Big Lake football looks primed for improvement under 2nd year head coach Nick Shriver. The team went 1-8 with a first round exit last season but returns playmakers and contributors all over the field. Returning for the Hornets is last season’s top passer, rusher, receiver, and many top defensive players. 

Carson Gellerman is back behind center and will look to continue putting up big numbers on offense. As a junior he threw for 1059 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as leading the team in rushing with 772 yards and four touchdowns. Also returning is his top receiving threat, Jack Midas. He proved to be dangerous in the return game last year too by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. 

On the other side of the ball, four of the team’s top five tacklers from last season are back. Braedyn Wemple, a senior linebacker, led the team in both tackles and tackles for loss last season. Josiah Sanford, tied for the team lead in sacks last year and finished with two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. Alex John, a junior defensive lineman, finished fourth last year in tackles and also added 1.5 sacks. 

Joining Shriver on the coaching staff are Tyler Halverson, Jeremy Ell, Austin Dischinger, Corey Wemple, and Ra’Sheed Jackson.

Seniors for this year’s team are Jose Acuna, Reid Josewski, Mayson Patten, Sanford, Gellerman, Wemple, Dillon Anderson, Austin Davis, Caiden Duchene, Tanner Muenkel, Gavin Ell, Calvin Morrison, Gavin Jones, and Rage Remer. 

The juniors are Montell Hester, Midas, Parker Spaeth, Abe Nedo, Owen Wilczek, Trevor Couch, Carter Stromberg, Dreeson Millam, Hser Kaw, Joshua Dupre, Alexander Boginsky, Hunter Anderson, Hank Kuchera, Caleb Kraus, Austin Frederickson, John, and David Sorenson.

Included in the sophomore and freshmen classes are Dillon Spaeth, Martin Swinehart, Abraham Koop, Dylan Loehrs, Leroy Hamrin, Caleb Martin, Noah Peterson, Conway Gust, Henry Chivers, Cooper Relander, Jackson Laroche, Garrett Biesiada, Liam Mayer, Nate Williams, Christopher Webb-Bovell, Felipe Vega, Tyrone Fjone, Alexander Wento, Keagan Muenkel, Evan Blackman, Chase Erickson, Beaudin Wippler, Brady Walz, Colton Bauman, Brandon Jaramillo-Barreda, Wyatt Horn, Bennett Thieke, Weston McGowan, Weston Jones, Chase Winkelman, and Daniel Rotz. 

The team starts the season on the road at Columbia Heights on August 30th. After that the rest of the schedule looks like this 9/6 vs. Orono, 9/13 vs. Mound Westonka, 9/20 @ Chisago Lakes, 9/27 vs. Princeton, 10/4 vs. Foley, 10/11 @ Becker, 10/16 @ Zimmerman.