Sibley East kept the Thunderbirds’ rushing attack at bay throughout the game while on offense the Wolverines took advantage of some GFW miscues.

It proved to be a team effort for Sibley East on defense as 16 different players dotted the tackle chart. “We tackled pretty well and did lots of gang tackling,” coach Chuck Hartman said. “I thought our guys played unselfish but aggressive defense. We didn’t allow any big plays and had kind of the bend but don’t break theory.”

GFW’s errant snap on a punt attempt set up Sibley East’s first touchdown. The ball sailed over the punter’s head and was recovered by Miah DuFrane on the two-yard line. Sibley East quarterback Lucas Herd would eventually sneak it in from a yard out for the team’s first touchdown of the season. Dalton Webster then added the first of his three extra points to give the black and gold a 7-0 first quarter lead.

Sibley East would turn another GFW turnover into points in the second stanza. Senior McKoy Rodning forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Mike Boe. Junior running back Logan Reid then provided the payoff. He snapped off a 29-yard run for a touchdown. Webster’s kick was again good and the Wolverines waltzed into halftime with a 14-0 advantage.

Another big play defensively would all but seal the deal for Sibley East in the third quarter. Defensive back Tyler Pasvogel stepped in front of a GFW pass and returned it nearly 50 yards. Pasvogel, a junior, would then get the call on offense and he scampered into paydirt from five yards out. Webster would make it 3 for 3 on extra points and Sibley East found itself with a rare three touchdown lead over GFW.

“The interception and return by Pasvogel was a huge play,” Hartman said. “That kind of sealed up the game.”

GFW’s best scoring opportunity came late in the game but Sibley East kept the shutout intact. This marked the first time the Wolverines have shutout the T-Birds since the two teams renewed their rivalry in 2004. It was only the second time Sibley East has defeated GFW.

“It’s definitely nice to kick off the season with a win,” Hartman said. “We obviously played well defensively but we lacked a bit of consistency on offense.”

Rodning led all Sibley East defenders with ten tackles, six of which were solo. “He was all over the place,” coach Hartman said of Rodning. Pasvogel and Kyle Goetsch added eight tackles for the Wolverines. Other top tacklers included Isia Flores (7), Tanner Walsh (6) and Robert Harter (6).

Reid highlighted offensive action with 16 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown. Pasvogel and Herd rushed for 29 and 27 yards respectively.

Herd completed one of three passes. That was a ten yard completion to Flores.

“I thought Lucas did a great job of managing the game in his first start as quarterback,” coach Hartman said. “Our offensive line also came off the ball well and opened some huge holes.”

Sibley East, 1-0, will open Minnesota River Conference (MRC) play Friday at Norwood Young America. For a preview on that game, see story below.

NYA backfield will test Sibley East “D” this week

A shifty veteran running back and a second year starter at quarterback. That is what Sibley East’s footballers will face Friday when they travel to Norwood Young America for the start of Minnesota River Conference (MRC) play.

Sibley East coach Chuck Hartman said NYA is a fast team with one of the conference’s best tailbacks in Taz Siebert. The senior is an excellent back with great speed and agility, Hartman explained. Siebert started at running back for NYA as a freshman.

Hartman also said NYA will feature good offensive and defensive lines and “active” linebackers. And Raiders quarterback Neil Oftelie, a returning starter, is “pretty good too,” according to Hartman.

NYA opened its season with a win over Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.

Kickoff on Friday is set for 7:00 p.m.

Posting wins for the Wolverines were Morgan Setterman and the doubles team of Katie Glisczinski and Lindsay Fasching.

Setterman, a sophomore, played #2 singles for Sibley East. She defeated Jordan’s Kellie Schultz 6-4, 6-2.

“Morgan played a great match,” said Sibley East co-head coach Melissa Laumeyer. “She is really hitting the ball well and playing smart tennis.”

Laumeyer said the doubles team of Glisczinski and Fasching was “really quick at the net” in its win at #1 doubles. Glisczinski and Fasching defeated Jordan’s Alex Hancock and Justine Lloyd. A score from that match was not available.

