Moorhead football team competes like the Spuds of old – InForum

MOORHEAD – Four years ago, the Moorhead Spuds appeared to be the favorites for the Minnesota 5-A football state title.

Amid a global pandemic, the 2020 Spuds treaded carefully through the season, which began Oct. 9, taking into account all potential obstacles. Moorhead got off to a 6-0 start to the season and outscored its opponents 250-31.

After earning a bye in the quarterfinals, top-seeded Moorhead upset No. 4 Alexandria in the Minnesota High School League Section 8-5A semifinals. Moorhead was scheduled to play No. 2 Bemidji in the section championship, but the game was never played. The pandemic forced officials to suspend the season.

Moorhead was crowned the presumptive champion of Class 5A after taking first place in the final poll of the season.

The on-field prowess of the 2024 Spuds bears a true resemblance to the champions of yesteryear.

“Athletically there are a lot of good comparisons, a lot of speed,” Moorhead head coach Kevin Feeney said. “On the defensive side, the linebacker team reminds me a lot of that 2020 group and then our wide receivers, quarterbacks and running backs are very similar to that team as well.”

Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum

The Spuds have an overall record of 8-0 and are the top seed heading into the section tournament semifinals. Moorhead, which had a first-round bye, hosts No. 4 Brainerd at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Jim Gotta Stadium.

As a ball boy for the Spuds in 2020, Moorhead quarterback Jett Feeney said the former team had a strong sense of camaraderie. The current team has that too.

“They had a really good connection,” Jett Feeney said. “They were always kissing and talking all the time. “I think that connection brought the team together and I think our team now has a very good connection.”

Jett Feeney has played an integral role for the Spuds during the regular season. The sophomore threw for 2,576 yards and 41 touchdowns on 170 completions to lead Minnesota in passing.

Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Office

Second-year wide receiver David Mack became Jett Feeney’s favorite target. Mack leads the state with 16 touchdown receptions on 53 receptions.

Along with the high-caliber freshmen, the 21 seniors are enjoying their final season in a Spuds uniform. Senior wide receiver and defensive back Owen Thielges said the group has placed an emphasis on not letting their senior season end soon.

“Your next game could be the last one you play in high school,” Thielges said. “That really changes the dynamic.”

Thielges, a North Dakota commit, has five interceptions, including a pick six, along with five receiving touchdowns for the Spuds. Fellow senior Reign Battle has recorded 10 TD receptions on 33 receptions and leads the team with an average of 18.8 yards per catch.

Sophomore running back Taye Reich leads the team with 366 yards and six touchdowns on 48 carries. Juniors Madison Suah and Carson Heinsch have over 200 rushing yards.

“We have such a wide mix…from seniors to sophomores,” Kevin Feeney said. “That competition in practice has really carried over into the games.”

David Samson / The Forum

Saturday’s semifinal against Brainerd will serve as a chance at redemption for the Spuds. The Warriors handed Moorhead a 42-21 loss in the semifinals a season ago.

“It will take a total team victory,” Thielges said. “(Brainerd) is a good team and has good players. … It is going to be very difficult for us to win that game.”

“We have to start fast and get on our toes,” Jett Feeney added.

David Samson / The Forum

After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January 2023. Readers can contact him by calling 701-241-5508 or emailing [email protected].