Quote Me, Howie: Erik Lofald, Scott Arntson, Pete Stasiuk, Vikings' W
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□ Duluth Denfeld football coach Erik Lofald on his team's 49-28 victory at Grand Rapids on Friday night, keeping the Hunters unbeaten at 2-0 and 1-0 in the Northeast Red: "Grand Rapids is another tough, well-coached team, making it even more challenging on the road. So it was a great test for us. I thought the Thunderhawks did a great job early defensively, and gave us some unique looks offensively, but it’s just a matter of time before we overwhelm teams with our speed and physicality. We did a good job mixing in the passing game and made some big completions. (Junior QB) Lee Brooks played great, going 5/10 for 74 yards and also scrambled for tough first downs. The rushing attack ground out 392 yards, with (junior halfback) Deon Bergner rushing 12 times for 202 yards and four touchdowns and (senior fullback) Taye Manns adding 166 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. The defense turned over Rapids three times, and Bergner put the game away with a 55-yard pick-six. It was our first win in Grand Rapids since 2018."
□ Esko football coach Scott Arntson on his team's 1-1 start, which includes a resounding 56-0 road victory at Proctor on Friday night: "We are an extremely young team. We are starting four sophomores and one or two freshmen this year. We only have five seniors on the team, and one is our kicker. We are focusing on improving each half-game at a time and hoping to be playing our best football by the end of the season. Our senior quarterback Jacion Owens (MAUM commit) has played very well for us. Mora (Esko's Week 3 opponent) is always an extremely well-coached team with an active off-season lifting program. They will be a very tough match-up for us."
□ Esko volleyball coach Pete Stasiuk on his team’s 11-2 start, which includes a 3-1 record in a North Branch tournament Saturday: “We’re getting production from everyone up and down the lineup, which is encouraging with a good mix of seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen. Cassie Stark is the glue that holds our team together. Chiara Houser leads us in kill percentage, and Maya Johnson and Clara Swanson are strong power hitters. Sydney Kazel is an elite setter. We lost in the last two Section 7AA championship matches to Rush City, and they’re the team to beat again this season. Proctor is also tough. I’m very optimistic for our team this season and moving forward.”
Local response to the Vikings' 28-6, season-opening win against the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon
□ Arik Forsman – "Balanced, consistent, and explosive at times. Reports of the Vikings demise this season were premature, as the purple took care of business and had their largest margin of victory in five seasons against the Giants on Sunday. A much bigger test awaits them next weekend with the 49ers, but if this formula of stifling defense, a potent rushing attack led by former cheesehead Aaron Jones and Slingin’ Sam Darnold hitting his spots in the KOC offense can be replicated, the Vikes have a fun and competitive season ahead of them in 2024.”
□ John Gilbert – "Sam Darnold put on a show and the Vikings were near flawless in whipping the Giants. We were all apprehensive about Darnold, but if he can keep it up, we’ll all ask, 'Kirk who?' Detroit looked good in beating the Rams in overtime, but Green Bay is thrown in disarray with Jordan Love out for a month, and Chicago muddled through without impressing. So front-running fans can act like the Vikings are a top contender — even when they play tougher teams."
□ Fred Friedman – "On the same day that the Twins quit in Kansas City, the Vikings did anything but. Their defense looked nothing like the last few years thanks to seven contributing new players (Gilmore, Greenard, Tillery, Van Ginkel, Turner, and Cashman, and Griffin), three veteran Viking safeties (Smith, Bynum, Metellus) and the pre-season dispatching of two overrated, and draft disaster defensive backs (Booth and Cine). Sam Darnold was poised and accurate (did I mention that Cousins lost?) and after a weak opening possession the interior offensive line protected our quarterback and opened enough holes so a Vikings team ran the ball. I acknowledge tougher opponents lie ahead with substantially more talent but the fan base got some good news in a road win across the river from New York where Minnesota teams seldom show up."
□ Jim Perrault – "(QB Sam) Darnold was almost perfect, JJ (Justin Jefferson) played like he is and the defense was exemplary. And Vans' (Andrew Van Ginkel's) interception was icing on the cake. They played in somebody else’s house beyond my expectations. SKOL, Vikings."
□ Daniel Fanning – "Overall, an impressive first game for the Vikings after an active offseason. GM Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell deserve credit for picking up several key additions to the team. Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner were all impressive in their debuts. The offensive linemen were the unsung heroes of the game, solid and consistent protection. Brian Flores’ defensive was strong and relentless. Good team effort and victory, and much to build on. Still plenty of room for improvement, too. There were some mistakes and penalties that need to get cleaned up moving forward as they’re facing much tougher opponents in the coming weeks, including hosting the 49ers next week."
□ Mike Zagelmeyer – "I was pleasantly surprised with the win. The big question is if the Vikings defense is that good, or is Daniel Jones that bad? I am leaning toward the latter. But give the Vikings defense credit, they did what they are supposed to do against an inferior quarterback. Jones looked confused and made a ton of bad decisions, so chalk one up for Brian Flores and his defense. Offensively I thought Darnold didn't try to do too much, and give credit to KOC for not overwhelming him in his debut. Overall, Viking fans should be happy. Enjoy the win because the schedule is quite formidable in the upcoming weeks."
□ Andy Fenske – "The game was a pleasant surprise after that opening drive when I figured it would be a long day. It was awesome to see the team click as well as they did in the opening game. The best part is that JJ didn't need a breakout game. Darnold had plenty of time to make decisions in the pocket, pick apart the secondary, and utilize a lot of our weapons. The ground game was dominant, the passing was better than in years, and the defense played well, too. A buddy of mine said not to get too excited about the Vikes after playing a team like that, but when you're projected to finish last in the division, you celebrate any win, especially in a blowout."
□ Tim Meyer – "I thought the Vikings looked solid on both sides of the ball. I like the balanced attack on offense between the run game with Aaron Jones and the passing game with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Sam Darnold was very consistent starting the game 10-for-10 passing. Brian Flores’ defense shows great promise with the new defensive personnel. All-in-all, a great performance."
□ Tom Elwell – "Darnold was better than Cousins on Sunday. That says it all. Everyone had high expectations for Darnold. He was the number one overall draft pick seven years ago. He's had some bad luck – that's for sure. He has struggled with crummy teams and injuries. When he got injured in San Francisco, Purdy took over for him and never looked back. Darnold now has his chance to prove himself. If he can stay healthy, I think he will. I also think he will find Justin Jefferson next week. When their chemistry jells, watch out."
