DigElogROCORI

2005 ROCORI Football Coverage

Varsity Football Enters State Tournament

QUICKTIME

On Friday evening, November 11th,  the Rocori Varsity Football Team will be playing in the 4AAAA quaterfinals of the State Football Tournament.

Entering the Section 8AAAA tournament, Rocori was the No. 5 seed with a record of 3-5. It beat Detroit Lakes 25-0 in the quarters; #1 Sartell 19-15 in the semis and #3 Alexandria 8-6 in the finals.

In this video story the Rocori coaches talk about what it will take to come home with a win in their game on Friday in New Prague. (SW Edge of Twin Cities)

In other state 4AAAA quarterfinal games, Totino-Grace faces Hutchinson, Princeton faces Holy Angels and Mahtomedi will face Lakeville South.
With a win over New Prague on Friday, Rocori would advance to the semifinals a week from this Saturday (Nov. 19) at 5:45 p.m. against the winner of the Mahtomedi/Lakeville South game.

Coach Theisen Interview After Big Game

Interview with Rocori Varsity Football Coach Rick Theisen after the Saturday upset win over the #1 Section 8 seed Sartell Sabres.

Question: 
After 26 years of Rocori football involvement and the past 5 years as head coach, how does it feel to get a win like this against the #1 pick in the sectional tournament, a team that you lost a heart breaker to just two weeks ago?

Coach Theisen:
"It was truly one of the most rewarding
victories I've had the opportunity to be part of!  I am so proud of our 13 seniors -- especially how they have bonded the entire team over the past few weeks."

Question:
So what was the difference last night in your win over Sartell vs. the results a few weeks ago?

Coach Theisen:
"Well,  I think it came down to confidence;  a quote by Ella Wheeler
Wilcox really sums it up - 'There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that
can hinder or control the firm resolve of determined souls'   For me, that says it all
about last night."

Question:
So was this a fluke?  How far can this team go with their newly found destiny?

Coach Theisen:
"No, I don't believe things are ever a fluke -- in sports, like other
aspects of life, efficacy will usually pay off -- the boys BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES NOW -- it's just their time to shine"

Question:
You'll be playing Alexandria this Friday in Fargo, who you lost to back in September, how will you prepare for this team differently than last?

Coach Theisen:
"We'll look at their personnel again, determine who might be out, who's
playing well for them at this time -- watch a lot of film and put together
a game plan...turnovers really hurt us bad in the first game too...and, we
certainly won't take them lightly, they have an excellent program"

Question:
Would you call this team a Cinderella team?

Coach Theisen:
"Probably, we've certainly have been the underdog and that's OK; initially, we felt a 4-4 regular season would be a good step forward considering the inexperience we started out with".  But, you know, our present seniors had been able to rely on some great players from last year's grads.  I think its just taken them some time to figure who they are and what they wanted their legacy in Rocori Football to be"

Question:
Any other comments you'd like to make?

Coach Theisen:
"Yes,  I want to recognize our coaching staff because they have done a
marvelous job this season -- Kurt Langer, Offensive-coordinator, Rich Scanlon,
Defensive-coordinator, Joel Baumgarten - Special teams coordinator and Mark Johnson
- J.V. head coach.  Football is a 'big' game and I am truly lucky to have
these guys on our staff."

SEE ROCORI FOOTBALL POST SEASON VIDEO

Rocori Football Team Wins In Sartell

ROCORI 19   Sartell 15
Section 8 Semi-Final

It was only two weeks ago that the Rocori Spartans suffered a character building loss to the Sartell Sabres when they fell short in the final four seconds 28-24 during homecoming.  The tide changed last night when the Spartans traveled to the Sartell football field in the Class 4A, Section 8 semi-finals and beat the Sabres 19 to 15. 

Section 8 Finals
Fargo Dome, Fargo North Dakota
8:00 PM
ROCORI VS ALEXANDRIA

The Spartans will now travel to the Fargo Dome to take on #3 seed Alexandria in the Section Finals on Friday, November 4th beginning at 8:00 PM.  This will be an exciting rematch between these two teams. 

It was back on September 16th when Alexandria visited Cold Spring and rode away with a 21 to 13 victory.  Rocori will be up for the challenge and will continue their Cinderella season to a possible birth in the Class 4A State Tournament.

ROCORI Varsity Football - PLAYOFFS

QUICKTIME

Did you hear the news?  Last night, the ROCORI Spartans Varsity Football team, the same team who had been struggling all season long, won their first playoff game Detroit Lakes.  They shut out the opposition by winning 20 points to 0.
 
Watch this story to find out how the coaching staff and the team leadership has used the lessons of the season to put it all together in the post season.  Meet Coach Rick Theisen, the team captains and all of the varsity football seniors.

The Rocori Spartans travel to Sartell on Saturday, 7:00 pm,  to face the #1 team.  You'll recall Rocori lost the first game with Sartell a few weeks ago in a nail biting back and forth battle.  Sartell ended up winning in the last few seconds of the game 28 to 24.  This should be a great game, be sure to get out and support of fighting Spartans.

ROCORI Youth Football

QUICKTIME

So what would you do with over 200 kids all wanting to learn how to play America's favorite sport... FOOTBALL!  Hear the story from two outstanding people Dave Terres and Elodie Worm, who make it happen in the land of ROCORI.  See how the sport is taught to the kids of ROCORI in a way where everyone participates and everyone has a chance to be QUARTERBACK.