Staff Blog

Norse football media day

Wednesday, the Luther football team held its annual media day. The Norse began practice this week. In talking with players and coaches, I was curious about what the team was doing to get the bad taste of a 2-8 football season out of their mouths. To a man, they said that 2006 has not been discussed to this point. The focus is on 2007 and the upcoming season.

It was interesting talking to coach Hefty about last year and the off season. Hefty mentioned that the program was examined througholy in an effort to improve things. No facet was ignored. What can the coaches do better? What can the players do better? What needs to be emphasized more? All in all, it seems to me that every effort is being made to take the negativity of 2006 and try to turn it in to the positivity of 2007.

There will be some interesting questions to answer in camp. Defensively, a lot of returning starters are back and coming into the season there seems to be less questions on that side. With leadership from Marcus Hendrickson and Mike Tangen, solid players on the defensive line and strength returning in both the linebacking core and secondary, coach Dan Marlow seems to have a solid group to work with.

Offensively, the Norse must replace two of the best ever receivers in school history in Kyle Pearson and Brett Scheetz as well as a solid quarterback in Zach Sweers. To compare the replacements at those positions to those three would be unfair. Two receivers with a good amount experience in Alex Torrissi and Tony Brantner return, so I belive the drop off won't be that far. Justy Feldt looked solid in the time he had last year, now he must step up to a new role of having to be the guy. But the pressure on those guys should be less, because the Norse running game should be improved. The return of Tyler Sherden, as well as solid backs such as Adam Lamos and Tyler Bass should give the Norse a good 1-2-3 punch. Also the Norse return a solid pair of fullbacks with Andrew Lower and Jeremy Klein. The strengh of the offense should be the offensive line, with pre-season all-American Jon Stavast anchoring a group of four experienced players. You do have to replace an All-conference center in Casey Bouska, but I'm sure coach Lerier will find the right fit over the next two weeks.

You can get a couple of sneak previews of the Norse. This Saturday a scrimmage will take place at two-45, next Saturday at two, both at Carlson Stadium.

One final note, congratulations to Kyle Schroeder, Norse baseball player for the last four years, and league MVP this past spring. He signed a professional baseball contract with the Gary Southshore Railcats of the Northern League recently. Definately nice to see a Norse athlete getting a chance at the next level.

That's all for now. I'll check in the week before the St. Olaf game with a preview.

Published Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:05 AM by Darin Svenson

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