BY MATT HEINRICHS - SPORTS EDITOR

Entering last year’s football season, Spirit Lake knew it would face a gauntlet of the best teams in the state, as Class 2A District 2 teams combined to go 39-16 in 2020.

In the end, the Indians proved themselves worthy, finishing the year 7-3 overall and 3-2 in district play, and earning a regular season win over eventual state champion Southeast Valley in mid-October.