Apollo Football Relying On Fresh Faces To Continue Success

(KNSI) – Continuation is the theme for Apollo High School football in 2022.

Last year’s squad finished 5-5, including a postseason victory over Little Falls at home. Head Coach Michael Beehler says that isn’t the end destination for the Eagles, but merely a stepping stone to bigger things.

“You know, ideally we don’t want to be playing in that first round. We want to try to earn a bye that first round and get to the second round without having to play. So, obviously, that’s our first and foremost goal and then earn that home playoff game.”

For Beehler’s team to soar to new heights, they will need to rely on a ton of fresh faces. The goal is to improve every day and be playing their best football in October. That is especially true for an offensive line replacing four starters from last season.

Beehler says he has versatility at the skill positions.

“Maurice Brown, number four, he’s a sophomore. He’ll be on the perimeter at wide receiver and DB (defensive back). You’ll kind of see us move him around offensively. Another one would be number two, Will Allenspach. Then Blake O’Hara, number nine, he’s coming back in our secondary.”

Senior captain Oakly Louangsyharaj will anchor the defense at linebacker and serve the offense as a running back. Beehler says Da’vion Jackson will be the starting quarterback. The new personnel won’t lead to a change in overall philosophy but it does present different strengths than last year’s group.

Beehler says, “We went from a running quarterback last year to maybe a little bit more of a pocket passer this year. A little different scheme within that, but defensively we’ll still do what we do. But still, you have your little nuances that you kind of change.”

Apollo starts the season at the defending state champions on Thursday. Hutchinson came to St. Cloud to begin 2021 and won 44-6. Beehler knows it will be a tough game, but he says it presents a great atmosphere. For a young team, it will quickly introduce them to playoff-caliber football.

If they can handle it with composure, it will go a long way toward proving Apollo is ready to continue to mature as a program into a consistent winner. To compensate for the Week Zero matchup, the Eagles get a bye on Friday, September 23rd.

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