2023 Cougar’s Mission

“Our Mabel-Canton 2023 Football CULTURE is shown by our strict DEDICATION and DETERMINATION to our family. We are RESPECTFUL and our positive MENTALITY is shown through our HUMBLE LEADERSHIP on and off the field”

Resilient, focused, determined, family, culture, proud. These are just a few words that I would use to describe this year's team. This team showed grit and gave everything they had throughout the entire season.  There were many ups and downs and the boys showed toughness, not ever throwing in the towel when things were going bad.  These young men grew in character and determination to make their time together memorable.

As I look back on the season and the teams we played in our district, there was never a game where you thought this would be a sure win.  Any of the teams could win on any given night.  As a team we had to prepare and be ready for a competitive game each and every week.  I think that is one of the reasons this season will be so memorable.  We ended the regular season with a 4-4 record but we could have easily been 7-1.  Of our 4 losses, 3 of them were by 3 or less points. Those games came down to converting on our PAT’s, something we must improve on! Unfortunately, the season ended in the first round of the playoffs with a loss at Spring Grove.

Highlights from this season include:  The work the kids put in during the off season.  They were committed and we had great attendance at our morning workouts.  Our trip to South Dakota for team camp. It was fun to see the team together in a different atmosphere. Our win against Lanesboro which was the turning point of our season, this is where we began to focus on 1 play at a time - doing your part, to the best of your ability, for that play. You may get your part done and you may not get it done, but move on to the next play and do it over again. Beating Spring Grove on homecoming which broke a 14 year losing streak. And one last highlight is just getting to spend time with these players.  They are good kids, frustrating at times,but fun to be around, and I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Seniors: Cayden Tollefsrud, Hayden Erickson, Colton Tollefsrud, Triston Hunsaker, Riley Snell

Captains: Cayden Tollefsrud, Hayden Erickson, Tyler Larson

Team Awards: 

MVP: Cayden Tollefsrud Most Improved: Kale Tollefsrud

Scout Player of the Year: Triston Hunsaker Hardest Worker: Hayden Erickson

Most Valuable Offensive Back: Cayden Tollefsrud Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Milton Hutchinson

Most Valuable Defensive Back: Cayden Tollefsrud Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Tyler Larson

District Awards:

All District: Cayden Tollefsrud, Tyler Larson, Isaac Underbakke, & Colton Tollefsrud HM: Hayden Erickson & Milton Hutchinson

Area Awards:

Post Bulletin All Area Team: 2nd Team: Cayden Tollefsrud

State Awards:

Academic Team All State: Silver Award

All-State HM: Cayden Tollefsrud