Layne Rupert takes no days off
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When the final school bell rings on Friday afternoons, most high school student look forward to a weekend of some much needed recharging and relaxation.
But for some students, like Des Lacs-Burlington High School junior Layne Rupert, the weekend offers more opportunities to dedicate himself to his work.
Since he was in second grade playing flag football, Rupert knew he had football in his veins.
Layne comes from a long lines of football-playing Ruperts, including his grandfather and uncles on his father’s and mother’s side, so when he eventually moved on to playing varsity football for the Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers, he knew it was where he wanted to be.
“It is amazing,” Rupert said of being with the Lakers. “I love the coaching, love the staff, love the players. I mean, its my second family. I would do anything for them.”
Rupert is nearing the end of his junior season with Des Lacs-Burlington, finishing off the regular season this past Friday, October 16, in a home game against Stanley.
Approaching his final season with the Lakers, Rupert feels bittersweet.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Rupert said. “It feels like its gone by too fast. I mean, I’ve always dreaded school, but I am going to miss it. I really am.”
Rupert is an offensive and defensive lineman for the Lakers, and while he says he enjoys defense more when pressed, he really enjoys playing both sides of the ball.
Like the rest of the Lakers, Rupert has to spend his time trying to balance the demands that come with being a student athlete, but unlike a lot of other Lakers, he also has to balance running his business.
Rupert is the owner and operator of Rupert's Lawn Care Service here in Minot. As a business owner, Rupert makes sure to dedicate time every day to his clients, mowing lawns, edging, trimming, applying fertilizer, weeding and cleaning gutters.
And though it might be a lot for one person to take on, Rupert has found purpose in working hard.
“At times I can be (hard),” Rupert said. “But I’ve always just pushed through it no matter what. You have people counting on you, people waiting on you, so that is always at the back of my mind.”
As Rupert prepares to end his junior season with the Lakers, he is already looking ahead at what comes after high school.
Heading into college, Rupert is determined to continue his football career, but beyond that, Rupert is not looking to hand up his shears just yet.
He wants to provide other high school students in the area the same opportunity to learn the same lessons he did running Rupert's Lawn Care Service.
“It has helped me learn to be accountable for my actions and learn from mistakes,” Rupert said. “I would love to hire teenage kids and have them work the business while I am in college.”
With such a busy schedule, it can be easy to get bogged down. Rupert’s advice? You have to push through.
“Don’t let the little things bother you,” Rupert said. “Don’t let the little hardships ruin what you have going.”
The Lakers closed out their 2026 regular season against the Stanley Blue Jays at home on Friday night, October 16.