PAGE 20 n FALL SPORTS 2015 PRESS & DAKOTAN n PLAIN TALK Cougars LB Ready To Pounce On D-1 Foes Kalkowski Drawing Division I Interest BY BEN HEGGE sports@yankton.net Cade Kalkowski is a force to reckon with in Nebraska Class D-1 football. The Niobrara-Verdigre linebacker is ready for his senior season with hopes of leading the Cougars to a successful season. In 2104, the Cougars suffered from injures while finishing with a 2-6 record and missing the playoffs. However, Niobrara-Verdigre will return much of last year’s team with a playoff berth in mind. Kalkowski took advantage of his time this off-season to prepare for the upcoming year. “Cade worked his tail off all summer long and it definitely paid off for him,” said Cougar head coach Doug Konopasek. “He is poised for a breakout year.” At the end of last season Kalkowski weighed around 235 pounds, but with a summer of hard work, he has added around 15 pounds of muscle. “I tried a new strength program this summer and really worked hard at it,” said Kalkowski. “I focused on bulking up without losing my Cade Kalkowski (48) • Niobrara-Verdigre speed or quickness.” While seeing double teams on nearly every play, Kalkowski still finished last season with 108 tackles. A stronger Kalkowski will make blocking him that much harder. “He is a really strong kid that plays the game with a lot of heart,” said Konopasek. “He can be a real gamechanger.” Kalkowski’s main focus this pre-season? Getting healthy. After suffering a minor knee injury while working in the fields of his family’s farm, Cade hopes to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 4. “I’ll be ready,” said a reassuring Kalkowski. While being one of the most powerful forces in the state on defense, Kalkowski also proves to be a versatile offensive player. He has seen time at various offensive line positions FS); D.J. Spahr (Jr., 5-11, 155, WR/CB); Garrett Taylor (SO., 5-10, 135, FB/OLB); Mason Forsberg (Jr., 6-3, 175, TE/FS); FROM PAGE 19 Malik Knox (Sr., 5-10, 185, RB/ FS); Garrett Long (Jr., 5-8, 250, yards), Austin Creamer (Jr., G/NG); Nolan Casey (Sr., 5-8, 5-11, 160, RB/LB, 18 rushes, 200, T/DT); Zach Hauptmann 70 yards), Easton Joachimson (Sr., 5-10, 255, C/NG); Zach Di(Jr., 6-2, 180, WR/S, 1 catch, etrich (So., 5-10, 200, G/DT); 9 yards), Quinn Paulson Eric Surber (Sr., 5-10, 190, G/ (So., 5-8, 215, G/DT), Capp DE); Trey Erwin (Jr., 5-10, 115, Bengston (Jr., 5-10, 170, FB/ WR/CB); Ben Lammers (Jr., LB/K), Casey Lammers (Jr., 5-10, 250, T/DT) 5-9, 170, FB/B), Bryce LamNEWCOMERS: Dominic mers (Sr., 6-1, 175, FB/LB) Anderson (Sr., 5-11, 190, FB/ MLB); Aaron Gothier (Sr., 5-9, 145, FB/OLB); Billy Barelman (Sr., 6-2, 200, T/DE); Charlie Stanley (So., 5-11, 140, FB/ OLB); Lucas Heydon (Sr., COACH: Jordan Taylor 5-11, 170, T/DE) (2nd year, 0-9) VITALS: Class C2 RETURNING: Cody Wilson (Jr., 5-8, 155, WR/CB); Dillan COACH: Doug Konopasek Wolfgram (Sr., 6-1, 185, QB/ (39th year, 169-107) VITALS: Class D1 LAST YEAR: The Cougars went 2-6 and graduated four starters. RETURNING: Cade Kalkowski (Sr., 6-4, L, All-State LB, 111 tackles), Kobe Keo (So., 5-8, C), Jacob Tuttle (Jr., 6-1, E), Kevin Rudloff (Jr., 5-8, B), Dakota Crosley (So., 5-9, L), Clay Konopasek (Jr., 5-8, B), Schyler Forman (Sr., 6-0, QB), Ben Johnson (Sr., 6-0, B), Greg Rudloff (Sr., 5-9, B), Jace Fritz (Jr., 5-10, L), Nate Sandoz (Jr., 6-1, E), Matt Mozak (So., 5-9, B), Thomas Stark (Sr., 5-10, L), Garrett Babcock (Sr., 5-11, L), Cole Kopetjka (Sr., 6-0, L) Neb. FB Laurel-ConcordColeridge Niobrara-Verdigre and even fullback. Cougars coach Doug Konopasek said “that this year Cade will be playing tight end.” Kalkowski not only plays an important role on the field, but off the field with his leadership skills. “All of us seniors really take pride in being strong leaders,” said Kalkowski. “We try to act as role-models