From page 2

had 1,263 receiving yards along with 17 touchdowns.

Bjorgaard, like West, is a very talented multi-sport athlete.

He was the starting goalie for the hockey team last winter and the starting left fielder and leadoff hitter for the baseball team.

Strader and Bjorgaard are captains on offense along with West.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Hornets are led by senior captain Sawyer Jezierski, the University of Iowa football recruit, and senior linebacker Evan Gilder.

Gilder led the Hornets in tackles last season while

( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)

Edina’ s football team has five captains for the 2025 season. They are, from left to right: Sawyer Jezierski, Mason West, Jabari Strader, Evan Gilder and Chase Bjorgaard.

Jezierski led in his favorite stat, tackles for losses.

Jezierski played much of last season with a broken arm that was fitted for a cast and padded heavily.

He flexed his right fist at practice last week and said,“ I’ m good now.”

Edina defensive line coach Thom Propson had this to say about Jezierski,

“ If I were going into battle, the first person I would want by my side is Sawyer.”

Jezierski is grateful to be able to play for coaches

like Propson and Edina defensive coordinator Mike Johnson.

“ Coach Johnson is such a great coach and also a great person,” Jezierski said.“ One thing I like about our coaching staff is that they focus on the play right now.”

Gilder, who made 77 tackles during eight regular-season games, said,“ Sawyer makes my job easier. He does the dirty work up front and I get the glory.”

No question about it, Gilder has a linebacker’ s mentality.“ I like to hit people,” he said.“ My goal this year is to be a leader on the team and show the younger guys how we do it.”

Gilder played in the Prep Bowl when he was a sophomore and learned

from the guys in the senior class.“ That was a great group of guys to learn from and be with,” he said.“ They taught me what it takes to win. Obviously, we came up short that year, but playing in the state championship game was an awesome experience.”

Gilder described what it’ s like to have Mason West on your side:“ When the defense comes off the field and Mason comes on, we know that he’ s going to put points on the board.”

When the football season ends, West will travel to Fargo, N. D. to join his team in the United States Hockey League.

But until then, it’ s all football for the 6-7, 210- pound senior All-State quarterback.