NEW YORK MILLS, Minn.– New York Mills football is coming off another deep playoff run. Eagles head coach Matt Radniecki, who has been in charge for nearly 3 decades, expects his 2024 squad to be sharp.
“A team that runs to the ball. hustles to the ball. and has fun,” said Radniecki.
In 2021, the Eagles reached the Minnesota State High School League State Semi-Finals at US Bank Stadium. In 2023, the 2-6 Eagles squad ran the table into the section 6A championship game at the Fargodome. To get back there, coach Radniecki will have to lean on his skill position players while still maintaining the trademarks of Eagles football.
“We don’t have a lot of bigger guys but we have some good athletic guys in positions that we think will do a good job,” said Radniecki. “We like to run the ball. That’s our forte and we’re not going to go away from that. We put some different wrinkles in but at the same time we are going to be ground first and pass second.”
After recent playoff success in football, boys basketball, and baseball, coach Radniecki knows each sport’s success can build into another.
“But that excitement kind of builds into football because they know we’ve done well. They know that if they can do what we want them to do and execute on the field, we’ll probably have some success,” said Radniecki. “I’m not saying we’re going to win every game but at the same time we are going to be competitive. And that’s the biggest thing is getting on the field on a Friday night and having a chance.”
Senior linebacker Blake Unger is ready for a chance at his senior season. And Unger believes being in a leadership role on the field will come naturally to him in 2024.
“Middle linebacker, you’re kind of like a leader on the field,” said Unger. “So, my whole career here I’ve been a leader.”
Unger also plays at guard on the offensive line. but he says defense is an important part of his play style.
“Defense, you got to work hard. grind. you just got to make every play happen,” said Unger. “In this game, it’s hard to only let your offense work so defense has to come through quite hard on every play.”
Wide receiver and safety Hunter Bosman is just a couple weeks into his senior year. He says he’s been waiting for his opportunity to be a leader for the young players and his teammates on the field.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a leader, even if other guys don’t think it. I’ve always thought of myself as that guy,” said Bosman.
Bosman’s best football memory so far was defeating Breckenridge to go to the Fargodome a season ago. And he believes the junior and senior classes have the camaraderie and success in other sports as a way to build another fun football season in New York Mills.
“We like to be competitive. that’s all I can really say,” said Bosman.
The first few weeks of the season can be a grind. Still, New York Mills will continue to get ready for their first game of the season. A home game against Ada-Borup-West on August 29. Both the players and coaches are ready for the fans to cheer them on and give them some extra motivation to begin the season.
“The fans cheering. Hearing them gives me motivation to play hard and work on every play.”
“There’s nothing better than Friday night football,” said Radniecki
Find New York Mills and other local football games on our 2024 Broadcast Schedule.