Moorhead Football Set to Begin 6A Era

6A IS THE LARGEST CLASSIFICATION IN MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. THE SPUDS PLAYED IN 5A IN 2024.

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) –There a lot of teams to keep an eye on in the Red River Valley for high school football, but none more than the Moorhead Spuds. Due to increased enrollment in the school, the Spuds face the daunting challenge of moving up to Minnesota’s largest classification in high school football: 6A. But the team says they are looking forward to it.

“I’d say we have quite a bit of confidence,” said junior running back Taye Reich. “We still have to go in every game, you know, respecting our opponents because obviously it’s a little different than last year. This year every game is going to be a fight, but we still just got to play our ball.”

Moorhead football began camp August 11 beginning a new era. The Spuds are now playing in Class 6A for football, the largest class in the State of Minnesota.

“I think the kids had a great summer,” said head coach Kevin Feeney. “We tried to keep things pretty status quo. We believe in what we do and the standard that we’ve set before us. Obviously, huge challenge with with some new opponents and some great opportunities to travel to the cities and hopefully make some noise.”

After a successful 2024 campaign that saw the Spuds go undefeated until the section 8AAAAA championship game, the team is hungry to get rolling again.

Leading the charge is four division one recruits: defensive back Zak Walker, and the offensive trio of quarterback Jett Feeney, wide receiver David Mack and Running Back Taye Reich.

Coach Feeney has seen those guys continue to progress heading into their junior years.

“I think just their preparation,” said coach Feeney. “Those guys have really put in a ton of work this offseason and they’re super excited to get the challenge because I’m sure there’s some non-believers out out there that are going to say, hey, there’s a big jump from 5A to 6A. And athletically, we’re going to have our challenges, no doubt about it. But I like the group, and I think they’re looking forward to the opportunities.”

That jump is a big one, and there certainly are doubters. This group looks forward to the opportunity to prove they belong.

“I think that’s another thing that gave our team a lot of motivation this year,” said Jett Feeney. “Everyone’s doubting us moving up to 6A, but I think that motivates our team a lot, and that will help us a lot this year during the season.”

The Spuds are the furthest North and and West team in 6A. Most of the 32 total teams are located in the Twin Cities. Every opponent this season on their schedule is about a 3-hour drive away, something the Spuds believe will give them an advantage.

“I’m looking forward to them,” said Taye Reich. “I’m especially looking forward to the games where they have to come Moorhead because they’re not used to that. That’s an advantage that we have is we’re used to those pretty long bus rides. Not them, so when they come here, it’ll be nice. Kick the crap out of them and then they have to drive home too, so it’s going to be really fun.”

The 6A era officially begins Thursday, August 28 when the Spuds host Rogers.