Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Velva senior running back Gage Florence rushes during a drill in a practice held earlier this week. The Aggies will travel to Harvey/Wells County for an 8 p.m. game on Friday, August 28.

VELVA — As Gage Florence peered into the distance during a recent Velva football practice, he paused for a moment and gestured toward his practice jersey.

“Every time I put this on, I kind of feel like a superhero,” said Florence, a senior running back. “So many people have come through here. You hold yourself to a high standard when you wear the blue and gold.”

Florence, along with 10 other seniors, will lead the Aggies along their journey. Earlier this week, Velva was tabbed as the No. 2-ranked team in the preseason media poll.

During a 10-1 campaign in 2019, head coach Larry Sandy watched the players mature.

“The first thing that jumps to my mind is this senior group,” he said. “They’ve been a very good group from the time they stepped on the junior high field all the way through their high school days. They’ve been a part of a lot of big football games already.”

Last year, the Aggies earned a Class A semifinal berth after defeating Killdeer and Shiloh Christian in their first two postseason games. After falling to Bishop Ryan in a 32-20 semifinal, the upperclassmen are leading the younger players through their actions.

“They understand that it’s not always about telling kids what to do, correcting mistakes and things like that,” Sandy said. “It’s also about telling them when they’re doing things right and reminding them how to do things. It’s leading by example, also. When they get out here and do things right, the younger ones are going to follow. They’re going to do what they see.”

Velva’s explosive offense tallied 404 points last season. Throughout the year, the team’s skill positions provided boosts across the board.

Seasoned quarterback Jersey Selzler is entering his senior year. Fellow seniors Tyson Tomlinson, Bransyn Yanish and Florence are difference-makers on the ground.

When the Aggies air it out to their receiving core, seniors Tristan Brewer, Hunter Suckut and Adam Schepp offer experienced targets. Dillon Froshaug, Tace Pederson, Wyatt Hanson and Jerry Jespersen get their work done on the lines.

“They’re ready to get after it,” Sandy said. “They want to play some ball.”

Those eager attitudes assisted the Aggies in their summer conditioning. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the student-athletes remain optimistic.

“We’re just hoping that we can play the full season,” Selzler said. “Every day, we come into practice and hope it’s not our last. We just play like it is our last, just in case it is. It is unique in the way that any day could be our last.”

The seniors are equipped to carry the load, but 15 sophomores and juniors are also listed on Velva’s roster. The upperclassmen of that group include quarterback/defensive back Colin Dean, wide receiver/defensive back Kade Beeter, and linemen Rye Johnston and Kaden Chadwick.

“Here with Aggie football, we think we have a pretty decent tradition,” Sandy said. “We’ve been able to keep that on. Everybody’s got each other’s backs. They’re all playing for the same reason.”

Velva will begin the 2020 season at 8 p.m. next Friday at Harvey/Wells County.

“Since we were freshmen, we’ve been looking at our senior year and thinking that this is the year that we’re going to do it,” Jespersen said. “This is the year. Now, it’s here. It means a lot to finally get here and finish it off this year.”

Season Schedule

Aug. 28, 8 p.m. at Harvey/Wells County.

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

Sept. 11, 7 p.m. vs. Garrison/Max

Sept. 18, 7 p.m. vs. Bishop Ryan at Nedrose.

Sept. 25, 7 p.m. vs. DLB.

Oct. 2, 7 p.m. at Tioga.

Oct. 9, 7 p.m. vs. Nedrose.

Oct. 16, 7 p.m. vs. Kenmare/B/BC.

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