Miscellaneous

       The semi-finals of Section 7AA football are coming up on Saturday. The Gobblers, 8-0 on the season have had quite a season. During the season we've talked to the players and coaches after every game. We've posted stats after every game and given you a chance to see a preview prior to every matchup. The one aspect we haven't explored is the "Moms". They have a special bond with their players, making sure they are getting all the support they need to be successful. Nobody sees the effort they put in on a daily basis. How do they feel about the season and how they've handled the season. Let's find out from some of the senior moms. (By the way we're not discounting the support from the dads, but let's face it, moms and sons have a special bond)

Nicole Cook-"This senior year has been so special, even more than I could have expected. It all starts with my son Parker who loves football more than anything. His passion for the game is so immense. He is always thinking about football, practicing, preparing and finding ways to get better. Watching him grow as a player and a leader, especially alongside some of his closest friends has been such an incredible experience. I feel truly blessed to be able to watch him do what he loves. I feel incredibly lucky so say that this isn't our last football season because honestly I'm not sure what I would do without football. Our bye week felt like we had been without football for a month. That's how much this game has become a part of our lives. I also love being a part of the traditions that happen away from the field. From helping with spaghetti dinners to being part of meals after games. Those moments are so memorable to me. Watching these boys gather around a table, eat together and reminisce about the game, laugh and show their manners reminds me that it's so much more than football. These boys are so special and just getting to be a small part of their lives and their football journey has been such a gift. The bonds these boys have built, and the lessons football has taught Parker are endless. The friendships he has made through the years have become some of his closest and there is something so special about knowing these are the people he has grown up with and shared so many memories. He has learned so many positive things from the older teammates who came before him and i can only hope he is passing those lessons on to the younger players coming up behind him. Watching these players on this team and watching them work together, both on and off the field is special. Seeing their hard work, dedication and teamwork pay off and watching them find success together is something I will always cherish. These are the moments and memories that make this senior year so meaningful and I know they are the ones we will look back on for years to come."

Ashley Schiller-This season has meant more to me than I can probably put into words. Going undefeated and accomplishing something that hasn't happened in 70 years is incredible. We are so proud of these boys. I think though what has made this season so special is getting to watch them grow not just a football players but as a team and a family. There's something really special about watching a group of boys come together, learn to trust each other, stand by each other and work toward something bigger than themselves. You can see the camaraderie they've built, and you can see how much they genuinely care about each other. That's just as rewarding to watch as anything they accomplish on the field. As a mom one of the best parts has been seeing what that has brought out in my son. Seeing him light up with pride at the end of the game, seeing the joy on his face and seeing how happy he is, surrounded by his teammates has meant everything to me. There's nothing quite like watching your kid find that kind of happiness, pride and sense of belonging in something he loves. This has been such a huge experience for us parents too. We get to stand on the sidelines and watch our boys make memories, build friendships and be part of something they'll carry with them long after their football careers are over. We're not just watching a historic season unfold. We're watching them grow up and we're getting to witness the friendships and binds that will hopefully last a lifetime. We're so proud of what they have accomplished but even more than that, we're proud of the team they've become and the memories they are making along the way. It's been a pretty incredible thing to be a part of."

Rachael Jacobson-"This has been the first time to watch my sons play football on the same field together. One is starting his journey as a freshman and the other finishing his as a senior and a captain. Watching them play together for Aitkin has shown me that football is about something much bigger than the game itself. It has taught them the life lessons of true teamwork, pushing each other to be better, trusting those beside you and sacrificing for a common goal. I am very grateful for the memories and character building this season has given our family at home and on the field."

Sarah Morris-"It is a mixture of emotions. I am so proud of how far all the boys have come. Watching them grow on and off the field has been such a joy. On the flip side it is heart-wrenching knowing that this is coming to an end. They will be going in different directions. They will no longer be that group we sit in the stands cheering for and holding our breath when someone doesn't get up right away after a play. I have discovered the phrase "football family" is true when talking about Aitkin Football. It has been a great pleasure being a part of it."

