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Friday, August 29, 2008

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Brainerd begins with big challenge

By MIKE BIALKA

Sports Editor

For the third straight year one of the Brainerd Warriors' most important games is the season opener.

Brainerd travels to St. Cloud Tech at 7 p.m. Friday to meet the archrival Tigers at cozy Clark Field.

The last two years have featured classic matchups between the rivals.

Tech won the 2006 opener 28-7 and beat the top-seeded Warriors 23-20 on a last-second field goal in the section semifinals.

Last year Tech won the opener 14-13 and the Warriors rallied to beat the Tigers 21-17 for the section title.

"It's a big game all the time, it doesn't matter what time of the season," Tech coach Gregg Martig said. "It has a big impact on the conference race and also for seeding in the section. It's been a great rivalry over the years."

Brainerd at St. Cloud Tech
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Martig said he actually prefers playing one of the season's biggest games in the opener.

"I would just as soon play them early and get them out of the way," he said. "... I would rather have a little bit of distance in between, so I don't mind. For us I think it's a good thing.

"Another thing I don't have to worry about is our kids being ready to play or getting up for the game because they know Brainerd is a big game."

Warriors coach Ron Stolski said Tech might have experience where Brainerd lacks it early.

"They might have a few more returning people," he said. "In contrast, they have experience at the quarterback and the receiver spots.

"It should be interesting. Opening games always are. We've had some really good games with Tech, particularly in recent years. They like to play that college offense, run the zone and throw the ball."

Throwing the ball is one of Tech's strengths. Quarterback Adam Johnson passed for 1,329 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He is one of eight Tigers returning on offense.

"We expect offense to carry us a little bit," Martig said. "We lost three very good kids, an all-state center (Eli Kelley), the player of the year in the conference (Colin) Stinogel and a running back who rushed for 1,000 yards (Taylor Johnson). They're big guys to replace, but we have eight back."

Defensively, Martig concedes the Tigers are reloading.

"We do have more experience in the defensive line than we've had in a while, but our linebackers got

depleted by graduation," he said. "Other than (Mike) Rolfes we're new as a linebacker corps. Rolfes is a three-year starter and captain. He will anchor that spot until the others get their feet wet."

Brainerd returns nine full-time regulars and four who started part-time.

Among Warriors returning is running back Colby Ring who led the team in rushing and scoring (745 yards, 114 points). As a linebacker, Ring was the team's second-leading tackler (204) and had seven quarterback sacks.

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.

Offense

C-Tony Roberts

RG: Steve Kuebelbeck

RT: Garett Berg

LG: Luke Laudenbach

LT: Jack Hedlund

TE: Mark Kaczor

RB: Jon Green

SB: Tyson Euerle

WR: Jordan Ramler

SE: Alan Fruth

QB: Adam Johnson

Defnese

NG: Collin Esmay

T: Mitch Voigt, Bryan Schwinghammer

LB: Mike Rolfes, Nick Slade, James Warzecha, Jared Maetche

CB: Nick Jordan, Tyler Wieber

S: Kellan Euerle, Alex Hanks

P: Hanks

KO: Ian Krafnik,

PK:Ryan Feeney

Warriors depth chart

Offense

QB: Scott Ramey, Reid Mimmack

RB: Colby Ring, Nate Smolke, Jon Wiese, Chris Swanson, Carsten Nelson, Jaron Hanson, Taylor Main

WR: Mike Gervenak, Ben Gervais, Tyler Kline, TJ Struss, Dylan Wheeler

OT: David Titus, Jared Erickson, Mitch Weideman, Pat Metzler

G: Tyler Blong, Kurt Fahlen, Taylor Hradsky

C: Clint Dwire, Hradsky

TE: Cole Stegora, Aaron Pavek, Dennis Summers

P: Ramey

PK: Brian Sexton

Defense

DL: Nick Boettcher, Cody Granley, Pavek, Ryan Elyea, Sam Lastovich, Chad Ohman, Dan Wheeler, Kris Garin

OLB: Andy Mans, Alex Rahn, Barry Nelson, Chris Moon, Bruce London, Caleb Goodew, Austin Metzger

ILB: Ring, Taylor Bateman, Aaron Weiss, Jordan Goos, Sam Pagel, Ohman, Cooper Aakhus, Jaime Barry, Mimmack, Main

CB: Desmond Janousek, Kyle Crocker, Logan Stall, Nate Gervenak, Ben Gervais

FS: Tate Rusk, Mike Wisniewski, Crocker

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