Section Strength: 1A

This is the sixth installation of the Section Strength series. Class 1A is the smallest 11-man schools in the state, although most teams are small in numbers there is always a few teams who have some diamonds in the rough on their squads. This class has their fair share of dynasty-like teams in the state. Unfortunately, two of them fall in the same section, making this Class' strongest Section easier to pick than other classes. That particular section is Section 5, I chose this class because four of the eight teams have experienced the State Tournament in recent memory, and a couple teams have gone to state in more than one class. BOLD Warriors The Warriors finished the 2018 season at 13-1, their only loss coming in the Prep Bowl. Averaging 52 points a game on offense and giving up only 8 points on defense. BOLD is one of the teams in the Section who have gone to State in both Class 1A and 2A. The Warriors had a very wide variety of formations and plays in their playbook, which is why they were really tricky to stop. On defense, they seemed to play a basic 4-4 front. They will be returning a good group of seniors for the 2019 season including: Quarterback/Defensive Back- Jordan Sagedahl, all-around athleticism, plays both of his positions to his highest level and has lots of ball-sense as well. [caption id="attachment_9554" align="alignnone" width="284"] Sagedahl West Central Tribune[/caption] Minneota Vikings The Vikings finished the season at 10-1, only loss coming in the Section Title game. Averaging 41 points a game on offense and giving up 16 points a game on defense. Minneota has also played in both 1A and 2A State tournaments in recent history. The Vikings seem to like their run game as well as the play-action coming out of it. Defensively, looks to come out in a 4-3 look. Minneota will return a group of seniors for the 2019 season including: Running Back- Cole Sanow, speed and power, finds open field and takes off, dishes out contact as well. [caption id="attachment_9555" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sanow- Minneota Mascot[/caption] Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks The Blackjacks finished the season at 8-2, only losses coming from Minneota. Averaging 44 points a game on offense and giving up 16 points a game on defense. Dawson-Boyd made State Title runs until Minneota and BOLD moved into the section. The Blackjacks like their speed and will get the ball to the perimeter in a hurry. Defensively, comes out in a 4-3 look. Dawson-Boyd seems to have a rebuilding year in 2019 but will return a few good players including: Offensive Lineman- Quintin Lehmann, strength, gets low, drives off the snap and finishes the block. Ortonville Trojans The Trojans finished the season at 6-4, three of their four losses came to the top three seeds in the section. Ortonville did not have a lot of film available, I was not able to find tendencies or many key returning players. Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles The Eagles finished the season at 3-6. Lac qui Parle runs a simple pro-style offense, along with a 4-4 style defense. The Eagles will return a good core of seniors for next season including: Linebacker- Layton Wittnebel, awareness, plays both the run and the pass, makes the sure tackle and will deliver a big hit if possible. Canby Lancers The Lancers finished the season at 3-6. Canby seems to run a spread offense, along with a defense that kind of looked like a 5-3. Canby may be in a rebuilding year for 2019, they will return a good player in: Wide Receiver- Tyler Sayre, awareness and hands, runs his route hard and finds the soft spot in the defense and sits there to make the catch. Yellow Medicine East Sting The Sting finished the season at 2-7. Yellow Medicine East seemed to be a option offense with a 5-3 defense with a roaming safety. The Sting will return a good core in 2019 with key players that include: Quarterback/Linebacker- Angel Jimenez, size and arm, muscles through blocks on defense and has some zip on his passes. Lakeview Lakers The Lakers finished the season at 2-7. Lakeview also seems to like the spread offense as well as a 5-3 defense. The Lakers will have more success in 2019 as they will return a big crew of seniors including: Quarterback-Aaron Loe, agility and arm, is hard to catch in the backfield and can throw a good ball on the run.