Sibley East singles players suffering setbacks included Mackenzie Timm (6-0, 6-1) and Hannah Larson (6-0, 6-0).

The #4 singles match was knotted at one set apiece when it was stopped due to heavy rain. In that match, Sibley East’s Lauren Otto won a first set tie-breaker before dropping set two 6-1.

“It’s too bad is rained so hard at th end of the match because I really do believe Lauren could have earned the team another victory and a point,” Laumeyer said.

Falling in doubles action were the Sibley East teams of Mariah Schrupp/Breann Walsh and Allison Larson/April Thurn.

“We played a tough match against Jordan,” Laumeyer said. “I really do believe w could do well in the conference this year.”

Sibley East was scheduled to play at New Ulm on Friday. According to Laumeyer, New Ulm did not have the match on its schedule.

Next up for the Lady Wolverines is a match against perennial MRC power Le Sueur-Henderson on Thursday. That will be held in Arlington.

Sibley East’s match with Maple River, originally set for this Saturday, has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 16th.

Sibley East won games two, four and five. Scores from the match were 20-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-21 and 15-10.

According to Sibley East coach Chip Wolverton, the turning point in the match came towards the end of the fourth game. MVL led 13-8 in that set but the Wolverines would eventually trim the margin to 20-18. Sibley East then went on a six point run, a rally which would tie the match at two games apiece and eventually power the black and gold to victory.

Senior Kelsey Sunvold was at the serving line during the pivotal game four run by the Wolverines. Coach Wolverton also noted that some “key kills” by Hailey Becker and Jordan Thomes also sparked the rally.

Wolverton said Becker “hit the ball extremely well.” The senior scored kills on her last attacks of the match, including the final point of the night for the Wolverines.

“This was a very evenly played match, with lots of long rallies,” Wolverton said. “It was highlighted by some amazing digs, saves, and some great hitting.”

Wolverton said his team’s attacks were much more consistent than in the season opening game against Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop. He also noted that his Wolverines made far few hitting errors against an MVL team which “played a great defensive game blocking at the net, and digging.”

Senior outside hitter Shannon Bjorklund led all Wolverines on the night with 19 kills. She also contributed five digs for the winners.

It was a fine all-around effort for Becker. She finished the match with 15 kills and four solo blocks. Becker was also 16 of 17 from the service line with two aces.

Sunvold led all Sibley East players from the service stripe. She made good on all 20 serve attempts, three of which were good for aces.

Lauren Highland recorded a career high 47 set assists for Sibley East. The junior also contributed six kills.

Thomes and Makenzie Petzel smacked seven winning spikes apiece for Sibley East. Thomes, a sophomore, also had six digs and two ace serves.

Sibley East, 1-1, will open Minnesota River Conference (MRC) play Thursday, September 9th against Jordan. That match will be played in Gaylord.

The Lady Wolverines will then play in a tournament at Mankato West on Saturday, and at Mound Westonka on Monday, September 13th.

All roads for high school football fans in Sibley County will lead to Arlington on Friday. That is where Sibley East will host Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop to kickoff the 2010 prep football season. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

Sibley East enters this season with one of its biggest offensive lines in history. The Wolverine faithful are hoping this results in a solid rushing attack and a few more victories in the win column.

It was a standout running game that blitzed the Wolverines last year. Powered by backs Jay Rogotzke and Luke Neubarth, the GFW Thunderbirds galloped past Sibley East last season.

Rogotzke and Neubarth were both lost to graduation but Sibley East coach Chuck Hartman said GFW has enough players returning “to be dangerous.” Hartman expects to see a traditional GFW squad which wants to run the ball first.

Both teams got a taste of competition last week with scrimmages. Hartman’s squad faced St. Peter and LCWM on Saturday in St. Peter.

“It was a successful day,” Hartman said of the scrimmage. “We met our goals for the scrimmage and nobody got hurt. So it was a good day.”

