Click the thumbnails to hear comments from Cole Baij and Elliott Kraemer, and see some highlights from 2023 games.

NORWAY---The Norway Knights football team had high expectations in the 2023 season, hoping to get by the North Central Jets and Pickfrod Panthers and reign supreme in Upper Peninsula Eight Man football.

Several key injuries to starters, most notably to the team's biggest offensive and special teams threat Wyatt Spade, hurt the team's goals. Still, they managed to beat North Central, share a conference championship, and finish with an 8-3 record after winning one playoff game.

Now, the Knights are new-look, with Spade and top running back Ian Popp both off of Michigan Tech University, and Alex Ortman off to Gallaudet University.

Norway will be led by senior quarterback Cole Baij, and by All-U.P. Sophomore offensive lineman Maddex Burklund. And Baij says plenty of other guys will be stepping up into new roles.

“Orty and Ian are going to be really hard to replace, but I think in order for us to be successful, we need Owen, my brother, to step up,” Baij told RRN Sports. “Bryce (Adams), Elliott (Kraemer), they all need to step up and do their part."

"Having Maddex in the middle of the line is huge. I mean, he's a great football player. I think we're going to have to use him, run the ball right behind him. Use that to establish the passing game, and once we establish the passing game, we'll be a tough team to beat.”

For his part, Kraemer knows that this is his time to shine, after breaking his leg and missing all of the 2023 season.

“It was a long year,” Kraemer told RRN Sports. “I went to physical therapy with one of the football coaches. He put me through work, day in, day out. I just grinded for nine months to get back, and I've been in the weight room pretty consistently. I've been putting in work at the field. Doing anything extra that I can to better myself.”

Kraemer says he hopes to have a big role on the Knights team this season.

“I'm going to be a dual-threat guy,” Kraemer said. “Running the ball, catching the ball. Defensively, I'm going to be guarding receivers. Seeing the running back. I'm going to be all over the field. I'll just be doing whatever I'm told to do what's best for the team to help us win.”

Baij says he's excited for the start of the season with his new-look team.

“I think when people come to Ronberg (Stadium) this fall, they should be excited to see some good football,” Baij said. “We're not the team we were last year, but we are still going to be a great team and I hope we can have a lot of success this year.”

Norway opens its season August 30th against Stephenson.