The Fairmont Area Football Team
2025 FAIRMONT CARDINALS FOOTBALL TEAM:
- Front Row: Draden Beebe, Gavin Schomberg, Carter Hansen, Adam Denson, Wyatt McGowan, Brayden Pooley, Carl Winnery Ebon, Brayden Williamson, Lucas Kotewa
- Second Row: Chase Birr, Allen Szafryk, Jacob Porter, Keyon Schutz, Asst. Coach Jesse Walters, Asst. Coach Brian Wille, Head Coach Mat Mahoney, Asst. Coach Brad Johnson, Asst. Coach Shawn Chambers, Caiden Utesch, Brock Rodning, Landen Traetow, Hogan Artz, Ben Sunken
- Third Row: Clay Mitchell, Ryan Szafryk, Mac Anderson, Owen Terfehr, Lucas Johnson, Luther Malo, Jordan Thompson, Aaris White, Kayden Williams, Jacob Ehlert, Merritt Pomerenke, Mason Bicknase, Mason Ingvoldstad, Dayton Draper, Ethan Darnell, Hunter Sommer
- Fourth Row: Caine Gronewald, Mathew Martin, Ethan Farnum, Travohn Harvey, Alex Frederikson, Max Nielsen, Benet Mathiason, Joe Long, Tavian Harvey, Dakota Wiley
- Fifth Row: Cole Brockmann, Tyler Bicknase, Preston Geerdes, Reed Johnson, DJ Miller, Nolan Anderson, Caiden Wickert, Aaron Becker, Kaiden Bell
(Photo courtesy of Randy Chirpich/Fairmont Sports)
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Card to Watch - Week 1
No. 52 - Tyler Bicknase, Senior: Offensive/Defensive Tackle
No. 3-ranked Fairmont hosts Worthington in football opener
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – Class AAA No. 3-ranked Fairmont will do something at 7 PM Friday night that the Cardinals have not done since 2013 – kick off the prep football season against the Worthington Trojans at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont.
“It feels great to revive our football program’s long-time tradition of playing against Worthington in our opener,” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney, whose talent-laden roster looks to take the first step toward defending its Section 3 championship from a year ago. “Somehow and somewhere in the scheduling process, our game against the Trojans got moved around during the past 12 years.
“In fact, we squared off during Week 7 last season, but we’ve got them back to Week 1 this fall.”
Current University of St. Thomas freshman Elijah Johnson erupted for 210 yards and a school single-game record-tying five rushing touchdowns on only 13 carries to power Fairmont’s school-record 35-point first quarter en route to a 49-9 victory during the two sectional rivals’ 2024 clash.
“I’m not going to deny it – I’m glad we don’t have to try to stop him (Johnson) this season,” Worthington head coach Geno Lais said with a chuckle in reference to the graduated Cardinals’ record-setting running back. “I’m sure Mat will still have a lot of (offensive) formations for us to deal with, and he’ll have another great running back to take (Johnson’s) place on the field on Friday night.”
Cole Brockmann, a bruising 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior, will be the Cardinals’ featured running back and follow the blocking of 206-pound senior fullback Macklain Anderson and five guys in the trenches who resemble a small college unit.
Brockmann missed the majority of last season due to injuries, but should be able to move the first-down marker following the path-clearing skills of center Jake Ehlert, guards Tyler Bicknase and Ryan Szafryk, and tackles DJ Miller and Reed Johnson. Fairmont’s five formidable forces average 234 pounds, so the Trojans’ 4-3 defensive alignment will have its hands full.
“Fairmont’s always a physical team and they’ll pound the ball right at you, so we’d better be ready,” said Lais. “The most difficult part about preparing for Fairmont is they also have an athletic quarterback who can throw the ball to a talented receiving core.”
Senior Joe Long completed 6 of 8 passes for 101 yards, including a 47-yard TD strike to split end Tavian Harvey, during the Cardinals’ 40-point margin of victory in 2024. Long also will look to capitalize on the pass-catching skills of tight end Vincent Schultz and a pair of varsity newcomers in Owen Terfehr and Travon Harvey at wide receiver.
“A number of coaches would say we were a running team last fall, but we always try to be balanced by going to the air,” said Mahoney. “Everyone in southern Minnesota knew who EJ was last season, but this season we have a wide variety of guys who are versatile and can hurt the opposing team with their multi-tasking abilities.”
