Garrick Hodge/MDN Nedrose’s Duncan Pryor (15) stiff arms a Rugby defender in a scrimmage held Thursday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.

After two seasons of fielding a junior varsity team, the Nedrose Cardinals are ready to take flight in the top flight with a varsity team competing in the newly revamped Class A, Region 3.

“We started the first two years at the JV schedule, which was really good for us,” Nedrose head coach Tommy Weidler said. “We were able to play, get snaps in and build up to going varsity… I think we are starting to figure out who we are as a team and that has been nice. It’s been the same kids here for the last three years now.”

The formerly K-8 Minot-area school, located on the east side of town off U.S. Highway 2, has transitioned into its newly completed high school over the last couple of years. Varsity volleyball and basketball games were held in the new gymnasium last season.

Now with the groundwork laid, it’s time for the football team to take center stage. However, getting a new program up and running isn’t easy and will take some time to develop.

“There is a lot of them,” Weidler said about the obstacles they have faced. “Trying to get the kids to understand the speed of the game, understand the concepts and what you are trying to do. Getting them aware of kind of how the game works. There are just a lot of different things. We have learned a lot as coaches and so have the players over the last couple of years.”

Perhaps, the most noticeable worry for the Cardinals is their roster size with around 25 players on varsity and 18 more on junior varsity.

Lacking numbers, many players will be asked to play both sides of the ball. While that’s not uncommon in high school football, it’s more difficult to accomplish when it’s out of necessity and not done purposefully.

“We are just trying to get it built up,” Weidler said. “I think success will come with bigger numbers, but the guys we do got work hard and that’s all you can ask… The kids have done a good job in the weight room throughout the year, in the summer, and that has really helped us. I have seen big gains on the field and off the field.”

Nedrose will bolster a trio of ball carriers in Kelly Eggen, Sam Overton and Duncan Pryor that Weidler expressed confidence in. Getting them the ball will most likely be Seth Wagner, a former wide receiver who is in the process of transitioning over to play under center.

“We are hoping Seth Wagner can play the quarterback position for us,” Weidler said. “He has played wide out in the past, but I think we are going to move him over there and be able to do some things with him by throwing the ball and running.”

Another area of concern is the offensive and defensive lines. Lineman Jarret Brekhus is going to be tasked with doing “a lot things” on both sides of the ball, but he can’t do it all by myself.

“We are looking for guys up front because that’s where it all starts,” Weidler said. “And some of the younger guys have stepped in.”

The 2017 season will set the benchmark for the Nedrose varsity football team, as they embark on a new era. Expectations are unknown and that’s one of the perks of starting anew.

“You never expect for it to be (a) rough (season),” Weidler said. “We will have growing pains just like any other team will. But, we will take it week by week and go from there.”

Week 1 is fast approaching. The Cardinals open the season on the road at 7 p.m. Friday in Bottineau.

Alex Eisen covers Minot High School, Minot State athletics and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.