sailor . mnsun . com Fall Football Preview • Thursday , August 29 , 2024 Page 7
ST . LOUIS PARK ORIOLES
Don ’ t overlook this experienced , determined group
by JASON OLSON jason . olson @ apgecm . com
St . Louis Park football coach Jason Foster believes the Orioles have a good thing going with experience on both sides of the line and at the skilled positions .
After going 2-8 last season , Foster anticipates a significant improvement in the wins column for several reasons .
“ It might sound cliche but the team atmosphere ,” he said . “ I ’ ve coached 17 years and the kids are picking things up faster and showed how much they care for each other .”
When Foster says they bought into it , he means it .
“ Just by their character , how the locker room is clean when we leave for the day . We have lunch for the kids during two-a-days and the kids are managing that to make sure it gets picked up , swept up before we go back outside and that ’ s what builds that bond ,” he said , which is now into the 16th week of bonding inside and outside the weight room and at Tria Gameface , a new wrinkle to the training included this spring .
“ They are easy to coach because they genuinely want to see the next guy and ultimately the team succeed ,” Foster said .
The number of contributors back is massive , as are those who missed time last season due to injuries , like senior AJ Foster and junior Logan Odea . Foster was penciled into the backfield going into
( SUN PHOTO BY JASON OLSON )
St . Louis Park captains from left are senior defensive end TJ Brayboy , junior linebacker / running back Mason Helfman , senior reeciver Jeremy Eichten and senior lineman Max Olson .
his junior season , but a knee injury at the start of summer camp ended his season .
In addition to four starting offensive linemen back , junior running back Mason Helfman , who also shines in baseball , ran for 815 yards and 10 touchdowns without a fumble in 220 carries for the 2-8 Orioles last season .
Senior linemen Zach Stahl , Duece Serrano , Max Olson , and Yosef Teshome all return . Sophomore center Bennett Johnson is ready to make an impact with the varsity program as well . The line will open holes for Helfman and allow new quarterback Everett Arnold , a 6-foot-4 , 215-pound sophomore , room to operate .
“ He ’ ll be someone to catch eyes when we are done ,” Foster said as former quarterback
Josh Rickert is transitioning from quarterback to safety .
AJ Foster missed last season with a knee injury and will move from the backfield to receiver alongside classmate Jeremy Eichten .
Junior receiver Logan Odea missed last season and will be joined by senior Dashon Amos who the coach says will be electric .
Defensively , the Orioles should be firm with a line that includes seniors Uche Edwards , Jacob Martenson and end TJ Brayboy , along with senior linebacker Hayden Kasica and Helfman at inside linebacker and senior defensive back Sam Tolzin . Sophomore defensive back Finn Brooberg will be another varsity newcomer who will impact the varsity lineup .
In addition to utilizing the
strength training program headed by Jess Gust at Park , the team worked out at Tria Gameface in the former Sam ’ s Club building on the south side of Highway 7 .
“ You get to train with people who have gone through the ranks like our trainer played in the NFL and did things we dream of but know what it takes to get there ,” Olson said .
Stability in the coaching staff , from Foster to longtime assistants like Clint Ewald and Rob Griffin , helps build a level of comfort and trust among the students that is rare nowadays .
“ It ’ s exciting to know you have guys to back you up no matter what , like Coach Rob or Ewald ,” Brayboy said . “ Coach Ewald somehow ties
See SLP , Page 24
QUICK HITS
Head Coach
Jason Foster Fourth season 17th overall
Last Year ’ s Record : 2-8
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 202�
Key Returning Players
Junior running back Mason Helfman returns after rushing for 815 yards and 10 touchdowns without a fumble . Four senior offensive linemen are back including Zach Stahl , Duece Serrano , Max Olson and Yosef Teshome . Senior defensive linemen Unche Edwards , Jacob Martenson , TJ Brayboy and Hayden Kasica return . Senior defensive back Sam Tolzin returns after the secondary was the veteran position group last season . Senior AJ Foster is back after recovering from a knee injury and is moving from the backfield to receiver .
Schedule
All start times 7 p . m . unless otherwise noted Aug . 30 vs . Mankato East Sept . 6 vs . Washburn Sept . 13 at Apple Valley Sept . 20 vs . Cooper Homecoming Sept . 27 at Jefferson Oct . 4 vs . Tartan 7:45 p . m . Senior
Night Oct . 10 at Cretin-Derham Hall ( at
U . St . Thomas ) 7:30 p . m . Oct . 16 at Chanhassen