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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 | BRAINERD DISPATCH
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Raiders return experienced group to the gridiron By Conrad Engstrom Brainerd Dispatch It’s all about up front for the Raiders. That’s the group that Central Lakes College head coach Greg Medeck, in his 15th season, is most excited about — the offensive line. “This is an area where we made a lot of improvements and some of those improvements came by having seasoned second-year players returning and some of it was recruitment,” Medeck said. “We brought in additional depth and we feel really, really good that is our most improved and most important component of our football team.” Sophomore James Gedde, who was an All-American on the offensive line returns, as well as All-Region offensive lineman Luke Olson. Ja’Von Coleman started last season as did Cornlieus McNeal. “We have a lot of experience and we added in some guys who we are excited about in Zach Nuetz and Luke Wilhelm who have shown a lot of promise in camp,” Medeck said. “Ace Meyer is another one. There are a lot of guys that have the ability to contribute at a very high level in the game of college football at the offensive line.” The Raiders begin the season Saturday, Sept. 3, at Minnesota State in Fergus Falls. It’ll be a six-game regular season. Last season, the Raiders finished 3-6 overall and went 1-5 in MCAC play. “I always get excited for the opportunity to get to begin a season,” Medeck said. “This year is especially special because of all the young men we got to build relationships with last year and see develop. We have a near record high of returners this year. We are hopeful that pays some dividends on the field. We have a good complement of first-year players who have been a lot of fun to coach, too. To get on the field for a game environment is something we are really looking forward to.” On defense, the most seasoned group for the Raiders is the defensive line which features Joey Hoeschen, Nicholas Korom and Logan Swanson as returners. “Those guys have brought everything we have been teaching over the last few years and have led by example and should be significant contributors for us,” Medeck said. In the secondary, Ryan Edquist is a returner, who recorded 22 tackles and one interception last year. “He’s the quarterback of our defense,” Medeck said. “The guy who really manipulates coverages and gets guys in the right place. He’s an
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
Central Lake College Raider Caleb Jones carries the ball Monday during practice. er quarterback, who saw the field last year. “Matt will be our starter Head coach: Greg Medeck (15th Sophomores: Rashaun Cage, opening week and has shown year) Andrew Kraemer, Caleb Jones, Sherrod Russell, Mike Tveitbakk, a lot of promise in camp,” 2021 finish: 1-5 Eastern, 3-6 Landon Jones, Matt Torres, overall Medeck said. “He’s shown a Ethan Guerra, Riley Niedzielski, Assistant coaches: Shane lot of confidence having been Daryel Bell, Jamar Nelson, Ryan Jordan (Offensive line coach), in our system for a year and Edquist, Connor Neeser, Brennan Riley Atkinson (Offensive having that experience he’s Brockel, Malik Wilson, Nicholas coordinator), Jordan Getty shown real command of the Korom, Ramon Lee, Cole Hiltner, (Wide Receivers) Dave Bostrom Nathan Deuster, Logan Swanson, offense. We like his leader(running backs coach), Troy Cornelius McNeal, Luke Olson, ship and his command of the Schreifels (Defensive Line). James Gedde, Ja’Von Coleman, huddle and he’s really grown Joey Hoeschen, Jeremy Phyle, in his ability to direct the Paul Meyer offense.” Freshmen: Anthony LewisSCHEDULE Daryl Bell is taking the Royal, Jackson Owens, Andrew Saturday, Sept. 3, at Minnesota first-team reps at running Gottwalt, Jaelend Williams, David State, 1:30 p.m. back right now. The sophBoyd Jr, Jamonte Franklin, Adam Sept. 10: hosts Rochester, 1:30 omore rushed for 107 yards Kiatamba, Mach Ruot, Ozzie p.m. Robinson, Rashad Sherwood, and two touchdowns last seaSept. 17: at Minnesota West, Caleb Boeckermann, Jame son. Medeck said there are 2:30 p.m. Brennan, Trevon Roering, Larkin four running backs including Lang, Devin Jones, Ashton Sept. 24: hosts Mesabi Range Bell who could see carries Hanan, Brayden Bleymeyer, CTC, 1:30 p.m. in Jamonte Franklin, AnthoKevin Filippi, David Hurst, Brady Oct. 1: at North Dakota State, ny Lewis-Royal and Sherrod Vandeweerd, Jace Erickson, 1:30 p.m. Jordan Vachal, AJ Gerwing, Luke Russell. Oct. 8: hosts Vermilion, 1:30 p.m. Wilhelm, Zach Nuetz, Charles “All four of those guys are Oct. 23: MCAC Quarterfinals Mudgett, Ace Meyer, Matt by committee right now,” Oct. 30: MCAC Semifinals Huesmann, Branden Gagnon, Medeck said. “There’s no real Zach Jones, Josh Harris, Armon Nov. 6: MCAC Championship true No. 1 right now and we Walker expect them all to play and effective communicator in see how the season progressthe back end as our safety are a lot of candidates that fill es.” and I’m impressed with what the role there. Ethan Guerra is a return“We are playing a lot of er at wideout. He caught 16 Ryan has done throughout camp and has shown a lot of guys there and we only balls for 361 yards and two have one returner there in touchdowns last year. Jackleadership.” The two cornerbacks Cole Hiltner,” Medeck said. son Owens, who suffered a Medeck is excited about are “Cole’s done a nice job for season-ending injury at the freshmen Rashard Sherwood us and the other guys are all start of last year, returns at young and new and adjusting wide receiver, too. and Adam Kiatamaba. “Both are first-year guys to the college game. I haven’t Tight end Paul Meyer in our program and have figured out who is going to caught 17 balls for 275 yards and three touchdowns last shown a lot of promise here step up for us quite yet.” Besides the line on offense, year. in camp,” Medeck said. “We have three tight ends At linebacker, the Raiders the Raiders return starting have a young squad. Pillager quarterback Matt Torres. The who are going to play for us, graduate Cole Hiltner returns. sophomore threw for 1,354 led by Paul Meyer,” Medeck He recorded 18 tackles last yards and 12 touchdowns last said. “He’s done a fantastic season, but Medeck said there year. Landon Jones is anoth- job for us and we are excited
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about it. As for true receivers the guys to look out for are Ethan Guerra and Jackson Owens who has come back after medical hardship and regained his role as a dynamic skill position, but we have a lot of depth there.” With a strong offensive line, Medeck said that helps them in both the run and pass. “We feel like we don’t have to change our offensive identity,” Medeck said. “It should strengthen our ability to run and give more confidence to our passing game.” Prior to opening the season, the Raiders scrimmaged Aug. 25, at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Something they weren’t able to do last year. “After returning last year from a COVID absence with the youngest team we had ever had in a condensed camp we went out in Week One without a scrimmage and were ill prepared for conference play,” Medeck said. “This year we’ve had a full camp with a more mature and experienced team and an opportunity to scrimmage an incredible partner in the University of Northwestern. I think it’s a great way to learn and get a feel for gamelike situations that I think is going to translate to on-field success Saturday.” CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
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