KICKOFF '09: Knights reload from C-2 state runner-up squad

Don’t expect the loss of 12 seniors to slow down the Fremont Bergan football team in 2009, especially on offense ... again.

Last season the Knights averaged nearly 330 yards per game and ended as Class C2 runner-up by utilizing its speed to spread the field horizontally with screens and option plays to the outside. A more vertical approach was used during the Knights’ deep push into the playoffs in 2007 as they took more shots down the field.

This year, Head Coach Ron Beacom said, will be a mixture of both successful offenses.

"I really believe we will be a combination of the two," he said. "Out of all three years we may have the truest personnel for what we’re trying to do in this offense. We’re to a point now where I can spread you vertically and horizontally."

Returning under center is junior Riley Gross who was a threat running and passing last season.

Gross’ top two receivers in Connor Hotovy and Josh Boggs also return. The juniors caught 41 and 38 passes respectively last fall.

Another junior, Christian Victor, will step into the running back role after an injury-shortened 2008 season.

"Not a lot of people don’t even know about him unless they’ve followed our program a little bit or have seen him run track," Beacom said of Victor. "He’s a pretty exceptional athlete."

Beacom also has three returning starters on the offensive line led by junior T.J. Bottorff.

The best part about this season’s offense, Beacom said, is that there will be less time spent figuring out what it does best.

"Last year I think we may have sputtered on offense early because I was trying to figure out what our strengths were and trying to do too much," he said. "But we really got it going toward the end of the season and into the playoffs last year."

One area the departure of 12 seniors will make a dent is on defense where Beacom will have to find replacements for the majority of the front eight.

"That’s obviously our area of concern," Beacom said. "That’s not to say we don’t have kids that we’re proud of or kids we think can play the game there ... it’s just a deal where we were fortunate to have some kids coming back in the past at some of those positions and now we’ll be playing some kids that aren’t terribly seasoned at the varsity level."

Moving over from the offense will be Bottorff who started the last two seasons on the offensive line.

Beacom said he is ready for the full-time role.

"He probably believes that he was ready last year but we had more kids and I thought if we have a way to play more kids then I said let’s do it," he said.

Beacom also expects Nick Lassek, Kyle Thompson, Tyler Maple and Grant Meiergerd to step into a role on the defensive line. He also believes transfer Keaton Tabbert could step in and help out.

"We’ve got kids just not a whole lot of kids with varsity experience," Beacom said. "But there are some kids that can play."

Victor spent his first two seasons at defensive end but will move back to linebacker this fall.

"He runs to the ball so well so I think if we move him to the second level where he’s not so apt to get tied up and let him run," Beacom said.

Tom Wendt will also be at linebacker for the Knights.

Others Beacom expects to make an impact this season are seniors Ryan Engel and Nick Paulson, junior Tanner Anderson and sophomore Matt Sleister who was voted by his teammates as the offensive and defensive scout team player of the year last season.

Paulson will resume punting duties and Anderson will again handle field goals and kickoffs.

Engel, though, could emerge as a major part of the puzzle.

"I really expect big things from him this year," Beacom said. "We have tried to find ways to get him on the field the last couple of years because he just works so hard but this year his body has finally caught up to his work ethic; he’s really started to come along physically."

Bergan will have to be sharp on both sides of the ball once the season begins, Beacom said. The Knights open with Ponca at home Sept. 3 and then visit long time foe Elmwood-Murdock the following week.

"I expect those two teams to be top-10 teams," Beacom said.

Bergan also has yearly powers Oakland-Craig and Stanton on the schedule.