Carlton Opens Season with New Hope

Cade Pierson – NSO

After losing nine seniors from last year’s squad, the Carlton Bulldogs will look to build off of their foundation this season. Fourth year head coach Erik Hanson is looking to carry over momentum from last years two big final regular season wins “This year we are looking to follow up last years two big wins, beating Northland-Reimer and McGregor, and playing Wrenshall tough in the first half, I think the kids are ready to go this season”

The Dogs will have to fill many holes left behind, losing nine starting spots filled by seniors, “The nine guys we had were very athletic, and played a big role. Any time you lose nine guys in general, that is a big loss for a school our size”, but Hanson is wanting his younger guys to start working and fill those shoes, “It’s time for them to step up.” the coach said.

Carlton will now look to seniors Alex Bodin, Marshall Bennett, Ethan Randall, and Val Frische to make a big impact on both sides of the ball. Also manning the quartback position this year again is Jackson Mickle. Shoring up the offensive line is Junior Sam Macor, who has been starting since he started high school at Carlton. Rounding off the defense is juniors Nate Nilsen and Isaiah Wallace, who both had major minutes last year.

After new rules were implemented this year only allowing the Dogs one full week of full padded practice before game time, Coach Hansen isn’t worried, “It doesn’t hurt us that much, being a smaller school, it effects more of the bigger schools that actually go two times a day” Further adding, “We will go about our normal schedule”.

Experienced Junior Eric Soderstrom is looking forward to the season to begin , “We are looking to grow together as a team.” said Soderstrom. The Bulldogs will look to start the season off in the win column this Saturday at home, against the Cherry Tigers at 7:00 p.m. and continuing with two more games before school starts.