Football: Two Rivers vs Saint Thomas Academy (Varsity)
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Saint Thomas Academy Gerry Brown Stadium - Field #1
Football
Football Teams
First Day of Season
August 17
Game Schedule
Coaches
Travis Walch
Varsity Head Coach
twalch@cadets.com
Chad Abbott '94
OL Coach
Justin Larson
Wide Receivers Coach
jlarson@cadets.com
Walch Bio
Years of Experience: 25 years
High School attended: Elgin-Millville
College and Major: Winona State - Elementary Education, M.S. Education
Why Saint Thomas Academy? There is an institution within the institution!
A fun fact about yourself: I caught a 1st inning Ron Washington home run in the Metrodome on August, 9th, 1985 when I was 9 years old. A guy seated behind me gave me a $1 an inning thereafter to use my glove. My brothers ended up losing the ball in our backyard (not The Sandlot!)
Family: Wife: Kirsi (Visitation 2002) Daughters: Renata (Renny), Rosalyn (Roz) and Marit
My Purpose Statement: Live + Love + Learn
Abbott Bio
Years of Experience: 29 years
High School attended: Saint Thomas Academy '94
College and Major: Concordia University - Broadcast Journalism
Why Saint Thomas Academy? The impact the school and football program had on me as a student is something I wanted to share with others. It's a special place and tradition rich program that has helped produce thousands of successful, hard working young men.
A fun fact about yourself: Favorite job as a kid was a shoe repairman.
Family: Best Football Wife on the Planet and 3 Supportive Kids
Larson Bio
Years of Experience: 16 years
High School attended: Spring Valley, WI
College and Major: University of Wisconsin - River Falls - Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education. Major: Health & Human Performance. Graduate: University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Masters of Science Education - School Counseling
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Saint Thomas Academy has a prestigious history, outstanding facilities, and high expectations. It is a privilege to work here, with this coaching staff, and high quality student-athletes.
A fun fact about yourself: Coach Larson and his Spring Valley High School teammates (coached by current STA teacher Duane Jourdeans) won back-to-back football state championships in 2000 and 2001. Coach Larson also won a football state championship while on staff at Somerset High School in 2012.
McCarthy Bio
Years of Experience: 21 years
High School attended: Saint Thomas Academy
College and Major: Marquette University - History and Spanish
Why Saint Thomas Academy? : I have taught and coached at STA for 16 years and it is home.
A fun fact about yourself: I love traveling and have been to nearly 20 countries
Family: Wife - Mary, Daughters - Anna, Abby, and Lizzy
Anderson Bio
Years of Experience: 5 years
High School attended: Henry Sibley
College and Major: Saint Cloud State University, Sports medicine
Why Saint Thomas Academy? : My faith is an important part of my life and I love that Saint Thomas values faith, and instills those values into the young men at this school.
It’s an honor to coach at one of the best programs in Minnesota and be surrounded by such a great group of coaches and players!
A fun fact about yourself: I can sing, I lead worship at my church for 5 years and had the privilege of singing a national anthem at a Saint Cloud state hockey game.
Always open to singing another national anthem *wink wink*
Also love golfing 18 any chance I can get!
Family: 8 brothers and sisters, 15 nieces and nephews I love dearly (16 & 17 on the way)
Ties Bio
Years of Experience: 25 years
High School attended: Mayo HS
College and Major: Rochester Community and Technical College
Why Saint Thomas Academy? : I not only have a passion for coaching but have a passion for being different. STA is one of those unique places that’s you don’t understand until you absorb the culture. The standards of the culture demand a pursuit of excellence in both the classroom and competition.
A fun fact about yourself: Fly fishing maniac
Family: Raegen, Miles and Rollan
Joe Lepsche
OC - QB
Tom Menke
Consultant
Anthony King-Foreman
DL- JV DC
Lepsche Bio
Years of Experience: 23 years
High School attended: Woodbury High School
College and Major: University of St. Thomas Athletic Administration, PE & Health
Why Saint Thomas Academy? : Great people, great tradition and great education
A fun fact about yourself: Played QB and OL in the same high school football game.
