PAGE 6 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Saints return key players from 6-4 squad by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER
Vincent Engel at left guard. first-team all-conference pick last year, Stuenkel “Our offense is a mix of veterans and first- and 5 foot-9 inch, 155-pound sophomore Derek time starters,” Laubenstein, who is going to be Woodall will be the linebackers. Heading into his 41st year as the head coach assisted by Rob Tebbenkamp and Steve Jostes, Jones and Hentges are set to be the corner at Saint Paul, Larry Laubenstein has one of the said. “Our quarterback has a full year of experi- backs, with Allen, an honorable-mention allmore talented crops of returners in conference selection last year, at free the I-70 Conference. safety and Lemmons, a second-team Operating out of multiple forall-conference selection in 2013, at mations with Wing-T principles, strong safety. the Saints return starting quarter“Our linebackers and safeties will back Peter Lemmons, a 6-foot-1, be the strength of our defense,” 165-pound, senior at quarterback. Laubenstein said. “We'll have new He was honorable mention all-conplayers at corners and the interior — Larry Laubenstein line. Stopping the run is key, as is a ference last year. Luke Stuenkel, who lost his good pass rush.” junior season to an anterior-cruciLazarus Ralda, a 5 foot-10 inch, ate ligament injury, is a 6 foot tall, 265-pound junior, has the inside 170-pound senior back at running back. As a ence and understands the offense. We should be track to be the team's kicker and Lemmons the sophomore, Stuenkel earned first-team all-con- competitive.” punter. Lemmons was an honorable-mention ference status. But Laubenstein has been around the game all-conference pick last year. First-team all-conference tight end Eric long enough to know it's going to take more Overall, the Saints sport a roster of 25 playAllen, a 6 foot-5 inch, 180-pound senior, returns than the starting lineup to get it done. ers, including eight seniors, four juniors and six as tight end. “We must eliminate turnovers and stay sophomores. On the outside will be players who got some healthy,” he said. “We have very little depth.” Laubenstein thinks the conference title is up playing time last year — junior Wyatt Jones (5 He knows it all starts up front. for grabs this year. foot-8 inch, 145) and sophomore Caleb Hentges “The key will be our line,” he said. “If they “Some teams that were young last year (like (5 foot-9 inch, 140). gel, we'll be OK.” Wellington, Santa Fe and Sweet Springs) are on On the offensive front, the Saints return three A year ago, the Saints scored 243 points in the rise,” he said. “Defending champion Crest starters, including senior right tackle James Fos- conference games or 34.7 points per game. They Ridge will have to be the favorite, and even ter (6 foot-3 inch, 190). He was a second-team put up 375 points in all games or 37.5ppg. through Concordia lost some skill-position playmember on the all-conference selections. Also Defensively, the Saints were the second-best ers, they still have a solid line and a good deback is 5 foot-11 inch, 190-pound senior Zach team in the conference in league games, allow- fense. Hentges, who started the first four games last ing 96 points (13.7ppg). They gave up 130 “Lone Jack has their quarterback returning, season at right guard before he suffered torn me- points overall or13ppg. which always makes them dangerous.” dial-collateral and anterior-cruciate ligaments. On defense, the Saints will have Engel and Good Luck to all area teams this season!! Matt Nebel, a 5-10, 200-pound junior, also Hentges at ends, and Good luck this season! started the last five games at center last year. Nebel and Mayes at Curt & Karol's Newcomers to the offensive line will be 6 tackles in their 4-3 Home Center foot-3 inch, 195-pound junior Peyton Mayes at scheme. 522 S. Main – Concordia 547 S. Main left tackle and 5 foot-10 inch, 195-pound senior Foster, who was a 660-463-7447 660-463-7911 Concordia
“We must eliminate turnovers and stay healthy.”
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