by TheSportTruth » Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:34 am
In having missed only two home games for the Demons in the last thirteen years, I have seen plenty of Demon teams in recent years.
The 2001 edition of the Demons was a very well rounded team that won the championship that year. They had two tough backs that year in Elliot Piper and Derek Kinnischtzke, a young sophomore receiver named Weston Dressler with a second year QB Salweai throwing to him. The line was very good as it was anchored by Greg Eslinger who went on to star at Minnesota and play some NFL. A very well rounded team they were.
The 2003 edition was Weston Dresslers senior year and they as a team put up some crazy offensive numbers that year, most of them by Mr. Dressler himself. The Defense was solid, but their achilles heal was their inablity to throw the ball that year. West Fargo beat them in the championship that year by concentrating on Dressler and daring the Demons to pass. One of my favorite teams to watch over the years just because Weston was amazing to watch.
The 2008 and 2009 editions of the Demons were the the Thorton and Jake Miller years. In my opinion, easily the most balanced team the Demons have had over the years. They could pass with Thorton and run with Miller all behind a well coached offensive line. Add to that a defensive that was pretty solid makes this team, especially the 2009 edition, very good. One of the best!!
The 2011 edition was good, but the more mature version, 2012, is much better. IF they win the title this year, and I think we all assume they will, this team and the 2009 team would be my choices for the best recent history Demon team. This years Demon is very well rounded as they run the ball extremely well behind another well coached offensive line. This team can pass when they need too, to keep opposing teams honest in their defense against the Demons. The defense is lights out the best defense the Demons have EVER put on the field. They are so fast and so aggressive. Opposing teams have one TD scored against the starters and that required a broken play and a bad call to get them to a first and goal. This team in a word has been dominating.
I would love to see the 2009 team play this years 2012 edition. Could this years defense stop the Thorton/Miller led offense? Could this years offense led by Layne Johs score enough against the 2009 defense?
If the 2012 Demons win in dominating fashion, I might have to give the nod to the 2012 edition as the best recent Demon team with the defense being the tipping point for me.
Shawn Sanford
Demon fan since 1982