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2019 record: 10-2, 7-0 Interstate 8
Coach: Joe Ryan (17th year, 104-67)
Keep an eye on: Nathaniel Altepeter was thrust into the lead running back role for the Spartans last year as a sophomore due to injury. With the year under his belt, Ryan said he expects big things from him.
Also: Caden Carrier, sr., QB; Xavier Gagnepain, sr., WR; Ben Herrmann, sr., WR; Dylan Shuman, sr., LG/DE; Carsten Menzer, sr., RG; Evan Thompson, sr., LT; Dom BIlls, jr., ILB: Ethan Bode, soph., ILB; Brody Armstrong, sr., FS
Schedule: 1 p.m. March 20 vs. Maple Park; 1 p.m. March 27 at Ottawa; 1 p.m. April 3 vs. Sandwich; 6 p.m. April 9 at Morris; 6 p.m. April 16 vs. Rochelle; 6 p.m. April 23 at Plano, 6 p.m.
The lowdown: Even with Altepeter back, Ryan said he expects the team can be more balanced with running and passing the ball this year. Carrier is a more traditional pocket passer, Ryan said, and is surrounded by talented receivers. In addition to Gagnepain and Herrman, Ryan said Hutner Alexander, Bailey Wiegmann and Jake O’Donnell give Carrier a multitude of targets.
“We’ve got guys that can really go get the ball,” Ryan said. “We can be a little more diverse on offense because of that. We can be under, get in our tight packages, and those receivers are pretty solid.”
Ryan did say the timing has to improve, although with four of those five receivers - all but O’Donnell - starting on the basketball team, it may take a while.
The line is loaded with guys who are seniors, but don’t have the most experience - aside from Shuman, a three-year starters. Thompson and Menzer both started in limited capacities last year.
On the defensive side, Ryan said that is where the team is young and there are mostly newcomers. Dm BIlls and Ethan Bode will handle the inside linebacker spots.
“They’re a sophomore and a junior,” Ryan said. “Outside backers are juniors or sophomores. So we’re young there.”
Ryan said Armstrong has done well at free safety. A junior, he’s a quarterback by nature, Ryan said, and is acting like a quarterback for the secondary.