Tackling health hurdles Duluth East star RB Austan Orvedahl returns ready for Thursday’s season opener

The Minnesota prep football season kicks off this week. One of the teams flipping on the Thursday night lights will be Duluth East.

Possibly their most prolific returner is senior running back Austan Orvedahl who, after some health related setbacks last season, is back in full force.

“I’ve been working out a lot,” Orvedahl explained. “I’ve been working with two personal trainers a lot so working on explosiveness, speed and footwork. Been working on my cramps, last year had a bunch of cramping problems, drinking a lot more water and taking more care of my body.”

“I think in big part because of him our turnout with all of our offseason conditioning has been one of the best years I’ve ever had,” head coach Joe Hietala said. “His skill set and the things that he can do on the field, offensively with the ball in his hand, defensively without the ball in his hands. He’s definitely a standout and you’ll notice him out there.”

As a junior last season Orvedahl exploded posting over 2,000 all-purpose yards scoring 24 touchdowns in nine games. Six of those touchdowns came in their 54-37 Section 7AAAAA quarterfinal loss to Elk River.

Duluth East kicks off against Hibbing Thursday at Mountain Iron-Buhl High School at 7 p.m.