Esko School District

The five Northland teams are all underdogs, set to face some of the top teams in the state in the 2025 state volleyball tournament.

Plus: Bipartisan legislation for a land transfer in the Chippewa National Forest cleared a key Senate committee; and the Esko girls' soccer team will advance to the state semi-finals on Oct. 29, 2025.

No. 4 Esko moves on to face top-seeded and defending Class A champion Providence Academy on Oct. 29, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

The Thunderhawks advanced despite being the third-seeded team in their section, while Esko held the top seed in theirs. The state tournament begins Oct. 21, 2025.

The Drakes will represent Northern Minnesota along with Brainerd, Esko, Badger/Greenbush-Middle River and Moose Lake/Willow River at the 2025 state softball tournament.

The legislation changes the exemption process for districts with Native American mascots. It also would also help fund the cost of mascot replacement for districts like Esko.

Nearly 40 student-athletes from rural schools across the Northland will race at next week's state meets at Giant's Ridge.

As fall sports wrap up, high school athletes are participating in section and state tourneys for soccer, tennis, cross country, football, volleyball and swimming and diving.