Welcome to another Sports Feever column. This week we have the Section football and volleyball tournament information that was released this week.
We are seeing more and more games canceled because of COVID. The next month will be interesting and at this point, if you play all of your games it will be considered a win!
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Chad Hartman posted something that tells you how classy PJ Fleck and the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football program is. Hartman’s post is below –
I just read over one hundred handwritten letters from Gopher Football players and coaches expressing condolences for my father’s passing, favorite memories as a part of the program and interactions with my father. A heartfelt thank you to Coach Fleck and the players.
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The Minnesota State High School League Region 8A committee met on Wednesday and decided how the football and volleyball playoffs will go. The information is below –
Football
All Quarter-final and Semi-final games will be played at the high seed. All 4 Championship games will be played in the Fargodome on Saturday, November 28.
Section 6 9-Man, Section 8 9-Man, and Section 8AAA –
Quarterfinals – Tuesday, November 17 (at high seed)
Semi-finals – Saturday, November 21 (at high seed)
Championship – Saturday, Nov 28 (at Fargodome)
Section 8A – Only seeding top 4 teams
Semi-finals – Saturday, November 21 (at high seed)
Championship – Saturday, November 28 (at Fargodome)
Volleyball
The Section 8A Volleyball tournament will play each match at the high seed, except the Championship, which will be at a site TBD. When cross-bracketing in the Semi’s and Championship matches, the West teams will be the host site in 2020. Section Volleyball will be played on the following dates:
Pigtail – Tuesday, December 1 at High Seed
Play-in – Thursday, December 3 at High Seed
Quarter-Final – Saturday, December 5 at High Seed
Semi-Final – Tuesday, December 8 at West High Seed
Championship – Thursday, December 10 at a site TBD
The Region 6A committee has announced the Section 8AA football and 8AA Volleyball tournament schedule. Chuck Evert gave us the schedules below –
Section 8AA Football –
Quarter-finals – November 17 (at high seed)
Semi-finals – November 21 (at high seed)
Championship – November 28 (at Fargodome)
Section 8AA Volleyball –
First round – December 3 (at high seed)
Quarterfinals – December 5 (at high seed)
Semi-finals – December 8 (at high seed)
Championship – December 11 (at TBD)
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Minnesota Deputy Commissioner of Education Heather Mueller just sent out information on schools and athletics/activities and what school model changes mean for the schools. Her information is below –
Activities and athletics have always been part of the conversation when considering learning models. When this plan was introduced, MDE articulated that if a school district or charter school had county data that would put them in an in-person or hybrid learning model and they chose to be more restrictive in a distance learning model then they could have activities and athletics.
On page 10 of the Safe Learning Plan it states that if a school district is required to be in distance learning, then extracurricular activities must be discontinued and that “in general, implementation of a distance learning model should occur for a
minimum of one incubation period (two weeks) when there is evidence of
substantial, uncontrolled community transmission or significant levels of illness
in the school setting.”
As more districts and charter schools are considering moving to distance learning because of case counts, we are hearing more questions about activities and athletics. The good news is, the answer is the same as it has been since July. Your learning model will dictate whether or not your students can participate in activities and athletics. If you are in-person, hybrid, or more restrictive distance learning by choice then your students can participate in activities and athletics. If you are required to
be in distance learning then your students cannot participate in activities and athletics. To determine your learning model, you should walk through step five in the Safe Learning plan with your Regional Support Team. You will need to take into account not only the county-level case data when considering a change to your learning model, but also the number of confirmed cases, quarantines, and close contacts in your school community, each school building within your district, and other data such as individuals with influenza-like illness.
If your data indicates that you can be in an in-person or hybrid model, but you choose to move to distance learning, you can continue to have activities and athletics. To determine whether or not activities and athletics should be continued or discontinued, you should review the amount of spread happening with your activities participants and athletes.
If your data indicates that substantial, uncontrolled community spread is occurring and/or there is a significant degree of impact on the school community, with multiple confirmed cases or large-scale outbreaks occurring among students and staff, then you *must *move to distance learning and discontinue activities and athletics for a minimum of two weeks.
The language in Executive Order 20-82 states that school districts and charter schools must adhere to the parameters set forth in the Safe Learning Plan for 2020-2021. As a school leader, if the data indicates that you must move to distance learning and you choose not to move, Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.21, subdivision
3(11) gives authority to the Commissioner of Education to curtail school activities for the safety, health, and wellness of our students, staff, and community. This includes in-person learning, hybrid learning, activities and athletics.
