Job No. 1 this season for Park Wolfpack football may just be succeeding in keeping players healthy.

Last season, a disappointing 1-8 campaign, was marred by a slew to injuries to numerous key players. At times the Wolfpack sidelines resembled a MASH unit.

“Last year was a statistically significant outlier for us as we had numerous injuries to starters on both sides of the ball at various times last season” said Park head coach Rick Fryklund. “At one point we had 22 players on crutches on our sideline, so my hope is that the voodoo injury doll is not going to be around much this year as it was the most any of my coaching staff had ever seen in all of our collective years of coaching. Having said that, last year did get a lot of opportunities for players to get varsity game minutes in and those players are returning.”

Just 1-8 overall and 1-3 in the Metro Maroon division, Park aims to turn those numbers around this fall. The Wolfpack scored a 33-30 win over Eastview in the next-to-last game of the season. Park then fell at third-ranked Rosemount 56-14 in the Class 6A first playoff round.

The Wolfpack took their lumps against the better teams during the regular season, losing 60-9 to Stillwater, 53-0 to No. 8 Forest Lake and 45-21 to Hopkins. But Park hung tough against tight losses to White Bear Lake, Coon Rapids and Roseville.

Park rushed for 125 yards and passed for 67 last year per game and were outscored on the season 333-101.

Park returns its top passer in senior Esten Erickson, who completed 49 of 92 passes for 432 yards in four games for a 108,0 yards per game average. Erickson split time at QB with Latavian Scott last season, but Erickson was by far the most productive passer for the Wolfpack.

“Has an arm to make all of the throws and is a natural leader,” said Fryklund.

But missing is graduated top rusher Kody Aikens who gained 645 yards on 129 carries and led Park with eight rushing touchdowns.

Leading the Park receiving corps is likely to be Kalab Miftah. “(He had) next level measurables as a wide receiver that is a threat to come down with any jump ball,” said Fryklund. He caught 22 passes for 145 yards last fall. Miftah is also being recruited by several schools and has D2 offers from University of Minnesota Duluth and Mankato State.
There are also multiple new starters on the offensive line.

“Will have several running backs from last year that played due to injuries that will be returning also,” Fryklund said. “Will likely have several sophomore starters, or rotators on the offensive side of the ball. Second year in our offense so we expect execution to increase with the familiarity of the system.”

On defense Park has one returning outside linebacker, one returning safety, one returning corner and one returning defensive line starter to build around.

“(We) have one defensive lineman also returning that rotated in last year due to injuries,” Fryklund said. “Second year in our defense so we expect execution to increase with the familiarity of the system.”

Other key players for the Wolfpack will be: (all comments from coach Fryklund)
 Liam Hieserich – “Sophomore with potential to be a two-way starter on the line, great motor and high ceiling.”
Kellen Simmons – “Two-way starter at offensive line/defensive line last year, will be playing tight end and defensive line this year.
 Ricky Santos – “Fantastic athlete and better human. First junior captain we have had at Park in my tenure. Started both ways as a sophomore for linebacker/running back we expect him to have a solid season based on what we have seen this summer.”
 Nolan Sease – “All conference safety last year who returns and anchors our defense.”
 Manny Vargas – “Slot and safety that is a very instinctual football player.”
 Myles Colbeth – Sophomore running back that has had a very solid summer.”
Van Kassabian – “First year offensive tackle that has had a great investment season and growth that has translated to the field so far.”

Asked what needs to happen to make this season a success, Fryklund said: “Staying healthy. Getting the young team to gel early, keeping it simple, letting them play fast, and by focusing on the little things to take care of the big things.”

Park will face two teams ranked in the High School On SI statewide preseason top 25 rankings, playing at No. 13 Forest Lake on Sept. 18 and then at No. 25 Wayzata on Oct. 2.

But again this season, the Wolfpack misses games against their natural rivals, East Ridge and Woodbury.

Park kicks off the season Thursday, Sept. 3, at home at Wolfpack Stadium against White Bear Lake, starting at 7 p.m.

Park 2026 football schedule

Thursday, Sept. 3 White Bear Lake
Friday, Sept. 11 at Stillwater
Friday, Sept. 18 Forest Lake
Friday, Sept. 25 Hopkins
Friday, Oct. 2 at Wayzata
Friday, Oct. 9 at Coon Rapids
Wednesday, Oct. 14 Roseville
Friday, Oct. 23 at Eastview

All games have a 7 p.m. kickoff, with the exception of Eastview, which starts at 6 p.m.