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HERMANTOWN — Hermantown football coach Mike Zagelmeyer isn't interested in moral victories. Not after Friday night's 24-15 Northeast Red loss at Grand Rapids, not after watching his previously unbeaten Hawks overcome a two-touchdown deficit and take the lead, and certainly not with another significant test approaching Friday night against Esko.
What Zagelmeyer did see in the defeat was a team capable of responding to adversity, matching the physical play of a quality opponent and competing under difficult circumstances. What he also saw were costly turnovers that helped turn a potential statement victory into Hermantown's first defeat of the season.
"It was a tough night in Grand Rapids for sure. We spotted them two touchdowns right off the bat, but then I really liked how we responded," Zagelmeyer said. "I felt like we controlled the game for a good portion and I really liked our physicalness."
The Hawks (4-1 overall, 3-1 Northeast Red) entered the game averaging more than 45 points per game, having overwhelmed their first four opponents with an explosive running attack and a steady supply of big plays. Grand Rapids (5-0) presented a different challenge, with both teams fighting for an advantage in the subdistrict standings and positioning themselves for the Section 7AAAA postseason.
Hermantown's response to the early deficit impressed Zagelmeyer. Rather than allowing the Thunderhawks to dictate the entire evening, the Hawks settled into the game, answered with their own scoring drives and eventually moved in front. But the comeback couldn't survive mistakes against an opponent capable of taking advantage of them.
"We battled back and even took the lead for a while but we had a couple of uncharacteristic turnovers that really set us back," Zagelmeyer said. "We have done a really good job this year about not turning the ball over because we all know that doesn't lead to good outcomes."
The final score represented a significant departure from Hermantown's first month. The Hawks had scored 48 points against Duluth Denfeld, 50 against Proctor, 48 against Duluth East and 35 against Cloquet, generating 181 points while allowing 54. Against Grand Rapids, their offensive opportunities became more limited, and their mistakes carried considerably greater consequences.
Grand Rapids also had history on its side. The Thunderhawks defeated Hermantown twice last season, including a decisive 41-0 victory in the Section 7AAAA championship game. Friday's contest was substantially more competitive, but Grand Rapids again demonstrated why it remains one of the programs Hermantown must overcome in its pursuit of a championship.
For Zagelmeyer, the challenge now is converting the disappointment into something productive without accepting defeat as an achievement.
"Overall, I thought we learned a lot about ourselves and how we handle adversity. I've never been one for moral victories and I am not going to start now but I definitely think we have some things we can now build off of from the Grand Rapids game," he said. "We definitely played a big boy football game in Grand Rapids on Friday and while we didn't get the outcome we wanted there were a lot of positives to come out of it."
The immediate concern is preparing for Esko, which visits Centricity Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday for Hermantown's senior night. The Eskomos (3-2) are coming off a 61-14 victory over Proctor and bring an offense that Zagelmeyer believes will challenge the Hawks in different ways.
Esko's ability to attack the perimeter presents an important defensive assignment for Hermantown, which must also use the practice week to address its health and correct the mistakes exposed at Grand Rapids. With three regular-season games remaining, the Hawks still have opportunities to strengthen their position entering the playoffs.
"We will need to get healthy this week and be ready for Esko on senior night this Friday," Zagelmeyer said. "Esko does a lot of really nice things and they are very dangerous on the perimeter so our defense must be up for the challenge."
Beyond the adjustments in blocking, tackling and ball security, Zagelmeyer is emphasizing something equally important: The Hawks cannot allow one difficult Friday night to define their season. Four consecutive victories established Hermantown as a contender, and one loss against an unbeaten opponent does not erase that foundation. But the coach also understands that his team's response must come through performance rather than explanations.
"We know there is a lot of football yet to be played and we are emphasizing that there is no need, or time, to dwell on the past," Zagelmeyer said. "We need to turn the page and keep looking forward. No one feels sorry for us and we sure aren't going to spend time feeling sorry for ourselves either."
His closing message was a challenge to his players, particularly the seniors preparing for their final regular-season home appearances.
"A football season is not always sunshine and rainbows, and there is a tremendous challenge looking at us straight in the face. I am extremely excited to see how we respond."
For Hermantown, Friday night against Esko will provide the first answer.
