The Storm Has High Expectations for the 2024 Season

The Sauk Rapids-Rice football team is looking to build off of their 7-2 record from 2023 with another strong season in 2024. Storm Activities Director and head football coach Phil Klaphake joined me on WJON. He says they played really good football last season against a very tough schedule. Klaphake says the section semifinal game against Elk River didn't go their way last season but that didn't ruin what they accomplished. The only loses for the Storm in 2023 came against Andover (29-8) and Elk River (38-35). Sauk Rapids-Rice had defeated Elk River in the regular season 30-28.

photo - Andrew Ritter

The Storm return key play maker Hudson Omoke and quarterback Spencer Ackerman. Omoke is a senior receiver and defensive back and Ackerman is a junior. Klahake says Omoke is a dynamic player who brings a special dimension to the team's offense. He says when Hudson gets his opportunities, he maximizes them. Klaphake expects the Storm to have a healthy balance of run and pass again in 2024. He says they like to be creative on offense but work with the playbook that has been successful for them for years. Klaphake indicates his team enjoys playing catch and working on the skills necessary to be successful. He says Ackerman and his receivers work hard on the passing game and they really enjoy it. Klaphake explains that what Spencer does well is what he's supposed to do. He says if everyone does their job the results will show.

Klaphake says they have a good amount of kids out for football and because of thier depth that will allow more kids to focus on one side of the ball. He indicates the goal is to keep players fresh. Klaphake expects the team to be solid on defense again in 2024. He says they've been a good defensive team as long as he's been there and he gives credit to the efforts of the defensive coaches and the hard work from the players.

2024 Sauk Rapids-Rice Schedule
August 29 at Irondale, 7pm
September 6 vs. Sartell, 7pm
September 13 at Monticello, 7pm (AM 1390/93.9 FM)
September 20 vs. St. Francis, 7pm (AM 1390/93.9 FM)
September 27 vs. Elk River, 7pm (AM 1390/93.9 FM)
October 4 at Cambridge-Isanti, 7pm (AM 1390/93.9 FM)
October 11 vs. Andover, 7pm (AM 1390/93.9 FM)
October 16 at Moorhead, 7pm (AM 1390/93.9 FM)

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photo - Andrew Ritter

Sauk Rapids-Rice Roster:

Number	Name	Position	Height	Weight	Year
1	PEPIN, CHRIS	RB, DB	5'9"	170	12
2	SABRASKI, MASON	WR,DB	5'10"	155	12
3	BAILLIF-STURKEY, ANTHONY	WR,DB	5'6"	190	12
4	ELWOOD, ETHAN	WR,DB	5'10"	155	11
5	HANSON-DITTHIDET, JAYLEN-LLOYD	WR,DB	5'10"	175	12
6	GAZETT, GRAYSON	WR,DB	5'11"	150	12
7	ACKERMAN, SPENCER	QB	5'11"	160	11
8	HANDELAND, CLAYTON	WR,DB	5'10"	160	11
9	SCHMITZ, ELIJAH	WR,DB	5'9"	145	12
10	GONDECK, DEAGAN	RB,DB	5'10"	190	12
11	MCCLURE, CARTER	QB,DB	5'9"	175	10
12	RIEDEMAN, CARTER	RB,DB	5'11"	180	11
13	KEALY, LOGAN	WR,DB	5'7"	175	11
15	KARDELL, ZACHARY	TE,LB	5'11"	185	11
16	KULUS, SAMUEL	QB,LB	5'10"	180	11
17	SCAPANSKI, ANDREW	WR,DB	5'9"	150	10
18	OMOKE, HUDSON	WR,DB	6'3"	180	12
19	BOETTCHER, ETHAN	TE,LB	6'2"	170	11
20	MILLER, ISAAC	WR,DB	5'11"	165	10
21	HARDY, EVAN	RB,LB	5'10"	165	10
22	ANDERSON, MASON	TE,DB	6'4"	195	12
24	MASSMANN, OWEN	WR,DB	5'10"	150	11
25	LE, CALVIN	WR,DB	5'8"	145	10
26	PESTA, JOHN	WR,LB	5'9"	160	10
27	KROGSTAD, REED	WR,DB	5'10"	145	10
28	CAMARA, ANTHONY	RB,DB	5'9"	185	12
29	ZIMMER, ALEX	QB,DB	5'11"	145	10
30	NEWVILLE-LARSON, TYSON	WR,DB	5'11"	175	12
31	SCHROEDER, CHRISTIAN	RB,LB	5'7"	160	10
32	THOMPSON, CULLEN	RB,LB	5'8"	205	12
33	MILLER, AVRIE	QB,LB	5'10"	135	10
34	ROCK, CULLEN	WR,DB	6'0"	155	10
35	SPODEN, BERKLEY	WR,DB	5'8"	140	10
40	ELLERBUSCH, BENJAMIN	RB,LB	5'11"	215	12
41	GALES, OWEN	TE,LB	6'2"	175	10
42	KOST, BRADYN	RB,LB	5'11"	205	12
44	THURSTON, XAVIER	TE,LB	6'1"	205	12
45	MCNEAL, TYLER	WR,LB	5'7"	150	10
51	THELL, JONAH	OL,DL	6'4"	200	12
52	HALL, KAI	OL,DL	6'0"	275	12
55	BROWN, HAYDEN	OL,DL	5'8"	280	12
56	HAAG, BRADY	OL,DL	6'2"	240	11
58	NEUMANN, BENJAMIN	OL,DL	5'11"	220	11
59	PETERSON, TOBEY	OL,DL	6'0"	185	10
60	WOLBECK, ANTHONY	OL,DL	6'2"	290	11
62	OWINGS, BRODY	OL,DL	6'0"	235	11
64	BRETH, AIDEN	OL,DL	5"11"	250	10
65	THIELE, ISAAC	OL,LB	5'8"	200	10
71	IDZERDA, ELLIOT	OL,DL	6'0"	245	10
72	THELL, JAKE	OL,DL	6'6"	285	12
74	HENKE, MATTHEW	OL,DL	6'3"	240	11
76	RUSHMEYER, LINCOLN	OL,DL	6'6"	315	12
80	WINKELMAN, CONNOR	WR, DB	5'9"	145	10
81	MARTEN-ROSENOW, ANDREW	WR,DB	5'11"	145	12
82	ZAJACZKOWSKI, JAMES	WR,DB	5'4"	125	10
85	BRENNY, LEVI	TE,LB	6'0"	185	11
57/50W	CHAPMAN, ANDEN	OL,DL	6'1"	205	12
83	NAGEL, DYLAHN	TE,LB	5'10"	160	11
84	LINDEMAN, ALEXANDER	TE,LB	6'1"	175	10
90	REMER, PAYTEN	RB,LB	5'10"	185	10