Jimmy Lafakis/MDN South Prairie players huddle after a practice held last week. The Royals will host Southern McLean at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

As he entered his senior football season at South Prairie, Cooper Bohl immediately assumed a leadership role. Whether Bohl is rushing up the middle as a fullback or working in the trenches on the lines, the senior aims to set a positive example for the younger Royals.

“I just try to make them feel like I’m their friend,” he said. “I don’t want them to be like, ‘Oh, that guy is big and scary.’ I give them slaps on the helmet, give them (knuckles) and say, ‘Hey, what’s up, man? How’s it going?’ I push them around a little bit. I just make them have fun, so they want to keep doing it. We make it more fun for them, too.”

South Prairie will feature a healthy mix of senior leadership and young talent. Bohl acknowledged two freshmen — running back/linebacker Ethan Dobson and offensive lineman/linebacker Riley Johnson — as impact players.

In Bohl’s words, the freshmen will “show the older guys that they have what it takes to run with the big dogs.”

Because the young players earned valuable time during South Prairie’s initial varsity campaign in 2019, head coach Justin Wieseler envisions a bright future for the squad. The Royals learned their roles and worked out the kinks last season.

“That experience is really going to help us this year,” Wieseler said. “In order to win football games, we have to be in good shape. We have to be mentally ready to think and do our jobs in the fourth quarter. It’s hard to do when you’re tired. We’re just making sure that we’re in decent enough shape to where we can handle four quarters of football.”

South Prairie graduated several seniors who contributed on both sides of the field. Last season, quarterback/defensive lineman Hayden Gibney, running back/defensive back Cade Korslien and running back/linebacker James Hood set the tone for the Royals.

This year, senior quarterback/defensive back Kaden Korgel seeks to display his knowledge of the varsity level.

“It’s a lot tougher than playing a (junior varsity) schedule,” he said. “The kids are a lot bigger and everything, but we really grew accustomed to it. That’s what you’ve got to play with every week. You’ve got to take it head-on.”

The rejuvenated Royals kicked off their initial practices with eager spirits. After spending time away from each other because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the student-athletes are prepared to hit the field once again.

“Everyone’s excited that they can be together again,” Wieseler said. “There’s some things that we have to make sure we do as far as the COVID things, but they all like to see each other. To interact with each other again, it’s been great to do that. It’s been fun. It’s a great-character group. I think they all get along really well. They all like being around each other.”

According to Wieseler, new lights will illuminate the South Prairie football field this season.

“We should have some night games, as well,” he said. “That will be exciting.”

South Prairie will welcome Southern McLean at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening. Earlier this week, the game was moved up from its initial 7 p.m. start time.

“Game 1, when things get difficult in the fourth quarter and everyone’s tired, we need somebody out there being a coach — encouraging, motivating and getting after some kids sometimes,” Wieseler said. “We need that. They’ll be great at that.”

Season Schedule

Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. vs. Southern McLean.

Sept. 4, 7 p.m. vs. Velva.

Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Nedrose.

Sept. 18, 7 p.m. at Tioga.

Sept. 25, 7 p.m. vs. Kenmare/B/BC.

Oct. 3, 1 p.m. vs. Bishop Ryan at Nedrose.

Oct. 9, 7 p.m. vs. Garrison/Max.

Oct. 16, 7 p.m. vs. DLB.

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