Jack Schmitz will utilize his 6-0, 200-pound frame at an end position to anchor Worthington’s defensive front four, while 5-9, 190-pound junior Logan Kerkaert and senior speedster Dalton Larson will look to make stops for the Trojans’ secondary from their linebacker spots.
“Dalton really stepped up his overall game at both linebacker and fullback during the offseason, while Jack has proven to be solid on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” said Lais. “Isaiah Schroeder also turned in a solid performance at quarterback during our scrimmages against Luverne and Murray County Central last Saturday, as did running back Kevin Ramirez out of the backfield.”
Fairmont’s imposing defensive front of ends Preston Geerdes (6-foot-4) and Nolan Anderson (6-5), tackles DJ Miller (6-4) and Tyler Bicknase (6-2), 270-pound nose guard Mathew Martin and 360-pound end/tackle Ethan Farnum will look to control the line of scrimmage, shut down the run game and apply pressure in passing situations.
“I say it every year – mistakes are going to happen in the season opener, so we just have to learn from them, make adjustments and move forward,” said Mahoney. “After this long practicing against each other, our guys are ready to hit somebody else in a game situation.”
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #5 Cole Brockmann, 6-1, 205, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #56 Ryan Szafryk, 5-8, 260, Senior
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 5-11, 140, Senior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #5 Brockmann
LB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
CB: #1 Tavian Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
WORTHINGTON Offense
QB: #2 Isaiah Schroeder, 6-3, 180, Junior
FB: #21 Dalton Larson, 5-7, 145, Senior
TB: #9 Kevin Ramirez, 5-10, 190, Senior
WR: #3 Tethlouch Gach, 6-4, 145, Senior
LT: #70 Jack Schmitz, 6-0, 200, Senior
LG: #55 Noah Williams, 6-5, 270, Freshman
C: #50 Logan Kerkaert, 5-9, 190, Junior
RG: #52 Brayden Raymo, 5-7, 190, Sophomore
RT: #56 Dayton Franks, 6-2, 185, Junior
TE: #45 Austin Gruis, 6-6, 185, Junior
WR: #18 Dominic Pavelko, 5-10, 150, Junior or #1 Fino Noeno, 5-7, 125, Senior
Defense
E: #70 Schmitz
T: #24 Jason Tran, 5-8, 170, Senior
T: #72 Kenyan Watson, 6-3, 210, Junior
E: #45 Gruis
OLB: #32 Arthur Htoo, 5-10, 165, Sophomore
MLB: #50 Kerkaert
OLB: #21 Dalton Larson
CB: #3 Gach
CB: #18 Pavelko
S: #1 Noeno
S: #8 Hudson Scheepstra, 6-1, 150, Junior
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Welcome
We would like to invite you to become part of the Cardinal football program in Fairmont by participating on a tackle football team in the fall. 2024 marks the 19th year of tackle football for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade boys. The results have been very positive for the boys involved. They had fun, learned principles of teamwork and sportsmanship, and began developing the fundamental skills of football.
RULES AND GOALS
- To Develop Fundamental Football Skills
- To Work and Play as a Team, NOT as an Individual
- To Have FUN at Practices and Games
- To Do Our Best at ALL Times
- To Maintain Good Sportsmanship at ALL Times
ELEMENTARY FOOTBALL REGISTRATION & INFORMATION
Registration is Open
15th Annual Fairmont Football Golf Fund-raiser Fri., Aug. 8
By Charlie Sorrells Fairmont Football Association Contributor
FAIRMONT – If one’s looking to ‘get their steps in’ while helping the Fairmont Cardinal football program continue to thrive, then break out the golf clubs and head to Interlaken Golf Club in Fairmont on Friday, Aug. 8.
The Fairmont Area Football Association will hold its 15th annual golf fund-raiser, which tees off via a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Golfers registering prior to the Sunday, July 20, deadline will receive a quarter-zip Cardinal pull-over the day of the event. Players can sign up at the association’s website – www.fairmontareafootball.com – and pay the best-ball event’s entry fee by Paypal, Venmo or credit card. Anyone registering prior to the July 20 deadline should list their pull-over size on the entry form.
