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Mosports.com Class 6 Pre-Season Power Poll
#4 DeSmet Spartans
(2011 record,
9-3)
A look ahead:
The Spartans finished 9-3 a season ago and must replace talented Durron Neal
who departed for the University of Oklahoma however the cupboard is far from
bare at DeSmet.
"We have an experienced team with plenty of talent that must fill their
potential and bond together as a team to reach their ultimate goal",
commented head coach Pat Mahoney.
The Spartan offense returns eight starters including senior quarterback
Connor Harrison(6-1 180) who passed for 2,119 yards and 26
touchdowns a season ago. Harrison will have plenty of protection from
a veteran line that includes junior
Andy Bauer(6-5 300), junior Mitch Palmer(6-4
280), and senior Nick Wunderli(6-4 300) a pair of top
recruits.
Junior Latif Adams(5-9 180) returns at running back after
leading the Spartans in rushing with nearly 800 yards and 7 touchdowns a
season ago. Senior tightend
Lucas Nickolaisen(6-5 215) provides Harrison with a
solid receiving threat. Senior Alex Bausch(6-6 200) is poised to have a huge
season connecting with Harrison, he's recruiting stock continues to rise.
The defense was solid a season ago and with 8 returning starters it will
again be a key component to Spartan success. We must execute and play
physically tough as our schedule is just that physically tough", added
Mahoney.
Senior defensive end
Donnie White(6-3 215) led the team with 6 sacks a season ago
and excels in just the physical style of football Mahoney likes. White
holds offers from nearly a dozen Division I programs. Fellow senior
defensive end Jake Gruensfelder(6-2 215) returns as one of
the tackling leaders, he added 3 sacks.
Other key returning Spartans include junior Dedrick Cromartie(6-1 200),
junior defensive back Darian Harris(6-1 280), as well as junior Thayer
Weaver(6-0 175), Jack Barry(6-1 175), and senior Joe Bruning(6-0 175) also
in the defensive backfield.
The Spartans will again battle with CBC and SLUH for the Metro crown, a deep
playoff run is again in the plans.