Our partnership in this work is critical. Thank you for courageously leading and walking our students and families through one of the most trying times in recent history. You are all deeply appreciated.
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Stephen-Argyle Volleyball was the latest area team to get hit by COVID and will have to cancel their matches for this week and next week. I am continually impressed by how area school districts have handled everything during the pandemic and Stephen-Argyle chose to go distance learning to try to prevent any further spread. While choosing to go distance learning, the football team can continue to play. So it is the best-case scenario for the football players. The area administrators, coaches, teachers, staff – especially the janitorial staff, should all be commended on how they are handling everything this school year across the area.
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The Anoka-Hennepin School district (the largest school district in the state) is switching to distance learning starting November 4 they announced they wouldn’t allow athletics. At their meeting on Monday, they changed their mind and will allow athetics to continue for now. The Anoka-Hennepin School District high schools affected are Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka-Hennepin Regional, and Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School.
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For the latest Minnesota High School Football and Volleyball polls, click on the link below –
https://www.kroxam.com/minnesota-high-school-polls/
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After the Gophers lost to Michigan on Saturday night we wanted to hear what Michigan alum Leo Blavin had to say about the game and to find out what he is up to these days. Leo’s response is below –
Hey Chris,
Let me start by saying that I don’t think all hope should be lost for Minnesota fans. Firstly, with how this season is going to play out (any players who tests positive fur COVID has to sit out for 21 days) I don’t think any Big Ten team will go undefeated this year except Ohio State so I do still think Minnesota can reach the Big Ten championship game. With that being said Minnesota has a lot of work it needs to do. Defensively they have to be better at the line of scrimmage. Michigan has 4 new starters on the offensive line but you wouldn’t have realized that watching this game. I know Minnesota lost a lot of its secondary from last year’s team, but I’d be more concerned now with the defensive line. Offensively Minnesota is going to be fine. Tanner Morgan is the second best quarterback in the Big Ten and Rashod Bateman is going to be a first round pick in the NFL Draft. The Gophers do need to get the right side of their offensive line healthy though, because it’s impossible to operate an offense with the amount of pressure Michigan generated. I think last night simply came down to Minnesota turning it over twice. The Gophers are equipped to play in shootouts this year, but giving Michigan two extra possessions was a killer. Fortunately for Minnesota their next two games are at Maryland and at Illinois so PJ Fleck should be able to get the boat rowing back in the right direction before they reach the meat of their schedule in late November.
As for me I’m currently living in Chicago working towards my Masters degree at DePaul while I wait for sports to come back in Illinois. I have some broadcasting opportunities lined up at several of the local colleges and high schools but unfortunately, I’m going to have to wait until Spring to put a headset back on unless high school and college basketball starts on time here. I certainly miss Crookston and I appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with the KROX audience of which I’m still a part of because I still listen to the high school football broadcasts (and miss doing them).
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The Lakes to Prairie Conference has announced the boys and girls soccer all-conference teams. The conference includes Crookston, East Grand Forks, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls Hillcrest Academy, Pelican Rapids, and Walker. The award winners are below –
BOYS All-Conference –
East Grand Forks – Tommy Ellis, Hamse Ismail, Blake Moen, Kole Chupka, Abdul Alshaban, and Yayhe Ismail.
Pelican Rapids – Jesus Moreno, Sebastian Centeno, Khadar Ibrahim, Abdi Isse, and Abdirahman Said.
Detroit Lakes – Tommy Fritz, Austin Miller, Lucas Schwan, and Jackson Lawrence.
Crookston – Noah Dragseth and Noah Kiel
Hillcrest Academy – Zeke Ihrke
BOYS Honorable Mention –
Crookston – Thor Harbot and Nolan Dans
Hillcrest Academy – Soren Floden and Abram Ness
Pelican Rapids – Sebastian Rosiles
East Grand Forks – Jonah Tollefson
Detroit Lakes – Anthony DeVito
GIRLS All-Conference –
East Grand Forks – Kara Ellis, Macie Stanislawski, Brooklyn Sayler, Grace Kronlund, Chloe Torgerson, and Kadynn Melquist
Detroit Lakes – Sophie Gunderson, Kate Stearns, Annie Paulson, Alex Bettcher, Sasha Sekundiak, and Madison Bowers.
Hillcrest Academy – Cassandra Twedt, MacKenzie Foss, and Emma Abrahamsen.
