The Perham football team will open the season with a new face on the schedule when they travel to Breckenridge to take on the Cowboys to kick off the 2019 season on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
The Yellowjackets swapped out Frazee with Breckenridge after the two-year agreement came to an end. The Yellowjackets dismantled Frazee in last year's opener 50-8. Now, the Yellowjackets expect to have a tougher test in their 2019 season opener. The Cowboys finished last year with a 7-3 mark before falling to Osakis in the Section 6AA playoffs.
The Yellowjackets are coming off a weekend scrimmage where they competed against larger schools in the form of Bemidji, Detroit Lakes and Moorhead, which should help them get ready for their 2019 season schedule. Perham head coach Kyle Knutson said the team came away healthy, which is always the team's goal during the opening scrimmages.
The Cowboys opened the 2018 season with four straight wins before back-to-back losses to Hawley and Ottertail Central. The Cowboys responded with wins against Frazee and Barnesville. The Cowboys opened the playoffs with a win over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, before being bounced out by Osakis in a close contest 21-20.
Knutson said they expect to see a team with a solid running game with a large offensive line. Knutson said the key for the Yellowjackets is to contain the Cowboys' running attack. Defensively, Knutson said, he expects to see an odd front.
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The Yellowjackets will have some holes to fill from last year's senior class, but they are excited to get ready for the 2019 season. Offensively, they will look to fill the void left from the backfield in Ty Moser, Zach Peterson and quarterback Jenson Beachy, along with deep threat Josh Jeziorski. However, Knutson said they like what they have at quarterback with multiple athletes that can play that spot.
One of the keys to helping a new quarterback and offensive backfield will be an experienced offensive line and Knutson said they have experience back in the trenches.
Knutson said the kids can't wait to get the season started when they kick off with the Cowboys on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. in Breckenridge.
"The kids have been working hard and are excited to get the season rolling," Knutson said.
