MOORHEAD, Minn. (Valley News Live) – The Moorhead Spuds will face off against the Edina Hornets at 7 p.m. Friday for the 6A state championship football title at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Friday morning, fans braved the cold as the Spuds made their way to the stadium.
“I feel great. It’s a great opportunity to go out there and show 6A what Moorhead Football is really about. It’s just a great opportunity to go out and prove the whole state wrong,” said Gage Bakke, a Senior on the Moorhead Spuds Football Team.
Division change brings new challenges and opportunities
This season, the Spuds moved from the 5A to 6A division. The change meant no more games against teams like Alexandria and Brainerd.
Dean Haugo, the Activities Director at Moorhead High School, said the move has been a positive experience.
“I think we’ve learned a lot of things about just the way 6A Football operates but also how we fit into that picture. From that perspective, I think, there’s some things we’ve really appreciated and enjoyed,” Haugo said. “From a travel perspective, every week is consistent. We’re down I-94 to the cities, every week. Rather than being on some 2-way highway going to Bemidji or Brainerd. I think we’ve been able to embrace the change.”
With four regular season away games in the cities, the team has traveled over 1,400 miles to and from those games. For parents, the distance didn’t stop them from cheering on their children.
“It’s just amazing what they’re doing. All of them are amazing boys,” said Rachel Meyer, the mother of a player.
“All the miles are worth it. My husband and I this season split games because we couldn’t both make it to all of them sadly. But we split up so one of us was always there. The miles are worth it,” said Trisha Myklebust, the mother of another player.
Players said the miles are worth it and the traveling doesn’t exhaust them.
“I feel like with 5A last year, we’ve had to go to the cities and had long bus rides. So it’s just, ya know, an extra hour. It’s been great,” Bakke said.
Haugo said Moorhead is ready for Friday’s championship game.
“When it comes to state tournament time, we might not have huge attendance for a quarter final game. Or, it will build up a little for a semi-final game. What we have found even just through fan bus sign ups and things of that nature, is that once we hit the championship round, the championship game. The interest sparks significantly,” Haugo said.
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