Sport: Football Category: Scores & Results

Willmar prepares for Fergus Falls in football season opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 10:31 PM

Last updated Sep 2, 2026

Football

Summary

Willmar hosts Fergus Falls at Hodapp Field this Friday at 7 p.m. to open the 2026 football season. The Cardinals aim to adjust their defensive scheme to contain Fergus Falls quarterback Eston Bethel, who proved difficult to track during the 2025 season opener. In that previous matchup, Bethel completed 20 of 25 passes for 153 yards and added 63 rushing yards to secure a 21-13 win for the Otters. Willmar enters this contest with 22 seniors on the roster and a new starting quarterback in Alex Hoppe. Head coach Jon Konold expects a challenging test against the Otters, who finished the previous campaign with an 8-3 record and a state tournament appearance. The Cardinals will rely on an experienced offensive line to manage the Fergus Falls defensive front as they seek a win in their first game against a 2025 state tournament team.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Willmar hosts Fergus Falls at Hodapp Field Friday at 7 p.m.
•Fergus Falls won the 2025 season opener between these teams 21-13.
•Willmar features 22 seniors and new starting quarterback Alex Hoppe.
•Eston Bethel returns as the starting quarterback for the Otters.
•Fergus Falls finished the previous season with an 8-3 record.

Latest Updates

10:31 PMYahoo Sports — Football: Willmar Cardinals look for no surprises against Fergus Falls

What they're saying

"
Week 1 of the football season brings a lot of unknowns. Players have graduated. New schemes are in place. Some players change positions in order to optimize a lineup. When Willmar faced Fergus Falls to open the 2025 season, they didn't know much on Otters' starting quarterback Eston Bethel. "We didn't really scout their quarterback like we should have," said Cardinals defensive end ...
— Yahoo Sports

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