K-W has six starters returning on both sides of the ball. Nine of his starters will be seniors.
2002 KNIGHTS
Head coach: Randy Hockinson, third year.
Assistants: Matt Nelson, Paul Kincaid, Paul Senjem.
Last year's record (overall/conference): 0-9, 0-5.
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RETURNING KEY PLAYERS
Seniors
Backs: Allen Froyum, Brian Christenson, Bucky Rapp. Receiver: Kirby VanDeWalker. Linemen: Nick Hanson.
Juniors
Lineman: Luke Yunker.
PINE ISLAND
Shane Strong has gone from one program hit by lean times to another.
Strong lifted Houston from an 0-8 record in 2000 to 5-5 overall last year, his first season as the Hurricanes' head man. Now he'll try to pull off something similar at Pine Island, where he takes the place of longtime Panthers coach Dean Krambeer. Krambeer worked 32 years as either an assistant or head coach at Pine Island. The Panthers finished 2-7 last year.
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Strong took the Pine Island job after being offered just a part-time teaching position at Houston.
The Panthers will be running a misdirection offense under Strong, who is guiding an undersized team.
2002 PANTHERS
Head coach: Shane Strong, first year.
Assistants: Don McPhail, Joe Ohm, Jim Huston, John Stapleton.
Last year's record (overall/conference): 2-7, 2-3.
RETURNING KEY PLAYERS
Seniors
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Back: Jake Tewait. Receiver: Trevor White. Linemen: Brad Swanson, Brian Breidall.
Juniors
Backs: Tyler Robertson, Abel Kleinschmidt.
TRITON
Cobras coach Don Henderon is not ready to commit when it comes to assessing his team.
Triton had a slightly down year last season -- at least by its standards -- finishing 6-4 overall, yet still good enough at 4-1 to tie for the Gold Division HVL title.
Henderson is sure of one thing when it comes to this team. They've got the right attitude.
There are a number of positions that Henderson hasn't settled on yet. That includes quarterback, where three or four players are vying for the job.
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Henderson was pleased with the defense his team played to conclude last year. He wants more of that, though he is likely going to have to get it from some inexperienced players. He has almost twice as many juniors as seniors out for the team. But there are certainly some seniors he will lean on heavily. They include captains Adam Schmoll (running back/linebacker), Jamin Eggert (running back/defensive back) and Jed Deno (tight end/defensive end).
2002 COBRAS
Head coach: Don Henderson, 13th year.
Assistants: Craig Schlichting, Bruce Huber, Dennis Midthun, Jason Boe.
Last year's record (overall/conference): 6-5, 4-1.
RETURNING KEY PLAYERS
Seniors
Backs: Adam Schmoll, Jamin Eggert. Receiver: Jed Deno.
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WINONA COTTER
Continued from Page 22
If the trend continues, look out for Winona Cotter.
Pat Bowlin's first year as head coach of the Ramblers was winless. Then they won three games, then last year four as well as tying for the HVL Gold Division title.
While line play was Cotter's strength last year, it is at the skill positions that it should excel this season. Matt DeMarais, a senior, is one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. He threw for 1,200 yards last season and is an extremely accurate passer, and Bowlin loves his football smarts.
DeMarais' top two receivers are back. Stephen Deter led the team in receiving yardage and touchdowns; Ladd Gorman led in total catches.
Deter is the team's top defensive player. At defensive end he led the team in sacks with six a year ago.
2002 RAMBLERS
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Head coach: Pat Bowlin, fourth year.
Assistants: Randy Lisowski, Chris Cichosz, Matt Walch, Mike O'Brien, Mat O'Brien, Nick Darnick, Scott Werlaf.
Last year's record (overall/conference): 4-5, 4-1.
RETURNING KEY PLAYERS
Seniors
Backs: Matt DeMarais, Bryan Wanek, Pat Leaf. Receivers: Stephen Deter, Ladd Gorman. Lineman: Deter.
Junior
Back: Kyle Erickson.