As according to the script, Sibley East ran the ball and did so really well, Hartman explained. The squad also tackled well but Hartman said the scrimmage, like its supposed to, exposed some areas that need work.

Hartman said he is planning on a sharp week of practice and expects the squad to be “ready to go” come Friday night.

The 2010 version of the Wolverines is hoping to turn the tide on season opening game success. Sibley East has defeated GFW once since the two teams renewed their rivalry in 2004. That was a 20-16 victory in 2008, coach Hartman’s inaugural season.

SE Football Schedule
Sept 3. vs. GFW
Sept. 10 at Central-NYA
Sept. 17 vs. Le Sueur-Hend.
Sept. 24 at Mayer Luth.
Oct. 1 vs. Jordan (Homecoming)
Oct. 8 at Belle Plaine
Oct. 15 at Holy Family
Oct. 20 vs. Montgomery-Lonsdale

BOLD = Home Game
All Home games at Arlington
Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

Sibley East won game one 25-18 and game four 25-22. They would fall in the other three sets 25-13, 25-23 and 15-6.

According to Sibley East head coach Chip Wolverton, game three proved pivotal. The Lady Wolverines led 23-21 in that contest before GFW rattled off four straight points.

“It was a typical season opening game with both teams making their share of mistakes,” Wolverton said. “But I thought game three was the difference.”

Shannon Bjorklund led Sibley East with 16 kills while Makenzie Petzel and Hailey Becker smacked eight winning spikes apiece. Petzel also recorded three blocks for the black and gold.

Senior Val Kloeck had 13 digs to lead the Wolverines defensively. Bjorklund meanwhile chased down nine GFW attacks.

Lauren Highland, a junior, tossed up a team high 38 set assists for the Wolverines.

Sibley East will host Minnesota Valley Lutheran in Gaylord Thursday.

Sibley East’s top four players from a year ago were lost to graduation. There are but two seniors among the regulars for the Lady Wolverines so far in the 2010 campaign. The Wolverines also have a change in leadership. Rene Moriarty and Melissa Laumeyer will coach the varsity tennis team this season. They replace Chad Bachman who resigned in spring.

Sibley East opened its season last Tuesday in a four team match at Glencoe-Silver Lake. The Wolverines then played in the St. James doubles tournament Wednesday and in a triangular meet at Redwood Valley on Monday. Scores from those matches are listed below.

Sibley East will play at Jordan Thursday and at New Ulm on Friday. The Wolverines’ first home match is set for Tuesday, September 7th against Belle Plaine.

SE 0 Glencoe-S.L. 7

Singles
1.) Abby Ruschmeyer (GSL) def. Mackenzie Timm 6-2, 6-2;
2.) Jackie Stifter (GSL) def. Morgan Setterman 6-1, 6-0;
3.) Michela Boesche (GSL) def. Hannah Larson 7-5, 5-2;
4.) Kelly Arnold (GSL) def. Breann Walsh 6-2, 6-1;

Doubles
1.) Mary Arnold/Emily Tessmer (GSL) def. Katie Glisczinski 6-2, 6-1;
2.) Abby Becker/Mik Schoft (GSL) def. Lindsay Fasching/Mariah Schrupp 6-3, 6-1;
3.) Mandy Schlauderaff/Rachel Smith (GSL) def. April Thurn/Allison Larson 6-0, 6-2;

SE 2 Spring Lake Park 5

Singles
1.) Mackenzie Timm (SE) def. Christina Tran 4-6, 6-6 (7-5), 10-8;
2.) Morgan Setterman (SE) def. Paxton Aho 6-4, 2-6, 10-7;
3.) Kati Thunberg (SLP) def. Hannah Larson 6-2, 4-6, 10-8;
4.) Maddy Kelly (SLP) def. Breann Walsh 6-1, 6-2;

