Brainerd Football Searching for More Consistency in 2026 | Lakeland News

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The Brainerd Warriors football program experienced a dramatic shift in 2025, beginning as one of the top ten teams in Section 85A with a three-and-zero start before losing momentum and finishing winless in their final six games. As they prepare for the 2026 season, the team is focused on establishing greater consistency by implementing new strategies and personnel changes. Sports reporter Miles Walker observed the first practice of the upcoming season, where the coaching staff emphasized a renewed approach to both offense and defense to ensure the Warriors can build on their previous highs while avoiding past lows. On the offensive side, the team has introduced a new quarterback under center who aims to add versatility by combining passing and running abilities. Malik Lauer, a sophomore with state meet experience in track and field, brings the option of a mobile playmaker to the lineup, supported by senior wide receivers Brady Vanek and Luke Merseth who can step up if other skill position players face injuries. The offensive philosophy relies on trusting these young talents, with coaches expressing confidence that the group can make a significant impact through their ability to execute plays effectively and maintain high energy throughout games. Defensively, the Warriors are targeting an improvement over last year's average of 25 points allowed per game by leveraging returning depth and new leadership. Three defensive backs from the previous season are back to provide stability, while new linebackers are adapting quickly to the learning process with a positive attitude. The team culture is built on resilience and maintaining confidence regardless of the score, with leaders encouraging players to stay focused and dominant even when facing adversity or losing situations. Looking ahead, the Warriors have set a clear standard for the season that prioritizes effort, confidence, and a winning mindset rather than dwelling on past losses. Their schedule begins away against Buffalo before returning home in week two to face Duluth East, setting the stage for a competitive campaign. The program hopes to instill a new level of performance across the entire roster, transforming the lessons from the inconsistent 2025 season into a cohesive and formidable team capable of challenging for championships in 2026.

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Well, it was the tale of two seasons for the Brainerd football in 2025 after opening the season three and 0 and ranked in the top 10 in section 85A, the Warriors lost their footing finishing winless in their final six games. But sports reporter Miles Walker was on hand for the Warriors first practice of the season today to see how they are changing their approach in 2026. >> Work into it. Work into it. >> Brainerd football is featuring a new quarterback under center this season, one who's hoping to add more versatility to the offense. >> I could run, too. I could run really well as you've seen in track season and I offer both to throw and run at any ability that they need and I could do what they want me to do. >> Malik Lauer is coming off a track and field class 3A state meet appearance where he was the second leg on Brainerd's 4 by 100 meter relay team. And when the sophomore is not using his legs, he'll have weapons such as senior wideouts Brady Vanek and Luke Merseth to share the pill with. >> We got a couple new weapons this year. I think I think we can make an impact this year, honestly. I think we got a big a big thrower outside in Luke Merseth. Aiden Gilbert went down this year with an injury, but I think we can have different guys step up. We got a lot of young guys. >> Our skill positions are great. I'm very excited for what they can do and I trust them with everything I have and if I'm throw it to them, I know they'll catch it. >> And while Lauer will be taking aim at elevating the Warriors offensive attack, the defense is looking to improve upon last year's 25 points allowed per game. >> Feel, feel good. Good. Right there. Nice job. Here we go. >> I think we're hungry. We got three returning in the DB spot. >> We got Jacob on the D-line and in the D-line. >> New linebackers, but I think they feel good. The linebackers are new, I think they're enjoying it though, enjoying the learning process. I think the DBs are coming in good cuz we all three of us played last year, obviously. So we're all coming back feeling good. We all know the defense. We all know what we want to do on D. >> Warriors football has seen its highs and lows over the last three years with seasons ranging anywhere from an 8 and 2 record with a section 85A championship appearance in 2023 to a 3 and 6 record with a home quarterfinals loss last year. The leaders are hoping to instill a new standard across the entire roster this year. >> Our standard is to just try as hard as you can. If we're losing, stay just as you were when you started the game and just stay confident the whole time. Don't get down on yourself. Just stay up as long as you can. >> I want to keep our confidence up. I want to keep that winning mindset in. Can't dwell on the losses. Things are going to go bad. We want to keep our heads up, keep playing, keep doing our thing, and just keep dominating. >> Reporting in Brainerd, Miles Walker, Lakeland News. >> And here we're taking a look at the Warriors schedule. They will be on the road to open the season as well against Buffalo, but they will return home week two on September 11th, that Friday, to take on Duluth East. >> Sports on Lakeland News is sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Communications, powered by the GigaZone, one of the largest all fiber optic gigabit networks in the country with internet speeds up to 10 gig. Lakeland News is a nonprofit news organization. Donate to Lakeland PBS today to support your local news team.