Page 14 Football Preivew • Friday , August 30 , 2024
Lakeville North sunthisweek . com
New leaders set to emerge on offense , defense
by CJ Wrzesien SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Lakeville North ’ s 2023 season ended in heartbreaking fashion . A 21-3 loss at the hands of Eden Prairie in the Class 6A quarterfinals . Ending a successful 7-1 campaign on a sour note .
In 2024 the Panthers are ready to learn from it , put it behind them and make another deep playoff push . With returning starters at all of their offensive skill positions , the Panthers will lean on their experience and chemistry to guide them to another winning season .
One key departure on the offensive side of the ball however is that of running back Sawyer Wilkie . Wilkie was the Panthers leading rusher last season , rushing for 1,460 yards and 11 touchdowns . He ’ s since moved on , playing at the next level for the University of Minnesota-Duluth .
Senior Sam Ripplinger looks to take over Wilkie ’ s role in the Panthers backfield , getting the bulk of the carries this year after rushing for 812 yards on 143 attempts last season . With Wilkie gone , Ripplinger is eager to step up and become the feature back in the Panthers offense .
“ I ’ m ready to take the carries ,” Ripplinger said . “ I ’ m looking forward to trying my best out there , and giving us the best opportunity to win .”
One other way that the Panthers look to fill the void on offense left
by Wilkie is to lean on senior quarterback Riley Grossman . Throwing for 1,178 yards and 17 passing touchdowns last year , Grossman looks to use his experience and knowledge of the offense to guide the Panthers offense in his senior season .
“ When you have a fourth-year quarterback that understands everything you ’ re doing in the offense , that ’ s calm and relaxed in the pocket ,” head coach Brian Vossen said , “ you have some freedom to do things , that isn ’ t always there .”
Grossman spent his offseason playing on the Panther basketball team , but ended up getting sick near the end of the season . That took a toll , as he lost weight due to the illness . So his offseason
Panthers open at home against Stillwater
Photo by CJ Wrzesien
Lakeville North senior quarterback Riley Grossman goes through drills during a recent practice .
Schedule
( All games 7 p . m . Friday unless noted ) Aug . 29 ( Thursday ): Stillwater Sept . 6 : Rosemount Sept . 13 : at Lakeville South Sept . 19 ( Thursday ): at Farmington Sept . 27 : Eagan Oct . 4 : at Rochester Mayo Oct . 11 : East Ridge Oct . 17 ( Thursday ): at Burnsville ( 12 p . m .) workouts in the spring and summer focused on putting on the weight that was lost , as well as working on his mechanics .
In order for Grossman to operate and have the freedom to run the offense , having a solid group of receivers is essential . North has more than a few options for Grossman to work with .
Lane Johnson led the way last year with 407 receiving yards for the Panthers , and he is one of nine returning members of the Panthers offense this season . At tight end Sebaystyen Fries looks to make an impact this season after finishing second on the team in receiving yards last year .
The SDSU commit spent time in the offseason working with Grossman , perfecting routes in hopes of opening up the passing game even more in 2024 .
“ It ’ s clear in practice , they ’ re pretty sharp , pretty crisp ,” Vossen said . “ They understand how to get open , proper routes and they gel together pretty good .”
On the defensive side of the ball the question is who will step in to fill the role left by Antonio Menard . The team ’ s leading tackler as a senior in 2023 , Menard has since departed for the Air Force Academy .
Two players looking to step up and fill Menard ’ s role are linebackers Blake Krause and Reece Hunt . In each of their first three years Hunt and Krause played on both sides of the ball . Hunt at H-back and Krause at tight end , giving them a keen sense of what the offense is trying to do , in order to defend it , according to Vossen .
See Panthers , 22A
Photo by CJ Wrzesien
Lakeville North senior quarterback Riley Grossman tosses the ball during a drill at a recent practice .