Page 10 Fall Football Preview • Thursday , August 29 , 2024 sailor . mnsun . com
MINNETONKA SKIPPERS
FOOTBALL
Numbers are up along with enthusiasm
PREVIEW 202�
QUICK HITS
By JOHN SHERMAN john . sherman @ apgecm . com
With COVID-19 in retreat and a thriving youth program , Minnetonka High football coach Mark Esch welcomed record numbers to the first day of practice Aug . 12 .
At last count , there were 229 players signed up in grades 9-12 . Among these athletes are 13 players who started in varsity games during the 2023 season . They helped the Skippers finish 7-3 and advance to the round of 16 in the state Class 6A playoffs .
“ We are excited to have a lot of guys returning ,” said senior captain and outside linebacker Jack Yerhot . “ Minnetonka football is a family and a huge part of everything I do .”
Notice that Yerhot didn ’ t say , “ A huge part of what I do in the fall .” Minnetonka football has become a year-round commitment for most of the players in the junior and senior classes . Offseason weight training and an emphasis on good habits and nutrition are on the agenda for them .
There are , of course , players who compete in other varsity sports . For instance , Malachi Boadi , a senior captain at safety , was a key rebounder and defender for the Skipper basketball team that won the state Class AAAA title last winter . Boadi is in his third season as a member of the varsity defense . So is senior linebacker Dylan Hudgens , an All-South District returnee . In addition to anchoring the defense along
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN )
Minnetonka High ’ s football captains for 2024 are , from left to right : Jack Yerhot , Aidan Becker , Caleb Taylor , Dylan Hudgens and Malachi Boadi .
with Boadi , Hudgens is hoping so see action at tight end with the offensive unit .
“ I want Minnetonka football to be known throughout the state - and feared ,” Boadi said prior to an evening practice last week at Veterans Field . “ I was excited to get a ring for basketball last season and would like to get another ring in football .”
“ This program means everything to me ,” Hudgens said . “ I bleed Minnetonka blue . Our focus every week will be on the next game .”
Two other Minnetonka captains add some beef to the package . Senior Aidan Becker plays a key role in the offensive line while Caleb Taylor is a run stopper at nose tackle with the defensive unit .
Becker had committed to play football for Minnesota State University , Mankato . “ Our team has improved dramatically since summer practice ,” Becker commented . “ I am excited to see how good we
are when we reach our peak .”
Becker added that the team ’ s camaraderie is one of its best assets . “ One of our goals is to develop a brotherhood ,” he said .
“ Our goal is to get to the Prep Bowl , and then win it ,” Taylor said . “ To do that we need to focus on one game at a time .”
The Skippers are happy to have a proven winner leading the squad . Coach Esch won two state titles during a successful tenure at Mankato West High before being hired to replace Minnesota Football Coaches ’ Hall-of-Fame head coach Dave Nelson .
Going into the 2023 season , coach Esch had a wealth of offensive talent , led by returning starter Milos Spasojevic at quarterback and returning starter Roman Johnson at running back . By the end of the fourth game of the season , both were lost for the season with injuries .
The loss of the star players
put sophomore quarterback Caleb Francois and junior running back Chase Conrad in the spotlight , and they led the team to seven wins in 10 games .
With Francois and Conrad back , Minnetonka is in virtually the same position it was at the beginning of last season . Also returning is senior wide receiver Duke Richardson , a third-year regular .
Francois had a quarterback rating well above average for the 2023 season and Conrad was the second leading rusher behind 2024 graduate Lucas Knox .
Coach Esch is impressed by Francois ’ skill set and the fact that he has grown by about 20 pounds over last season .
“ Caleb is very dynamic as a runner and passer ,” Esch said .
Minnetonka ’ s schedule includes one tough game after another against metro powers Wayzata , Maple Grove , Eden Prairie , Edina , Prior Lake and Shakopee . Coach Esch said , “ A tough schedule makes it fun .”
Head Coach
Mark Esch Fifth Season
Last Year ’ s Record : 7-3
Key Returning Players
Inside linebacker Dylan Hudgens , a 6-2 , 220-pound senior , made the All-South District football team in Class 6A last season . He returns for his third season as a starter . Two other key returnees on defense are nose tackle Caleb Taylor , a 6-2 , 235-pound senior , and safety Malachi Boadi . Experienced playmakers are abundant on the offensive side for coach Mark Esch ’ s Skippers . Among the returning starters are junior quarterback Caleb Francois , senior wide receiver Duke Richardson and senior halfback Chase Conrad . With an emphasis on weight training during the offseason , Minnetonka is big and strong in the offensive line with senior captain Aidan Becker , the Minnesota State University , Mankato recruit , leading the charge . In all , the Skippers return 13 players with starting experience , although not all of them started in every game .
Schedule
Game times 7 p . m . unless otherwise noted Aug . 29 : at White Bear Lake Sept . 6 : vs Wayzata Sept . 12 : vs Edina Sept . 20 : at Prior Lake Sept . 27 : vs Shakopee Oct . 4 : at Eden Prairie Oct . 11 : at Buffalo . 6 p . m . Oct . 17 : vs . Maple Grove . 1 p . m .