Prep Rally: Cotter hosts No. 8 Pine Island in a Section 1AAA Championship rematch

WINONA, Minn. (KTTC) – Only two teams remain unbeaten in Section 1AAA. It’s time for the No. 8 Pine Island Panthers and Cotter Ramblers to put their undefeated records against each other in week four of the MSHSL high school football season.

Eighth-ranked Panthers look to defend Section 1AAA

In 2025, the Pine Island Panthers ended a twelve-year section championship drought by beating the Cotter Ramblers in the Section 1AAA Championship last year.

After graduating many key players in 2025, the Panthers have reloaded and have beaten Red Wing, PEM, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa to start 2026.

“The biggest thing is we’re happy with their progress,” said Head Coach Mitch Schiltz. “Every year is a group of new kids. It’s their opportunity. These young men have taken that opportunity. They’ve worked hard. They prepared themselves, and they’re making their own way.”

“We had this game circled on our calendar before the season,” said Cody Schiltz. “They’re a tough team. We’ve known all season that we have to be locked in at practice and be in the right mindset all week.”

“I think just showing up and knowing that we are ...