After missing the first six games of the football season, senior linebacker Michael Juberian returned to the field with a bang against the St. Michael-Albertville Knights on October 14. Racking up a huge total of 19 tackles, including 3 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, while also breaking up two passes and causing a fumble, Juberian was a defensive force as the Red Knights toppled St. Michael 30-10.

Sidelined for the first six games, Juberian described watching his team play as “extremely tough.” “Not being able to be out there to support my team and help them succeed was a real struggle for me,” said Juberian. “I really love to hit people, and I couldn’t do that sitting on the bench.”

Though he cheered on the team and made sure spirits were high, Juberian said this paled in comparison to his finally playing again. “It was an unbelievable feeling that I had been waiting for all season,” said Juberian.

A four-year letterwinner, as well as the starting third baseman for the Red Knight baseball team, Juberian is described by his teammates as “a beast” and “a monster.” “He’s so strong,” said senior offensive tackle JJ Hafermann. “The best linebacker I face all year is the one I have to go against every day in practice.”

A member of the Red Knights 2006 state semi-finalist team, Juberian hopes to lead the Red Knights through sections and into the state tournament again, where he believes this year’s team truly belongs. “We need to go game by game, inch by inch,” said Juberian. “I plan to pump people up and be a leader, to set a good tone for the team to follow.”

The Red Knights, seeded third in Section 6AAAA, face the Park Center Pirates on Tuesday October 27. From there, the road only gets tougher––the section is filled with strong teams like Totino-Grace, Fridley, and Orono. “It won’t be easy,” said Juberian on the Red Knight’s section outlook. “But I know we can do it.”