2003 regional preview
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It was my weird, elongated head that kept me out of the Pop Warner leagues as a youngster and prevented me from taking to the gridiron until my sophomore year at Mounds View High School in Minnesota. Until then all helmets that fit my head were too heavy to be supported by my neck. When I reached my sophomore year, my neck was finally able to support an extra large helmet as a wide receiver.
In 1996, I transferred out east to Middlesex School in Concord, Mass., where I became an integral part of turning a 2-5 program into a 7-1 league champion. It was the three best years of football in my life. I attracted a little attention from D3 colleges including St. Olaf, Gustavus Adolphus, Macalester and Carleton but chose Lake Forest in Illinois. My career there consisted of garbage time in two games before mononucleosis and an enlarged spleen ended my first collegiate season. The Lake Forest coaches were great but I had a desire to return home to Minnesota. In 2000, I transferred to Macalester in St. Paul for the rest of my college career.
Macalester was a wonderful experience for me even though injuries prevented me from playing all three years. As a sophomore I punted regularly for the squad and caught every pass thrown to me — all three of them. I was lower on the depth chart but capitalized on my opportunities. Shoulder and knee surgery eliminated me from contributing on the field during my junior season. As a senior I was honored to be part of a very special season in the history of Macalester football. Although the senior class had to swallow the independent pill and realize that President Michael McPherson had declared us unable to compete in the MIAC, we were able to put together the best season since 1986 at 5-5 (including a season ending win against archrival Carleton.)
Although I have never played in a Stagg Bowl or been honored as an All-American I enjoyed the opportunity of going to battle every Saturday with some of my closest friends. I may forget the wins and losses, the statistics and the conference standings but I will never forget the feeling of taking to the field every Saturday for three hours of Division III football. I look forward to putting that feeling in words for you this season. The following are my predictions for how the 2003 season will unfold in the West:
Favorites
St. John's (12-2 in 2002)
It seems having speed, strength and that little extra desire to be the team that puts its coach on top of the all-time collegiate football wins list would be enough to be considered a contender for the NCAA Division III football playoffs. Well, throw in three returning All-Americans including first-teamer Blake Elliott, four NDSU transfers and a sixth-year quarterback and St. John’s is a virtual lock. All-Americans Jeremy Hood and Cam McCambridge return to lead a Johnnie defense that held opponents to an unlucky 13.0 ppg in 2002. Throw All-MIAC defensive back Jeremy Goltz and his 10 interceptions into the mix and the Johnnies look ready to punish opponents on defense.
Solid on defense, the Johnnies have a few more question marks on offense. They need to replace an entire offensive line lost to graduation including two All-MIACers and one All-American. The Johnnies also lost quarterback Ross Denne and running back Kent Crowley who led the Johnnies to the national semifinals in 2002 before losing by a touchdown to Trinity (Texas). Luckily, quarterback Ryan Keating returns after a gruesome injury ended his 2002 campaign. He brings his poise, knowledge and playoff experience back to the Johnnies for his final year. Elliott hasn’t gone a game this century without catching at least one pass. He brings his 42-game reception streak and flair for the incredible into the 2003 season and will likely set several records before his career is complete.
The Johnnies are ranked from one to six in a number of preseason polls. Coach John Gagliardi is entering his 55th season of college football and needs only nine wins to set the all-time wins mark for all levels of college football at 409. The Johnnies have averaged nearly 12 wins a year over the last four seasons.
Wartburg (10-2)
Wartburg is set to break from the three-headed monster (Coe, Central) that won the IIAC in 2002 and establish itself as the sole conference champion in 2003. The Knights return 20 players to a team that went to the second round of the national playoffs last year including eight first-team team All-IIAC and two preseason All-Americans. In comparison, Coe and Central return zero and two first team All-IIAC players, respectively. With a solid returning offensive line and the return of preseason All-American running back Brad Hodapp, the Knights should make a smooth transition from losing all-conference quarterback Jake Olsen. Matt Keel and Reed Hoskins will battle to replace Olsen.
