Three years ago, Silver Bay’s varsity football program merged with neighboring Two Harbors, a decision driven by necessity rather than choice. Now, after seasons of quiet Friday nights, Silver Bay’s hometown field is ready to roar again with whistles, cheers, and the unmistakable energy of a community rallying behind its home team.
“The whole plan was, when we felt we could, we wanted to come back with a team,” said Coach Ward Kaiser. He remained in Silver Bay throughout the merger, guiding the junior high players and working to preserve a steady pipeline of talent.
In recent years, the Silver Bay program has watched its numbers carefully, waiting for the right moment to return. “It’s not the lack of interest in football,” Kaiser said in a previous interview. “It’s just that we’ve had smaller class sizes in recent years, and that’s starting to change.”
Losing a team was hard on the town, but the partnership with Two Harbors proved to be a blessing. It gave Silver Bay’s athletes a chance to keep playing and developing throughout their high school years. One standout example is last year’s graduate, Jacob Carpenter, who is now playing for UW-Stout this fall.
“They’ve been great for us,” Kaiser said in a previous interview. “Coach Nelson and the program down there have been incredibly supportive of our players and the opportunity to keep playing.”
Still, “there’s nothing like home cooking,” Kaiser added. While he appreciates everything the Two Harbors program has done, he knows there is no substitute for the pride and excitement of cheering for a Silver Bay team.
During the merger, some players found great success with the Agates, but others quietly stepped away from the game. The daily drive, combined with school and other priorities, proved too much for some to manage.
“It felt like there was a bit of a void here without football in the fall,” the coach said. “And while leaving Two Harbors’ team is difficult for some kids, having a team back in Silver Bay was ultimately their goal.”
Games are already scheduled, and the team has been busy with summer workouts, weight room sessions, and “Monday Night Football” practices. Assistant coaches Bryan Carpenter and Matt Cook have returned, ready to help guide Silver Bay’s team forward.
Of course, returning to the field after a multi-year break comes with its share of challenges. The players will need time to rebuild the rhythm of the game together. But the team’s dedication and determination are evident during every practice, setting the foundation for a strong comeback season.
“It’s going to take time to get to varsity speed,” said Kaiser. “If we can improve on that each game as the season goes on we’ll be competitive.”
This season is about more than just wins. It’s a year to rebuild, reconnect, and reclaim a football tradition that means a great deal to Silver Bay.
“We’ve had strong support across the board from students, parents, and the community. It’s uplifting,” Kaiser said. “The future looks good.”
Congratulations to Silver Bay’s Football Program for bringing Friday Night Varsity Football back to Silver Bay this fall. I look forward to following you this upcoming season and beyond!
