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2008 Football Season Preview: Experienced defense leads Muskies into inaugural NAC season

The Lakeland College football team enters 2008 in a new conference littered with fresh, unfamiliar foes. Expectations, however, remain the same.

Second-year head coach Kevin Doherty leads the Muskies into the debut season of football in the Northern Athletics Conference, one season after capturing a share of the Illini-Badger Football Conference title with Concordia (Wis.) by posting a 6-1 league record and finishing 6-4 overall. The championship marked the third time in the past four seasons that Lakeland won the IBFC title.

The Muskies, projected to finish second in the 2008 NAC preseason coaches' poll, return 11 all-conference honorees from a year ago and expect to retain their place atop the league standings.

Offense

The Lakeland offense, which returns just five of 11 starters from a year ago, will be young, but there are plenty of reasons to believe there will be little drop-off in production from a team that led the IBFC in points per game last season.

The biggest question mark will be at quarterback, where senior co-captain Billy Hughes (Brooksville, Fla.) looks to take the reins following the graduation of Brad Wilk, a second-team all-conference performer as a senior in 2007. Hughes, an all-conference punter, has shown flashes of potential during the preseason, which hasn't gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

"Billy has looked pretty good so far in camp and has really improved as a quarterback," Doherty said. "His throwing motion has improved, he is throwing a better ball and his arm strength, on the whole, looks to have increased significantly."

Sophomore Jake Dworak (Denmark) and freshman Zach Willey (Oconomowoc) will back Hughes up.

A pair of underclassmen will handle the majority of duties at running back for the Muskies. Ben Lombardi (Whitewater) appeared in nine games at tailback in 2007, netting 276 yards on the ground for an average of 4.3 yards per carry.

"Ben is a very capable player," Doherty said. "He has excellent perimeter speed and has gotten stronger in the off-season."

Freshman Jeremy Williams (Zion, Ill.), who impressed coaches at camp in 2007 before going down with a season-ending collarbone injury, gets the nod at the other tailback position. Doherty loves Williams' vision out of the backfield.

Freshman Ben Duenas has tremendous upside and will also get a look at the position.

At fullback, senior Brent Woodruff, an honorable mention All-IBFC selection from a year ago, will see the majority of snaps to begin the season. A Logansport, Ind., native, Woodruff averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 14 passes for 125 yards and a score in 2007.

"Brent catches the ball very well out of the backfield so he has some talent as a receiver," Doherty said. "As a runner, he is very good at pushing his momentum ahead and falling forward."

Junior Blaine Hornes (Neenah), who attended Lakeland, transferred to UW-Oshkosh and has returned to Lakeland, is also a skilled receiver and will see time at fullback.

Despite the loss of MacArthur White, who graduated as Lakeland's all-time leading receiver, the wide receiver appears to be one of the deepest positions on the team.

Senior co-captain Matt Pawlyk returns as a first-team all-conference selection from 2007. Pawlyk, a native of Marinette, was the Muskies' second-leading receiver with 360 yards and five touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Pawlyk will use his size and underrated speed to break down opposing secondaries.

"Matt is a go-to guy for us, a big target who has deceivingly good speed," Doherty said. "He is one of our best players, not just on offense, but on the team as well."

Junior Jake Heinemeyer (Shiocton), another co-captain, was second on the team in receiving yards and was a huge threat in the punt return game. A second-team All-IBFC honoree, the coaches believe Heinemeyer could play three or more positions due to his superior athleticism and energy.

"Jake is probably the top athlete not only on the football team, but at the entire school," Doherty said. "He is very polished and can be a major force on the offensive side of the ball as well as special teams."

Senior Paul Smith (Manitowoc), a Lakeland baseball team member who joined the football team for the 2008 season, is one of the fastest players on the team and could be a major vertical threat. Junior Isiah Calhoun (Pontiac, Mich.) and sophomore Roberto Flores (Milwaukee) will also figure into the regular rotation.

At tight end, sophomore Traves Robinson-Worthington (Zion, Ill.) will look to duplicate the success he experienced during the 2007 campaign. Robinson-Worthington garnered honorable mention All-IBFC accolades as a freshman, and received team rookie of the year honors.

"Traves has been kind of bothered by a hamstring injury here in camp, but he'll be 100 percent very soon," Doherty said. "He is in the mold of a Shannon Sharpe - he can block well and has very good speed."

Sophomore Tyree Curry (Pontiac, Mich.), a big, physical receiver with good speed, will also take snaps at tight end.

With three all-conference starters gone from the interior offensive line, Doherty is looking to find able replacements at the center and two guard positions.

So far, he sees two leading candidates for the three spots. One of them, junior center Tom Baehnk (Madison), made one start at center last season against UW-Whitewater. The other is sophomore guard Aaron Kraemer, a huge presence (6-4, 330) out of Oshkosh.

Both tackles saw extensive playing time last season. Junior Ben Stellmacher (Waukesha) looks to retain his starting spot at right tackle after nabbing honorable mention all-conference recognition last season. At left tackle, sophomore Jared Martin (Manistique, Mich.) will look to protect Hughes' blind side.

Defense

With eight of 11 starters returning, the Lakeland defense appears to have the experience and talent necessary to be one of the most formidable units in the NAC.

"We're dominated by upperclassmen on our defense, so our players know what's going on, it's not new to them," Doherty said. "I am very excited about the style of defense that our kids play, their intensity and their enthusiasm. That goes along with having good skill and makes for a good defense."

The linebacker corps, which defensive coordinator Colin Bruton believes is the deepest position on the team, will be critical to its success. A trio of four-year senior starters, also the team's top three tacklers from a year ago, will provide a vast quantity of experience and savvy to this talented defense.

