WIBAUX -- Wibaux is the defending 6-Man state champion and top-ranked team in the Treasure State Media Poll conducted by Anthony Nachreiner out of Kalispell, but the Longhorns are replacing several starters from last year's team.
One guy that's back? Tel Lunde.
Lunde, the Wibaux quarterback, is often the focus of opposing defenses, but that just makes the Wibaux offense that much more lethal.
"He's got a great arm, throws a nice, very catchable ball, but that really opens up the running game and opens up his running game, too," Wibaux head coach Craig Lunde said. "We're hoping it opens up things for everybody else and hoping we can hit them on some of those pass plays and opens up the run a little bit. ... Everything we kind of do for a reason -- open up and set up plays and things like that."
"I just try kind of getting a good look on the defense and just knowing kind of where I want to go," Tel Lunde said. "If (defenses) keep looking at me, then I've just got to do what I can to make plays and get my other teammates involved. If we do that, we're going to go a long ways."
Last year, Lunde frequently showcased his arm with a trio of all-state weapons surrounding him in Cobe Begger, Cade Dschaak and Chance Larson. Now, Lunde will be leaned upon more heavily in the ground game, where's he's a home run threat at all times.
"He's got some incredible vision, it's unbelievable," Wibaux running back Wyatt Davis said of Tel Lunde. "He can see a run before it even happens. He beats everyone. If he's on the opposite side of the field, he'll beat them right to the tackle. It's pretty amazing."
"I know that coming into the season we've got to use him a little bit more running. We didn't run him too much, we didn't have to, last year," Craig Lunde said. "We're going to have to let him carry the ball a few more times this year, I think, and that will help with the passing game, too."
Lunde and the Longhorns are 2-0 and will turn their attention to conference play, where they'll likely be tested often. The 6-Man East put three teams into last year's semifinals and is strong once again, something that has proven helpful to the Longhorns in recent years.
"That's the big part. That's kind of why we've been successful, is the East has been so dominant," Tel Lunde said. "It gives us playoff-atmosphere games. We're able to build on that and just keep getting better each game."
Wibaux's next game will be on Sept. 21 at home against Richey-Lambert.
