The fighting Saints varsity football team faced a fierce battle on October 19 when they faced off with another undefeated top-ranked Elk River team. This match-up became the spotlight game for KARE 11 TV for the week and was hosted at the Saints home field.  

The hard-fought game also marked the celebration of Senior night where senior players and their parents were recognized.

 “We have a very good senior crew that has been fully devoted into bettering their bodies and their minds,” said Offensive Line coach Steve Girard. 

Girard said that the coaching staff feels this team has been very coachable and that has led them to the successful season they’ve had this year so far. Girard felt that no matter the outcome of this particular game – win or lose, the team is still a success. 

For senior night the field was lined with banners of the senior class players, as well as the seniors on the dance team who perform live at every home halftime. 

“They all had to write a handwritten letter to their parent or guardian,” Girard said, “and we did a little blurb about them on the field.” 

Joan Johnson, parent of player Wes Johnson, was one of the senior parents there to celebrate her son that evening.

“It was nice to combine senior night and parent night in the same game,” Johnson said. 

She enjoyed being able to see her son recognized for what he does as a student-athlete and felt it was a special moment to share together.

 The team has shown their hard work with a 7-1 record going into sections and they were hoping to see it pay off. 

“Although the game didn’t favor us in the end, it was nice to see all the seniors get recognized in their last year in this tough game,” said senior Kaiden Heckenlaible who plays right guard.

In the end, Coach Girard was proud of his players..

“(This senior class is) devoted to be good teammates, good classmates,” said Girard. “They are everything you imagine about a student athlete.”