Sports Preview: Top Caliber Quarterback Leads Cougar Football

In the summer of 2010, Mitch Leidner led a Lakeville South 7-on-7 passing league team that ended up representing Minnesota in the national tournament in Tampa Bay, Florida. An accurate, strong arm and fast, sure handed receivers on the other end of the ball are what put past Minnetonka to win the state passing title.

This year, the Cougars plan on capturing the same chemistry with all 11 players on the field.

“We have a great team. We are really excited,” Head Coach Larry Thompson said. “It all starts with a great quarterback and we have about the best in the state, so that’s a plus.”

Leidner, who impressed the University of Minnesota’s Head Football Coach Jerry Kill at the Minnesota Gopher Football camp earlier in the summer, was offered a scholarship to play quarterback for the Gophers.

Leidner will have some talented skilled players to throw to this season. Receivers like Matt Heller and Ty Powell will be some of the quarterback’s main targets down field. The team’s speed and athleticism at their skilled positions will be one of their biggest strengths as they start into another football season in the South Suburban Conference.

The offensive and defensive lines are also coming along well, according to Thompson. The offensive line will need to be solid in order to give Leidner time to make decisions down field.

The team also has six defensive starters returning for another year.

The Cougar’s first game is at home on Friday, September 2 at 7 p.m. against Eagan.