BEK Kicks Off Football Season with Double-Feature
WEEK 1 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
By: BEK Sports Staff
Football season is upon us, and BEK Sports has you covered with two exciting matchups in week one of the 2023 season.
Bottineau @ Carrington – 7:00 PM on BEK TV
Over the past two seasons, the Bottineau Braves have turned around their program with a combined record of 18-3. But with very few returners at the skill positions, 9th year head coach Zach Keller knows that a season opener against experienced Carrington will be tricky. Senior all-state selection Carson Haerer will slide over from the wideout position and take over the reins at quarterback. With the likes of Bud Wilke and Nick Barbot returning up front to protect him, the Braves have plenty of reason for optimism.
The Carrington Cardinals finished 3-5 last season, but 8th year head coach Kyle Smith knows that his team is on the cusp of a postseason return. Their losses came against quality opponents, but a strong finish to 2022 provides hints that they are ready to get over the hump. The Cardinals are somewhat undersized but with abundant athleticism and experience they can be a factor in a crowded Region 2 playoff picture.
Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm @ Oakes – 7:00 PM on BEK Sports 2
The Oakes Tornadoes will kick-start their campaign by hosting the E-E-K Thunder on BEK Sports 2 Friday night.
Oakes went 9-2 last season en route to the state quarterfinals where Hillsboro-CV defeated them 20-0. Trey Skoglund returns as the Tornadoes’ leading rusher and tackler, joining Mario Garza to form a senior tandem in the backfield. 13th-year head coach Greg Dobitz hopes the rest of his young team can grow up fast and surpass the success of the last two seasons.
The Thunder are hoping for a big step forward in year two under head coach Garitt Irey. Their eight seniors will be leaned on heavily, including QB Jacob Nitschke. He’ll rely on his favorite targets - junior Joseph Kramlich and sophomore Ivan Carruth - to help his squad keep up with an Oakes team that defeated them 26-6 a year ago.