Family: Wife Megan, daughter Mackenzie and son Louie
Menke Bio
Years of Experience: 28 years
High School attended: Prior Lake High School
College and Major: University of Saint Thomas, Urban Planning
Why Saint Thomas Academy? The head coach and the assembled coaching staff! Travis is an excellent leader and football mind. Having coached over 2 decades, coaching with and for the right staff is paramount. Come to find out the student-athletes and administration are just as impressive.
A fun fact about yourself: I've played the guitar since 3rd grade. Absolutely love it.
Family: 3 children -- William, Evelyn, Amelia. Wife -- Trisha
King-Foreman Bio
Years of Experience: 2 years
High School attended: Eden Prairie High School
College and Major: University of St. Thomas Environmental Studies
Why Saint Thomas Academy? To be apart of a program that builds character and has high expectations on and off the field.
A fun fact about yourself: I like to play the piano.
Johnny Erickson
RB-TE - JV OC
John Welsh '75
OL Asst
Johnson Fallah
Safeties
Erickson Bio
Years of Experience: 5 years
High School attended: Mountain Iron-Buhl High School
College and Major: University of St. Thomas - B.S. Financial Management, B.S. Leadership Management
Why Saint Thomas Academy? : STA stood out because of the people, the values of the program, and the commitment to developing student-athletes. It is a place where I can build meaningful relationships with players and coaches, while enhancing my own coaching skills.
A fun fact about yourself: I started coaching high school football since graduating high school, including being on the staff for Mountain Iron-Buhl's 2022 State Championship Team.
Welsh Bio
Years of Experience: 15 years
High School attended: Saint Thomas Academy
College and Major: St. John University, Accounting
Why Saint Thomas Academy? : STA has truly a great tradition of academics, athletics, community and a wonderful builder of young men!
A fun fact about yourself: This is the fourth generation at STA for our family
Family: Wife Cici, RJ '00, Charlie '03, Andria
Fallah Bio
Years of Experience: 2 years
High School attended: Osseo Senior High School
College and Major: University of St. Thomas, Business Managemen
Why Saint Thomas Academy? I chose STA because I wanted to begin my high school coaching career in an environment where the standards are high and young men are challenged to become the best versions of themselves, both academically and athletically. My experience at the University of St. Thomas taught me a lot about discipline, leadership, and accountability, and I wanted to bring those lessons to STA and pour into the next generation not just as athletes, but as young men.
A fun fact about yourself: I didn't start playing football until my Sophomore year of high school
Family: My Fiance Mary
Steve Rosga
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Cole Hartwigsen
Athletic Trainer
Doug Ringeisen
Analytics
Rosga Bio
Years of Experience: 26 years
High School attended: Cretin-Derham Hall
College and Major: University of Colorado, Boulder - Communication Major
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Over the years I had trained over 300 Cadets and was always impressed with the way they carried themselves and how they talked about their school and the 'Brotherhood'.
The opportunity to bring my background in athletics and fitness to these young men and be a part of that Brotherhood was a perfect fit for me and my family.
A fun fact about yourself: Along with being an All-State athlete in 3 sports, I was a first chair trumpet player in high school.
Family: My wife Brianna, she graduated from Kansas where she played soccer for the Jayhawks. My daughters are Cianna and Louis and my son Vincent
Purpose Statement: Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up knowing it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.
Hartwigsen Bio
Years of Experience: 14 years
High School attended: Chaska High School
College and Major: UW-Eau Claire BS in Athletic Training and University of Illinois MS of Kinesiology
Why Saint Thomas Academy? The student lead experience and the drive and mentorship towards excellence in all of its forms.
A fun fact about yourself: Despite being widely used in medicine I can not stand the tactile sensation of cotton balls
Family: Wife Meagan, Daughter Quinn, and soon to be new addition
Nick VandenPlas
Statistics
Pat Callahan
Statistics
Missy Perry
Mental Fitness
VandenPlas Bio
Years of Experience: 8 years
High School attended:
College and Major: University of Minnesota Duluth - Management Information Systems
Why Saint Thomas Academy? To be surronded by the best football minds the state of Minnesota has. The coaching staff is truly a group who perfect the smallest details and it translates both on and off the field. I consider myself lucky to be around such great men even in a support-type role.
