MHS football poised for success
Building on a strong year in 2001, the Marion High School football team seems poised for success.
"We're further along, but we should be," said coach Grant Thierolf. "We really set the groundwork last year."
The Warriors finished the season with eight wins and three losses, and as Cottonwood Valley League champions.
Seniors are Jarvis Whiteman, Mitch Enos, Jason Matz, Jake Adkins, Bronson Shipman, Eric Smith, Alan Vogel, Jared Adams, Joel Versch, and Matt Rhodes.
Juniors are Clayton Chamberland, Tyler Stubenhofer, Steven Boone, Steven Shiplet, Jimmy Shipman, Dallas Wells, Neil Waner, Tyler Smith, and Calvin Riggs.
Sophomores are Chris Freeby, Kevin Costello, Tyson Heidebrecht, Jake Smith, Cody Chiles, Drew Looper, Dale Vogel, and Josh Smith.
Freshmen are Josh Kelsey, Casey Nelson, Michael Brookens, Adam Depler, Shaun Hayes, David DeForest, Jeff Richmond, Jeremy Vondenkamp, and Russell Ploutz.
"This is a fun group of kids," Thierolf said. "And the seniors have taken responsibility to pick up the intensity at practice if they have to."
Thierolf said the team has some speed but he is particularly pleased with the quick response of the line.
Offensively, Marion might be more balanced, with an experienced corps of runners, some skilled receivers, and quarterback Clayton Chamberland growing into the role.
"Clayton's doing a good job of reading things and he's getting better at the option all the time," Thierolf said. "He can throw the ball, and we have receivers who can catch it and adjust to it."
Defensively the Warriors' quickness and smarts will be strengths. The team seems to have the ability to find the ball and get to it quickly, Thierolf said.
Numbers are about average, which means even young players will have a chance at varsity action to give the starters a breather.
"We have some young kids with some size, and there will be times we'll ask them to step in and play hard for three plays," Thierolf said.
The team opens Friday with Minneapolis followed by Southeast of Saline.
"Both these teams will be great tests for us," Thierolf said. "They pose a great challenge, and we will find out right away where we need to improve."
