By Charlie Sorrells

FAIRMONT – Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney and his Cardinals will set their sights on the program’s third Class AAA state football appearance over the past four seasons and seventh overall since 2007. Mahoney, who enters his 18th campaign along the sideline with an impressive career record of 125-53 for a .702 winning percentage, just missed becoming the first coach in Fairmont football history to earn three consecutive trips to the state’s final eight.

Waseca edged Fairmont 21-13 in the Section 3 championship clash in overtime last fall after Mahoney’s lineup captured the sectional crown in back-to-back fashion in 2021 and 2022. The Cardinals also merited state bids in 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2018, including runner-up performances in 2011 and 2018.

Mahoney, defensive coordinator Brad Johnson, offensive coordinator Brian Wille and the rest of Fairmont’s coaching staff will turn to six returning starters on offense and five more on the defensive side to help build the foundation for another run at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis this fall.

“It never hurts to return the (South Central) district’s offensive back of the year and another all-district player,” a grinning Mahoney said in reference to senior running back Elijah Johnson and senior defensive end/fullback Hank Artz, respectively. “We also return three of our five guys upfront on offense, and that’s always a huge positive.”

Elijah Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 195-pounder, topped the Cardinals’ potent ground game in both rushing yardage (1,487) and touchdowns (21) en route to generating the team’s No. 1 point total of 134 points. Johnson’s single-season marks in rushing yards and touchdowns each rank No. 2 in the program’s rich history.  “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – EJ’s our bellcow, our ‘go-to’ guy on offense,” said Mahoney. “He came into camp in great shape and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do this fall.”

Artz, a 6-3, 245-pound one-man wrecking crew, will look to clear a path for Elijah Johnson from his fullback position during his fifth and final varsity campaign. Artz started as an eighth-grader for the Cardinals at defensive end, and will return to that position to cap his stellar but injury-hindered career.

“Hank has experienced some physical setbacks due to injuries, but appears to be 100 percent this season,” Mahoney said in reference to the Bemidi State University football commit. “He’s just so strong and quick that he causes matchup problems for the opposition to block, and we’re counting on him to create that advantage for us again.”

Oliver Tordsen, Ivan Martin and Tyler Bicknase all return to the offensive trenches to create running room for the backfield, with the 6-2, 230-pound Bicknase making the transition from center to guard this season. The 6-8, 235-pound Tordsen and 6-0, 230-pound Ivan Martin will anchor the left side of the line at tackle and guard, respectively.

Jake Ehlert, a 6-0, 220-pound junior, will handle the snapping duties this fall, while 6-4, 250-pound junior David Miller rounds out the blockers up front at a tackle position next to Bicknase.

Vincent Schultz will get the starting assignment at tight end and also serve as a backup at offensive tackle, while senior Nolan Schultze will spearhead the bevy of wideouts for the Cardinals. Schultze finished second on the team with 17 catches for 213 yards and four touchdowns last year, while junior Tavian Harvey will move into a wide receiver spot after garnering nine passes for 131 yards and one score as a key reserve in 2023.

Mahoney also will look to Brett Williams and Merritt Pomerenke at wideout, Benet Mathiason will add depth at fullback, while Cole Brockmann, Ty Tumbleson and Jerry Lebbi will rotate into the backfield at running back. While Brian Wille will look to move the first-down markers with a balanced offensive effort, Brad Johnson will utilize his swarming 5-2 defensive alignment again to put the clamps on opposing offenses in 2024. The sure-handed Caleb Chambers and Hunter Johnson will return to their linebacking positions for a second campaign, with Tumbleson rotating into the mix when Johnson opts for a different package.

The hard-charging Artz will create havoc from an end spot, with Mathew Martin jamming up the middle of the line at his nose guard position. Bicknase and Ivan Martin will flank Mathew Martin at the tackle spots, with 6-7 Trevor Maakestad causing visibility problems for opposing passers at an end position. Tordsen, Mathiason and Miller also will rotate into the defensive line mix. Hadan Toomer and Nolan Schultze each return to the secondary after turning in solid seasons a year ago. Toomer – a sure-handed cornerback – topped the Cardinals with six interceptions, while Schultze will move from cornerback to safety this fall. Jaron Schutz will join Nolan Schultze at safety, with Tyler Kurt providing depth. Tavian Harvey will handle the other cover corner spot, with Dakota Wiley and Pomerenke figuring into the coverage mix. Maakestad will handle the punting duties for the Cardinals, while Lucas Rosburg will provide ‘footage’ on field goals, extra points and kickoffs.

Mahoney expects defending Section 3AAA champion Waseca as the top contender in the postseason, with Jordan and Luverne being traditionally strong programs which could challenge, too. “Our main goal is to be competing for the chance to play in the state tournament and to ‘take it to the bank,’” Mahoney said in reference to the state semifinals and finals at U.S. Bank Stadium. “We (coaching staff) are emphasizing doing all the little things well every day, and that could get us over the hump.”

Fairmont plays host to Tri-City United in its season-opener at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mahoney Field in Fairmont.

Join Dan Brookens for the play-by-play beginning with the Cardinal Preview at 6:30 p.m. on 106.5 Lakes FM.