Proceeds
All proceeds from the annual tournament go toward purchasing concussion-protocol helmets; youth football programs’ gear; varsity practice jerseys; and new scoreboards for both the Fairmont elementary field and the high school’s practice facility. The in-house funds also will help defray costs for improvements to Thomas Mahoney Field – along with expenses for weekly meals and after-game food for the players – and provide funding for scholarships for camps. “The golf outing has evolved into a major fund-raiser in terms of making sure ‘our shelves are stocked,’ so to speak, for each upcoming football season at every level of the program,” said Fairmont head football coach/activities director Mat Mahoney.
Silent Auction
“There are a lot of moving parts to the golf tournament, and without all the important people organizing it, making generous donations in sponsoring the event, and of course, all of the alumni and area supporters playing in the outing, we wouldn’t be able to maintain our program’s tradition of excellence on the field and in the classroom.” The 15th annual golf outing will feature a silent auction, door prizes and hole prizes throughout the 18 holes of play. “Each and every contribution counts more than we realize and all are greatly appreciated,” said Mat Mahoney. “Businesses and/or individuals can be a major sponsor, sponsor a hole or be a green-or-tee sponsor, and also can make monetary or product donations.”
Lunch - Burger Bar
Fairmont football fans also can support the program’s fund-raising effort by purchasing a Cardinal Card that features numerous discounts by area businesses on their products andservices. If any football supporter misses the July 20 registration deadline, one can still play by either signing up online or can pay a walk-up fee on the day of the golf outing at noon on Aug. 8. A lunch of cheesy chicken sandwiches, chips, cookie and a drink will be served for lunch at noon that day, with a burger bar featured after the outing. Current Fairmont football players will be on the Interlaken Golf Course to assist with any of the event’s contests and the players’ golf bags. Fairmont earned its 13th overall state appearance and seventh under Mat Mahoney’s leadership en route to an overall record of 8-3 last fall.
Fairmont coaching legend Jim Simser passes away
By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor
FAIRMONT – From an early age, we are taught that death is inevitable. What each individual does with one’s unknown allotted time on earth is the key to life.
When I learned of Jim Simser’s passing from Fairmont High School activities director and head football coach Mat Mahoney on Friday afternoon, my heart sank even though I knew the former FHS athletic director and legendary Cardinal football mentor’s time with us was drawing to a close.
While the grief I felt for my own personal loss of the man I simply called “Coach” made a tear roll down my cheek, the one consolation I possessed was having the chance to have known him for more than half of my life in my job as a sports writer.
I remember his firm handshake, genuine smile and gentlemanly demeanor when I first met him when he accepted the inevitable task of replacing one of the Minnesota prep football rank’s greatest coaches of all-time in Thomas Mahoney on the Fairmont sideline in the fall of 1990.
“Sports writer – hmmm. Heard you cover games from the sideline. There is a press box, you know,” said Simser, who raised his eyebrows in jest before grinning. “Earn that position and it’s yours.”
For the next 10 fall seasons, I felt privileged to watch the former New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva coaching great evolve into a legend in Fairmont football lore. His coaching style was unique – reserved and respectful while knowledgeable and confident all at the same time.
Prior to his arrival in Fairmont, he had guided New Richland-Hartland to four state appearances, including the Class ‘C’ championship in 1976 and the Class ‘B’ crown in 1978, and was tabbed the 1978 Minnesota Coach of the Year for his coaching prowess. He also served as the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s executive secretary for numerous years after accepting the role in 1986.
He added three more state bids to his Hall of Fame coaching resume from 1990-99, engineering the Cardinals’ first-ever appearance in the Class ‘A’ state semifinals at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis in 1992 before reaching the quarterfinals in back-to-back style in 1996 and 1997. He also led Fairmont to five South Central Conference championships during his 10-year tenure.
While he closed out his esteemed 32-year high school football coaching career with a 223-91-1 record to earn his rightful places in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015, he took great solace in being a beloved husband, father, coach, teacher and friend.
While the love of his life for half of a century, Winn Ann, passed away in the fall of 2013, Jim is survived by four sons – Bill, Mike, Mark and Dave – and their respective families.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM Friday, Oct. 25, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, with military honors to take place afterward. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Jim honorably served a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific after graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University in 1961.
Visitation will take place from 4-7 PM Thursday, Oct. 24, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Thank you for your integrity, kindness, witty humor and insight into what’s truly important in life.
Rest in peace, “Coach.”