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Page 16 Fall Football Preview, August 28, 2026 sunthisweek. com
COUGARS, from 9 available players wisely. They TIGERS, from 6 train them to be versatile and Hilliard, a running back and ask them to learn a position field. He and senior Adam Rasmusson cornerback. other than the ones they are returning cornerbacks.
Grant Mayer, a senior play regularly, in case of a“ I’ ve always believed I’ m one of the outside linebacker and personnel emergency. South’ s most physical corners in the state, and
University of Jamestown returning players say that’ s Adam’ s a physical guy too,” Hennen commit, returns to the part of being a Cougar, and said.“ We like to put a shoulder into defense. He had 53 tackles they make that known to the someone’ s legs and make a good and recovered three fumbles younger players. tackle. We know they can’ t throw it in 2026. There’ s a lot of“ I learned it from people in our way, and they’ re going to have a experience in the secondary, the upper grades when I came tough time making plays behind us.” including senior Myles into the program,” Brady The Tigers open the season Sept.
Krinkie, who had 51 tackles McCloud said.“ They were 3 at Eastview, which gave them a last season and returned two such good role models, and competitive game last year before interceptions for touchdowns. I’ ve just tried to copy what the Tigers won 35-28. Their home
“ The back end on defense is they did and teach it to the opener is Sept. 11 against Lakeville where we have returning guys younger guys.” North, looking to rebound from an who have had a lot of reps,” The Cougars’ schedule uncharacteristically rough 1-8 season.
Burk said. Aiden Connelly includes projected Class 6A There might not be a lot of chatter returns at cornerback and powerhouse Shakopee in Week about Farmington in the run-up to
Tommy Feriancek is expected 2, defending state champion the start of Metro South district play, to slot in at safety. Both are Edina in Week 6 and defending but Pieper is confident the Tigers will seniors. district champion Rosemount
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy be heard from as some point. Cooper McCloud saw some in Week 8. They’ ll play at Lakeville South players work on trying to strip the ball from“ Our assistant coaches are doing a time at linebacker last season. Lakeville North in the annual running backs at practice last week. phenomenal job, so we’ re performing
Senior Taha Khawaja is rivalry game Sept. 18. can’ t. differently. We try to develop with a high level of confidence and expected to be on the defensive All of the opponents will be“ We’ ll play whoever they the kids that are here and we’ re at a really high competitive line, where Brady McCloud bigger schools, in some cases assign us to play,” Burk said. grew up through our program. level,” Pieper said.“ I’ ve got an also could have some playing much bigger. For the Cougars,“ We’ re up against it in terms Those are the important guys unbelievable amount of trust in our time. it comes down to controlling of numbers( compared to to us.” guys.”
Like many teams, the what they can control and other 6A schools) and that Mike Shaughnessy can be reached
Cougars need to use their not worrying about what they means we have to do things at mike. shaughnessy @ apgecm. com.
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