Football: DB Blackjacks amp up for another section run
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Sep. 1—DAWSON — Fresh off an appearance in the Section 4A championship game, the Dawson-Boyd football team looks to stay at the top of the section.
And the Blackjacks will have to do it without their top play-makers from 2025.
D-B went 8-3 last season and made the 4A final, losing to eventual state champion Minneota 42-16.
Fourteen starters are back for the Blackjacks.
"An experienced group of seniors and a promising group of underclassmen give hope for a competitive team," said Cory Larson, who enters year 25 for D-B. His assistants are Preston Schwegel, Kevin Brent, Justin Wager, Hank Ireland, Keifer Stratmoen, Jordan Wager and Terry White.
Larson added, "The offensive line provides a big key for the season with a good mix of size, strength and quickness to go with experience. (We) need to have a few kids step into key position player roles departed by last year's seniors."
Those departing players are Gunner Liebl, Kameron Sather and Nathan Hansen. The three were each All-District players. Liebl threw for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns, also running for 558 yards and five scores. Sather was the leader rusher with 742 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hansen ran for 442 yards and 13 touchdowns and also had four punt return TDs and a pair of interceptions.
Two All-District players return for D-B.
Senior Colten Bothun is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound tight end/defensive end. He recorded 39 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six sacks. Senior Ace Larson is a 6-2, 220-pound offensive lineman/linebacker.
The team's top pass catchers from a season ago return. Senior Jaxton Hastad is a big target at 6-4 and recorded 29 catches for 450 yards and four TDs. Bothun had 24 receptions for 324 yards and six TDs.
On defense, the Blackjacks bring back senior linebackers Mason Bothun, Aedyn Dahl and Hastad. Dahl and Hastad were honorable mention All-District. Carson Stratmoen anchors the secondary as a returning cornerback.
The offensive line features seniors Ace Larson, Kingstron Johnson-Crosby (6-4, 225), Kyan Moseng (5-8, 175) and Ryker Gruwell (6-0, 225). Johnson-Crosby was an honorable mention All-District pick.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos
