Spring Lake Park football excited to take big next step

A fresh-faced youngster approached Spring Lake Park football coach Jeff Schlieff and asked where to be in the field for Monday's practice session.

"I'm assuming you're not a free safety," Schlieff joked to the player, measuring about 6-2, 290. Turning toward the group of defensive linemen, Schlieff yelled: " 'Coach, I've got one more for you. He's going to be a good one.' "

Hope, excitement and anticipation shot through the Panthers' first day in helmets. Spring Lake Park reached the Class 5A tournament semifinals last fall, its best finish since 1997. The Panthers return six starters and desire taking another step this season.

"We have a lot of expectations for ourselves this year, some pretty high ones," senior cornerback Aaron Flink said. "We've been preparing for this for a while."

A new year, yes. But not a new team. To Schlieff, the 2015 season began the day after the tournament loss. By that math, Monday's practice was Day 268 of this team's one-year life.

Before taking the field, players ran the 40-yard dash on the track or sought to post big bench-press and power-clean numbers inside the weight room. Several players showed off their dedication to offseason workouts, highlighted by junior Dylan Kahlstorf joining the 230-pound power-clean club.

Setting a personal best — amid the hoots and hollers of teammates — gave Kahlstorf the honor of ringing the program's blue cowbell.

For Schlieff, who soaked up the waning moments of a coach's truncated summer by spending three days at the cabin, Monday morning brought a familiar, welcome energy.

"I tell you what, when I walked in this morning," Schlieff said, clapping his hands, "it was just excitement to get going."