Chiefs return quality players in backfield
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 26, 2015 — PAGE 9
by Nathan Gerdts SPORTS WRITER
Sarah Reed/The Concordian
Members of the Santa Fe High School football team (from left) are: (front) Kolton Borchers, Matt Peters, Tanner Begemann, Connor Bergman, Caleb Bergman, Wyatt Sims; (middle) Jared Rieves, Dillon Caton, Leyton Minnis, Devin Breland, Peyton Sowers, Joseph Boothe; (back) Nick Borchers, Ryan Cox, Luke Schmidt, Derrick Staton, Thomas Schmalz, Ben Reeders, Ben Hinz
Lady Chiefs thinking big by Nathan Gerdts SPORTS WRITER
It’s been a charmed life for Kinsey Harms as head coach of the Santa Fe Lady Chiefs' volleyball team. In her first four years, Harms has led Santa Fe to the Class 1 Final Four each campaign. Last year’s team had a particularly outstanding campaign, winning an I-70 conference regular-season championship, a third-place finish in the Class 1 state tournament and 33 total victories. How has Harms turned Santa Fe into a powerhouse so quickly? It’s a team effort, and not just the coaches. “The players do a lot in the off-season,” Harms said. “Many of my seniors spend time in the weight room, play in leagues, and attend camps at other schools, etc. The parents and community are really supportive. It makes for a great environment to raise a successful team.” The 2015 version of the Lady Chiefs will have to replace a dynamic outside hitter in Lexi Smith, who earned first-team all-conference and first team all-state selections. Harms believes Sadie Limback can step up and become a powerful force on offense. Senior Courtney Bishop also is expected to take on extra duties as a hitter Seniors Kylie Limback and Lauren Wiggins
are back after they also garnered all-conference and all-state honors. Maleigh Limback is an incoming senior expected to take over at setter. She’ll help out Cara Hinz and Abby Zietlman, two players Harms said are “huge for our defensiveresponsibilities.” A veteran roster chock-full of talent may have many in Alma dreaming of another I-70 crown, a fifth straight Final Four appearance and, perhaps, that elusive state title. Count Harms among the dreamers. “I expect the holes we may have had to be filled with role players that aren't afraid of the pressure,” Harms said. “I want us to reach our potential. We have lots of talent and potential. We just need to focus it and drive it to its potential.”
Good Luck
Finishing a season with a .500 record tends to signify an up-and-down performance from a football team. It was no different in 2014 for head coach Andy Frerking and the Santa Fe Chiefs. After going 3-4 in I70 conference play and winning two non-conference games, the Chiefs fell in the first round of district play to Fayette, 44-6. Frerking is hoping a much more consistent season is in store for 2015. “(The veterans) need to lead our team by making big plays, especially on defense because we are so young,” Frerking said. Senior Ben Hinz returns to head the Chiefs’ Flexbone offense at quarterback. Hinz was a first-team all-conference selection as an all-purpose player on offense, but the loss of Truman Sleeper means Hinz will play quarterback full time. “Ben is a good, well-rounded athlete who can play any position on the field,” Frerking said. “I think his passing has improved, and that will take a little pressure off our option package.” Hinz will hand off the majority of the time to senior running back Ben Reeders. Sophomores Blake Schreiman and Jared Rieves will also have chances to tote the ball in a run-heavy offense. Frerking believes if the blocking is good, the Chiefs’ ground game will thrive. That duty falls to a young offensive line. Seniors Ryan Cox and Thomas Schmalz are
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back, but the other three starting spots will be rotated among senior Dillon Caton, moving to the line for the first time, and three sophomores — Peyton Sowers, Layton Minnis and Nick Borchers. “It’s an inexperienced group with a couple of good seniors,” Frerking said. “Our line needs to mature fast for us to be successful.” Frerking thinks the receiving corps will be the most improved part of Santa Fe’s offense. Senior Luke Schmidt will be the top target, with sophomore Matt Peters also getting a chance to make plays. Defensively, the Chiefs will use a variety of looks to stop opponents but will mostly attack from a 3-4 set. Cox and Schmalz are returning starters who will look to again wreak havoc from the defensive line. “Improved play (on the defensive line) will be the key to our season,” Frerking said. “We must stop the run and pressure the pass.” Reeders and Rieves will lead the young linebackers, but the strength of the team is in the secondary, where Hinz returns after receiving all-state honors as a defensive back. Schmidt and Peters also return to the defensive back half. That's a good tackling group that leads a team Frerking wants to get better each game. “Our goals are to keep improving week to week,” Frerking said. “We want our younger players to learn quickly how to compete.”
“Improved play (on the defensive line) will be the key to our season. . .”