Doubles
1.) Hannah Klimek/Marish Wika (SLP) def. Katie Glisczinski/Lauren Otto 6-0, 6-4;
2.) Becca Dahlen/Kelly Stifter (SLP) def. Lindsay Fasching/Mariah Schrupp 6-3, 7-5;
3.) Emisy Booth/Carolyn Mak (SLP) def. April Thurn/Molly Kjellsvig 6-2, 6-0;

SE 1 Jordan 6

Singles
1.) Drew Decorsey (J) def. Mackenzie Timm 6-4, 6-0;
2.) Morgan Setterman (SE) def. Kellie Schultz 6-2, 6-2;
3.) Sami Ryan (J) def. Lauren Otto 6-2, 6-1;
4.) Erin Ehlers (J) def. Lindsay Fasching 7-5, 6-0;

Doubles
1.) Alex Hancock/Justine Lloyd (J) def. Katie Glisczinski/Hannah Larson 3-6, 7-5, 11-9;
2.) Victoria Read/Rachel Menke (J) def. Mariah Schrupp/Breann Walsh 6-2, 6-2;
3.) Paige Hess/Paige Moran (J) def. Allison Larson/April Thurn 6-3, 6-1;

SE 2 Luverne 6

1.) Mackenzie Timm/Morgan Setterman (SE) def. Hilary Prlagigisch/Cathryn Hartz 6-0, 4-6, 10-7;
2.) Hannah Baartman/Kaitlin Wohnontka (L) def. Katie Glisczinski/Hannah Larson 6-0, 6-0;
3.) Lauren Otto/Lindsay Fasching (SE) def. Erin Doherty/Erica Marshall 5-7, 6-3, 10-5;
4.) Alyssa Frakes/Emily Robinson (L) def. Mariah Schrupp/Breann Walsh 6-1, 6-1;
5.) Tressa Yluma/Erin Fick (L) def. April Thurn/Molly Kjellsvig 6-1, 6-1;
6.) Katie Eeten/Emilee Johnson (L) def. Irene Gonzalez/Kelsey Klaustermeier 6-0, 6-0;
7.) Morgan Sommers/Hailey Bulties (L) def. Megan Elseth/Ashley Mercier 6-0, 6-1;
8.) Mikell Kebig/Paige Adams (L) def. Stephanie S./Alicia Kranz 6-1, 6-0;

SE 2 Maple River 6

1.) Josie Walters/Michasa Hislop (MR) def. Mackenzie Timm/Morgan Setterman 6-0, 4-6, 10-8;
2.) Becca Hagen/Brittany Nase (MR) def. Katie Glisczinski/Hannah Larson 7-5 6-4;
3.) Lauren Otto/Lindsay Fasching (SE) def. Erin Hislop/Sam Bamniert 6-2, 6-0;
4.) Breann Walsh/Mariah Schrupp (SE) def. Brittany Grokrantz/Remy Ohlerich 6-1, 6-1;
5.) Sam Beto/Amanda Proehl (MR) def. April Thurn/Irene Gonzalez 6-1, 6-6 (7-2), 10-8;
6.) Hannah Proehl/Alison Groskrentz (MR) def. Molly Kjellsvig/Courtney Hanson 6-3, 6-1;
7.) Magen Langworth/Haley Schuk (MR) def. Kelsey Klastermeier/Megan Elseth 6-4, 6-1;
8.) Rachel Rigda/Ashley Cole (MR) def. Ashley Mercier/Stephanie Shimota 6-2, 6-1;

SE 0 St. James 8

1.) Paige Olson/Julia Rurger (SJ) def. Mackenzie Timm/Morgan Setterman 6-1, 6-1;
2.) Anya Ecktrom/McKenzie Gronewald (SJ) def. Katie Glisczinski/Hannah Larson 6-1, 6-0;
3.) Courtney Rushing/Sanra Hernandez (SJ) def. Lauren Otto/Lindsay Fasching 6-3, 6-3;
4.) Lorena Hernads/Monica Norby (SJ) def. Mariah Schrupp/Breann Walsh 6-0, 6-0;
5.) Megan Lahti/Sarah Dunham (SJ) def. April Thurn/Molly Kjellsvig 6-2, 6-0;
6.) Michela Nelson/Sonya Doll (SJ) def. Irene Gonzalez/Courtney Hanson 6-0, 6-0;
7.) Chelsea Nordhauen/Becca Eisblad (SJ) def. Kelsey Klastermeier/Steph Shimota 6-1, 6-1;
8.) Jenika Ratbel/Emma Peterson (SJ) def. Alicia Kranz/Marissa Traxler 6-0, 6-0;

SE 0 Redwood Valley 7

Singles
1.) Kathleen Perry (RV) def. Mackenzie Timm 6-3, 6-3;
2.) Katie Ellingsworth (RV) def. Morgan Setterman 6-3, 6-1;
3.) Abby Schmidt (RV) def. Hannah Larson 7-5, 6-4, 10-6;
4.) Sophie Humbert (RV) def. Breann Walsh 6-4, 6-3;

Doubles
1.) Morgan Tholkes/Tiffany Roddatz (RV) def. Katie Glisczinski/Lauren Otto 6-3, 6-2;
2.) Julie Anderson/Callie Hanson (RV) def. Lindsay Fasching/April Thurn 6-3, 6-1;
3.) Alex Erie/Brooke May (RV) def. Allison Larson/Molly Kjellsvig 6-1, 6-2;

SE 0 Lac qui Parle 7

Singles
1.) Karly Weir (LPV) def. Mackenzie Timm 6-0, 6-0;
2.) Colleen Morke (LPV) def. Morgan Setterman 6-1, 6-1;
3.) Kelle Thompson (LPV) def. Lauren Otto 6-1, 6-2;
4.) Lindsay Hanson (LPV) def. Breann Walsh 6-2, 6-0;

Doubles
1.) Jordyn Kalthoff/Danielle Buehmen (LPV) def. Katie Glisczinski/Hannah Larson 6-3, 6-4;
2.) Jessica Eliason/Marina Risch (LPV) def. Lindsay Fasching/April Thurn 7-5, 6-1;
3.) Michelle Olson/Dalla Bueberg (LPV) def. Allison Larson/Molly Kjellsvig 6-3, 6-0;

Dave Main fired a net 30 to earn individual honors while Sheldon Goetsch and Harold Jackson netted scores of 31 and 32 respectively.

Team honors went to Goetsch and his partner Tom Homme. They combined for a net 66, three shots better than two other teams.

The second half of the Senior League was won by Mark Berdan and Gary Schneider. They will face first half winners Doug Hanson and Ron Zachow this week to decide a league champ.

Playoffs will also be held in WGC’s three other leagues. Regular season champions in those divisions included Bob Wise/Tom Brethorst, Wayne Stolt/Wint Jones, and Lyle Bode/Gary Zimmerman.

Senior League
Berdan/Schneider – 28
Adema/Jones – 27
Zachow/Hanson – 23
Jackson/Slater – 22
Zimmerman/Bode – 19
Main/Anderson – 18
Haugan/Hinz – 17
Homme/Goetsch – 15
Keske/Bieraugel – 14
Sneltjes/Murray – 13
Pinske/Schow – 12
Schrupp/Greve – 7
Heuchert/Muth – 6
Geiger/Leisenfeld – 6

Driver’s League
Wise/Brethorst – 40
Thorson/Bode – 38
Johnson/Brigger – 36
Volk/Gleisner – 36
Koepp/Koepp – 32
Wilhelm/Rubendall – 27
Hagberg/Wilhelm – 24
Polzin/Runke – 21
Kranz/Williams – 20

Pitcher’s League
Stolt/Jones – 46
Dallmann/Dallmann – 43
Olson/Hendrycks – 33
Hubly/Vonderhaar – 31
Zachow/Heuchert – 27
Abrahamson/Kuester – 27
Schneider/Rolloff – 25
Sallstrom/Jasinski – 19
Wood/Moe – 16

Chipper’s League
Bode/Zimmerman – 48
Muchow/Kokesch – 42
Epke/Hegler – 40
Miller/Briard – 35
Gieseke/Gieseke – 16
Harris/Retka – 13
Murray/Lutterman – 12

Johnson captured his sixth Winthrop club championship trophy by nipping Tim Schulz, another WGC member who has won multiple titles.

