This year’s football camp centered on players believing in themselves at every practice and from the opening kickoff of every game, said head coach Erik Hermanson.
That comes from being “Clipper tough.”
“We want to bring a healthy dose of confidence to the game by being prepared: not waiting for confidence to come but bringing it. We want our players to be the guy everyone wants as a teammate and the guy nobody wants to play against.”
Forty-five seventh through 12th graders attended the camp, which was held on Monday through Friday of last week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Monday, Thursday and Friday, the Clippers practiced on Dave Krenik Field. As the weather was very hot and very wet on Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather forced them into the new gym.
“We were only able to be on the field for parts of three nights, but we are so thankful and indebted to the Cleveland community for providing us with an incredible gym for indoor improvement – regardless of the weather,” Hermanson said.
The 2025 Clippers will have big shoes to fill as gone to graduation are wide receiver and team MVP Brennan Kortuem, lineman Nick Simonette, center Noah Hermel, running back Kale Kelley, lineman Alex Johnson and quarterback and middle linebacker Blake Lyons, who was out with an injury for most of the season.
They led the Clippers to a 6-4 record last fall, up sharply from their 1-8 finish in 2023. Other than Norwood-Young America, all their losses, WEM by 5 points, Randolph by 6 points and finally USC by 6 points—despite injuries that sidelined key players—all came down to their final possession.
But the time has come to look forward, Hermanson said.
“We took a big step last year, and those seniors were key contributors but last year doesn’t count now. We have learned those lessons and had a great experience, but we can’t take those wins with us.”
He said the 2025 season began late last fall.
“We started over right after Thanksgiving with our lifting program and now we had an awesome camp. The question is do we have a hunger to keep getting better?”
Hermanson said in his time as a coach, the field has never been in as good of shape. Helping him put on the camp were assistant coaches Kyle Atherton, Larry Walechka and Matt Miller as well as former players Lucas Walechka (CHS 2022) and Carter Dylla (CHS 2022).
The district has been realigned this year. The Clippers will not play any Class 2A teams. In what will be a grudge match, they start the season on Thursday, August 28 where they left off last year: against host USC (Wells).
The following Friday, they take on former nine-man rival Madelia in Madelia. The two teams last met in 2018 in Madelia with the Clippers edging the Blackhawks by a touchdown. As a nine-man team last year, the Blackhawks went 1-7.
A week later, on September 12, they have their home opener against Lewiston-Altura, a new opponent this year. Last season, the Cardinals, as a Class 2A club, had a 7-3 record.
Then it’s back on the road a week later when they travel to Winthrop to take on GFW. Last season, the Clippers won there 17-10.
On Friday, September 26, they host St. James for homecoming. In 2024, the Clippers beat the Saints in the first round of section play 42-20.
The following Friday, they take on host Mayer Lutheran, a team that had easily rolled over the Clippers until last year, when the Clippers dominated the Crusaders 42-6.
On Friday, October 10, they host Lester Prairie for Parents Night. The Bulldogs will be looking to avenge their 22-20 loss to the host Clippers a year prior.
The following Wednesday, the Clippers close out their regular season at home against Martin County West on Senior night. Although the Clippers are familiar with the Valley Conference Mavericks, this is their first meeting on the football field. As a Class A school last year, the Mavericks had a 4-5 record.
The season’s first practice is on Monday, August 11 at 7:00 a.m.
Above: Clipper linemen Carsyn Ryg, Mason Kluntz and David Draheim burst out of the gate in a stance drill. At left is assistant coach Matt Miller while at right is assistant coach Larry Walechka.
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