Near Miss Fuels Magi | Video

Jacob Kaucher | 8/8/2012

We`re trying to stay hydrated as we work our way across the area for the KMOT two-a-days.

Preseason football practice started Wednesday for high school teams, and we begin at Minot High.

The Magi just missed out on playing for a state title last year. And the semis loss to Century is fueling this year`s group.

Minot returns almost all their skill players on offense plus much of last year`s stout defense.

What the Magicians lose is experience in the o-line - all five of last year`s starters graduated.

So it`ll be up to a more pass oriented offense and speedy defense to do work for the Magi as the hogs gel early on.

"It`s an opportunity for a bunch of young guys that really can play football, too," head coach Barry Holmen says. "And I think it`s just a matter of a few extra weeks to get them to work together."

"I`m confident that they`ll do fine," junior quarterback Alex Yanosko says. "They`re smart kids; they`re strong kids. They might not be as big as last year`s kids, but we`ll be good with our speed."

"The defense definitely has to be key and kind of a rock for us at the beginning of the year when we start establishing things," junior linebacker and running back Kolton Larson says. "It`s gotta be huge for us."

Holmen says rival Bismarck High is the preseason favorite to win the WDA.

The Magi open the regular season at home against Fargo North on August 24th.

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