Going into the final nine holes, Johnson and Schulz were tied while Brett Wilhelm was a stroke back. Johnson finished with a 40 and a 36 hole total of 155.

Wilhelm finished third at 161, one stroke better than Tom Wilhelm. Steve Harter of Gaylord tied for fifth with an 18-hole total of 165.

Raphael Miller was the top finisher among Gaylord golfers. He placed second in the Third Flight with an 18-hole score of 99.

Arlington golfer Rick Koepp won the President’s Flight with an 82. Other flight winners included Lorie Wood and Wint Jones.

Brett Wilhelm carded the tournament’s low score. He fired a one-under par 35 in his second round of the tournament.

Championship Flight
Ron Johnson – 155
Tim Schulz – 156
Brett Wilhelm – 161
Tom Wilhelm – 162
Steve Harter – 165
Tyler Polzin – 165
Bryan Koepp – 165
Tom Brethorst – 170
Josh Wurtzberger – 171

President’s Flight
Rick Koepp – 82
Jeramiah Williams – 89
Dale Polzin – 90
Bob Runke – 93

First Flight
Lorie Wood – 92
Paul Moe – 94
LeRoy Olson – 95
Sam Bode – 96
Darrell Abrahamson – 98
Jeff Volk – 106

Second Flight
Wint Jones – 86
Bruce Hendrycks – 92
Ed Hubly – 93
Gary Schneider – 100
Kevin Sallstrom – 100
Doug Holberg – 102
Nick Wood – 105

Third Flight
Brad Kizer – 96
Raphael Miller – 99
Mike Deopere – 100
James Espinosa – 103
Gary Zimmerman – 104
Elmer Epke – 106

Eight letterwinners return for Chip Wolverton’s Sibley East squad. Headlining the list of returning letterwinners are tri-captains and seniors Val Kloeckl, Shannon Bjorklund and Hailey Becker. Other returning letterwinners include: seniors Katie Bauer, Kelsey Sunvold and Paige Swenson; juniors Lauren Highland and Mackenzie Petzel.

“We’ve got a good group of girls returning, many of whom started for us at some point last season,” Wolverton said.

Wolverton said the trademarks of the Sibley East squad this season will again be defense, passing and serving.

Kloeckl will lead the defensive charge as she returns as Sibley East’s career dig leader. According to Wolverton, Kloeckl is on pace to reach 1,000 digs by the end of the 2010 campaign.

Someone will have to step up in the setting department, Wolverton explained. For the first time in a few seasons, Sibley East is without the services of Erin Evans who graduated as the school’s all-time leading setter.

After a week of conditioning drills, the Lady Wolverines got a taste of competition Friday in a scrimmage at Nicollet. They participated in a six team scrimmage this week.

Nearly 60 girls, in grades 7-12, have been participating in preseason drills. Aside from the returning letterwinners, the preseason rosters include:

Juniors – Sarah Tessmer, Whitney LeGare, Breanna Rau, Nicole Doering, Melissa Frey, Jenna White;

Sophomores – Courtney Schwirtz, Jordan Thomes, Brianna Montanye, Sara Borchert, Erin Mesker, Emily Kloeckl, Samantha Lane, Katherine Templin;

Ninth-graders – Megan Eckberg, Ashley Weber, Courtney Hildebrandt, Andi Geib, Sarah Shimota, Anna Woehler, Melissa Otto, Kim Kurtzweg, Jessica Garza, Libby Densmore;

Eighth-graders – Kelli Martens, Autumn Dose, Liz Thies, Shelby Voight, Karley Lind, Taylor Pfarr, Mikayla Perschau, Paige Nelson, Jordyn Polzin, Sophia Thoele;

Seventh-graders – Mckayla Stumm, Amber Frauendienst, Tabitha Wood, Kali Messner, Anna Ryan, Megan Krentz, Kaitlyn Tuchtenhagen, Sydney Fogarty Busch, Ashley Grack, Kaitlyn Bessel, Alyssa Weber, Natalie Mesker, Rachel Sorenson, Julia Schwartz, Cloey Anderson, Maddie Kjellesvig, Kailey Geib, Kayla Charter, Rachael Kamps.

