Page 18 Fall Football Preview • Thursday , August 29 , 2024 sailor . mnsun . com
WAYZATA TROJANS
Schedule begins with two tough rivals
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 202�
QUICK HITS
By JOHN SHERMAN john . sherman @ apgecm . com
Wayzata High ’ s football team lost some close games early in the 2023 season - one example was a 22-21 defeat against Minnetonka in the annual battle for the Bay Bell traveling trophy .
The Trojans won ’ t have to wait much longer for the rematch . They travel to Minnetonka for a 7 p . m . game Friday , Sept . 6 , at Einer Anderson Stadium . Looking at the first three games of the schedule , the Trojans have some of their toughest tests . They open with a 7 p . m . game against perennial powerhouse Lakeville South Thursday , Aug . 29 , at Wayzata High Stadium . The Trojans are also at home in Week 3 to face Shakopee .
Wayzata ’ s 2-7 record last season was deceiving because of close losses . With a little bit more luck the Trojans might have finished 5-4 , or even 6-3 .
The Trojans have about the same number of players in camp that they had last year . “ We have a great group of kids ,” coach Lambert Brown observed . “ Like every other team , we ’ d always like to have a few more players .”
Brown added that his goal is to maximize the talent and put players in positions where they can succeed . He has a Prep Bowl pedigree with the State Class 6A Tournament title he won in 2019 . In the championship game that
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN )
Wayzata High ’ s all-district wide receiver Tony Ley will once again wear No . 1 on his jersey for the football team this fall .
year , Wayzata stormed back from a deficit to beat Champlin Park 35-20 .
Many of the players on this year ’ s squad saw that game at U . S . Bank Stadium and wondered what it would be like to play on the big stage themselves .
Tony Ley , a senior wide receiver , is one of the leaders this season after catching 33 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns last season .
The other two mainstays in the offensive scheme , quarterback Cole Heilbrun and running back Omar Madkour , graduated last spring along with electric wide receiver Tyler Milkes , who averaged 19.7 yards per reception in 2023 . Heilbrun threw for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns . Madkour gained 392 yards and four touchdowns , but missed two games with an injury .
The top returning running back for Wayzata is senior Owen Winston who led the team in carries with 105 last season while gaining 376 yards .
Ley praised his teammates for their work ethic during a
long offseason between 2023 and 2024 . “ The guys have been here consistently ,” he said . “ There hasn ’ t been anyone with one step in , one step out .”
Two strong candidates for the starting quarterback position are both looking good , Ley noted .
“ Receiver has always been my most comfortable position ,” Ley said . “ I became a receiver early in youth football .” Many times in youth foot-
See Wayzata , Page 26
Head Coach
Lambert Brown Seventh Season
Last Year ’ s Record : 2-7
Key Returning Players
Tony Ley , a senior wide receiver , is the marquee returnee for the Wayzata football team . He led the Trojans in receptions last season and gained 594 passing yards to earn all-district honors . Another key man on offense , Owen Winston , led the team in carries with 105 and gained 376 yards . Defensively , Wayzata brings back a full secondary with Bennett Brown , Cooper Cleaveland , Adam Deselich and Tyler Schuman . Kyle Boutwell is another experienced defensive players . The Trojans are looking to rebuild their offensive line after losing Manny Wilson , Charles Smith , Derek Christenson and Drew Monson to graduation . Wayzata has a bigger sophomore class than usual this season along with a big group of juniors , who gained varsity and JV experience during the 2023 season .
Schedule
Aug . 29 : vs . Lakeville South 7 p . m . Sept . 6 : at Minnetonka , 7 p . m . Sept . 12 : vs . Shakopee 7 p . m . Sept . 20 : vs . Edina 7 p . m . Sept . 27 : at Eden Prairie 7 p . m . Oct . 4 : at Prior Lake 7:30 p . m . Oct . 10 : vs . Hopkins 7 p . m . Oct . 16 : at Anoka 7 p . m .