Sports 13 August 2026 / 0 Comments

BIG SHOES TO FILL Graden Thomas named Triton quarterback

By
Graham P. Johnson DCI Contributor

FILE PHOTO/ ADEN RONKEN
Senior Graden Thomas will be taking up the mantle of quarterback for the Triton 
Football team this season, filling the shoes of former quarterback Pierce Petersohn who went on to play D1 football at Virginia Tech.

The entire Triton football team shifted to better fit former quarterback Pierce Petersohn, said Brandon Neseth, Triton Football Head Coach.
The team’s offense pivoted away from option football towards becoming a spread pass team to better suit Petersohn’s ability to pick out passes.
Petersohn graduated in 2026 and is going on to play Division 1 football at Virginia Tech, a first for the Triton football program.
In Petersohn’s absence, senior Graden Thomas will be taking up the role of quarterback, once again forcing the team to pivot.
Neseth described Thomas “As complete (of) a football player I’ve ever coached,” with a cerebral approach to the game and a knack for speed. “He’s the fastest kid I’ve seen as a coach in 15 years as head coach.” Thomas has committed to going to the University of Sioux Falls to play football there after graduation.
Thomas had temporarily played quarterback for the team before which Neseth hopes will get the team’s new offense up to speed quickly.
“Him playing meaningful snaps—meaningful games—against other teams really matters,” said Neseth.
Neseth’s goal at the beginning of every season is simply to be competitive. By the end of the season, that goal becomes remaining healthy. Those goals remain the same for the upcoming season.
Football in the age of social media
Virginia Tech picking Petersohn is a testament to how coaches and teams finding players has changed over the years. “Small schools just don’t get that attention” from many universities and colleges, said Neseth who credits social media for increasing both Petersohn’s and Thomas’ visibility.
Social media allows players to promote themselves and coaches to find players in programs they might have otherwise overlooked.
“Social media allowed these guys to be found,” Neeseth said.

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