Staff Blog

Season Review

The focus will be a little on the past and a lot on the future with today's blog. It was another entertaining football game that didn't go Luther's way Saturday as Dubuque defeated the Norse 34-31 at Chalmers Field in Dubuque.

5-5 is the final record. If people knew that would be the record at the beginning of the season, it might have been a touch disappointing. After an 0-3 start to the start, a 5-5 record is very pleasing. This team got better week by week and defeated some good teams along the way. They also defended the home field well with 4-1 record. Again, positives through out the campaign, but close losses continue to plague. The total margin of defeat on the season was 42 points. Four of the losses were by eight points or less. Unlike last year, the Norse got some of the close games to go their way. Looking at the Iowa conference, where there is going to be close games every week, the team that can win the close games will finish at the top of the league. Let's break that down even further.

Central went 8-0 in league play. Only twice did the Dutch beat a team by more than ten points. Central won by 8,3,7,7,3 and 3 points. The intangible of knowing how to win the close games has won two consecutive league titles for the Dutch.

Wartburg went 7-1 in league play. The Knights were 7-0 when the margin was 17 points or more. They were 1-2 with the margin of six points or less. Saturday, when Central and Wartburg met for the league title it was a close. Central 6-0 in games where the margin was eight points or less. Wartburg 1-2. Central wins. The stats back it up.

Coe went 5-3 in league play. Coe was 1-2 in games that were decided by seven points or less. They were 4-1 in game decided by ten points or more.

Dubuque went 5-3 in league play. Dubuque was 3-2 in games decided by 14 points or more. They were 2-1 in games decided by seven points or less. It came down to Saturday, when Dubuque defeated Luther for third place. It was a close game. Dubuque won and earned third place in the league.

Luther went 4-4 in league play. Luther played more close games than anyone in the league, with the largest margin of victory being 17 points on either side. The Norse were 3-4 in games decided by ten points or less.

So needless to say, the margin between the top of the league and Luther is not that far away. The key to the program going to the next level is close games. It was in 2006. It was this year. It will be in the future. Right now the difference between Central and the rest of the league is the ability of the Dutch to win close games.

I know I touched on this last week, but credit the program for keeping 27 seniors around. Jerry touched it on during the broadcast, the majority of the players that came here four years ago stayed around. Another school in the conference brought 60 players in four years ago, and ended up with six. The seniors that played their last game in blue and white Saturday aren't quitters and stick with things, maybe when things aren't going as they want. That's a life lesson we all can learn through sports. The young men who played their last game on Saturday will be all right, no matter where their future endeavors take them. These guys are winners. Plain and simple.

The senior class leaves some holes to fill next year. As of now, only three starters will return on offense and only four on defense. There were some players who received a lot of time this season that will play key roles next year as well but there will be spots to fill.

Initially you would have to say the defensive line, which was a strength this season, will be a strength again next year. Cody Webb, Cody Edwards, Bobby Kuennen, Erik Clark and Chris Wuebker all showed some very good things this year. Also, Brandon Rickertsen, who was lost to a torn ACL half way through the season will be back as well. There seems to be size, strength, ability and depth at the defensive line.

Offensive, there are a lot of holes to fill. One of the best backs in school history, Tyler Sherden, a solid fullback in Andy Lauer, multi-year starters on the offensive line, including all-American Jon Stavast, Tex Allen and Phil Sadler, a big play receiver in Tony Brantner and a senior quarterback in Justy Feldt. That said, three decent offensive linemen return in John Stoltenberg, Ben Schott and Kyle Grundmeyer, running backs Adam Lamos and Tyler Bass and a potential big play receiver in Jesse Kent. So a core returns, but other guys will have the opportunity to step up.

I realize it's a long time between now and next August and many things can happen between now and then. Last year, the program determined 2-8 was unacceptable and improved to 5-5. Of course the players coming back and the program will want to make it better next year. But actions speak louder than words. The action was there this season. It needs to continue.

Published Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 10:40 AM by Darin Svenson

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