The team's finest defensive player is senior middle linebacker John Wagner. A Kewaunee native, Wagner is a two-time all-North Region third team honoree by D3football.com. He was also named the IBFC's Outstanding Linebacker last season, leading the conference in tackles. There is no reason to believe anything will stop Wagner, one of the team's five captains, from having another fantastic season.

"John has excellent quickness and a nose for the ball," Bruton said. "He is a very intense player - probably the most intense player I've ever coached."

Senior co-captain Brent Miller (Menasha) also looks to lead the defense. A second-team All-IBFC selection last season, Miller is a leader who will help align the defense on each possession.

"Miller is a very smart player, very heady, and does a good job of being a leader out there, keeping things calm," Bruton said.

Stephan Johnson, another senior and four-year starter, will play as an outside linebacker that will rush the passer in the team's 3-4 defensive alignment. The Evanston, Ill., native, received second team all-conference accolades a year ago, pacing the team with five sacks.

"He's probably our most explosive player and a guy who really, the sky's the limit for what he can accomplish this year, as a pass rusher and an overall linebacker," Bruton said.

Junior Jamie Schramm (Cuba City) is also a projected starter at linebacker. Schramm, who will start as the other outside linebacker, saw significant action in six contests last season for the Muskies.

On the defensive line, senior nose tackle Matt Stuebs (Two Rivers) will set the tone for an experienced unit. Stuebs will be expected to be a run-stopper and space-eater for a relatively undersized unit.

Senior Mike Nerat (Menominee, Mich.) also returns as a starter from last season's defense. Nerat, who played all 10 games in 2007, earned honorable mention all-IBFC accolades last season.

"He's a guy that's very good both against the run and in passing situations," Bruton said of Nerat. "He's definitely a high-motor guy, a senior, one of the leaders down there."

After missing last season, junior Gary Clark (Kilmacolm Inverclyde, ) projects as the other starting defensive lineman. Look for the intense Clark to wreak havoc around the line of scrimmage using his above-average athleticism.

In the defensive secondary, sophomore cornerback Keith Woodson (Evanston, Ill.) returns as one of the Muskies' top cover specialists. Woodson was an honorable mention All-IBFC honoree as a freshman one year ago, and was named Lakeland's defensive rookie of the year at the conclusion of the season. He led the team with six pass break-ups, and will match up with the opposition's best receiver each week.

"I believe Keith has the potential to be the best corner in the conference," Bruton said. "He played last year as a part-time starter, and really probably could have been a full-time starter … he has great athletic ability, but this year he's learned to develop a work ethic and just become a better all-around player."

Sophomore Randy Hamm (Bristol) projects to be the starting cornerback opposite Woodson. A tad undersized at 5-7, 150, Hamm saw limited action last season, but has the instinct, quickness and competitive drive to be a starter.

Senior Justin Medard, who hails from Evanston, Ill., returns to the strong safety position for the second straight year. Medard is versatile and will also be able to step in as a cornerback if needed.

"He's a very physical player, very good against the run, and even though he's only about 165 pounds, he's probably one of our best hitters on the team," Bruton said. "He should really be a big-time playmaker for us this year."

At the other safety, the Muskies look to replace Josh Schramm, a first-team all-conference player from a year ago. Bruton has plugged in junior Isiah Calhoun (Pontiac, Mich.), a converted wide receiver who will see time on both sides of the ball. A fantastic athlete with a 41-inch vertical jump, Calhoun will rely on speed and athleticism to excel at free safety for the Muskies.

"We expect him to be a centerfielder back there, just to kind of roam, make plays, just be an overall athlete," Bruton said.

The young secondary rotation is rounded out by sophomores Joey O'Brien (Cary, Ill.) and Bryan Groshek (Cudahy) and freshman Tony Faller (Oostburg). They will see considerable playing time, especially in nickel packages.

Special teams

The Muskies return a solid core of special teams players and will not see much change in the kicking or return game.

Hughes will handle punting and kicking duties for Lakeland. Hughes is a two-time all-IBFC second team selection as a punter, averaging 38.6 yards per clip while pinning the opposition inside its own 20-yard line 15 times in 2007.

The return game will be anchored by Heinemeyer. He finished seventh in the nation last season with 374 punt return yards. He also notched two touchdowns and 191 yards on kick returns.

Schedule

The Muskies open their 2008 campaign with a challenging non-conference slate. On Sept. 6, Lakeland will travel to Pella, Iowa, to take on Central College, the No. 9 team in the nation according to D3football.com. The Dutch were an NCAA Division III quarterfinalist last season, and have made three consecutive appearances in the playoffs. Central is a perennial national powerhouse packed with tradition, as it has the second-most wins in all of Division III since 1975.

"If things go the way we want to and we make the playoffs, that's the caliber of team we're going to have to get used to playing in the first round," Doherty said. "It's a great test for where we're at and a great test to give us an early peek at what a playoff-caliber team would be like."

The Muskies' home opener is Sept. 13 against the College of Mount St. Joe, followed by a home date with Carthage College (Sept. 20). Lakeland was defeated by Carthage 35-14 last season in Kenosha.

"Carthage is one of those non-conference local rivalries," Doherty said. "It should prove to be a good match-up, as they are always one of the better programs in the state."

Following a bye week, Lakeland opens its conference season at home against Rockford College on Oct. 4 for Homecoming weekend. After playing three of their next four on the road, the Muskies will return home on Nov. 8 to face archrival Concordia, Wis., which tied the Muskies for first place last season and made the NCAA playoffs. It will be an emotional day as the showdown between the NAC's top two preseason teams is also Senior Day.

Lakeland's regular season concludes on Nov. 15 when the Muskies head to Aurora University, which is tabbed fourth by the NAC coaches.

The winner of the NAC regular season title will receive an automatic berth to the 2008 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

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