A fun fact about yourself: My father in law is the Legendary STA Teacher Pat Callahan
Family: Katie (Vis '09), Emma, Olivia, Blake
Callahan Bio
Years of Experience: 40 years
High School attended: Archbishop Brady High School
College and Major: University of St. Thomas - English
Why Saint Thomas Academy? STA is a place where faith, academics, athletics, and fine arts provide a solid base for the development of each student.
A fun fact about yourself: I met Tony Oliva when I was in sixth grade.
Family: Wife Mary, children Katie (Vis '09), Matt (STA '12), Maria (Vis '18) and three grandchildren
Perry Bio
Years of Experience: 25 years
High School attended: Regis High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
College and Major: College of Saint Benedict - BA Theology & Secondary Education, St. Mary's University - MA Counseling and Psychological Services and Graduate Licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy
Why Saint Thomas Academy?
A fun fact about yourself: Won the St.Johns University/College of Saint Benedict Homecoming Talent Show dancing in a trio with a lead dancer from the Purple Rain movie.
Family: Husband Jack and grown-up kids Mitchell '12, Carly, and Eddie '17
Tim Triplett
Highlight Film & Graphics
Cameron Colquit
O/D Flex
Triplett Bio
Years of Experience: 16 years
High School attended: City High of Iowa City
College and Major: University of South Dakota - Media & Journalism
Why Saint Thomas Academy? The standard is just higher than other schools in the metro. The commitment to excellence is part of day-to-day operations.
A fun fact about yourself: I played in 44 straight college football games as the long snapper on the punt team, having never done it once in high school.
Family: Wife - Marchion
Colquit Bio
Years of Experience: 1 year
High School attended: Aurora Christian
College and Major: UW-Platteville Business Management and Marketing
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Excited to learn underneath the best coaching staff in the state and help further these young teens into the adults they wish to become.
A fun fact about yourself: I am ambidextrous
Family: Mom Latanya and Dad Julius
Team Calendar
Football Registration & Team Info
Cadet Football Registration Information - Fall 2026
Link to Final Forms Athletic Registration and Athletic Forms:
https://www.cadets.com/athletics/athletics-forms
All varsity football players / parents must complete the online MSHSL paperwork and baseline IMPACT concussion testing with our athletic trainer, Cole Hartwigsen. In addition, all players must have a physical completed within the last three years on file with the school nurse. Physicals need to be uploaded into final forms.
To complete online MSHSL paperwork and baseline IMPACT concussion testing please see the Sports Medicine Page: https://www.cadets.com/athletics/sports-medicine
If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact Reed Hornung in the Athletic Office at rhornung@cadets.com
2026 Grades 10-12 FOOTBALL SEASON INFORMATION
The regular season for grades 9-12 Football runs from Monday, August 17 through Thursday, October 22.
MEA Break is Week 7 this year. Our varsity football team will have to practice on both the Thursday and the Friday morning of MEA break.
Grades 10-12 will have team functions until noon on Friday, October 23.
The remaining varsity schedule will be determined based on our playoff performance.
For those players who are injured for the season or others at STA who would like to help manage the team we would welcome your help!
For those players who didn’t participate in summer football and don’t have your equipment we will take care of that on the first day of fall practice.
Weekly Practice Schedule
We will practice Monday through Saturday during the season. Please refer to the team calendar for Saturday’s in the fall where we don't have practice. This is the best time to plan for a family weekend to the cabin, ACT testing or college visit.
Practices will be from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday with typical game nights on Fridays. Varsity football players will lift as a team twice a week and then need to find another morning a week to lift (whatever best fits their own schedule). This could change based on the game schedule and your coaches will manage those communications.
- The Varsity football coaches will update our team calendar on our STA Website via this progression of links.
- Athletics, Football, Football Teams (choose level), Calendar
What do I need to play football?
Cleats: Game cleats must be white or black. Our preference being that whichever shoe color you pick is majority white or majority black. Please stay away from colors that aren’t part of our uniform or school colors (ie. anything not white, gray, black or one of our blues).
Socks: Our sock color is white for games.
Sleeves/Tights: All sleeves and tights should be white for games.
Gloves: Stay within our team / school colors (Gray, White, Black or Blues)
Mouthguards: Please purchase a mouthguard for summer and fall camp (mold as needed)
*All other equipment such as pads, helmets, girdles, belts with game and practice jerseys will be provided and equipment handout.
