Dan Aaker needs to update that ridiculously antiquted offense (LOL)
Dan Aaker helped guide the Winner Warriors to back-to-back 11B titles with a 54-0 win over Groton.
By Rich Winter
Was thinking about Winner coach Dan Aaker about noon today after seeing a post about a Winner article featuring Aaker in what I believe was the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Listened to the pre-game on KWYR and then the pre-game on SDPB (Who did a great job today with stats and history and stuff and especially that shout-out to Bob Connot). Bunch of media types on all platforms wanting to sit down and visit with coach Aaker.
If I were to have an audience with Mr. Aaker the first thing I'd ask him would be..."How much do ya love the media this time of year." Figure I might get a roll of the eyes as Aaker has been a busy man over the last few days answering questions from folks he knows and some new folks trying to dig into the mystique that is Winner football.
While the media interviews can't always be fun, each time, and without fail, Aaker steps to the podium and delivers some classy response that usually pays tribute to the other team and their coaching and such. As the mouthpiece of a proud program, littered with history, Aaker always represents the program, the town and the people he's facing with class.
Even in difficult times, Aaker comes through, like today when the half-time guy asked him what do you go tell your team at halftime. While Aaker closed with the we just want to go hydrate and get ready for the second half, he had to dig deep for the, "I don't really know what to tell them....We're playing some great football."
Yes you were...Wow, that was perfection as the Warriors capped perfection with a 54-0 win over Groton area.
In reference to the title of this blog, Jody Brozik sent me the video of him hurting his knee in the state championship game against Canton. And while I squirmed, HARD, when I saw the injury, just prior to that I saw the same-old Winner kids doing the same thing. Seriously, same formation, ish....big boys front, in tight, wearing gold helmets. It's like 30 years passed and ya hadn't skipped a beat.
Lotta pregame stuff this morning suggested that Winner and Groton couldn't be too more dissimilar teams. The thought was Winner would grind it out on the ground and Groton would spread it out. Well, and then Drew DeMers went off.
I think myself, everyone watching on television and the entire Groton defense couldn't have been more surprised when Aaker and QB Drew DeMers came out firing.
Drew DeMers - 5-5 for 185 yards and 4 TD's....Shut up, that's ridiculous....what's the world record for QB rating?
Guess while others might think the spread is a beautiful thing....Why fix what ain't broken. I've been on the sideline this season, taking photos and have been completely mystified who has the ball and where it's going.
Guess if I had an audience with coach Aaker I'd also want to ask him how tuff this last month has been? Can't imagine how difficult it must have been for Aaker to tell his kids about the loss of a classmate (for some probably their first experience with that kind of loss). And then to guide these young folks through the process that loss brings, keep everyone focused on school and fit-in some playoff preparation after a long season of everyone taking their best shots.
It's those difficult times where ya just don't know what to say but someone has to say something, and only guessing here, but bet some of these conversations have been tough, heart-felt and challenging with a room full of eyes looking up for direction.
Don't know what those conversations were, but certain they were just what the Dr. ordered.
Congratulations to Aaker and the entire Winner coaching staff - Asst. Coaches: Trent Olson, Larry Aaker, Kevin Keiser, Sam Olson, Glenn Carlson
Such a talented group of players but all the talent in the world doesn't win if they don't work hard and work together....Thing of beauty Winner....Wheeeeeoooowww!
