Minnetrista, MN – Mound Westonka, who returns 35 letterwinners, begins their season this Thursday night as they face off against the SMB Wolfpack on the campus of Blake School. Head Varsity football coach Nick David begins his 12th season at the helm of the White Hawks program, and he is looking towards this season’s senior dominated team. “We have been looking forward to this Senior class since they were in middle school as they have always been a big class with some very talented athletes,” said David. Westonka begins their second year of play in the Skyway Bronze Subdistrict which includes archrival Orono, Delano, and Providence Academy.

The White Hawks finished the 2023 regular season with a record of 7-1, their lone loss to Orono on a Homecoming Friday that turned into Homecoming Saturday due to a lightning delay and a monsoon of rain. The coaching staff remains the same as offensive coordinator Mike Wallace returns for his 10th season. Defensive coordinator Kyle Ague returns as the defensive coordinator, his 4th year in that role.

Unlike last year when Westonka’s offense started a bevy of first-time starters, the White Hawks will see a senior laden bunch, including 2023 All-District selections, running back Ray Beiningen and QB Cole Drill. Beiningen tallied a 4A season-high 1,577 yards on the ground to go along with 27 TD’s. Meanwhile, Drill threw for just under 1,200 yards and ran for another 427 yards, while accounting for 13 touchdowns. “Coach David stated that “Cole and Ray are about as good of a QB-RB combination in the state of MN. We are so glad to have them back leading our offense.” Wide Receiver Max Kraay will start for a third consecutive season amidst a 2023 season where he caught 45 passes for 639 yards and four touchdowns. JT Kimbrough (12 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD) will once again start at the slot receiver position, while Carter Kleinsasser will see an ample opportunity to catch passes from the tight end spot. Joe Sluka, who caught eight passes last year, and Henry Slater will see time at the other slot receiver. Junior Andrew Hoisington will start at the H-back position and Senior George Eberhart will also provide needed depth at the WR position.

The offensive line will have to fill some big holes as Mikey Oftedahl, a 4-year starter and three-time All-District selection, and All-District selection Connor Esposito move on to play at the collegiate level. Senior John Seemann will anchor the line at center with senior Dylan Holappa, who moves from his tight end position to left guard. Junior Dawson Leinfelder returns at right guard, whereas 2023 All-District Selection Dylan Sloan will start at left tackle. Phil Pisarchuk will get the start at right tackle. Senior Grayson Van Nelson will also see time along the offensive line.

A 2023 All-District Selection at linebacker, Carter Kleinsasser, looks to improve on his 49-tackle (team-leading 32 solo tackles) season, which included four sacks, four tackles-for-loss, and a safety. Sloan (41 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries) and senior Roman Larsen (team-leading 54 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and five sacks) will clog the line of scrimmage with nose guard Angelo Lopez. Seniors Eric Von Holtz and Cole Munsterteiger fill out the other linebacker positions, while junior Cade Newell will be a first-time starter at cornerback along with Sluka. Kimbrough (28 tackles), who led the team with five passes defended last season, will move from his cornerback position to one of the safeties. Junior Brandt Tebbs joins him at the other safety position. Tebbs was the second-leading tackler last year playing cornerback, as he tallied 49 total tackles (30 solo) to go along with four passes defended. “We do not have as much depth as we have had the past couple of years defensively so we will look a little different schematically at times, due to our personnel,” said David. “With that, we have some really talented players coming back from last year’s defense and our secondary is much-improved,” added David.

The kicking responsibilities will be handled by sophomore Chase Lee and junior Issei Finger. Meanwhile, seniors George Eberhart and Colten Max will have a big impact on special teams. Beiningen, Kimbrough, and Tebbs will take on kick and punt returning duties.

Mound Westonka has been Subdistrict Champions 5 out of the last 9 seasons, but have not been able to advance past the Section 6AAAA Semifinals. “We have seen some success in the playoffs, but we have never made it to a Section Championship game nor qualified for the State Playoffs in the history of our high school football program,” noted David. “This is definitely the goal of this senior class.”