Park played Southwest and beat them in their first sections game of the year on Oct. 22. The game ended with a score of 38-18, Park having more than double the score of Southwest, winning the game.
Assistant linebacker coach Parker Bretl said the team was confident in their performance going into sections.
“We felt very confident,” Bretl said. “We knew that we came off of a good Chanhassen game where, although we didn’t get the win, we played strong, so we felt good about the game today.”
Junior captain Mason Helfmann said the team felt ready for sections and they practiced and prepared their skills and strategies in preparation for it.
“Going into sections, we felt good, prepared a lot, knew our game plan, stuck with it and came out with the win,” Helfmann said.
Bretl said the entirety of the game went well—especially during the first half. He said Park was playing great defense and making Southwest work.
“In the first half, it went the way we wanted it to—shutting down Southwest,” Bretl said. “Especially in the first half, mainly defense and just playing as a complete unit.”
Senior Sam Tolzin said the team played well and didn’t lack in any areas. He said Park’s performance was solid on all fronts.
“I’m happy that our offense did good, our defense did good (and) we just played all-around great football,” Tolzin said.
Helfmann said he felt exhilarated at the end of the game, both by the Orioles victory, and because the practice and planning they put into it paid off.
“Just from following through with our game plan successfully, I felt excited, I guess, but also because it’s probably our biggest win this season,” Helfmann said.
Tolzin said one of Park’s biggest strengths is the comradery the team shares, and he looks up to several players on the team.
“As a team, we have a great community surrounding us,” Tolzin said. “I look up to Will Carpenter. He’s just a great teammate and Ted McCarren is also a great teammate.”
Bretl said to prepare for the game, he had Park work on comprehensive team play and will continue to do so going forward. He said the team playing as a unit is crucial to success.
“We worked on a lot of things, but mainly just focusing on what we’ve been doing all season—coming every day, working as a unit, and trying to be the best that we can be,” Bretl said. “Before our next game, we’re just going to reiterate what we’ve been doing all season and make sure we’re getting ready for Armstrong on Saturday.”
Park is playing their next game of sections against Armstrong at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Armstrong high school.
