Class 2A, District 2 was a one-trick pony in 2023, with Spirit Lake running the show as the Indians have done a lot in their 2A Districts in recent years. While 2024 appears to be no different for perhaps the preseason favorite to win Class 2A, other teams appear ready to make the next step and compete for a playoff berth and even further.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
The Cowboys had their struggles despite a senior-heavy team in 2023, but CGD found the chips fall their way to get them back to the postseason. Now, the Cowboys must replace their starting quarterback, running backs and leading receiver. The quarterback battle is currently between junior Kolton Hefti and sophomore JD Morrical, while the running back spots appear to be held by Caleb Seaba, Charlie Campbell and Selvin Gonzalez. Huxley Lingenfelter is name to watch in the passing game as a tight end and a player that can split out wide, while the offensive line, despite graduation losses, will be one of the biggest in the district.
Defensively, the Cowboys 3-3 stack that is predicated on speed will have some very good returnees, beginning up front with Bryce Lindaman and Cole Rothman leading a talented defensive line unit. The linebacking core is lead by Caleb Seaba, and upperclassmen such as Jaxon Engstrom and Cristian Rosales appear next in line to help out the Cowboys. The defensive backfield will have talent coming back in Charlie Campbell, as well as Selvin Gonzalez and Owen Sweeney returning some key experience.
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake appears to have a team best-equipped to make a state title run since the Indians first state title back in 2015. It begins with the skill positions for Spirit Lake, as Caden Lundt is back for his senior season after throwing for over 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior. The Indians also posses a dominant duo in the backfield in seniors Bode Higgins and William Ditsworth, who combined for nearly 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Caden Lundt also returns his top receivers in seniors Dylan Stecker and Ethan Stecker, as the twins combined for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns receiving in 2023. The offensive line will have some key parts to replace in Owen Meerbeek and Evan Beck, but the room is in good hands with seniors Tyson Robinson and Ethan Carlson.
Defensively, the Indians lose their leading tackler in Owen Laulmendre, but still bring back major producers Bode Higgins, William Ditsworth, JD Schnider and Joey Andres. The defensive line needs to replace the production of Evan Beck and Owen Meerbeek, but Tyson Robinson is due for a breakout season, while Ethan Carlson and Caleb Duhn are other names to watch up front. The defensive backfield is headlined by the returning Stecker twins, who combined for 3 interceptions last season, as well as senior Sam Henricksen, who led the defensive backs in tackles last year.
Forest City
Turnover at the helm has made the foundation shaky for the Forest City program, but going on their 3rd coach in 3 years, alum Tyler Andersen hopes to put a wedge in that revolving door. Andersen will have some pieces to work with, beginning with quarterback Ty Dillavou, who through for over 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior. The Indians will need to replace 1,000-yard rusher Sam Klaasen, as Parker Cox and James Hagen are early favorites to take over at running back. Dillavou will have weapons to work with at receiver, as Carsen Hall, Ty Sopko and Corey Throeson are back in the receiving room. The Forest City offensive line is an experienced one, bringing back all 5 starters that ended the season in 2023.
Defensively, Forest City will need to replace their leading tacklers in Grant Wooge (88) and Sam Klaasen (49.5), but return a good amount of production behind that. Vinton Feldman is the only loss on the defensive line, while Triston Brandsoy is a name to remember as the season wears on, along with Nick Dontje. Ryan Bailey, Lucas Kearney and James Hagen are early leaders to watch in the linebacking core, while the defensive backfield returns Carsen Hall and will likely add Ty Sopko and Ty Dillavou to the frey.
Estherville-Lincoln Central
The Midgets of ELC put together another winning campaign in 2023 behind the electric play of quarterback Owen Larson, who threw for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns. Larson is now off to play basketball at South Dakota State, as senior Sincere McMurran appears in line to take over the starting quarterback job. Kale Shatto returns at running back and will likely need a big uptick in production for ELC, while the Midgets receiving core is essentially starting from scratch. The offensive line will lose a key piece in Jordan Jensen, but return 4 of their 5 starters.
Defensively, ELC loses the aforementioned Jordan Jensen, who was the Midgets leading tackler with 61 tackles. Also gone from the defensive line is Asher Molacek, as Rafael Diaz, Gavin Heifner and Taye Hanby are names to monitor on the defensive line. Seniors Tate White and Dylan Peta will lead an experienced linebacking core, while the defensive backfield will attempt to replace a pair of prolific producers in Aiden Swanson and Owen Larson.
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
2023 wound up being a rough campaign for the Cardinals, going 2-7 and pitching a zero in the district win column. GHV will need to replace quarterback Aiden Hawe, who threw for just 400 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2023. Running back Lucas Kral is back, trying to build off a near-700 yard season in 2023, with some help from fellow returnee Parker Mortiz. The receiving core does have their core back in Karter Datema, Nick Zrostlik and Gage Konz, while the offensive line only loses Andrew Hook, and returns the likes of Raider Bell, Ben Fox, Kaden Kral and Dominic Holder.
Defensively, 3 of the Cardinals 4 leading tacklers in 2023 are back including Gage Konz (66.5), Parker Moritz (63.5) and Parker Stearns (36.5), as 3 make up the most productive returning linebacking core in the district. The defensive line brings back key pieces in senior Logan Kudej, sophomore Kaden Kral and senior Dominic Holder, while the defensive backfield returns Karter Datema, Nick Zrostlik and Lucas Kral.
Okoboji
The Pioneers were able to surprise many by winning 2 of their last 3 district games to qualify for the 2A Playoffs after starting the year 0-6. Okoboji does have the horses coming back to try and make it back-to-back playoff appearances, as quarterback Landon Duvall threw for nearly 1,400 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior. Duvall brings back 4 of his top targets in Tyler Netsch, James Allen, Avery Simington and Caleb Simington, who combined for over 1,000 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. The Pioneers will need to replace running back Caden Chapman, while the offensive line loses just one starter in Brendan Wintz.
Defensively, Okoboji returns leading tackler Blaise Elwood, who recorded nearly 90 tackles as just a freshman. Elwood will be rejoined in the linebacking core by seniors Nathan Franklin and James Allen. The defensive line loses their leading tackler in Brendan Wintz, but returns sophomore standout Aidan Gehrke, as well as Keyshawn Smith and Calan Peters.
District Projections
1. Spirit Lake
2. Forest City
3. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
4. Okoboji
5. Estherville-Lincoln Central
6. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
This could be another year of wacky results out of District 2 with the bottom teams from 2023 bringing back a good amount of production. Spirit Lake is the easy favorite and could be the favorite to win 2A, while Forest City brings back many veterans. CGD might be a year away from putting together a district title shot, while Okoboji will see marked improvement from 2023.