Summer grind for Pipestone football
The Pipestone Area Schools football program kicked off its summer workouts in late July, running daily sessions from July 20 through July 30 that drew nearly thirty players, many of them in the evening to escape the midday heat. Under the guidance of a partnership with Pipestone County Medical Center, the drills emphasized strength, conditioning, speed and agility, laying a foundation for the upcoming season.
Adding to the coaching staff, Seth Gawerecki and Landon Quist joined as assistants, with Gawerecki overseeing the offensive and defensive lines and Quist handling quarterbacks and wide receivers. Both bring fresh perspectives, and their arrival coincides with expectations that Luka Quist will play a prominent role in the offense.
The team’s first on‑field test will come on Saturday, August 29, when they host a scrimmage against Russell‑Tyler‑Ruthton at ten in the morning, followed by a season‑opening showdown on Thursday, September 3, at seven p.m. against Redwood Valley. Those early contests will give the roster a chance to gel before the full schedule begins.
While football dominates the headlines, other fall sports have also begun their preseason work. The volleyball squad, after a match against Canby was canceled, will open its campaign at the Canton Invitational on September 5, while cross country and girls tennis teams started practice on August 17.
The broader schedule across the region reflects the Minnesota State High School League’s allowance for practices to begin on August 17, with many programs adopting morning sessions from seven to nine a.m. Meanwhile, across the border, Elkton‑Lake Benton in South Dakota is set to open its own practice on August 6, illustrating the statewide momentum as teams gear up for the new season.