Three Rivers Mississippi

Conference Preview 2022 Three Rivers Mississippi

Bureau Valley Storm

2021 record: 3-6 Coach: Mat Pistole Worth noting: Numbers are up in the Storm camp and the enthusiasm is in place for a solid season this fall. There should be more than 45 kids in the program, which is a significant increase from any time in Pistole’s previous three years at the helm. … The Storm will flip its experience strength from the backfield last year to the line this year with seniors Ayize Martin and Cameron Lillie and juniors Jon Dybek and Connor Scott, all twoyear returning starting linemen. Martin and Dybek, who Pistole said have allconference potential, will anchor the defensive line. ... Though undersized, Scott, heads up the linebacker corps again, the returning leading tackler (62) and “best defensive player” last year. Pistole said Scott gets the most out of his abilities. … Senior Isaac Attig, who split time at running back last year, is the only returner in the backfield. This year he is vying for quarterback duties with sophomore Bryce Helms, who has never played the position before.

Hall Red Devils

2021 record: 1-8 Coach: Randy Tieman Worth noting: Tieman returns to his alma mater for his second stint as head coach, and he is looking to turn the Red Devils around once again. Tieman went 45-39 with six playoff appearances in eight seasons from 2012-19 after inheriting a program that went 8-19 over the previous three seasons. This time, he takes over a team that was 2-12 over the two 2021 seasons. ... Putnam County is joining Hall this season for a co-op. ... The Red Devils have a standout to build around in senior Mac Resetich. He played quarterback for Tieman as a freshman, but was a running back the last two seasons. Tieman said Resetich will be a running back this season but could also see time under center. Resetich ran for 754 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 407 yards and three scores. Senior Hunter Meagher will be Hall’s quarterback.

Kewanee Boilermakers

2021 record: 9-2 Coach: Brad Swanson Worth noting: Kewanee is getting a field makeover with artificial turf being installed at its stadium. The Boilermakers will also have a bit of a new look with the loss of mainstays Niko Powe (RB), now playing at Knox College, and Will Bruno (QB). There are seven starters back in the fold – juniors Corbyn Powers (OL), Blake Johnston (DL) and Brady Clark (CB/K) and seniors Nate Lockett (FB), Jaxson Hicks, (DL), Jaiden Little (LB) and Garret Pettit (LB). ... Clark looks to take over at quarterback.

Mendota Trojans

2021 record: 5-5 Coach: Keegan Hill Worth noting: Last fall, the Trojans went 5-5 and qualified for the playoffs – and had their first season with more than one win – since 2014. ... While Mendota graduated a lot of skill position players on offense, the Trojans return four starters on the offensive line in Jose Rocha, Landon Kreiser, Jordan Coney and Neal Linden. Anthony Childs (467 rushing yards, 6 TDs) is back at running back, while J.P. Belmonte also got some carries last fall. Isaac Smith, Ryne Strouss and Garrett Zinke return at receiver, and Hill said Smith “might get touches in other ways.” Junior Justin Randolph will take over at quarterback, replacing three-year starter Ted Landgraf. ... The Trojans lost a lot on defense to graduation but have several players with experience, including Childs, Belmonte, Linden and Charles Heiting at linebacker and Strouss in the secondary.

Newman Comets

2021 record: 7-4 Coach: Mike LeMay Worth noting: LeMay takes over for Brandon Kreczmer, who guided the Comets to a 23-6 record over the last three season, including their sixth state championship in his first season in 2019. … LeMay is a 2006 Newman grad who played for the legendary Mike Papoccia and was a sophomore on the 2004 state title team. He spent the last decade as an assistant coach at Sterling High School, and served as the Golden Warriors’ defensive coordinator by the time he left. … LeMay says he’s looking to diversify the Comets’ traditional “Blue Machine” ground-and-pound style by incorporating more of a passing game, but expects to play the same hard-nosed, aggressive defense. … Newman must replace leading rusher Marcus Williams and second-leading rusher and leading tackler Ethan Van Landuit, among others in a strong senior class, but brings back Nolan Britt (54 rushes, 384 yards, 3 TDs), Gabe Padilla (49 rushes, 276 yards, 2 TDs) and Hunter Luyando (40 rushes, 227 yards, 3 TDs); Luyando will also anchor the Comets’ linebacking corps. … Newman must also replace its starting quarterback and four of its top five receivers.

Princeton Tigers

2021 record: 10-2 Coach: Ryan Pearson Worth noting: The Tigers have made three playoff appearances in four full seasons under Pearson, including its second quarterfinal berth in 2021, and are reloading to make another deep run this year. ... The Tigers return much talent on both sides of the ball, including all-state quarterback Teegan Davis, who accounted for more than 2,900 yards and 35 touchdowns by rushing and passing, and running back Augie Christiansen (954 yards, 14 TDs). There are eight starters back on the defensive side, but must replace standout linebacker Drew Harp, now at North Central College. ... Team speed will be a team strength for Princeton, Pearson noting it is unlike any he has before in more than two decades as coach.

St. Bede Bruins

2021 record: 8-3 Coach: Jim Eustice Worth noting: The Bruins return a solid nucleus from a team that went 7-2 in the regular season and advanced to the second round of the Class 1A playoffs last season, including quarterback John Brady (1,699 yards passing, 14 TDs; 700 yards rushing, 7 TDs). Calym Setser, Callan Hueneburg, Ryan Brady and Seth Ferrari will get touches at running back, while Connor Brown, Evan Entrican, Landon Jackson and Ben Wallace will play receiver and help the Bruins try to replace Tyreke Fortney, who is now at Illinois State after racking up more than 1,000 offensive yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Ben Burke, Ryan Migliorini and Joe Bima return up front.