Program Philosophies

Expectations of All Athletes Involved in the Program

Athletes are separated from others because they are dedicated and because they are willing to make sacrifices in order to be successful. 

We expect that our athletes will be dedicated to the sport of football and becoming a better person through their experience with football.

Grade Level Philosophy

Freshmen

The freshman year is an adjustment year. Our athletes are starting school in a new building and at times can be confused about the proper direction of their lives. 

Players will practice both offensive and defensive positions and we want to get our players as much playing time and opportunity in games, assuming players are at practice each and every day working hard.

Sophomores

The sophomore season is usually the year we see the most growth. It is an important year for both skill and physical development. 

By the end of the season, players should have an idea of the techniques for their position as well as the physical requirements necessary for playing at the varsity level. 

Many sophomores will have the opportunity to further develop by participation in Junior Varsity games.

Juniors

Juniors must prove themselves superior to a senior before they will be a starter. 

They need to be prepared to help the team however they can. 

They must show exceptional dedication and skill if they are going to start before a senior.

Seniors

We expect that our seniors will be the leaders of our program and will set a good example for the younger players. 

We will give the first chance at playing to seniors but they must reciprocate by being the most dedicated. 

Seniors will have to earn their playing time just like everyone else, and just because you are a Senior, it does not entitle you to start.  

We believe that their dedication should carry over into other school activities and their everyday lives.

*** We will expect that all of our athletes will abide by the Minnesota State High School League training rules. We do not want any young person in our program that is not willing to follow these rules.

***We would hope that our athletes will eat healthy, well balanced meals to maintain their health.

***Rest is also important. Athletes need rest. Athletes are encouraged to make wise choices on how their free time is spent to ensure their bodies are getting the much needed rest and recovery they need as a result of playing a tough, physically demanding sport.  

We promote the multiple-sport athlete, but while in-season it is a difficult task to one sport justice while also trying to participate in a different sport.  

In the end you are doing neither sport justice, not to mention the toll it takes on an athlete’s body. 

Program Philosophy’s

9th/10th Grade

We expect our 9th and 10th grade players to receive as much opportunity to practice both offense and defensive positions.  

Players that commit themselves and prove themselves through hard work and consistent solid play will earn the most playing time.  

Our goal is to develop as many athletes as we can these years, provide them opportunity to shine, and keep them coming out year to year.  

We expect both our 9th and 10th grade teams to be very competitive. 

Junior Varsity

Our JV philosophy is developing our younger players (Primarily Juniors) and to expose them to a higher level of competition.  

Some Seniors that don’t play as much on Friday nights will play some JV and will also be utilize helping the other Varsity players prepare at practice for the upcoming opponent. 

We do expect all players to get significant playing time and for our JV team to be very competitive.

Varsity

We expect to put the most competitive team we can on the field each week and every Varsity game.  

Players that continue to prove their ability’s as the starter, will get the most playing time. 

We do believe that players should be rotated into games when possible and special teams is a way for us to get more and more players involved in Friday night games

Philosophy and Procedure on Moving Players up a level

If there is a player who shows that they are physically and mentally capable of competing for a starting spot at the next level, we will take the steps necessary to do it. 

The following is a general guideline for moving players up a level.

1.    A need for that position at the next level

2.    Player is physically and mentally capable of competing for a starting spot and earning playing time

3.    Player is a good citizen

4.    Player is in good standing academically.

5.  Shows high dedication in our off-season training program

Philosophy on Playing other Sports during Football Season

The football program supports multiple-sport athletes, but while we are in-season, we encourage players to only focus on football.  

Football is one of the most physically demanding sports there is and it doesn’t help our athletes or our team if athletes are participating in other sports on the weekends.  

It is our belief that athletes need to be smart about what they are doing with their “off” time as it pertains to our players getting enough rest and preventing injury.