|
|
The Pipestone Area Schools football team on Monday began preparing for the season opener coming in less than three weeks.
PAS head coach Scott Boomgaarden reported 38 players out for football, what he considered an “average” amount for this Class AA program.
The Arrows’ season opener is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 at Redwood Valley, emanating from the Inglis Athletic Complex in Redwood Falls.
Boomgaarden said the team worked on “basics” during Monday’s training session, which included stretching, team offensive and team defensive drills, some special team work and customary strength and conditioning.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Xavier Banjoko (50) pursues a Blue Earth Area ball carrier during the 2024 season opener at Blue Earth Area. The Arrows will not face the Buccaneers this season; however, they’ll play new additions Windom and Sibley East. PAS opens on the road for the second straight year, this time at Redwood Valley. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
Since school is not in session yet, Boomgaarden said the Arrows will have two practices per day Monday-Friday leading up to Aug. 22 (which will feature an evening session to acclimate players for gameday schedules).
“It’s going to be like a pregame practice,” the coach commented.
Then the Arrows will scrimmage Russell-Tyler-Ruthton at Paulsen Athletic Complex beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. In case of saturated grounds, the event will move to the artificial turf field at RTR in Tyler.
There has been a noticeable shake-up with the 2025 schedule, with Blue Earth Area and Maple River dropped.
Matt Lundeen-coached Redwood Valley remains on the schedule despite leaving the section.
“Redwood Valley is a team we have experience playing,” Boomgaarden noted. “They are a rival, and we always have good games with them.”
Pipestone Area Schools’ head football coach Scott Boomgaarden instructs the team during a Thursday, Aug. 14, training session. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Facing Redwood Valley will help the Arrows in the long run, especially since the Cardinals present plenty of unique wrinkles on both sides of the ball.
PAS defeated Redwood Valley both times during the 2024 campaign, including a 23-14 victory on Oct. 26 in the Section 3AA semifinals at the Paulsen Athletic Complex.
The Arrows will square off against another recent postseason opponent in the home opener on Sept. 5 as Windom Area comes to Pipestone.
Former Dakota State University player Wyatt Winion is entering his second season as Eagle head coach. Minion replaced Adam Farag during the spring of 2024.
PAS plays many other familiar opponents at home this year, Jackson County Central on Sept. 19, Luverne Sept. 26 (the traditional Battle Axe game) and Sibley East Oct. 10 (another new addition and historically late Homecoming contest).
Pipestone Area Schools’ Griffin Smidt works during a Thursday, Aug. 14, practice session at the Paulsen Athletic Complex. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Jackson County Central will bring its blingy star power with University of Minnesota signee Roman Voss and mammoth 6-foot-6, 280-pound offensive tackle Weston Rowe — who committed to South Dakota State University.
Like last year, PAS travels to New Ulm for a date with Minnesota Valley Lutheran at Johnson Field. The Arrows escaped with a 34-28 win on Sept. 27, 2024.
Other road games are at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial on Friday, Oct. 3, and LeSeuer-Henderson Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The Section 3AA playoffs will open on Tuesday, Oct. 21 with the championship game at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, from Mattke Field on the Southwest Minnesota State University campus in Marshall.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Luka Quist makes a reception during a practice session on Thursday, Aug. 14. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The Minnesota State High School League state championships will be on Nov. 21-22, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, with quarterfinals at various sites Nov. 6-8 and semifinals Nov. 13-15 (also at “The Bank”).
In related PAS football news, Trevor Tiefenthaler was promoted to varsity assistant coach. Andy Yost resigned as offensive coordinator, but remains in the school district as an instructor.
Pipestone Area Schools logo. (Contributed graphic from the PAS school district)
FOOTBALL
Pipestone Area Schools
2025 Schedule
Regular Season
August
23, RUSSELL-TYLER-RUTHTON (SCRIMMAGE), 9 a.m.; 29, at Redwood Valley, Inglis Athletic Complex, Redwood Falls
September
5, WINDOM; 12, at Minnesota Valley Lutheran, Johnson Field, New Ulm; 19, JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL; 26, LUVERNE (BATTLE AXE)
October
3, at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial; 10, SIBLEY EAST (HOMECOMING); 15, at Le-Seuer-Henderson, LeSeuer
Playoff Schedule
October
21, Section 3AA Quarterfinals; 25, Section 3AA Semifinals; 31, Section 3AA Championship
November
6-8, MSHSL State Quarterfinals (various sites); 13-15, MSHSL Semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis; 21-22, MSHSL Finals, Prep Bowl Series, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Editor’s Note:All home games are listed in ALL CAPS, and played at the Paulsen Athletic Complex. Kickoffs are set for 7 p.m.