Esko football has gone three years straight without a regular season loss. This year they are looking to continue the trend despite graduating eighteen seniors – including star running back Makoi Perich, who is now a Minnesota Golden Gopher.

“It’s not one person that’s going to do that,” head coach Scott Arntson said.” We’re going to try to play as much team-football as we can. I’m sure you hear that from a lot of the coaches, but that’s going to have to be our case. We’re also going to just have to be more patient. He had a lot of big plays for us. That idea that we just got to be patient, hold onto the football and do the little things right. We’re going to probably have a different look to us because of that, but I still think our expectations are the same.”

Esko also had a few coaching changes, and are only returning five seniors for the 2024 season.

One of those returning is their starting quarterback Jacion Owens, who is also a defensive back. As a seasoned veteran, he’s a key leader to Esko’s preparation for the early Minnesota season start. Kicking off one week before Labor Day, it’s a change from the state’s traditional week after Labor Day openers.

“We feel like it’s a quick turnaround, so we’re not taking reps for granted. We’re hungry and we want to prove that we’re the same Esko team that’s been dominant years past. So, we’re not taking reps off and we’re excited to keep practicing and let the results show on Friday nights,” said Owens.

Esko will kickoff their 2024 slate Thursday, August 29 hosting Duluth East at 6 p.m. This marks their second straight year opening up against the Greyhounds.