The Brainerd Lumberjacks will travel to Irondale High School at 5 p.m. Saturday to face the Twin City Titans in the opening game of the Midwest Premier Football League season.
This is the first season for the Titans, who are made up of many former Minnesota Phoenix players. The Phoenix won the league championship last season before dissolving.
“We don’t know much about them as they are a brand new team in the league,” said Lumberjacks head coach J.J. Kern. “We do know they have a lot of good, veteran football players, though.”
Brainerd is coming off a preseason victory May 5 in Minot, N.D. Kern said 30-to-40 mph winds affected the passing attack, which he believes will be the strength of this year’s team.
“We’re hoping to really be able to show that this week,” Kern said. “We’ll bring 35 to 40 guys down there this weekend.
“Our biggest upgrade this season is we have so many quality football players throughout our roster. We have a lot of depth with former college players making up the bulk of our roster. College football players are generally standout players in this league.
Brainerd’s first home game will be June 9 at Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd. Former Minnesota Vikings running back Chuck Foreman will be in attendance as the Lumberjacks will honor their initial class of hall of fame players and coaches.
