Bottineau quarterback Carson Haerer going through a drill during a practice on Aug. 4 at Bottineau High School. Photo by Matthew Semisch of the Bottineau Courant. Submitted Photo

After an impressive 2022 campaign that saw the Bottineau Braves post an 8-2 record and a playoff appearance, head coach Zach Keller and his Bottineau team are hoping to find themselves in a similar situation this year.

“Hopefully we are in the same situation as last year where we are competing at the top of our region and in the playoffs. We graduated a pretty good group of seniors who did a lot of things for us, but I think our core group we have back will help us be a pretty balanced team this year,” Keller said.

While the Braves have their sights set on doing more than just making the playoffs, Keller and the team know the importance of making sure they accomplish all their smaller goals first before obtaining their ultimate goal.

“Obviously, your ultimate goal is to get to the Dakota Bowl and win it but there are baby steps first. That involves clinching a playoff spot, then hopefully being at the top of the region, winning the region, hosting a home playoff game and then going from there.”

Last season, Bottineau had to put a lot of younger athletes on the offensive and defensive line. As a result, that gave those athletes 10 games under their belt which Keller believes will turn into a strength of the team this year.

In addition to the experience on the offensive and defensive line, there are a handful of returning players that Keller believes will make an impact. Starting with Carson Haerer, who was an all-state player last year and is someone the team will lean on.

Along with Haerer and many other players that Keller mentioned, Jake Hennings, Nick Barbot and Ty Marum are not only expected to make an impact on the field for the Braves, but to also take on leadership roles.

Adding to the excitement of a new season, Bottineau will be breaking in a new facility and will get to have home football games after playing every game on the road last year. With so much excitement surrounding a new season and new facility, Keller shared that it’s hard to look past their first home game as the one the team is most excited about.

“Obviously every game is important, so you have to go game by game. In a little bit in a way, you kind of have to circle our home opener. Breaking in a brand-new facility with a new track and new turf. We are probably going to have a big crowd on hand to see our first game there,” Keller said.

He added, “We can’t take for granted our first game of the year because it’s on the road, but you look at the home opener because these kids had to play every game on the road last year. They are excited to open the home field.”

Bottineau’s first game of the 2023 season was on Aug. 18 at Carrington. Their first home game, however, will take place on Friday, Aug. 25, when they host Grafton.