Football
8/5/2025 10:07:00 AM
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BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2025 Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Winona State is voted to finished ninth overall and fifth in the south division. Jackson Flottmeyer and Conner Haggerty were selected as WSU’s players to watch.
The Warriors garnered 77 points in the overall standings and 15 points in the south division. Minnesota State was voted to finish first overall and in the south, while Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth tied for first in points within the north division.
The Warriors will be under the direction of first-year head coach, Brian Curtin, who brings a wealth of experience with the Warriors. Curtin, a former football student-athlete and graduate of Winona State, has been on the Warrior staff since 1997. Curtin has helped lead WSU to eight NSIC Championships and three NSIC South Division crowns. WSU has advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs seven times since Curtin’s arrival while also playing in three Mineral Water Bowls.
Flottmeyer, a sophomore from La Crosse, Wis., appeared in eight games during the 2024 season and led the Warriors effectively by completing nearly 60% of his passes and finishing third in rushing yards. Coach Curtin on Flottmeyer: “Jackson is a natural leader. He is the first sophomore to be voted team captain. Jackson can move are offense with both his arm and his legs.”
Haggerty, a senior from Onalaska, Wis., appeared in all 11 games during 2024 and collected a team-high 52 total tackles with 21 solo stops. Haggerty also recorded 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. Coach Curtin on Haggerty: “Connor is a four year starter and has been elected captain by his teammates. He is a dynamic player in our defense. Connor shows up in both the run and pass game for us. He is reliable in all aspects of life.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Coach Curtin noted, “Defensively, we have a good mix of experience in our front seven that we are excited about. Offensively we return a group of explosive receivers along with a QB that can not only affect the game with his arm but also with his legs.”
Winona State will open the 2025 season against Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, August 28th at TCO Stadium in Eagan, Minn. The 2025 schedule will be broken into two divisions (north/south). Each team will play 10 conference games that will count towards the NSIC Overall Championship, of which six divisional games will count towards the NSIC North/South Division Championships. In all, three league champions will be awarded (Overall Champion, North Division Champion, South Division Champion).