As head football coach Ben Wolfe watches players run drills during practice, he reflects on the

team’s preparation for the upcoming Homecoming game against Holy Angels Academy.

“We had 10 practices scattered throughout the summer and the start of our official season was August 14, so we’ve had practices almost everyday since then,” Wolfe said. “We’ve been really focusing on technique and the drills that will make plays successful during a game.”

According to Wolfe, the Homecoming game is early compared to past years.

“The Homecoming game will be our third game of the season and in past years it has been the sixth or seventh, which is a little later in the season,” Wolfe said.

Senior varsity captain and quarterback Jonny Sorenson said the Homecoming game holds special weight to him and his teammates.

“The Homecoming game is the biggest game before playoffs. It’s the best time to showcase our talent to all the fans and it’s such a good atmosphere because the entire school is there,” Sorenson said.

Wolfe said the game was pushed earlier into the season so the team could play Holy Angels.

“It just worked out that it would be the time to do it with our schedule. We wanted to pick an opponent that we think would bring a big turnout or crowd,” Wolfe said.

Junior captain and safety Adam Bauer said he prefers an early Homecoming game.  

“I think it’s better that (the Homecoming game) is early because we’ll be fresher and we’ll get it over with. We’re all still excited and looking forward to it,” Bauer said.

Wolfe said the earlier date brings both advantages and difficulties to the Homecoming game that past years haven’t had.

“Ideally we will be fresh as far as injuries go in the season. We also will have had less practices and preparation for such a big game,” Wolfe said. “We are just taking each challenge and obstacle and overcoming them as we go.”

Junior wide receiver Semaj Mitchell said an earlier date won’t change the players mentality.

“(The earliness) doesn’t change anything. Our team will try to treat it like any other game,” Mitchell said.

Wolfe said he feels confident in the team’s ability to have a successful season and Homecoming game.

“We’ve seen (these players) meet a lot of the challenges we’ve thrown at them and they had a great summer and have worked really hard during the off-season. They’re just a group of guys that have really come together and worked hard every single day,” Wolfe said. “There’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the season.”

The Homecoming game will take place 7 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the St. Louis Park Stadium. Tickets cost $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults.