FARGO — Fargo Shanley's football program has an extensive history of success in North Dakota, spanning 90 years.

However, if you ask this year's group of seniors, last year was well below expectations.

"There's no doubt that we're going into this season with a little bit of vengeance, and we're excited, we're ready to be back," said senior quarterback Jax Mattern.

The 2024 season saw the Deacons win just three of their ten games.

"Last year, it was an embarrassment," Mattern said. "There's really no sugar-coating it, it was an embarrassment. We didn't meet the standard, and that hurts," he added.

The lack of success hits harder for this group of seniors, who saw the program make consecutive Dakota Bowl games in 2022 and 2023, winning it all in 2022.

"Everyone was kind of bickering at

See Full Page