Milbank Area Bulldog Football Team Prepares For Exciting Season

The Milbank Area Bulldogs kicked off their 2015-2016 season with their first practice today.  Under the direction of head coach Jeremy Tostenson, players were issued equipment and lockers, followed by a National Guard leadership presentation, and the team’s Gold Card Blitz.  The first practice was held from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

This season brings an exciting new line up of opponents for the Bulldogs.  Milbank Area has joined the I-29 Conference in addition to remaining in the Northeast Conference.  The Bulldogs will take on several new teams that have not been on their regular schedule.

The following are practice times until school begins:

Friday, August 14 – 6-8:30 p.m. – practice

Saturday, August 15 – 8-10:30 a.m. – practice

Monday, August 17 – 6-8:30 p.m. – practice

Tuesday, August 18 – 6-8:30 p.m. – practice

Wednesday, August 19 – 6-8:30 p.m. – practice

Thursday, August 20 – 7:15-9:15 p.m. – practice

Friday, August 21 – 5-7 p.m. – Bulldog Football Tailgate with scrimmage at 7 p.m. at

AB Campbell Stadium

Saturday, August 22 – Team and individual photos at 8 a.m. (cheerleaders included) – practice                                 from 8:30 – 10 a.m.

After school starts, normal practice times will run from 3:40 to 5:45 p.m. daily after school is dismissed. Athletes and parents are also required to attend the mandatory sports meeting Monday, August 24, at 7 p.m. at the high school theater. This is a requirement for all athletes in order to participate in any sport this school year.

Coach Tostenson will begin his 14th year as head coach of the Milbank Area Bulldogs. He has a 68-57 career coaching record for the Bulldogs. He will be assisted by Troy Gauer, Ryan Scoular, Tyler Sieh, Scott Wiese, Travis Lester and Carl Larson. Under Tostenson’s helm, the Bulldogs were runners-up in 2005 and champions in 2009 in Class 11A.

The Dawgs will return 25 letter-winners from last season, including eight starters on offense and nine on defense.  Returning starters on offense include seniors Isaac Snaza, Kyle Montag, Nolan Foss, Jacob Jackson, Cody Buttke and Dalton Koch and juniors Tanner Gauer and Cody Dockter. Returning defensive starters for Milbank Area will be seniors Snaza, Devin Stricherz and Foss, and juniors Dockter, Riley Folk, Jake Anderson, Riley Wollschlager and Zach Angerhofer.

Newcomers and other players expected to see significant action on the field include senior Tristan Hall, juniors Taran Mogard, Wes Bowsher, Caden Wollschlager, Ben Nelson, Nate Bien, Matt Lenards, Jacob Stinson and Albert Pavlinac and sophomores Austin Schuelke, Tanner Kettwig, Cole Dockter, Jonny Ash, Derrick Aho and James Weber.

“The keys to us having a successful season come down to weight room attendance, leadership, accountability, discipline, blocking and tackling and practicing with a purpose,” explained Tostenson. “Our biggest challenge will be to play physical and stay mentally tough.”

Click here to view photos from the first practice!

Following is the complete schedule for the 2015 season: