Shanley will have to be ready to go from game as they open at Davies then host Bismarck a week later before going to Sheyenne. After that gauntlet they will make their first of two trips to Bismarck over the middle third of the season to renew their rivalry with St. Mary's. The "easy" portion ends with two weeks on their turf and a regular season finale against West Fargo. With new players at many key positions, including under center, it will bear watching how the Deacons do in the reformatted top division.
Thank you for corresponding coach Mattern!
Are there any highlights from last Fall that stand out for you in reflection?
The biggest thing that stands out is venturing through a season with COVID-19. It was a very unique season for all and from day to day you would never know if you would get through that day or not. We got shut down for 2 week when we were 4-1 and never got our stride back from that. The highlight would of been making the playoffs at the highest level with our return to AAA. Also Emmett Kenney kicking a 58 yard FG against Sheyenne.
What was it like to have such a unique weapon at your disposal as Kenney was?
Not very often in HS football do you have an opportunity to have a kicker let alone one that goes onto the PAC 12. As a coach it was definitely something to have for a comfort level that anytime we got to the 40 yard line, we had an opportunity for points.
Did your team take part in any camps or organized activities this Summer?
Yes we had a very busy summer with camps and 7 on 7. We have had a lot of kids step up and I'm looking forward to the season. We have a very talented group of kids back that have a lot of football experience.
Who are some of the players that you anticipate will step into the roles vacated by the 2020 graduates?
Michael Rostberg will take over at QB, he has put in the time at various camps and we expect him to lead our offense very well. He had a great JV season last year and he learned a lot playing behind Cooper. We also expect John Gores and Aidan DeVine to have impact years for us along with Isaac Emineth, Chayton Sowa, Porter, the Leininger twins, Adam and Jordan and Isaac Perkerewicz.
Are there position groups that you already have identified as strengths of your roster?
Our defense will be much improved. I am excited most about that group as a whole. We will be much better on the edge and part of that is adding former Bison Kyle Emmanual to our staff to help out improve our edge pressure.
Which players do you expect will be the leaders for you?
We have many kids that have stepped up to lead, we have an excellent senior class full of leaders. We expect Brady Boyle, Luke Lang and Isaac Emineth to take true leadership roles this year.
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