Crookston – Mackenze Epema and Olivia Huck
Walker-H-A – Brooke Vinkemeier
GIRLS Honorable Mention –
Crookston – Cassie Solheim and Dillynn Wallace
Hillcrest Academy – Taylor Kiss and Emma Marfell
Walker-H-A- Gabby Cairns and Rylee Carlson
East Grand Forks – Lauren Kronlund
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The Minnesota High School Boys Soccer Section champions have all been crowned –
1A – Austin
2A – Bloomington Kennedy
3A – Academy of Holy Angels
4A – Mahtomedi
5A – Breck
6A – Orono
7A – Duluth Denfeld
8A – St. Cloud Tech
1AA – Northfield
2AA – Edina
3AA – Lakeville North
4AA – Stillwater
5AA – Mounds Vie
6AA – Wayzata
7AA – Centennial
8AA – Maple Grove
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The Minnesota High School Girls Soccer Section champions have all been crowned –
1A – Winona Cotter
2A – Waconia
3A – Academy of Holy Angels
4A – Hill Murray
5A – Benilde St. Margaret’s
6A – Orono
7A – Cloquet
8A – Sartell-St. Stephen
1AA – Lakeville South
2AA – Minnetonka
3AA – Eagan
4AA – Stillwater
5AA – Champlin Park
6AA – Wayzata
7AA – Centennial
8AA – Maple Grove
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The Minnesota High School Girls Swimming and Diving section champions have been crowned –
1A – Mankato West
2A – Breck
3A – Delano
4A – Visitation
5A – St. Cloud Cathedral
6A – Sartell-St. Stephen
7A – Mesabi East
8A – Grand Rapids
1AA – Farmington
2AA – Minnetonka
3AA – Eagan
4AA – Stillwater
5AA – Wayzata
6AA – Edina
7AA – Blaine
8AA – Moorhead
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Last week I had info that Breckenridge hired a new boys basketball coach and said I was still upset with Breckenridge School Board’s foolish decision to part ways with Boys Basketball Coach Arly Ohm. I have no problem with the new hire and getting an alum is great. I hope Steven Lipp has great success (except when they play Crookston) and the program can continue to be dominant in Section 8AA. But, being dominant in Breckenridge, being a class act, and having high expectations, doesn’t assure your job is safe.
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Dave Peterson has released the week three football stats for District 9 North. The stats are below-
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JOKES
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A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him.
As he sits, the waitress comes over and asks for their orders.
The man says, “I’ll have a hamburger, fries and a coke,” and turns to the ostrich, “What’s yours?”
“I’ll have the same,” says the ostrich.
A short time later the waitress returns with the order. “That will be $6.40 please,” and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change for payment.
The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, “I’ll have a hamburger, fries and a coke,” and the ostrich says, “I’ll have the same.”
Once again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.
This becomes a routine until late one evening, the two enter again.
“The usual?” asks the waitress. “No, this is Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato, and salad,” says the man, “same for me,” says the ostrich.
A short time later the waitress comes with the order and says, “That will be $12.62.”Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table.
The waitress can’t hold back her curiosity any longer.
“Excuse me, sir. How do you manage to always come up with the exact change out of your pocket every time?”
“Well,” says the man, “several years ago I was cleaning the attic and I found an old lamp. When I rubbed it a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes. My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there.”
“That’s brilliant!” says the waitress. “Most people would wish for a million dollars or something, but you’ll always be as rich as you want for as long as you live!”
“That’s right. Whether it’s a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact money is always there,” says the man.
The waitress asks, “One other thing, sir, what’s with the ostrich?”
The man sighs, pauses, and answers, “My second wish was for a tall chick with long legs who agrees with everything I say.”
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A cop saw a car weaving all over the road and pulled it over. He walked up to the car and saw a nice-looking woman behind the wheel. There was a strong smell of liquor on her breath.
He said, “I’m going to give you a breathalyzer test to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol.”
She blew up the balloon and he walked it back to the police car. After a couple of minutes, he returned to her car and said, “It looks like you’ve had a couple of stiff ones.”
She replied, “You mean it shows that, too?”
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Brady Butt is a freshman playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Paul Bittner is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket.
Brady Heppner, is playing hockey for the Roanoke Raildogs in the SPHL.
Aleece Durbin, is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Senior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Ben Trostad, is a Junior member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team.
Elise Tangquist, is a Senior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
Mason LaPlante, a sophomore, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, a Sophmore, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota.
Nick Garmen, is a sophomore playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Caden Osborn, is a freshman playing basketball at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Thea Oman, a sophomore, is swimming at St. Ben’s.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Emily Meyer is a girls hockey and softball assistant coach.
Carrie Clauson is a Junior High girls tennis coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Blake Fee is an assistant wrestling coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming
Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com
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