Football 9/1/2010 3:23:09 PM

Football notes - 9/1

FOOTBALL: Wartburg (ranked No. 22 by Lindy’s College Football Preview publication) vs. Monmouth College of Illinois (ranked No. 11 by USA Today, No. 16 by The Sporting News, No. 17 by D3Football.com and No. 19 by Lindy’s) – Saturday, Sept. 4 - 7 p.m. – Walston-Hoover Stadium – Waverly

For the fans – Live audio, video and statistics – www.go-knights.net

Game Overview/Notes - The two programs come into the year ranked in the top 20 of various preseason Division III polls. The visiting Fighting Scots feature one of the top offensive players in the nation in senior quarterback Alex Tanney, while head coach Rick Willis’ Knights look to continue a stretch of 17 consecutive winning seasons by beginning on a high note under the lights. The last meeting between the two schools was a classic with the Orange and Black toppling Monmouth 30-28 on a final moments’ touchdown pass in a 2008 second round NCAA Division III playoff game. … Wartburg claimed the most recent series encounter at home, blanking Monmouth 20-0 to open the 2006 slate. The Knights are 3-0 all-time against the Fighting Scots which includes a 35-7 win at Monmouth in 2007. … Head coach Rick Willis’ teams have produced a formidable 11-1 record in home openers. Overall, Wartburg has won 12 consecutive and 16 of its last 17 home-opening contests including a 34-21 win over Augsburg last season. … In regards to season-opening games, the Orange and Black is 7-2 dating back through 2001. … This year’s edition of Knights football has plenty to get moving quickly. Starting on offense, an experienced offensive line tops the list. Wartburg will feature returning all-Iowa Conference center Morgan O’Connor, a senior from Fort Dodge, and junior Jon Orr of Coggon (second team) as well as two-year starter Spenser Herkelman, a senior from Maquoketa, who registered honorable mention awards. O’Connor anchors the group with two all-league honors in a row. The offensive line has some talented skill people around it. In the backfield, sophomore Reese Thompson of Van Horne, en route to a second team all-league award, averaged just under 70 yards a game at running back last fall. Senior Mitch Blythe of Central City returns at fullback. On the outside, the Orange and Black have their top four receivers back as part of a group of five that caught a total of 156 balls in 2009. The receivers are highlighted by seniors Matt Wickert of Memphis, Mo., and Matt Gustafson of Faribault, Minn., who each hauled in 40-plus receptions last season. Junior Levi Helbling of Malvern was close behind with 31 receptions. Defensively, Wartburg will lean on experience at the linebacker and defensive back positions. Senior Blake Suckow of West Union, a 2009 second team all-Iowa Conference selection, headlines the linebackers. His 89 tackles ranked second last fall, while he led the unit in hits for losses with 12. Senior Jourdan Cousin of Spencer had a strong junior season with 37 tackles and two interceptions, and junior Logan Hansen of Glennville, Minn., made the most of his role a year ago with 51 tackles, six of which were for losses. In the backfield, Wartburg is deep. Creary led the 2009 squad with 102 tackles and four interceptions en route to first team all-conference honors. Fellow seniors Brandon Moeller of Fort Dodge and John Mallen of Britt also recorded 15-or-more tackles each, and junior Josh VanDenHul of North Sioux City, S.D., who has multiple talents, finished fifth in tackles (49). The Knights’ special teams crew is as deep as any on the field. With junior punter Robby Salmon of Mason City, who was among the conference leaders in yards-per-kick average a year ago and earned second team all-conference honors, the duo of senior Devin White of Decorah and junior Marcus Williams of Council Bluffs handing place-kicking duties, and a return unit that features VanDenHul and Mallen, Wartburg has plenty of possibilities.

From the coach - Thoughts on preseason camp – “As always, our training camp has served to be challenging for the players. I think the team has responded well. It’s been a time to get better in preparation for the season while trying to keep everyone healthy and ready to go. I think we are certainly at a point and time where we need to have a game.”

Quarterback situation – “(Junior) Dan Steifel (of Sterling Heights, Mich.) has won the starting spot. We’re excited to get him out there and see what he can do. Our staff has been very impressed in how he has done through preseason camp. At this point, it’s just a matter of getting him time and reps so he can be comfortable in our system.”

Community Night information – Saturday’s clash opens the 75^th anniversary year of Wartburg football. Half-price admission ($3 for adults and $2 for students) is available, and J&M Shows has fireworks planned after the game. Gate proceeds will be split between the Waverly volunteer fire department and police department with a share going to assist the purchase of a police drug dog.

The schedule for the evening is as follows:
4-5 p.m. – Reunion gathering of all former football players in the Hall of Champions of the Wartburg-Waverly Sports and Wellness Center
4:30-6:30 p.m. – Community tailgate party west of Walston-Hoover Stadium around the Regents Park area. KWAY Radio of Waverly will be broadcasting live, and fans in attendance can purchase items from the Hy-Vee Grill during this time.
7 p.m. – Football game kickoff with special halftime recognition/show
Game conclusion – J&M Shows fireworks, viewable from stadium seating, to the north of Walston-Hoover Stadium.
Approximately 10 p.m. – Post-game gathering at Joe’s KnightHawk Restaurant and Lounge, Waverly

“This really is a unique event,” Willis said. “We hope it is both a celebration of our tradition with the kickoff of the 75th season and the football reunion and of our community with the fireworks and community night promotion. It also should be an outstanding football game between two quality teams and programs.”

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