ROCORI looking for return trip to US Bank Stadium

The ROCORI football team lost the 2023 Class 4-A state championship game to Hutchinson. ROCORI head coach James Herberg joined me on WJON to preview the 2024 Spartans. Herberg recalls how resilient the 2023 team was in overcoming challenges to advance to the Prep Bowl. The Spartans only lost 2 regular season games last season, including Detroit Lakes week 1 (27-25) and Becker week 6 (20-0).

Herberg says it will be difficult to replace last year’s leaders, but with the experience they have, he expects those veteran players to take on leadership roles this year. He is confident that the senior leaders will help the young guys.

Key returnees for ROCORI include receiver/defensive back Grant Tylutki, lineman Laklen Vogel and center Jack Faber. Herberg expects the junior class to contribute significantly as well, including receiver/defensive back Caleb Maddox and tight end/defensive end Brody Woods. ROCORI has 18 seniors and strong participation from the freshmen class to the junior class.

ROCORI football has become known in recent years for the blond mullets of its players and sometimes the coaching staff. Herberg says they are planning a unique look, but it is being kept under wraps until Friday. He says it will not be a repeat.

ROCORI 2024 schedule
August 30 at Detroit Lakes, 7:00 PM
September 6 vs. Minneapolis North, 7:00 PM
September 13 in Benilde-St. Margreet, 7:00 PM
September 20 vs Hutchinson, 6pm
September 27 in Willmar, 7:00 PM
October 4 against Becker, 7:00 PM
October 11 vs. Academy of Holy Angels, 7:00 PM
October 16 in Orono, 7:00 PM

photo – Andrew Ritter

ROCORI Depth Map

Attack
QB-Max Fredin
RB-Dylan Thompson
WR – Grant Tylutki
WR – Matthias Nierenhausen
WR-Caleb Maddox
TE – Aaron Baisley/Kyle Honer/Luke Zimmer/Brody Woods
LT – Gavin Reinhardt
LG – Lacquer Bird
C-Jack Faber
RG – Rhys Nielsen
RT – Anthony Miller

photo – Andrew Ritter

Defense
DE – Brody Woods
DT – Isaac Wapens
DT – Lacquer Bird
EN – Dominick Zeimetz
LB-Aaron Baisley
LB – Will Zimmer
LB-Kyle Honer
DB – Grant Tylutki
DB – Weston Guggenberger/Jackson Viemeister
DB – Saul Enz
DB – Caleb Maddox

If you would like to listen to my conversation with ROCORI head coach James Herberg, you can listen to it below.