STORM
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Football ................................ 1B Volleyball ............................. 2B Girls soccer .......................... 4B Cross-country .................... 5B
Boys soccer ......................... 6B Girls swim and dive.......... 7B Girls tennis .......................... 8B
Gradual ascent Storm football becoming annual force
continues
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
An annual trend appears to be developing when the Sauk Rapids-Rice football team takes the practice field for preseason workouts. The days of wondering if they can compete against some of the top Class 5A teams appear to be over, replaced by an air of quiet confidence. While that may not result in a state championship or even a winning record — because strange things can happen during a football season — the Storm have put themselves in a place where they are respected every time they hit the field. That status, ninth-year head coach Phillip Klaphake said, is something that did not come easily and is one the coaching staff, players and he earned. “We want to be in that place, right?” Klaphake asked, perhaps rhetorically. “We want people to know that when they play us, it’s going to be a good game. That’s it. We want to be a good 5A program and compete with everybody. We hope the best teams in our class see us and don’t think it’s going to be easy. We want to be in highly competitive games, and when it’s close, we find ways to win.” SRR has put itself in that usually relevant conversation, posting a 19-5 record the past three regular seasons, including wins over other established 5A teams such as Elk River, Alexandria, Bemidji, Sartell and Moorhead. Their intended climb up the competitive big school ladder begins Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Storm face Irondale at Irondale High School in New Brighton. The position of being a “team to beat” is something players who have been involved in the program for
PHOTO BY TOM FENTON
The 2024 Sauk Rapids-Rice football team seniors consist of Tyson Newville-Larson (front, from left), Kai Hall, Anthony Ballif-Sturkey, Anden Chapman, Cullen Thompson, Chris Pepin, Andrew Marten-Rosenow and Grayson Gazett; (middle, from left) Jonah Thell, Jake Thell, Ben Ellerbusch, Hayden Brown, Anthony Camara, Deagan Gondeck, Mason Sabraski and Jaylen Hanson-Ditthidet; (back, from left) Hudson Omoke, Brayden Kost, Xavier Thurston, Mason Anderson and Lincoln Rushmeyer. The Storm are coming off a 7-2 season in 2023.
years enjoy with immense quarterback Spencer Ackerpride. man. “It feels good to be a Omoke already owns part of this program most SRR receiving considering where records after catchwe are,” said senior ing 59 passes for 957 Jake Thell, who is yards and nine touchexpected to anchor an downs last season. experienced and big His cohort, Mason offensive line. “We’re Sabraski, hauled in looking to be one four touchdowns and of the best teams in finished with 509 the area, and we can yards as the other half compete for that title. Phillip Klaphake, of a dangerous 1-2 Lots of people like to punch. Slot receivers head coach call us the ‘secondMason Anderson and round exit’ in town, but we’re Jaylen Hanson-Ditthidet also so close to being where we return. want to be. We know if we Ackerman passed for keep taking the right steps and 1,923 yards and 15 touchkeep getting better every day, downs in his first year as a we’ll feel good.” starter. With so many receivThe 2024 lineup will be ers at his disposal, along with loaded with familiar faces. incoming running backs who Ten offensive players who saw boast impressive speed, Klaextensive playing time last phake said the ingredients are season return, including wide there to help Ackerman thrive. receiver and college recruit “Spencer is very tough,” Hudson Omoke and junior Klaphake said. “For what he
Football Head coach: Phillip Klaphake, ninth year (37-33 record) 2023: 7-2 overall; lost to Elk River 38-35 in Section 7AAAAA semifinals. Returning stat leaders: Passing: Spencer Ackerman 121-198 1,923 yards, 15 TD, 4 INT. Receiving: Hudson Omoke 59-957, 9 TD; Mason Sabraski 23-509, 4 TD; Mason Anderson 10-90 and Jaylen Hanson-Ditthidet 4-80 1 TD. Defense: Bradyn Kost 59 tackles, 4 TFL; Deagan Gondeck 43 tackles, 4 TFL; Ben Ellerbusch 35 tackles; Chris Pepin 31 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 fumble recoveries; Omoke 25 tackles, 2 INT; Carter Riedeman 23 tackles; Xavier Thurston 27 tackles, 1 TFL; Sabraski 13 tackles; Clayton Handeland 10 tackles; Anden Chapman 9 tackles, 1 TFL; Anthony Camara 6 tackles and Jonah Thell 5 tackles. weighs, he takes a lot of hits and pops back up. He really enjoys the mental side of the game, and he naturally picks the game up. He does things most high school quarterbacks probably aren’t doing. What’s cool is Spencer is on time. He’s not a recess quarterback.
There are throws he makes that are 18-, 19-, 20-year-old quarterback things. When he’s playing well, he can do everything we need him to.”
Football page 3B