The West Fork football team made progress in the midst a challenging year between overcoming injuries to running core and playing a tough district schedule that included #1(A) West Hancock and #3(A) Saint Ansgar.
The Warhawks increased their production from the 2023 season to 2024 season in rushing yards (1,153 to 1,386), rushing touchdowns (nine to 14) and defensive turnovers forced (11 to 17).
West Fork Head Coach Dan Westhoff reflects on the year and legacy of senior group.
“I feel like as a coaching staff we made progress, we made strides. It’s kind of a glass half empty, glass half full. We’re making progress, but ultimately we’re far from satisfied,” says Westhoff. “It’s credit to those five seniors for sticking it out and continuing to believe and continuing to do the right things and serve as role models for our younger players. It’s much harder to go out and stay out and continue to do the right things when you haven’t won many games. Those guys faced the adversity, proud of their resiliency and appreciate their commitment to doing the right thing. We’re obviously going to miss them going into next year.”
The Warhawks five seniors included Jasper Jones, Nolan Shreckengost, Austin Carlson, Cannen Vold and Jarren Hitzhusen.
The Warhawks are projected to return season leaders in junior runner Dax Suntken with 588 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, sophomore quarterback Zander Hansen with 596 passing yards and five touchdowns, and their leading tackler junior Jack Watters with 53.5 tackles.
Westhoff on a driving message for the team during the offseason.
“The next step is the culture piece, the confidence to transition from thinking they can be good and hoping we can go compete in games. We did make some strides in that area this year to more of an expectation. It’s not hope, it’s an expectation that’s a direct result of preparation and the work that they put in in the offseason. We can talk about it, but we need to walk the walk in the offseason here. We need to have a really productive few months here between now and the start of next season, if we want to get to where we want to go next year.”
West Fork closed the season at 2-7 overall.
