FAULKTON — Tristen Baloun packs a punch for the Faulkton Area Trojans. 

A 6-foot-2, 217-pound senior fullback/defensive lineman, Baloun plays a bruising brand of football, is like an old throwback player and Trojan coach Shayne Geditz said “at our level he can do a lot of things.”

“He’s hard-nosed,” Geditz said. “He ain't going to shut ‘er down. He’s just going to go hard and he’s got a bunch of guys that he brings along with him and that work hard with him.”

Baloun was an all-state fullback last season, rushing for 884 yards and 19 touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 26 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles, four sacks, nine tackles for loss and eight fumble recoveries.

Baloun said his favorite position is defensive lineman, where he likes “to get back there and cause a little havoc.” 

“I just like to get to the guy with the ball,” Baloun said. “I don't necessarily go for all the flashy stuff. I just like to get to the guy with the ball and try to do my job.” 

Faulkton Area's Tristen Baloun carries the ball against Leola/Frederick Area on Sept. 19 in Warner. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Baloun also wrestles and competes in track and field for the Trojans. He said playing multiple sports have been instrumental in his development as a football player, especially wrestling when it comes to playing defense. 

“It teaches you a lot of fundamentals you can use on the D-line, break down making that tackle, it's the same as shooting a double-legged takedown in wrestling,” Baloun said. 

Baloun has started all four seasons for the Trojans, who have finished as the Class 9B state runner-ups in 2023 and ‘24. 

He admits now it was nerve-wracking starting as a freshman, but “eventually the older guys really helped me out and I stepped up and got it done.”

As Baloun has developed into an all-state player, he’s also been a reliable leader for Faulkton Area. 

“As a freshman, I was led more by others and as I got closer to my senior season, I stepped up,” Baloun said. “You have to be the leader sometimes, and you have to lead all those other kids because they may be as nervous as I was as a freshman.” 

Geditz said Baloun and the other seniors Thomas Sumers, Spencer Melius, Cade Leonhardt and Drake Mueller have been integral in Faulkton Area’s success the past few seasons. 

“Tristen and all our seniors have done a great job,” Geditz said. “They have been playing a lot of football over the last three-four years, and have done a great job leading our team and they work hard in the weight room. They are good kids on and off the field.”

Up next, Faulkton Area (2-2) will host Sully Buttes (4-0) on Sept. 26. It’s a rematch of last season’s Class 9B state championship game, a 34-14 Charger victory. 

“Our schedule has been tough and it’s not going to get easier next week,” Geditz said. “That’s the way it is. Iron sharpens iron, so we are trying to get sharper.”