Head Coach Bob Blanchard returns to the bench of the Big Lake Hornet football team after an abbreviated season last year due to Covid-19. A season where fall sports were originally cancelled for the year, but the MSHSL having a slight change of heart and recalling football and volleyball to their shortened seasons.

Blanchard retains his original staff from a year ago except at the ninth grade level. He has nearly 65 student athletes in grades nine through 12.

Will the Hornet faithful have a special player or two to focus their fervor to this year?

“I can’t really pick out  three or four guys (who are stars) as we work as a team and every role is of equal importance,” said Blanchard. “This year’s seniors are probably the most valuable to our team. They have really stepped into their own in taking over this team’s leadership roles since the end of last season.” 

Blanchard says they have been pushed a lot by his coaching staff to get better on and off the field and that practice is rubbing off with their teammates.

“We don’t push a routine (for health), nor can we force them to eat, or not eat certain foods,” says Blanchard of his team’s diet and nutrition plans. 

“We are constantly reminding them to drink plenty of water, eat good proteins and carbs, and get plenty of sleep (8 to 10 hours) every night.”

Blanchard says he and his coaches don’t spend a ton of time “recruiting” kids for the sport of football. He encourages his players — who are his best recruiters — to explain to their friends and classmates how fun the game of football really is.

“I think students should play high school football over any other fall sport because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Blanchard said. “You can continue to run as long as your body allows you. Soccer, they have rec leagues that people can play in. Yes, you can play flag or touch football in rec leagues, but that is not the same as organized tackle football.”

Blanchard says a little over one million student-athletes play organized high school football every year. 

“Just over seven percent of them will go on to play at the college level (any collegiate level),” he says. “That means that more than 92% will never play organized tackle football again after their high school career is finished.”

The schedule for Blanchard’s team is as follows: Sept. 2 home versus Chisago Lakes; Sept. 10 home versus St. Cloud Apollo; at Willmar Sept. 17; home versus Delano Sept. 24; home versus Becker Oct. 1; at Hutchinson Oct. 8; at St. Francis Oct. 15; at Rocori Oct. 20.

Section quarterfinals are Oct. 26 and semi-finals are Oct. 30. Section finals are Nov. 5.

The Hornet roster includes:   Dashawn Harris, Jonah Mallberg, Reid Josewski, Joe Darland, Randy Smythe, Hayden Thieke, Blayne Kildahl, Rieley Mullen, Tyler Anderson, Tanner Muenkel, Conner Stern, Tyler Heyen, Braedyn Wemple, Charley Pishney, Chase Jones, Bretton Bordwell, Jose Acuna, Nolan Miller, Karter Vedder, Joey Rydberg, Ty Williamson, Gavin Ell, Isaac Howell, Gavin Jones, Tate Schuman, Caiden Duchene, Ryker Stukenholtz, Pacey Zandstra, Alex Hanrahan, Brad Ausk, Travis Anderson, Kyle Ginther, Cj Andres, Isaac Milberger, Mason Krebs, Gauge Hoffman, Rage Remer, Dylan Pishney, Gage Schuman, Eric Peredo, Mason Swanson, Carson Gellerman, Sam Nalty, Jack Berner, Broden Johns, Jack Christensen, Johnny O’brien, Preston Wesseh, Josiah Sanford, Jaxyn Tschritter, Austin Schleif, Carson Kunz, Isaiah Terlinden, Brian Blackman, Evan Secord, Wuoson Nehwah, Trent Josewski, Brayden Groff, Calen Mclearen, Steven Mcknight, Trevor Lien, Domenick Schuck, Raul Balboa-Porter, Gavin Svenningsen, Jesua Cortez-sanchez, Gage Behrendt, Calvin Morrison, Kaleb Bowman, Mason Huizenga, Mason Hill and Jonah Blackman.