Edina football coach Reed Boltmann announced his resignation Thursday morning after eight seasons as head coach and 17 years on the Edina football staff.

Boltmann cited a desire to watch his son Brock Boltmann, who will be a freshman quarterback at the University of North Dakota in 2017. Boltmann compiled a 40-39 record at Edina and led the Hornets to a berth in the 2012 Class 6A tournament.

"There are many responsibilities and pressures tied to a head coaching position. It is now a 12-month job,'' Boltmann said in his resignation statement. "Now that Brock will be playing in college, I want to be able to watch him play without feeling guilty. The time commitment this position takes would not allow me to enjoy any of his games because I would always be thinking of what I need to get done."

Boltmann will remain a physical education teacher at Edina.

Former Osseo coach Derrin Lamker, who guided the Orioles to the 2015 Class 6A state championship before becoming the offensive coordinator at Edina, is believed to be a strong candidate to succeed Boltmann.

Canterbury dates set

The Minnesota Racing Commission approved Canterbury Park's request for a 67-day live racing season in 2017 that will begin May 5, the day before the Kentucky Derby.

Canterbury Park opened on Derby weekend from 2005 through 2008 but, for the last eight years. has opened two weeks later. The season will end after racing on Sept. 16.

Canterbury will continue its Thursday through Sunday racing schedule, with post times remaining at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 12:45 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Etc.

• The Gophers men's gymnastics team was ranked No. 2 in the a preseason Big Ten coaches poll, trailing only 13-time conference champion Ohio State. Junior Tristan Duran and senior Zach Liebler of Minnesota were named among the Big Ten gymnasts to watch.

• The Gophers women's gymnastics team was picked to finish third — behind Michigan and Nebraska — in another preseason coaches' poll. Juniors Ciara Gardner and Abby DeMuse of Minnesota were listed among the conference's gymnasts to watch.

• Augustana's Matt Heller, a senior wide receiver from Lakeville, was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association's All-America second team in football.