Alma Boasts Electric Playmakers on the Field
When you return the bulk of your offensive production, you have to feel pretty excited. Well for sixth year head coach Brendan Johnsen, he ought to be excited with what he has coming back. And it will start with the signal caller, Jakin Neal. Neal is a senior and in his junior campaign threw for nearly 2,000 yards and also 25 touchdowns. He was a 1st Team All-District selection. The intriguing part of this though is Neal shares reps with sophomore Tucker Biskup. Biskup was an All-District player too, on the 2nd team.
In Biskup's freshman year, he took snaps too. Biskup was able to mix it up at the quarterback position with over 600 yards passing, 300 hundred yards rushing and 20 total touchdowns. Also, worth mentioning, the 6'0 175 pounder had 505 yards receiving. It isn't just Neal and Biskup though, the Cardinals return five starters on offense.
What will be key for the Cardinals is returning some experience on the line. Spencer Gehrig, a junior, who stands at 6'0 215 pounds, has been starting since his freshman year. He will look to anchor both sides of the line.
On the defensive side, they return five starters and 5'10 190 pound linebacker Alek Molzahn will lead the way. "Alek has been a do it all kid for the last three years," said Johnsen. Molzahn is the captain of the defense and his numbers don't lie with 101 tackles last season and was a 2nd Team All-District linebacker and 1st Team tight end.
Last season the Cardinals went 5-4 and expect to see a tough group again for Alma.
Alma is in the D1-9 District with Arapahoe, Cambridge, Hi-Line, and Southern Valley.
They will open the season on August 18th against Superior at home.
Cardinals Bring Core Back- Looking to Continue Where They Left Off
Alma is in the second year of their own program as they dissolved their coop with Southern Valley. Head coach for the Cardinals, Laurie Kermmoade is returning all of her athletes from last season with the addition of one or two.
The boy’s team is coming off of a RPAC Championship and a D5 District Runner-Up finish and is looking to continue that same success this season. Returning this season are Griffin Stemper, Bladyn Herrick, Jaxon Tischner, Noal Pfeil, and Ian Dunse who all competed at state last season. Kermmoade is looking for Anton Cook and Davis Clark to compete and give their team an edge this season as they have improved over the summer but incoming freshman, Vaugn Fennel, ran really strong during the junior high races last season so he could also contribute for the team this year.
Harper Fennel is the lone girl for the Cardinals again this season and she’s looking to keep her individual success going this season. Harper had a 9th place finish at the RPAC meet and qualified for state with a 13th place finish at districts. Kermmoade says that she looks for her to be a strong contender this season.
Alma will begin their season on October 1st at the Cambridge Invite.
Cardinals Learn to Adapt to Challenges as Season Goes On
With 81 wins over the past four seasons, the Alma volleyball program has grown accustomed to success.
In her first season guiding the Cardinals, Coach Madalyn Brugh led the Cardinals to 20 wins a season ago and despite losing key contributors up front and its all-conference libero, the expectations will still be high.
"The upcoming volleyball season will focus on overcoming some of the obstacles that we are about to face," Brugh said.
The Cardinals return RPAC All-Conference first-teamer Addison Siebels, who pounded 326 kills and had 243 digs as an outside hitter a year ago. Chayse Molzahn also returns after 99 kills and 17 blocks a year ago and both setters and right Riley Scott and Miley Whitney, return after each dished 300 assists, pounded 40 kills and recorded 200 digs a year ago.
Brugh also said Kamri Neal, Kamryn Scott, Tierston Moore, and Mercedes Garner could have impacts as newcomers this season.
The schedule will still present a number of challenges and the Cardinals will have to develop on the fly, but Brugh is optimistic the team will find a way to continue its success.
"After learning more skills and strategies in one year of coaching, I am confident that we will have the tools to succeed," Brugh said. "Our strengths on the team will be mental toughness, will to win and overall teamwork."
Saints Search for Consistency
Coming off an 8-25 season, the Southern Valley/Alma softball team will look for consistency this season.
Head coach Brad Reaves maintained during the summer that he wasn't sure what this year's roster would look like, but the Saints should return top run producer Bryn Baily, who batted .412, smacked six home runs and drove in 28 last season. Baily also tossed nearly 70 innings from the circle a year ago.
Natalee Holste and Izzy Dubbs were also key run-producers for the Saints a year ago. Josa Dunse tossed 47 innings for the Saints a year ago.