When the Two Harbors Agates football program was founded 120 years ago, Teddy Roosevelt was in office. A passionate fan of the sport, he famously remarked, “In short, in life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don’t foul and don’t shirk, but hit the line hard!”
No doubt, he’d be proud to see the Agates still following that advice today under the guidance of Head Coach Tom Nelson and his coaching staff.
The team, which has added players from Lakeview Christian Academy, Silver Bay, and Duluth Marshall, is 3-1, starting the season with big wins against Cloquet and Mora. According to Nelson, “We jumped all over them really well and built big leads in the first half. We did what we had to do.”
He noted that Cloquet went on to beat Duluth East, which hadn’t lost until that point, and Mora “gave Esko a run for their money.” Nelson added, “Both of those squads are decent football teams, and we just feel like we played really well.”
Two Harbors’ run was halted by Pequot Lakes, the section favorite going into the season, on an unlucky Friday the 13th, with a 35-14 loss.
“They got the best of us. We started out the game, the first quarter went really well. We were up 7-6 after the 1st quarter, then the wheels just kind of came off. They got the momentum and took control of the game,” said Nelson. “They’re a nice team. Well coached, good athletes, and hopefully we’ll see them again in the playoffs.”
Their most recent match against Proctor was forfeited due to illnesses, disappointing both teams, as they won’t be able to reschedule the game.
Nelson has been coaching in Two Harbors since 1991, starting as a 7th-grade basketball coach. He’s been the head coach of the football program for 24 years, and while it wasn’t part of his original plan, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I wouldn’t change anything,” he said. “I’m thrilled with how it all worked out and that I was able to stick around. It’s a dream come true. It’s been wonderful.”
Part of what makes it wonderful, he said, is the coaching staff he works with, all of whom are in it for the right reasons.
“We all have the same mission. We’re kids-first. We try to get them to be hard workers, be on time, be respectful, and buy into the program,” he said.
That buy-in starts early. The Two Harbors Football program coaches work together at every level, starting in kindergarten and pony league.
“It’s a progression from one level to the next. There are so many benefits, but the kids know what’s expected. They move up, and they’ve already been exposed to what the expectations are,” said Nelson. “I think we’re consistent in what we do in the community and how we compete.”
This season’s strengths, according to Nelson, are a solid offensive and defensive line, along with the team’s speed. He also praised senior quarterback Jacob Carpenter.
“Our quarterback does a nice job for us. When you have a good athletic quarterback, it really opens up possibilities,” Nelson said.
He also believes the team is benefiting from what he calls “glue guys”—players who don’t always get the recognition but are key to making the team function as a cohesive unit.
“Those role players, the ones who don’t get the stats or recognition, they’re really what’s going to make you special. And we’ve got a lot of those guys. They’re the pieces that make the puzzle come together,” Nelson explained.
The team, consisting of 45 players in grades 9-12, includes 14 seniors who serve as strong leaders for the rest of the team. Nelson referred to an old saying: if your best players are also your hardest workers, you’ll be fine.
“These guys are the epitome of that,” he said. “They’re working as hard as they possibly can and setting a great example for the younger kids.”
Nelson also expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity, which helps ensure the team has safe equipment. Some alumni have reported back to the coach that the high school’s equipment is safer than what they use in college.
“Our community, alumni, parents, and fans—they allow us to purchase what we need. It’s incredible how much our football program has been able to raise for safe equipment,” he said. “The community has given so much, allowing us to buy shoulder pads, jerseys, field equipment, and countless things we wouldn’t have been able to get otherwise.”
Next up for the Agates is a home game against Esko on Friday, September 27th. Nelson admitted that Esko is probably Two Harbors’ biggest rival.
“We beat them four or five straight years,” he said. “Then they beat us the last four years. We’re hoping to get it back this Friday.”
It’s a special night at the field, as the players and cheerleaders will participate in the statewide Tackle Cancer initiative, wearing pink and raising funds for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research organization. It’s also Youth Night, celebrated at halftime. It promises to be a great night to cheer on the Agates and support a good cause!