for the underclassmen and help them out as much as possible.” Kalkowski is making the most of his leadership role while nursing his knee injury. “He is always talking to the younger guys, helping them and showing them what to do,” said Coach Konopasek. “It is almost like having another coach on the practice field sometimes.” With potential interest from colleges such as South Dakota State and The University of Wyoming, Kalkowski is still undecided on future years. He and his teammates have one thing on their mind. “We want to make the playoffs. It’s Coach Konopasek’s last year, and it would be pretty special to send him out with a bang.” Kalkowski and the rest of the Niobrara-Verdigre Cougars open up their season on Sept. 4 at home against Bloomfield. Follow @bigheadbenny13 on Twitter Ponca COACH: Troy Evans ASSISTANTS: John Stroud, Pat Korth, Ryan Olander VITALS: Class C2 LAST YEAR: Ponca finished the season with a record of 4-5. Randolph COACH: Mark Lech ASSISTANTS: Jim Hixon, Ted Stubbs, Layne Sievers, Tom Shafer, Colin Schuman VITALS: Class D2, District 5 LAST YEAR: Randolph went 7-3 and lost in the second round of the playoffs. RETURNING: Grant Brussen (Sr., 6-0, LB); Landon Anderson (Sr., 6-4, WR); Denton Kuhl (Sr., 6-0, DE); Conner Bloomquist (Sr., 6-0, CB); Mason Stubbs (Jr., 6-0, QB); Drew Boberg (Jr., 5-10, RB); Logan Northues (Jr., 6-3, TE) NEWCOMER: Bradley Korth (Jr., 5-11, RB) Santee COACH: Ken Hajek (4th year) VITALS: 6-Man LAST YEAR: The Warriors went 1-7 on the season. RETURNING: Damon Pojar-Henry (Sr., FB/LB, returning starter); Brandon Whipple (Jr., C/T); Tate Ferguson (So., E/E); Jaylon LaPlante (Sr., G/T, returning starter); Brady Pike (Jr., B/B); Thomas Macias (Jr., E/B, HM all-state) Tanner Keiser • Hartington Cedar Catholic McGwire Mackeprang (61) • Bloomfield Wausa COACH: Chip Bartos (1st year) ASSISTANTS: Adrian Alonzo, Greg Conn, Caleb Kluender VITALS: Class D2 LAST YEAR: The Vikings went 0-8 on the season. Four starters are gone from that squad, including all-state honorable mention Jordan Burns. Austin Hegge, Nick Story and Christian Wilken also graduated. RETURNING: Aiden Kleinschmit (Sr., 5-10, QB, HM all-district); Ryan Kumm (Sr., 5-11, WR, HM all-district); Austin Gillilan (Sr., 5-10, C); Brice Barney (Sr., 5-8, G); Luc Bloomquist (Jr., 5-10, G); Kolton Alexander (Sr., 5-8, DE); Eli Rosberg (Sr., 6-2, DE); Travis Gillilan (Sr., 5-10, WR); Gaige Hegge (Jr., 5-10, FB); John Rosberg (So., 5-7, RB); Alex Kleinschmit (So., 5-6, FS) NEWCOMERS: Tyson Kaiser (Fr., 5-6, RB); Drew Munter (Fr., 5-9, QB); Ghatlin Hegge (Fr., 5-9, LB); Tom Lundberg (So., 6-3, G) Pinkelman VITALS: Class D2, District 1 LAST YEAR: The Blue Devils went 6-3, falling to Chambers-Wheeler Central in the opening round of the playoffs. Four starters are gone from that team: Kyle Boeckman (147 tackles), Thane Goetz (31 tackles), Tristin Wieseler (65 tackles) and George Hite (80 tackles). RETURNING: Cody Stratman (Sr., 5-7, RB/S; alldistrict; 190-1,984 rushing, 30 TD); Jalen Wieseler (Jr., 5-6, QB/LB, 57-132 passing, 710 yards, 7 TD); Dawson Sudbeck (Jr., 5-6, WR/DB; 17197 receiving, 2 TD); Austin Lange (Sr., 6-2, C/DT) NEWCOMERS: Trevor Gartner (Sr., 5-7, WR); Justin Lange (So., 5-8, RB) Wynot COACH: Steve Heimes (30-19) ASSISTANTS: Steve Wieseler, Ryan Boeckman, Todd Cody Stratman (23) • Wynot Train for Peak Performance Taking registrations for performance programs now! Avera Sports and Coach Rozy now offer performance training programs for athletes ages 10+. Our performance programs use proven skill-building techniques to boost athletes of all ages to perform their best. • Year-round athletic performance enhancement programs Register today at 605-668-8357. • Fitness and performance programs available for youth and adults 15-ASHH-5261 • Pre-season, in-season and off-season training