2025 Ponies Football Preview | Page 10

Page 10 Stillwater Ponies Football Preview • Friday, August 22, 2025 stillwatergazette. com

BY STUART GROSKREUTZ THE GAZETTE

Stillwater’ s rich tradition in football features a total of 21 state tournament appearance according to the Minnesota State High School League, which is the second most among schools currently playing in the largest class for football. Eden Prairie, which has captured 11 state championships and finished as the runner-up three times, has qualified for the state tournament 25 times.

The Ponies have won four state championships in football, each under legendary coach George Thole. The Ponies won their first state title over Richfield 20-17 in 1975 and followed with additional state championships in 1982, 1984 and 1995. Stillwater also finished as the state runnerup in 1977 and 1989.

The Ponies, Burnsville( 1980, 1985, 1989 and 1991) and Wayzata( 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2019) each rank second behind Eden Prairie among the state’ s largest schools with four state titles apiece.

Stillwater has claimed 16 section titles in school history, starting in 1984 when state qualifiers were determined for the first time by section playoffs rather than finishing as a conference champion. The Ponies added additional section titles in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990,

Thole

1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2022 and 2023.

The program has produced 26 conference championships, starting with the first in 1929 and continuing with additional titles in 1935, 1943, 1953, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Paying tribute to Thole

The Ponies will be paying tribute to the coach who put Stillwater football on the map for nearly three decades before stepping down off the 1991 season.

George Thole passed away on Aug. 6 at the age of 86 and Ponies coach Beau LaBore said the team will wear helmet decals honoring the legend throughout the season.

Thole compiled a 257- 69-2 coaching record with the Ponies and was 284- 69-2 overall when adding three undefeated seasons at Central Cass High School in North Dakota— for a career winning percentage of. 803. He led Stillwater to four state championships, starting with a upset victory over highly touted Richfield in 1975 and followed with additional titles in 1982, 1984 and 1995. The Ponies also placed second at state in 1977 and 1989. The program enjoyed 26 consecutive winning seasons from

Stillwater football coach George Thole and the Ponies were honored following the first of their four state championships in 1975.

1973 to 1998 and captured 12 region / section titles and 13 conference championships while appearing in the state tournament 17 times.

Thole is a member of hall of fames for Petaluma High School, North Dakota State University, the Minnesota State Coaches Association, the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, the Old-Timers Football Association, the St. Croix Valley Athletic Association, and the Minnesota State High School League.

“ We acknowledged with the kids that we would make special connections back to George like we always do,” Ponies coach Beau LaBore said.“ But more intentionally, we’ ll make sure our program and community is aware that it is taking place and we will feature more of it during

the White Bear Lake game when we take to reminisce about the 1975 state championship team.”

LaBore said he knew all about Thole’ s remarkable achievements at Stillwater long before he became its head coach in 2011.

“ I grew up in South St. Paul and we were no longer playing Stillwater, but I was aware of the success and tradition of winning that Stillwater had in football,” LaBore said.“ The numbers speak for themselves over 29 years. There’ s not too many football programs in any classification that can display the competitiveness and success they’ ve had.”

Thole was no stranger to the program, either.

“ He knew he was always welcome at our practice,” LaBore said.“ He would come and address the team and he talked at a couple different camps. He always liked visiting White Bear Lake week because that was his rival and he always wanted to have a lot of success in that game.

“ We got to know each other pretty well and he not only remained a really good friend of the program, but he would help in any way that he could. A lot of people will tell you he’ s one of one and one of a kind. He put Stillwater on the map as far as football. We’ ll always be very grateful to tell his story and appreciate it.”

A memorial for George and Karen Thole, his wife for more than 60 years, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 at SAHS. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking memorials to be made to the Ponies Touchdown Club in honor of George and Karen.

Ponies made history in 1975

Stillwater football will also honor and celebrate the 1975 state championship team as part its Week 6 home game against White Bear Lake on Friday, Oct. 3.

Ponies coach George Thole recalled some of highlights from that remarkable season in his“ View From the 50-Yard Line” column that ran in the Stillwater Gazette on Aug. 30, 2012, under the headline“ A team of destiny— and the spirit of‘ 75.”

See Notebook, Page 11

2025 Stillwater JV football schedule

2025 Stillwater sophomore football schedule