-4 season would not be known as a “dream season”, but then again for Maple Lake it was like a breath of fresh air as they ended a long losing streak and was one of the surprise teams in the Wright County Area. The bad news is the Irish lose bruising RB Danny Reilly and Landon Salmela to graduation. For Maple Lake they will have a lot of new faces and players, but last year gave the program some hope.
Menahga Braves: The Braves have lost fifteen straight games coming into the season and had a hard time scoring after their first game against Maple Lake last season.
The Pick: Tough one because I know nothing about Menahaga, so this will be a total guess. I do know that it’s just the opposite of last season, it’s Menahga entering the game with a long losing streak and they are also at home, but I learned last season not to bet against the Irish, Maple Lake, 18-12.
The Irish, above, coming off a 5-4 season last year, have a lot of momentum coming into 2026.
Friday, September 4th.
Detroit Lakes @ Delano, 7 PM.
Last season: Delano went 6-4, Detroit Lakes went 2-8.
Last matchup: Delano opened the season with over 300 yards of offense in a 20-7 win.
About the teams:
Delano Tigers: The Tigers had a nice bounce back season last year and look to improve on that 6-4 record this season. They have the QB Grant Bruett, Jr., and RB Bryce Beyer a 1,000-rusher last season return. Bruett is known more for his running than throwing, but has a good arm, but must find a #1 WR. Defensively the Tigers lose their top five tacklers from last season including DL Davin Clare. If Delano finds some guys on defense, they will be dangerous.
Detroit Lakes Lakers: These aren’t your Adam Thielen’s Lakers. This once proud program has fallen on hard times, finishing just 2-8 last season. They do return Sr. QB Jude Houglum, but not much else. Last year the Lakers where stingy at times on defense and will have to remain that way to be competitive this fall.
The Pick: Delano should be able to move the ball on the ground against the Lakers and although they have a lot of players to replace on defense, this should be a good matchup for that young defense against this Detroit Lakes offense. Tigers, 27-13.
The Delano Tigers, above, had a bounce back season last year and are looking for more in 2026.
Sauk Rapids Rice @ Monticello, 7 PM.
Last season: Monti went 9-2, Sauk Rapids Rice went 2-8.
Last Matchup: Monti pulled away from the Storm, 34-18 last season.
About the teams:
Monticello Magic: Excitement is at an all-time high at Monti as the Magic come into the season ranked #2 in Class AAAAA, and with a chip on their shoulder! The Magic lost a heartbreaker in the Section finals to AAAAA state champ Elk River, 27-23 last season and are out for revenge and they are loaded! Cale Holthaus, 5’11 215 RB rushed for 1100 yards and 15 TD’s returns as does 6’4 QB Carson Deibele and WR Jeron Schlangen. Defensivley they do lose the irreplaceable Garrett Bauer who had over 100 tackles last season, but have plenty coming back, including Cole Schwickenrath and Johny Moore.
Sauk Rapids Rice Storm: The Strom pretty much lost all their key players from last season’s offense. The good news for the Storm is they return a very stout defense led by Payton Remer, a tackling machine, that recorded 116 tackles last fall and plays sideline to sideline. They also return second and third leading tacklers, Carter Reuter and Tyler Rudolph.
The Pick: Last season the Storm hung with the Magic until the fourth quarter, and despite still having a solid defense, I don’t see any way that the Storm keep it close this time. Magic, 35-8.
Cale Holthaus, above, leads a loaded Monticello team that comes into the season ranked #2 in AAAAA.
Annandale @ Little Falls, 7 PM.
Last season: Annandale went 13-0 and won the Class AAA state championship, while Little Falls went 2-7.
Last Matchup: The Cards rolled to an opening night win last season, 54-6.
About the teams:
Annandale Cardinals: The defending AAA champs return Sr. QB Braylon Fobbe, the #9 ranked player in the Jr. class in RB/LB 6’2 220 Rylan Horsch, not to mention a deep receiving core that added DC transfer 6’3 WR Brody Berggren. The o line is led by Kane Fobbe. Defensively the Cards d line still has DT Adam Klatt, fast aggressive linebackers and a secondary that returns Tavin Long, Jack Newman, Noah Elam and Cooper Broman. That secondary allowed 3 TD passes all last fall, while picking off 7 passes in three state playoff games. Weakness? Not much, but depth could be a huge issue if there are injuries.
Little Falls Flyers: The Flyers return their QB, Connor Neu, their RB Liam Thomas and #1 WR Karter Burgon, thats the good news. The bad news? In eight of the nine games the Flyers played last season, Little Falls was held to one TD or less. It wasn’t much better on defense for Little Falls, but they showed signs throughout the season they were improving.
The Pick: The Cards should seal up this one fairly quick. You never know on opening night, but Annandale has way to many weapons and team speed to let the Flyers stick around. Cards, 44-8.
Braylon Fobbe, right, is back at QB, and has a deep set of receivers to throw too led by Cooper Broman on the left.
