LA CRESCENT — The La Crescent-Hokah High School football team gets a good look tonight at team it would like to emulate.
Winona Cotter/Hope Lutheran won a total of five games from 2022-2024 before breaking out and winning nine and qualifying for an MSHSL section championship game a year ago.
The Lancers have won six games over the past three seasons and won once while putting a young lineup on the field in 2025.
But there is reason for La Crescent-Hokah to believe it can make a jump while leaning on most of those same players this fall. The first test is against the Ramblers at Earl Seaton Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff today.
“They were a really good team last year,” La Crescent-Hokah coach Terry Donovan said of Cotter. “They had some struggled before that and then came back and won nine games. We think we can make a similar turnaround.”
There is excitement around a group of returning players like quarterback Maverick Moor and running back Mason Conroy and a new defensive approach with new defensive coordinator Steve Kramer.
Kramer makes a move after serving as offensive coordinator at Aquinas, which won three WIAA state championships with him on the staff. He was also head coach at La Crescent-Hokah in 2012 and 2013.
“It’s a change, and we have to get used to that,” senior linebacker Bradon Stivarius, who will also play wide receiver. “We’re adapting very well, and we’re getting the reps we need. I’m really excited about it.
“It’s a fast defense, and our slogan is ‘All gas, no brakes.’ That’s our offense and defense.”
Donovan is excited about Kramer’s ideas, too.
“He preparation and football knowledge is unparalleled,” Donovan said of Kramer. “He will have that defense flying around and making plays. It really fits the personnel.”
Offensively, Donovan can look forward to three experienced players to carry the ball in Conroy, Moor and senior A’Jaydis Patschull.
Moor is capable of big things and rushed for 343 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 200 and four scores when the Lancers beat Red Wing 63-29 for their only win last year.
Donovan said the big work done in the offseason was building confidence in the ability to reverse course after negative plays. The additional experience that exists can help do that.
“I think we have a lot of playmakers who have played a lot of football now,” Donovan said. “That can really help steady everything when we get into those crazy Friday nights.”
Conroy, who will play running back and outside linebacker, echoed Donovan’s thoughts on La Crescent-Hokah’s potential for big plays.
“I see us as explosive,” Conroy said when asked specifically about the offense. “I think we’ll be able to get into space with our receivers and our running backs. We have a couple interior (offensive) lineman that are new, but they’ve been doing great.”