Shannon May-"To me, this season has been defined by two things: true grit and cohesiveness. I never really thought about true grit until you asked the question about what this season has meant. When I reflected on Tolo’s journey—not just this season, but throughout his football career—it immediately came to mind.True grit is having the courage, mental toughness, and determination to push through difficult situations, fear, and setbacks. Tolo has demonstrated those qualities time and time again. His freshman year was cut short by a broken collarbone, a separated shoulder, and brachial plexus damage. His sophomore year brought another major setback when he broke his femur, and his junior year presented a different challenge: developing the mental toughness to recognize his worth and believe in himself. After every setback, Tolo could have chosen to walk away, but he didn’t. He kept going, kept working, and kept finding a way forward. Now, in his senior year, he continues to face challenges and injuries, yet he perseveres and remains committed to the game. As his mom, I couldn’t be prouder of his determination to keep moving forward and come back stronger, tougher, more improved and more determined.What makes me even prouder is that his grit is matched by his character. Tolo has a strong sense of moral integrity and carries himself with humility. He doesn’t need the spotlight or recognition to prove his worth. Tolo is a quiet leader, he stays true to who he is and leads through his actions. To me, true grit is not just about how you respond when life knocks you down; it’s about the character you demonstrate along the way and the willingness to learn, grow, change and keep moving forward. When I think about this team, the word that comes to mind is cohesiveness. I see a group of young men who understand their roles, know their jobs, and trust one another to do what is expected of them. They rely on each other, hold each other accountable, and show up for one another. They put the team ahead of individual egos and understand that success isn’t about one person standing out; it’s about everyone doing their part and trusting the person beside them to do theirs. There is something special about watching a group of young men come together as a brotherhood. They may each bring different strengths, personalities, and abilities to the field, but they share a common purpose. They understand that they are only as strong as their willingness to work together, support each other, and put the good of the team first. I believe that trust, selflessness, and commitment to one another have played a huge part in bringing them this far. They truly and authentically care about each other. As a mom, I am incredibly proud of Tolo and the journey he has taken, but I’m equally proud of this team and what they have accomplished together. An undefeated season is an amazing achievement, but what makes it even more meaningful is the character, resilience, and brotherhood behind it. These young men have shown that when you set aside your selves, trust one another, and commit to something bigger than yourself, remarkable things can happen. That is what this season has meant to me: true grit in the face of adversity and cohesiveness in the pursuit of something greater than any one individual. One is about finding the strength within yourself to keep going; the other is about knowing you don’t have to do it alone. This team has shown both, and that is what makes this season so special."

Staci Sinelli (Powers)-"This football season I looked forward to Friday Night Lights, the sounds of the crowd, the excitement of gameday and watching my son Dane Powers and his senior teammates run onto the field for their last high school football season. Being a senior mom meant so much more than watching a game. It was a time of celebration, making memories and having one last chance to cheer as loud as I could for my son. This season meant watching my son's dedication, hard work and determination for the sport he loves come together as he reached the end of his high school football journey."

Amy Dotzler-"The excitement of the Friday night lights, the nerves before kickoff, the big running plays, big touchdowns, the unforgettable moments and the pride that fills your heart watching your boy do what he loves. You cheer a little louder, take a few more pictures and find yourself wishing you could freeze time just a little longer. There's nothing quite like watching your boy line up at wide receiver, eyes on the ball, ready for that next route, that perfect pass, that moment when everything comes together. The excitement of seeing him break free, the breath you hold as the ball comes his way and the feeling that takes over when he makes the catch. The cheers the adrenaline, the pride, it never gets old. As the kicker, he's been that consistent follow-through the team can count on a role model I am so proud to call my own. Somewhere between the first time they put on those pads and the final season under the lights, they grow up right before your eyes. Suddenly, the little boy you once watched run around the yard is standing on that field as a young man with a future bigger than you could have ever imagined. This season is full of excitement, unforgettable memories and moments that make your heart burst with pride. But it's also a reminder that the Friday night lights we've grown to love won't last forever. There are new beginnings ahead, new dreams to chase and a whole world waiting for them beyond that field. As a mom, you want to hold on to every second while also being excited to see where life takes them next. I couldn't be prouder of the man he is becoming, the hard work he puts in and the future that lies ahead of him. So, here's to soaking up every last snap, every cheer, every hug after the game and every memory this senior season brings. The future is bright, but a little piece of my heart will always belong to these Friday nights under the lights."

        Gametime Saturday is 2:00. Take a look around, check out the crowd, you'll be able to pick out the moms. They are holding the signs, cheering a little louder and maybe even shedding a tear or two when their player makes a play. After all, they've been doing that since the day their son was born.

       Community service and history, what a combination. That's what happened when Tom Sanford took his group of 5th and 6th grade football players to Lakeview and St. Thomas Cemeteries recently. Tom picks it up from there, "For quite a few years now we have stressed to our players how important community service is and that from now on each season until you graduate you should take a few hours and do something special for Aitkin. This year we decided that we would contact the right people from Lakeview Cemetery and St. Thomas Cemetery who could help us and spend a few hours cleaning up as many graves of veterans that we could. After all, these kids will be playing on Veterans Field, and they should know all they can about veterans and what an important part they have played in our country's history. The DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, Post #86 of the American Legion and members of the Janzen family showed us what we could do. The kids worked on approximately 75 graves while we were there, getting rid of moss and leaves and making the stones look cleaner and fresher. " Here is where the history lesson comes in. One of the stones belonged to a service member named Connor Carroll who was killed in action March 3, 1945, just before the end of WWII. He is a relative of the Janzen family and Carrol Janzen is named after him. Carroll was a longtime member of the Minnesota National Guard, and I was proud to serve with him in the 70's. Following his death Connor was awarded the Purple Heart, WWII Victory medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Good Conduct Medal among others. He is buried in St. Thomas Cemetery. Tom continued, "Our kids learned about veterans who were buried here from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII. We talked about those wars and the sacrifices that the people buried here made. We spent 90 minutes and got a lot of work done and learned a lot as well. It's community service at its best"

       It's never too early to teach young people that "Freedom isn't Free" and that it's not just a saying at Veterans Field. Great job Tom and all the 5th and 6th grade kids who participated. 