2002 All-American defensive lineman Vince King leads the Wartburg defense that returns nine starters and looks to decrease their opponents’ already measly 12.0 ppg. If the defense can carry the Knights through the early part of the season as the quarterback position gets firmed up, Wartburg will find itself alone atop the IIAC.
Linfield (10-1)
Linfield was unanimously selected by the NWC coaches to repeat as conference champions in 2003. Although they lost nine first-team All-NWC players, including All-American running back David Russell, the Wildcats return six others in a quest for their fourth consecutive conference title. They also welcome the addition of Oregon State transfer running back Riley Jenkins to fill Russell’s void. Quarterback Tyler Mathews returns to run the show but will need his completely new offensive line to jell quickly if the Wildcats plan to continue their 41.6 points per game average from 2002.
The Linfield defense, which only gave up 8.2 points per game in 2002, returns four All-NWC players from 2002 including arguably the best defensive secondary in the west region led by Ray Lions and Eric Hillison. Look for Linfield to complete their 48th consecutive winning season and be back in the playoffs, where they lost to St. John’s in the 2002 quarterfinals.
Contenders
Pacific Lutheran (5-4)
Look for Pacific Lutheran to come out fired up after the preseason announcement that this will be the last season for legendary coach Frosty Westering. With a 255-67-5 career record at PLU, the Lutes will be looking to give him his fifth national championship and send him out on top.
Central (8-2)
Preseason All-American linebacker Mark Sanger will carry the defensive load for the Dutch and try to maintain the stifling 7.2 opponents’ ppg in the IIAC in 2002. The Dutch will play with a chip on their shoulder in 2003 due to being left out of the 2002 playoffs after tying Coe and Wartburg for the conference championship at 8-1.
Darkhorses
St. Olaf (5-5)
Second year head coach Chris Meidt might just have his Oles ready to emulate the 39.1 points per game his offense put up at Bethel in 2001 before jumping from the Royals’ offensive coordinator to head coach at St. Olaf.
Cal Lutheran (4-5)
The Kingsmen will look to return to their 1997 form and claim the SCIAC championship from a depleted Redlands squad and 2002 champion. The Cal Lutheran offensive line will be the key to allowing quarterback Casey Preston time to find All-SCIAC wide receivers Nick Lane and Jimmy Fox and to get them in the end zone.
Coe (10-2)
Coe will look to replace two-time IIAC MVP running back Fredrick Jackson in their attempt to reach the national playoffs where they advanced to the second round in 2002. The Kohawks only return 13 starters from last year but will count on 2002 2nd-team All-IIACers fullback Matt Wycoff, receiver John Rife, and linebackers Zach Pfantz and Blake Borrett. The Kohawks will need to find replacements for four graduated offensive linemen if they are to repeat their successful campaign of 2002.
Cornell (4-6)
Quarterback Chris Lovely and receiver Matt Ditch return and could lead the Rams to a surprise season after finishing just under .500 in 2002.
Willamette (6-4)
The Bearcats’ Fly offense will be strong again behind Billy Joe Murray and Morgan Smith, a pair of All-NWC linemen, and All-NWC slot back Greg Reed. They have a chance to make a statement early, hosting Mary Hardin-Baylor in Week 2.
Games of the Week
St. Thomas at St. Norbert, 1 p.m., De Pere, Wis.: The Tommies will look to move forward after losing an all-conference quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, running back and linebacker and will have to do it at St. Norbert, a team looking to reclaim the MWC conference championship it lost to Lake Forest in 2002
Whitworth at Bethel, 1 p.m., Arden Hills, Minn.: Whitworth travels to Minnesota from Washington to do battle with the Royals. After losing to Whitworth by one point last season the Royals went on to have a disappointing 5-5 record. Both return solid defenses and should play to the wire once again.
Willamette at Redlands, 7 p.m., Redlands, Calif.: Last year’s SCIAC champion Redlands will look for new offensive starters to fill in quickly and make a statement that Redlands plans to return to the playoffs. Willamette is looking to show they are ready to press for the NWC crown.