Jimmy Lafakis/MDN MLS junior running back Gannon Hall cuts upfield during a practice. Last season, the Mavericks finished 7-3 and made the 9-man playoffs.

MOHALL — Although football coaches seek to educate young players, one critical facet of the game cannot be taught — speed. While Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood co-head coach Boyd Southam watched the Mavericks zip around the field during a recent practice, he offered a practical assessment of the squad.

“We don’t have any guys that are going to win state at the 100-yard dash or anything like that, but we definitely have lots of quick guys,” Southam said. “Lots of different weapons we can give the ball to.”

Those options include a seasoned senior group that features running backs Stetson Helwig, Bryden Santos and Jerze Jorgenson. Fellow seniors Corbin Hall, Lucas Undlin, Ryan Feland and Layne Driscoll provide aerial threats. Additionally, junior quarterback Joe Savelkoul gained ample experience behind center last season.

Once again, MLS will hit the gridiron with a two-pronged coaching structure. Co-head coach Cody Beck engineers the offense, while Southam takes control of the defense.

“In the past, we’ve always been a power team,” Southam said. “I think we’re going to air it out a little bit more and try to get outside a little bit more than we have in the past. We really are looking forward to having that as a thing that we can really do. Defensively, I think we’re going to be smaller, but I think we’re going to be quick. They’re pretty aggressive, so it will be fun to watch.”

In 2019, MLS scored 246 points and allowed just 117 during a 7-3 campaign. In the first round of the 9-man playoffs, the Mavericks dropped a 36-8 contest to Kidder County.

That setback lit a fire under the MLS upperclassmen.

“We had a pretty good season last year, but we did lose to the state champions in the first round,” Hall said. “We’ve just got to work hard on the offensive line. We just need people to step up this year.”

MLS employs a high-flying offensive attack, but the Mavericks also understand the importance of staying loose off the field. As the student-athletes broke out of their post-practice huddle and strolled into the school, hearty laughter filled the air.

“They’re a very easygoing bunch,” Southam said. “They joke around a lot. They’re quiet at times. Other times, they’re on top of each other. They’re a fun group to be around. There’s a lot of positivity out of the group.”

Football is a thread that weaves the towns of Mohall, Lansford and Sherwood together.

“It’s a close-knit community,” Helwig said. “We’re three different towns, but they’re all small towns. There’s a lot of relatives spread throughout. We are all really close-knit. It tends to be some pressure once in a while because everyone knows you. Everyone knows your family. Like I said, it’s like family. That’s why we rep the Maverick pride.”

As they embark on their unprecedented season, the Mavericks are striving for balance. While reflecting upon the team’s initial practice sessions, Southam pinpointed another critical observation.

“They’ve been working their backsides off,” he said. “I think they’re looking for this to be a special season for them.”

Season Schedule

Aug. 21, 7 p.m. at Ray.

Aug. 28, 7 p.m. vs. Central McLean.

Sept. 4, 7 p.m. at North Prairie.

Sept. 11, 7 p.m. vs. Parshall.

Sept. 18, 7 p.m. vs. Trenton.

Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at Divide County.

Oct. 2, 7 p.m. vs. L&C-Berthold.

Oct. 9, 7 p.m. at Surrey.

Oct. 17, 2 p.m. at TGU.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.