       The Aitkin Anglers did themselves proud at the SATT State Team Championship on Pelican Lake. Each school brought their top six anglers to form three teams competing for a combined limit of their 15 largest smallmouth or largemouth bass. After three challenging days of pre-fishing the team felt fully prepared for tournament day. Following the 7:00am take-off the three boats headed in different directions according to a strategic game plan. One boat targeted shallow reeds and lily pads and the another went offshore to target smallmouth bass in larger boulder fields. Within the first few minutes two boats landed impressive fish, briefly putting the team in 5th place. As the morning progressed a quick four fish flurry shot Aitkin up the leaderboard to 3rd place with over 47 pounds. Around noon two major upgrades added over 2.5 pounds to the total maintaining the 3rd spot with an impressive 49.94 pounds. With less than an hour remaining the team made three more culls bringing their final weight to a whopping 51.01 pounds. Unfortunately, in the final minutes of the tourney Brainerd made a few upgrades, dropping Aitkin to 4th place. Despite that late shift, the tournament was a massive success. Finishing 4th in the State Team Championship marks the highest finish in Aitkin history. It was an incredible team effort and phenomenal conclusion to an amazing season.

(Team pic from left to right are Colton Weimer, Captain Kolbe Sahr, Gauge Tscheu, Garrett Guida, Noah Moss, Captain Jordan Moss, Noah Hughes, Captain Scott Hughes and Lenny Hughes)

      If you haven't heard about the "banana ball" craze you are about to. The Banana Baseball Championship League is well into their first season with all six teams in action. It all started with the Savannah Banana's back in 2016 when they started a team that competed in the Coastal Plain League, a summer baseball league for collegiate players. By 2023 they were playing exhibition games against their touring partner teams. They were getting followers on Tik Tok and by 2025 they had amassed 10.5 followers, more than the MLB official count. Banana ball is special of course and have their own special rules. Each inning is scored by how many runs each team scores. If you outscore your opponents, you get a point, so games are not always won by the team that scores the most runs. There is a two-hour limit so play continues at a fast pace. No inning can start after the two hours. There is a ball four sprint. If there is a walk, the batter runs to first and can keep going until all the defensive players touch the ball and that means runners can score or continue to run the bases until all have touched the ball. Outfielders have to run in so they can touch the ball as well. If a foul ball is caught by a fan, it is in an out, and there are other rules as well. There are now six teams playing "banana ball" in the league. The Savannah Banana's, the Indianapolis Clowns, the Firefighters, The Texas Tailgaters, the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Party Animals. But it's not just a baseball game. Players perform dance routines, comedy sketches and more between and sometimes during innings. I was in Fargo Friday for the matchup between the Clowns and the Firefighters and I can honestly tell you I have never seen anything like it. There were over 5,000 in attendance and boy did they have fun. They sometimes pull people out of the stands for between inning competition and also have a band that plays at intervals during the game. Make no mistake about it, these guys and gals are real baseball players. Many played college baseball or minor league ball and the Clowns even have former MLB player Jackie Bradley. They can hit and pitch and field. It's high caliber baseball to be sure. I watched the Banana's on Saturday night on ESPN and they drew over 60,000 at Autzen Stadium in Oregon so this isn't a fluke, this is entertaining baseball with a lot of extra's thrown in. This was a great experience, but it was also a history lesson in the old Negro Leagues and how they were eventually advanced to the world of Major League Baseball. They started in the 30's and continued until the Negro Leagues disbanded. They continued to play as a barnstorming exhibition team into the 80's. Hank Aaron was just one of many who played for the Clowns before becoming a Major League star. They also spawned the careers of "Goose" Tatum, John Wyatt and Choo-Choo Coleman and female players like Toni Stone and Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. Look up some of these players and you will be amazed at what they did back in the day.     At this point you even have to get into a lottery to win the ability to buy tickets in a lot of places but look for an opportunity. You won't be disappointed; it's a two-hour window that you can just sit back and watch entertaining baseball and be pleasantly surprised at what these players can do. They have been called the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball and that's exactly what they are. Who thought "Banana Ball" would get this big.