Coach Wolverton will be assisted by Carrie Pioske. Other coaches in the volleyball program include Steph Schultz, Michelle Brueske and Sheila Knacke.

Chuck Hartman, who is in his third year as head coach of the Wolverines, said one of the team’s strengths this season should be running the football. That will be done behind a “big line” which averages at least 250-pounds, according to Hartman.

Sibley East’s front five linemen were regulars a season ago. Headlining the list are seniors Teddy DuFrane and Ali Pedraza who received all-conference honorable mention in 2009. Seniors Orlando Castillo and Ben Melsha, and junior Dalton Webster are the other top linemen returning for the Wolverines this season.

Hartman said the 2010 version of the Wolverines will also have depth in the backfield. Lucas Herd, who played wide receiver last season, is expected to be the starting quarterback. The running back group will feature Tyler Pasvogel, Michael Bullert, Logan Reid and Lucas Schwope. McKoy Rodning, another returning starter, will play tight end for the Wolverines.

Sibley East’s offense in recent years has been highlighted by big passing plays but Hartman said the 2009 squad did rush for nearly 2,000 yards.

“We will need to concentrate on running the ball even more this year,” Hartman said. “There was improvement in the ground game last year but our passing is what bailed us out at times. This year we are going to need to be consistent in the ground game to be successful.”

DuFrane, Rodning, Castillo and Herd are the captains this season. They are among 18 returning letterwinners on the team. Others include: seniors Nick Thies, Pedraza, Melsha, Robert Harter, Isia Flores, Mike Boe and Bullert; juniors Webster, Schwope, Tanner Walsh, Pasvogel, Reid, Caleb Ling and Kyle Goetsch.

More than 60 players in grades 9-12 have been running through preseason drills in Arlington. The crew includes:

Senior – Ignacio Gonzalez;

Juniors – Devin Salinas, Brandon Voigt, Ed Reichenbach, Mads Aeroe, Darin Peterson, Robert Jackels, Brandon Traxler;

Sophomores – Cody Swenson, Levi Salinas, Clay Mogard, Aaron Bates, Nathan Thomes, Nolan Osborne, Devin Mahon, Dylan Lieske, Tyler Kratzke, Logan Highland, Jordan Herd, Michael Henderson, Steven Haefs, Andrew Grack, Austin Frauendienst, Ethan Effertz, Miah DuFrane, Shayne Danielson, Zach Bostelman, Alex Battcher, Tyler Bates, Brandon Ashton;

Freshmen – Aaron Luskey, Aaron Kapke, Beau Swenson, Zach Walker, Santos Verdinez, Mitchell Heibel, Tyler Klehr, Nathan Rose, Kody Klopfleisch, Ben White, Kaleb Stoeckman, Darian Schulte, Austin Sadler, Brody Rodning, Alex Pedraza, Nick Haupt, Erik Danielson, Tristan Podratz, Cordell Bates, Sam Bullert;

After a week of conditioning, the Wolverines began full contact on Monday. They will travel to St. Peter on Saturday to scrimmage the Saints and Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial.

“Practice is going well, kids are working hard, and enthusiasm is high,” Hartman said. “We have some great senior leadership this year and a good, tight bunch that enjoys being on the football field.”

Sibley East will open its 2010 campaign by hosting Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop on Friday, September 3rd. The Wolverines fell to GFW 50-21 a year ago and finished the season with a 2-7 record.