Hermantown opens week 1 of practice, grateful for full season ahead

Monday marked the first day of practice for fall sports in Minnesota.

Last season the Hermantown football team battled into the section finals, then the match was canceled, A season that started late due to the pandemic would come to an early end.

Hosting their first practice back on Monday, the team said they’re grateful for the full season ahead.

"Last year we didn’t know which game would be our last. This year we know we’ve got a full eight [game] season, so we’ll be ready to go," Gavin Blomdahl said, a senior running back for Hermantown.

"It was a little depressing last year getting cut off like that, but this year we’ve got some boiling blood so we’re ready to get back at it," added senior tight end Matt Kessler.

With the late start in 2020, some Hawks had to split their time between football and fall sports they already started. This year is their focus is all on the pig skin prize, which is returning to the section final.

Head coach Mike Zagelmeyer said, with their depth and skilled position players, he’s expecting a strong season opener against Moose Lake-Willow River.

"Moose Lake is just a perennial power down there, and Dave [Louzek] does a great job with those guys down there," Zagelmeyer said. "It’s a great way for us to judge our team and where we’re at going into that first game before we start our district play. We always look forward to playing Moose Lake, just a great football program."

That game is set to kick-off September 3rd at Hermantown.