BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State University Moorhead football continues their progress in grooming a young team as the Northern Sun released their yearly Preseason Coaches Poll Tuesday.
The NSIC sees the youth as inexperience as the Dragons were placed 15th in the poll, one spot ahead of Minnesota, Crookston. Head Coach
Steve Laqua says the progress is made beneath the surface.
“From an outsider's perspective I can see why its that way, but from an insider's prospective that is around and seeing the things that have happened within the program, we certainly feel differently than how that shows.”
Almost two-thirds of the 2012 team has never played in a conference game before or put on a collegiate jersey before. The key to surprising the outsiders will come from how fast the young players can progress in one of the best DII football conferences in the nation.
One of those young players is sophomore running back
Brandon Schell who was named the Offensive Player to Watch for the Dragons. Schell, a Lisbon, N.D. native, made an impact in his freshman year with the team while carrying the ball for 124 yards, 112 in a four-game span.
“Brandon is ready to breakthrough offensively. He steadily rose on the depth chart last year and took advantage of his opportunities when he had them," said Laqua. "He's 'old reliable.' He's going to get it done when we need it.”
On the other side of the experience meter is senior linebacker
Tyler Brody. Brody, a Rochester, Minn. native, was named the Defensive Player to Watch for MSUM. After totaling the 18th most tackles in the nation last year, the 2011 NSIC Honorable-Mention team member is making a position transition from last year.
“I think us moving him from safety to outside linebacker this year will certainly help him," said Laqua. "That puts him kind of in the teeth of the storm because he is such a good tackler. I'm looking for him to have a better season than he did last year.”
After losing letterwinners like
Kevin Koch,
Kendall Hendon and
Jeff Schuette, new positions have opened up for the taking. Like Koch to Hendon last season, Laqua is looking for a new passing connections this season.
“Myles (Montplaisir) had a good spring where he positioned himself to be able to get on the field and
Jalen Ham certainly had a terrific spring where he needs to produce and be ready to play at wide receiver.”
The Dragons open the 2012 season at home against the NSIC seventh ranked Wayne State Wildcats on Sept. 1. Until then, Laqua thinks the fall camp will be exciting as everything unfolds.
Dragon Media Day will be held on Tuesday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse. All Fall Dragon sports will be in attendance including football, soccer, cross country and volleyball.
NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll Release
