WILDCAT LINE IS TEAM STRENGTH!!
By William for CrossDove Writers / www.mcpherson-country-ks.com
(Posting sponsored by CROSSDOVE WRITERS)
When beginning a new season teams look for those building blocks and the Moundridge High football team has their building blocks on the offensive and defensive lines coming into the 2019 season.
“Our strengths will be up front in our offensive and defensive lines,” noted Wildcat Head Coach Jeremiah Meeks. “We bring a ton of starting experience back up front and these kids have gotten after it in the weight room all year and are both bigger and stronger for it.”
Leading the way on the defensive line will be seniors Aaron Green and Brady Helms, with Helms being a six-foot, four-inch, 220-pound force both at defensive end but also as a tight end on the offensive side, while Green gets offensive time at running back. Helms was a true force in 2018 when he recorded 65 tackles and 6.5 sacks on defense while contributing 440 yards in receiving yards to go with eight touchdowns while on offense. Green contributed 4.5 sacks as part of 25 tackles last season.
Also coming back along both sides of the line will be juniors Dalton Vogts and Braden Schmidt, who weight 250- and 210- pounds respectively.
Junior Corbin Unruh returns at quarterback for the Moundridge offense after throwing for seven scores in 2018. Unruh also contributed four interceptions on defense.
Daniel Kaufman returns for his senior season after a stellar junior season where he ran for 405 yards and six scores while also gaining credit for 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries when playing linebacker on defense. Senior Collin Kohl is the other key returnee back on defense as he scored 32 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries in 2018.
Coach Meeks begins his third season at Moundridge and will be looking for a big step forward from last seasons 3-6 record in eight-man division I.
When talking about his players, Coach Meeks explained, “Brady (Helms) will continue to be one of our best players and one of the best players in the state. People constantly ran away from him last year and he was also our top receiver on offense. He has gotten bigger and stronger this year. Braden (Schmidt) and Dalton (Vogts) will anchor our offensive line and will be leaders for us up front, while Daniel (Kaufman) is entering his third year as our starting fullback and we expect him to have a big year. Corbin (Unruh) will enter the year as our starting quarterback after splitting time last season and gaining valuable experience.”
Concluding his pre-season reflections, Coach Meeks added, “We have good depth at the tight end and running back spots. This is one of the deepest teams that we have had in the last few years. Our fullback is a three-year starter and our quarterback will return also. We will need to replace a three-year starter at center and if we can do that, I think our offensive line will be one of the best that we have had and will help us control the line of scrimmage.”
The Wildcats will open the 2019 season on Friday, September 6, when they go on the road to play Goessel.
MOUNDRIDGE WILDCAT 2019 SCHEDULE:
Friday, Sept. 6 – At Goessel
Friday, Sept. 13 – At Bennington
Friday, Sept. 20 – Host Solomon
Friday, Sept. 27 – Host Pratt/Skyline
Friday, Oct. 4 – At Macksville
Friday, Oct. 11 – Host St. John/Hudson
Friday, Oct. 18 – Host Central Plains
Friday, Oct. 25 – At Little River
(Copyright@2019-CrossDove Writers)
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