Football: LQPV Eagles hope more experience leads to success

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Sep. 1—MADISON — With 10 starters back from last season, the Lac qui Parle Valley football team hopes to climb out of the basement in the Mid-South White District.

The Eagles are coming off a 1-8 record in 2025. The lone win came in Week 8 against Yellow Medicine East.

Tony Smith is in his 13th season as head coach. His assistants are Bentley Boike, Mark Bjornjeld, Randy Mortenson and Zach Gearman.

Together, they'll try to get LQPV its first winning season since going 5-3 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

The Eagles' top returning player is senior Gavin Mortenson. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, Mortenson is a do-it-all talent, playing at running back, free safety, punt returner and kick returner.

There's a plethora of running back options for LQPV. Joining Mortenson as options are senior Jace Daline (5-11, 190 pounds), senior Grant Bjerke (6-0, 175) and junior Tucker Lines (6-0, 160). Daline and Bjerke are also slated to play linebacker while Lines is also a wide receiver and safety.

At quarterback, LQPV is leaning on 6-3, 170-pound senior Gavin Meyer. He'll also play at safety.

Among Meyer's weapons at receiver are junior Jackson Fernholz and senior Jax Wells. Both Fernholz (6-3, 150) and Wells (5-10, 170) will play in the defensive backfield on defense. There's also junior Tanner Tilbury (6-4, 190) at tight end as well as defensive end.

The Eagles bring back two starters in the trenches. Matthew Schuermann, a senior, comes in at 6-3 and 270 pounds. Joining him is fellow senior Kason Heneicke, who measures at 5-10 and 235.

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