Frazee geared to run the ball in 2009

With a load of last year’s seniors taking a bulk of the 2008 minutes along with them, the Frazee football team is looking to make a repeat crescendo towards the end of the season.

The Hornets broke in several younger players during the 2008 season and proceeded to go on a five-game winning streak to cap the schedule.

There could be similar steps taken this year, said Frazee head coach Jim Rader.

“By the end of the season, we are hoping our younger players are going to be solid and we’ll work the kinks out,” Rader said. “That happened by the end of the third game, when we went on that five-game winning streak.”

The rushing game for the Hornets will benefit from their two most-experienced players in three-year center Clint Johnson (5-8, 194) and running back Matt Viste (5-9, 165).

“Clint is just a solid vet and Viste is a top 15 running back in the conference, which is pretty good for us,” Rader said. “(Viste) is one of the shiftiest backs I have seen.”

Senior Dylan Stender (6-0, 155) also returns after a year at quarterback and will provide Frazee with a staunch aerial attack after he had the second-most TD passes in the conference.

“He takes good care of the ball,” the Frazee coach said of his quarterback.

Rushing between the tackles will be junior fullback Mike Moltzan (5-9, 194), who finished as a top 10 rusher in the conference.

“He’s a bruising fullback, but he also is fast in the open field,” Rader added about Moltzan.

There will be several two-way starters on the lines, with senior Cody Richter (5-11, 209) providing the offensive line with good feet and strong work ethic.

But with four of the five starting offensive linemen gone, there will be a lot of grooming to be done throughout the season on the front lines.

Junior Nate Sandberg (6-1, 195) will be a contributor on the line after working hard in the weight room over the offseason.

“We should be alright on the line and have four other guys competing hard for the rest of the positions,” Rader said. “We’ll basically have eight new people on offense this year.”

Speed will be added on the outside by wide receiver Forrest Jackson, who will be a two-year starter at the position.

“Forrest and three other guys are also competing for the punt and kick returning duties,” Rader said. “They all provide good speed and explosiveness.”

Richter and Sandberg are back on the defensive line, while Moltzan will anchor the defense at middle linebacker.

There is some strong competition going on in the secondary, with up to six Hornets vying for playing time.

“Of those six, all have good speed,” Rader said of his secondary battles. “The defense is starting to play with aggression and they are learning well. The key is reacting to the football well, which can result in some turnovers.”

With state-ranked Hawley residing in each of Frazee’s conference and section, both will be hard.

“You are not just looking at Hawley as being the favorite in both, but how far they can go altogether,” Rader said. “But we would like to finish in the top three in the conference and gain a home playoff game.”

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