by ndfan » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:25 am
From Grand Forks Herald
A look back at 2005
Cavalier continued to dominate after a classification switch. The Tornadoes, after three straight unbeaten, state championship seasons in Class AA, won the Region 2A title with an 8-0 regular season. The Tornadoes' bid for a fourth straight state title came up one win short, however, as Velva-Sawyer topped the Tornadoes 33-12 behind Tommy Weidler, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another. Cavalier's Matt Anderson was named Class A senior player of the year. Park River, Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg and Larimore also were playoff qualifiers from the region. Larimore reached the semifinals before falling 29-14 to Cavalier.
A look ahead to 2006
Herald rankings (based on coaches' poll): 1. Larimore; 2. Cavalier; 3. Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg; 4. (tie) Park River and Thompson; 6. Northern Cass; 7. Griggs Co. Central/Finley-Sharon.
The reasons: The top teams all have proven quarterbacks. Larimore graduated its powerful backfield of Brandon Heider and Brandon Baumbach (a pair of all-state defensive players, as well). But the team has big-play potential with Sam Hager (93-of-197 passing, 1,264 yards) throwing to a receiving corps headed by Danny Ferdon (35 catches, 598 yards). Tim Schempp, a fourth-year regular, anchors a veteran line. The Polar Bears are inexperienced at running back. Cavalier has a rich tradition. But the Tornadoes were hit hard by graduation and transfer losses. New head coach Rod Mack has experience in the backfield with quarterback Karsen Yelle (55-of-96 passing for 905 yards) and running backs Mitch Ford (617 rushing yards) and Chris Lawonn (376 yards) returning, but he must rebuild his lines. Two-time all-region quarterback Luke Lorenz (59-of-133 passing, 854 yards) returns to run the Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg offense, and he'll be working behind a veteran line, anchored by Troy Dale and Ross Thykeson. The Patriots have seven returning defensive regulars.
Returning all-region players: Mitch Ford, Cavalier; Luke Lorenz, Mayville-Portland-C-G; Sam Hager, Larimore; Josh Hegg, Thompson.
Matt Houdek. @ndfan55