Vikings set goal to get into playoffs

By Cara L. Dempski

COLFAX — In his first year as head coach of the Colfax Vikings, coach Matt DeMoe had 34 players report to practice. Coming off a 0-9 season in 2015, the team’s goal of making it to the playoffs might seem lofty to some, especially after losing a graduating class of 10 players, three of whom were his best quarterback, receiver, and lineman.

Jarrod Rudi, last year’s starting quarterback, is one of the team members DeMoe is missing this year. In nine games, Rudi passed for 1080 yards, averaging 120 yards per game. He was also named to first team all-conference as a punter and second team quarterback. Also gone is Kedar Davis, one of Rudi’s favorite targets in 2015. In four games, Davis logged 16 receptions on offense, and 17 tackles on defense. Zach Morgan led the Vikings in defense with 60 tackles in 2015.

Returning this year is senior letter winner Austin Dressel. In 2015 Dressel rushed for 45 yards in the three games he played an offensive guard. He’s joined by wide receiver Brad Kamp, who last year managed 31 yards per game, again playing in just three games. Finishing out this year’s senior class are Tyler Snyder as a wide receiver and defensive back and Bryce Kragness.

DeMoe’s roster includes nine juniors, including returning letter winner Treyton Tiege. Tiege saw limited play in 2015 and has been named as this year’s quarterback. DeMoe says of Tiege, “He has a ton of potential, but has to lead this team.”

With Tiege, letter winner Mitch Keikhafer will again take the field as a wide receiver. As Rudi’s top target last season, Keikhafer pulled together 302 yards receiving. After falling in the middle of team rankings in 2015’s defense, junior Brett Schindler will likely serve as the number two man in the defensive rankings this year. Last year’s number three receiver, Adam Pretasky also returns to the team this year as a junior, leaving him two more years to improve his skills. The remaining members of the junior class hoping to assist the team this year are Spencer Herrick, Alex Sykora, Dylan Everett, Joe Hayton, Jon Welk and Caleb Korrevaar.

This year’s sophomores number nine team members. Three of these players made contributions to the team last year. George Sharlau provided backup at quarterback and provided rushing yards playing offense in three games. Tommy Anderson also proved effective in two games playing offense and one game defense. Other players in tenth grade looking to make contributions are Dalton Klukas, Dalton Schotter, Wyatt Olson, Jackson Hellman, Brett Foyt, Sam Raud and JJ Charlsworth.

Filling out the rest of the team are 13 freshmen who will have three years to learn their coach and their teammates. These players include Phil Taylor, Brad Thompson, Marcus Drees, Noah Lanou, Dan Zonz, Austin Snyder, Braden Lemler, Mykiah Young, Dennis Sonnentag, Mitch Harmon, Noah Albright, Cole Keikhafer and Ed Hyd.

While coach DeMoe believes his young team has a lot of potential, there’s one thing his team needs. “We need to find leadership,” he said. He goes on to say that a lack of leadership is his team’s greatest weakness. When asked to turn things around and identify what his team’s greatest strength, he lists two, “they’re very hardworking and have great discipline.”

“We want to come out and compete every game,” DeMoe said of his team’s goals. He names Elk Mound and Durand as the teams to beat in this year’s Dunn-St. Croix, citing the number of players for both the Mounders and Panthers who are returning to play another season. For his inaugural season as coach, DeMoe will be assisted by Chad Evenson, Joel Steinke, Kirk Secraw, Adam Davison, and Rhett Kragness.

The Vikings start their season at home on August 18 against the Eleva-Strum Cardinals before playing Ellsworth and Spring Valley, both at home, on August 26 and September 2. They open Dunn-St. Croix play on September 9 in Glenwood City.

Roster

• Seniors: Brad Kamp, Tyler Snyder, Bryce Kragness, Austin Dressel.

• Juniors: Spencer Herrick, Alex Sykora, Dylan Everett, Treyton Tiege, Joe Hayton, Brett Schindler, Mitch Keikhafer, Adam Pretasky, Caleb Korrevaar.

• Sophomores: Tommy Anderson, Dalton Klukas, Dalton Schoter, Wyatt Olson, George Scharlau, Jackson Hellman, Brett Foyt, Sam Raud, JJ Charlsworth.

• Freshmen: Phil Taylor, Brad Thompson, Marcus Drees, Noah Lanou, Dan Zonz, Austin Snyder, Braden Lemler, Mykiah Yung, Dennis Sonnentag, Mitch Harmon, Noah Albright, Cole Keikhafer, Ed Hyd.