Vikings Hit the Field in Full Pads as New Season Begins

Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DECORAH — On an otherwise quiet Saturday morning, the Decorah Vikings football team assembled at 8 a.m. on a practice field near the river. It was overcast and humid, and the grass was soaking wet from an overnight downpour. Players wore practice gear. It was the first day of full pads. A quarterback stood behind the center and called out numbers and colors. The offensive and defensive lines crouched in their three- and four-point stances, helmet to helmet. When the ball was snapped, the quarterback extended the ball into the hands of a running back, who squeezed through a hole on the left side of the line. There was the familiar sound of pads colliding, but the coaches blew a quick whistle to halt the play. No one was tackled to the ground, and each side regrouped before running another play. Welcome to the dog days of summer, which guarantee three things: oppressive humidity, vine-ripened tomatoes and preseason football. The Vikings started practice Monday, Aug. 11, and the team's spirits couldn't be higher. "We're just really excited to build off of last season," said senior guard Tristan Baker. "We've got a great group of guys who really support each other." After going 9-0 in the regular season and making it to the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state playoffs, the Vikings have their sights set on another deep postseason run. And they have reason to feel confident. With a strong core of returning letterwinners and 25 seniors, there's plenty of momentum to build on. "We've got a great group. Practice has been going well," Coach Mike Tangen said. "The guys have been working hard." Indeed, everyone was working hard. At practice, there was a sense of seriousness—players understanding they were there to have fun, but also to commit to the team: to support, to work hard, to win. After each play, position coaches instructed individual players or sometimes the entire squad. "We need to fill this gap," said Coach Jared Bucksa, working with the linemen. "We need to get to that shoulder." The players responded. That trust between players and coaches has been earned. Decorah has made it to the playoff quarterfinals twice in the past four years, and 2025 brings new goals and expectations. The Vikings open their season with a scrimmage at New Hampton on Aug. 22. They'll kick off the official season the following week, Aug. 29, at Waukon. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.