The Becker Bulldog football team — along with coaches, family and friends — gathered for their end-of-the-season banquet Thursday night in the old auditorium to pass out awards and reminisce.

 

Head Coach Dwight Lundeen kicked off the 1-1/2-hour long event where he introduced his coaching staff and welcomed families and parents. He thanked them for their “suppers, picnics, special programs and a video to be shown later that evening.

 

The parents also hosted an ice cream social prior to the banquet in the commons area.

 

Lundeen mentioned with pride the 500+ young boys who participated in all the levels of football in Becker this year. He then introduced Coach Tyler Niedfeldt, who handed out academic awards.

 

“We have some very smart kids,” he said.

 

Niedfeldt told the audience the team had 40 student/athletes who had a GPA of 3.0 or better. He then mentioned the team had 20 athletes with a GPA of 3.7 or better. Finally, he said the team had four players who had a GPA of 4.0 and they included Kaj Fritsch, Reid Kraus, Carter Hietala and Travis Voigt.

 

Next up was Brandon Gustafson, who was tasked with explaining what it is about Becker football that impacted him. He started out by talking about the coaches and their influences and got some of the players to laugh with some of the anecdotes from his four years on the team.

 

“Becker football is more than just a sport, it’s a lifestyle,” Gustafson said.

 

He pointed out that the coaches not only teach the kids about the sport, the game and the plays, but they teach the kids about life and help prepare them to be better friends, students, brothers, sons and future husbands and dads.

 

He also talked about trust and how important that attribute is to not only trust and be trusted by fellow players, but to trust and be trusted by family members and coaches.

 

Coach Troy Robinson presented senior Braeden Beutz with the most dedicated award. He also introduced the juniors and members of the JV team and handed out certificates.

 

Coaches Brady Cobb and Derek Bjornstad did the same with the sophomore players and it was just about in the middle of the program when Lundeen asked to have the team video played.

 

Sara Waytashek, mother of sophomore Brayden Weber, compiled a video composed of photos taken throughout the season and featured music appropriate for the scenes. The video showed players posing and candidly on the field and also featured some baby photos and youth football photos as well as a tribute to the coaching staff.

 

Next up, Coach Mike Lundeen spoke about the offensive players and the season they entertained. He spoke of some highs and lows and expressed his gratefulness to the players he handles on the offense.

 

Coach Hokan Bengtson spoke on behalf of the defensive side of the ball, and recognized Reid Kraus for his outstanding efforts and named Brayden Weber the “Monster Man” of the year for compiling the most points from tackles, turnovers and stalwart defensive plays.

 

Coach Brent Scheideman had the honor of naming Dennis Goodrich as fan of the year and Coach Dwight gave a plaque to Reporter Bill Morgan of the Citizen-Tribune entitled, Distinguished Service Award.

 

The entire coaching staff then pulled out numerous small footballs that were flung into the student section for players who made an impact in certain games during the season. Players who received those balls were Mikey James, Teddy Halvorson, Brandon Gustafson, Lukas Paulson, Morgan Boros, Kaj Fritsch, Brayden Weber, Riley Morrell, Sam Ricker, Cade Callahan, Kevin Andres and Austin Berning.

 

Eighteen seniors were singled out and honored for their participation and were thanked by coaches. Those seniors included: Justin Reichle, Joseph James, Samuel Ricker, Michael James, Jacob Berning, James Schafer, Braeden Beutz, Alexander Berglund, Kevyn Vilayphanh, Carter Hanson, Kevin Andres,  Nicholas Goth, Lincoln Carlson, Kaj Fritsch, Bryce Halvorson, AJ Buntrock, Kyle Goenner and Brandon Gustafson.

 

Scheideman was named “coach-of-the-year” and Gustafson named most valuable player.

 

Coach Lundeen identified seven players who were named first team all district and they included Bryce Halvorson, Vilayphanh, Goenner, Fritsch, Josh Fobbe, Mikey James and Brandon Gustafson.

 

Ten others were named honorable mention all district and they included: Reichle, Austin Berning, Sam Ricker, Isaac Koop, Morrell, Andres, Goth, Weber, Carter Gustafson and Carter Hietala.

 

The evening closed when this year’s captains — Reichle, Andres, James and B. Gustafson — presented the coaching staff with miscellaneous gag gifts and then introduced next year’s captains as Fobbe, C. Gustafson, Austin Berning and Heitala.