Foes become teammates as Blooming Prairie, Hayfield combine

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Sep. 1—BLOOMING PRAIRIE — After winning a combined three games last season, Blooming Prairie and Hayfield have decided to set aside their rivalry and join forces to co-op for the 2026 season.

Fluctuating participation and students' safety went into the decision to merge programs. The new co-op has strength in numbers and veterans and is eager to start fresh.

Juniors Lukas Denherder (HB) and Max Sorensen (WR) are ready to lead the offensive attack after productive seasons in 2025, while senior Eliot Gimbel (WR/SS) and juniors Christian Mealy (WR/FS) provide depth at wide receiver. Up front, the team features seasoned seniors Connor Cooke (OC/DE) and Kingston Lee (OT/DE) and juniors David Penkava (OG/DE) and Tiger Coolidge (T/DE).

Quarterback duties will be filled by senior Chase Escamilla and junior Eli Johnson.

BP/Hayfield coaches Chad Gimbel and Derrick Thompson also expect contributions from junior newcomers including Jaxon Meier (WR/SS), Jesse Mealy (WR/SS) and lineman Ryan Nelson.

With greater depth, team speed and experience, the coaching staff is optimistic about the two teams coming together.

"The schedule will be very balanced this year, with Maple River and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown being the returning top teams in the section," Thompson said. "Our goal is to continue to improve each day, work to grow, get to know each other and the system. If we do that, we feel we have a chance to be one of the top teams in the section."

The Bombers are looking to build on last season's 4-5 finish, which ended with a first-round playoff loss to section runner-up Randolph. It was the first time the Bombers put together a record below .500 since 2018-19 when they went 5-7.

Offensively, Cannon Falls has an adept senior class, led by Jack Shepersky (RB/DE, 500 rushing yards in 2025), Griffin Peterson (RB/LB, All-District in 2025) and Will Montgomery (RB/DB, averaged nearly 10 yards per carry in 2025).

At quarterback, the Bombers bring back both junior Trey Schoenfelder and senior Beck Swanson, who each gained valuable reps behind center last fall. Up front, the offensive line will be anchored by returning seniors Charlie Rustad and Evan Miller.

The Bombers use a run-heavy offense with plenty of options at running back in Shepersky, Peterson, Montgomery and junior TJ Kyyra.

While the seniors lead the way, Cannon Falls head coach Dan Meyers is excited about the junior class, including Harrison Sjoquist (DE/TE), who has Division I interest, alongside Connor Hyllengren and Charlie Nelson.

Meyers said Cannon Falls' identity is built on culture, leadership and physicality.

"We have a senior class that has invested a tremendous amount of time into this program, and they've embraced what we believe in as a coaching staff," Meyers said. "The district was incredibly tough last year, with Goodhue leading the charge. We're hoping with the number of quality players we have returning, we can compete for a top spot."

The Wildcats are coming off an outstanding season in which they secured their second consecutive section championship and a Class 2A state runner-up finish, falling just short to Jackson County Central, 20-15.

The Wildcats are in a good position to continue their football reign in Minnesota this fall and have now won 30 of their last 35 games.

With 19 seniors on the roster — the most in recent memory — Goodhue brings back six offensive and six defensive starters. After graduating three-sport standout Luke Roschen, the quarterback position is currently a battle between his younger brother, senior Owen Roschen, and newcomers Jackson Lodermeier and Colten Lohman.

Defensively, the Wildcats are anchored by standout senior Ethan O'Reilly, who recorded 111 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries last year.

Fellow senior Jack O'Reilly also returns to the defense, after totaling 73 tackles and an interception in 2025. The kicking game remains solid with senior Cristian Monjaraz-Mendez and junior Gio Sanchez.

Goodhue head coach Tony Poncelet is happy with his team's depth this season.

"We have 19 seniors and bring back six offensive starters and six defensive starters," Poncelet said. "We have good numbers, which will make practice competitive for those open spots."

Kenyon-Wanamingo last won a game on Oct. 4, 2024, before finishing 1-8 that season. The Knights went 0-9 in 2025, but look to turn the page this season.

The Knights return every starter from last season's offensive line, anchored by seniors Collin Meyer and Jaxson Hedeen. Meyer was named the team's lineman of the year in 2025, while Hedeen contributed 16 tackles and a forced fumble.

Senior quarterback Jaydan Carroll is back after starting eight of nine games last year. He threw for 400 yards and boasted a 50% completion rate. Carroll is joined in the backfield by juniors Nate Keller and Gideon Johnson, who are expected to be leaders on both sides of the ball.

On defense, Johnson returns as the team leader in tackles (76) and tackles for loss (4), while Keller added 55 stops last fall. Sophomore running backs/safeties Ben Scheffler (36 tackles) and Seth Nystuen are showing potential and will play bigger roles this year.

"We bring back a lot of experience this year. Overall, we will still be young, but that youth played a lot of games last year," Kenyon-Wanamingo head coach Cole Walters said. "This group has a great bond and a lot of trust with one another. We are excited for this team to build on the development they've had in the off-season and show their improvement."

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