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Back to the Gridiron – Members of the Fairmont Cardinals football team begin the season by traveling to Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, for Friday night’s game against the Marshall Tigers.Front row (left to right): James Johnson, Jaron Schutts. . Second Row: David Barrientos, Cooper Stuber, Assistant Coach Brent Schultz, Assistant Coach Shawn Chambers, Assistant Coach Jesse Walters, Assistant Coach Brian Vile, Head Coach Matt Mahoney, Assistant Coach Brad Johnson, Assistant Coach David Schoen, Assistant Coach Terry Ehlert, Andres. Rodas, Josiah Brockenhoff, and Isaac Taplin. Third Row: John Fernandez, Hadan Tomer, Brooke Lutterman, Gunner Wells, Landon Meyerdirk, Dakota Madias, Brendan Schmidtke, Ethan Gerdes, Tyson Tai, Parker Mathiason, Connor Groenewald, Nolan Schultz and Owen Burmeister. Fourth Row: Cole Wimmers, Hunter Johnson, Matthew Cohn, Blaise Geiger, Aden Welcome, Brett Williams, Jacob Singleton, Harmon Schrunk, David Maakstad, Hank Artz and Nolan Hansen. Back Row: Gage Borntrager, Ian Hatfield, Lucas Rosberg, Jamie Muller, Oliver Thordson, Sawyer Thordson, Trevor Maakstad, Reece Buntjer, Gavin Junkermeier and Guy Davis. (Photo by Greg Abel)
FAIRMONT – Matt Mahoney’s 15th season at the helm of the Fairmont football program included several milestones – including his 100th career victory on September 17, 2021. South Central White District Championship; And fifth grade AAA state appearance.
But Mahoney and the Cardinal players felt a bit of a void in their 21-6 state quarterfinal loss to Dassell-Cokato last Nov. 13 at Prior Lake Field.
“I think we all feel like we have unfinished business to take care of this offseason, and guys have been in the weight room ever since, getting ready to get back on the field this fall. Now it’s here, and it’s time to pursue the dream.” Mahoney, who is in his 16th season, has a 106-48 overall record with an All-Star hitting percentage of .688.
Interestingly, the Fairmont in 2010 In 2011, Mahoney took home runner-up honors in his first state appearance at the now-defunct Metrodome in Minneapolis before taking second place in 2018 at Bank of America Stadium. The Cardinals scored state honors in 2013, 2017 and last fall.
“We graduated record players from last year’s team in Zach Jorgensen and Eli Anderson, and you can’t replace guys like that, but we’re not starting from scratch.” said Mahoney. “We’ve got two solid receivers (David Maakstad and Levi Pulley), two running backs in Johnson and Johnson (James and Elias) and two good quarterbacks (Brendan Schmidtke and Blaise Geiger) returning to our offensive backfield.
“Our (offensive) line is big and strong, with a lot of experience. All five of them (Sawyer Tordsen, Gavin Junkermeier, David Barrientos, Jacob Singleton and Gunner Wells) have played big time for us at one point or another, and they’re all very versatile.
Fairmont In 2021 it produced an impressive 3,711 total kills, 2,428 in the air and the remaining 1,283 on the ground.
“We’re a little more pass-heavy than last season, so we’re going to put up those numbers better this season to make it more difficult for opposing teams.” said Mahoney.
Schmidtke, a 6-foot, 155-pound senior, connected on 26 of 36 passes for an impressive 406 yards and eight touchdowns, while the 6-1, 170-pound Geiger completed 5 of 6 throws for 62 yards and a score. Second campaign.
“At the end of the day, both (Schmidtke and Geiger) did great jobs under our center.” said Mahoney. “We don’t know breakup until the lights come on on Friday nights.”
Mahoney and offensive coordinator Brian Wiley have made one significant change in the Cardinals’ offensive backfield since 2021, and opponents will notice.
“We decided to move Hank (Artz) to fullback so he can lead the block and our line can create more running opportunities.” Mahoney said in reference to the 6-1, 230-pound third-year rookie who earned honors as an offensive and defensive lineman last fall. “He’s an athlete that gives us different skill sets.”
James Johnson returns to running back after finishing second on the Cardinals with 415 yards and one TD on 90 carries and will rotate with younger brother Elijah Johnson and speedy senior Landon Meyerdirk this fall.
But Mahoney still plans to use the passing prowess of the two quarterbacks, with Maakstad and Pulley returning after coming in with strong stats a year ago. Makestad finished second with 25 catches for 414 yards and three TDs, while Pulley hauled in a dozen tosses for 242 yards and four scores.
“Put Nolan Schultze, Brock Lutterman, Cooper Steuber and Jace Teveldal at tight end and we have six reliable receivers to go at any time.” said Mahoney.
The 6-7, 283-pound Thordson, who is being recruited by a growing number of colleges, including Minnesota State University-Mankato, will move back to left offensive tackle and starter Barrientos will return at guard. Junkermeier will fill his right guard role, with Singleton in addition and Wells handling the snapping duties. Junior Ethan Gerdes will round out the starting lineup at tight end, while Reese Buntjer and Cole Weimers provide depth at guard.
Flip the field and defensive coordinator Brad Johnson returns quickness and strength in the front seven positions with a 5-2 starting lineup, but must rebuild around Maxstad in his second fall.
Artz, a quick-twitch runner, and Gage Cyphers will man the tight end spots, while Thordson and Junkermeier will return to the tackle position with 6-5, 295-pound senior nose guard Jamie Mueller.
Parker Mathiason, Tyson Tai and Josiah Brockenhoff will also get reps in the forward rotation, giving Johnson more skilled depth to pressure opposing offenses.
“We’ll have some flexibility on our defensive line this season, and that will allow us to jump around without having to go out to different sets.” said Mahoney.
Sure-handed Aden makes a welcome return at linebacker, and will be joined by Elijah Johnson and sophomore Caleb Chambers, while Maxstad returns to handle the secondary.
Mahoney expects to use the speed of James Johnson and Landon Meyerdirk at the safety spots, while Cooper Stuber and Brock Lutterman will see time at the other cornerback position. Pulley, Connor Groenewald and Matthew Cone add depth to the defensive backfield.
Maakstad will once again handle the kickoff and punt duties, while Owen Burmester returns as the Cardinals’ place saver and extra point specialist. Burmester made 38 of 45 PATs last season, while Maxstad returned nine of Fairmont’s 22 punts for a 34.0-yard average.
Fairmont will practice hitting the road for the first half of the eight-game regular season, opening at 7 p.m. at Southwest at Minnesota State University, Marshall, before traveling to Floyd B. Johnson Field in St. Peter’s on Saturday. September 10, 1pm departure for one night.
The Cardinals will play host to Jordan in Week 3 before traveling to Waseca in Week 4. Fairmont will face New Ulm for homecoming on Friday, Sept. 30, travel to Worthington in Game 6, host Louver in Week 7 and close out the regular season. season on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Mahoney Field in Fairmont, hosting rival Blue Earth.
“It’s a tough schedule to open, but it’s not how you start the season, it’s how you finish it.” said Mahoney.
Mahoney expects Waseca to be one of the early contenders in the Section 3AAA playoffs because of its strong culture and impressive coaching staff.
Dave Schoen, Shawn Chambers, Terry Ehlert, Brent Schultz, Eli Radinius and Jesse Walters complete Mahoney’s coaching staff on the sidelines and in the booth this season.
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