Monticello Magic Football Team Features Record Number of Sibling Players

MONTICELLO, Minn. — Head coach Andy Pierskalla has been eagerly anticipating the kickoff of the new football season. «Considering we had to take an extra day to get ready, I think we’re just ready to see another team at this point,» he expressed.

The Monticello Magic football team is not only preparing for games but also features a unique lineup, with an unprecedented number of siblings on the roster. Coach Pierskalla remarked on the diversity within the team, stating, «Big kids, small kids, fast kids, slow kids, strong kids, everybody’s got a spot.» He added humorously, «You always get one or two, maybe some cousins. Never anything like that.»

This season, 14 players, consisting of seven sets of brothers, make up a significant portion of the team. This is the highest number of siblings that either Coach Pierskalla or the players can recall.

Senior Ethan Willmert expressed his enthusiasm for playing alongside his brother Brooks, stating, «It’s a good feeling to be out on the field hitting people together.» Teammate William Kuhn shared similar sentiments, noting, «It’s your brother out there, and that’s obviously awesome to have him on the field.» In addition, player Andrew Matuska highlighted the convenience of attending practice together with his brother Cameron: «It’s been nice, it’s been easy to bring both of us to the same practice.»

For many of the sibling pairs, the experience of playing together is part of their lifelong camaraderie. Brock Holthaus mentioned, «It’s awesome, I mean, this kid is my best friend. I got no choice but to be his best friend.»

This unique sibling dynamic extends to the parents as well. Angie Schlangen, president of the football booster club and mother to two players, remarked, «It’s pretty neat, it’s unique. Watching them work so hard, and then being able to be together on the same team is really, really cool for a mom.»

Some football teams may cultivate brotherhood over time, but for the Monticello Magic, that bond is already deeply rooted in family ties. Brock Holthaus reflected on his experience, stating, «Last year I got to hand off his first varsity touchdown, and this year watching him be that full-time two-back, it feels great watching him succeed.»