Football Preview: Lakeland Looks To Gain Another Conference Win Over Aurora
Oct. 24, 2003

Lakeland (5-2, 3-1) vs. Aurora (3-3, 3-1)
Game Time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 1:00pm
Location: Lakeland College, Taylor Field
by: Corey Kempf

Players to Watch: Lakeland (season stats through seven games) - Brent Luebke, Sr., QB (96 for 189, 1277 yards, 10 TDs; 90 rushes for 329 yards, 6 TDs), Marcus Denham, Fr., RB (115 rushes for 456 yards, 6 TDs), Jeff Taff, Sr., WR (37 catches for 450 yards, 4 TDs), Shaun Behrend, Sr., WR (21 catches for 261 yards, 3 TDs), Roosevelt Moore, Sr., LB (36 tackles, 1 sack), Mike Gregory, Jr., LB (32 tackles, 1 sack), Ryan Van De Loo, So., LB (37 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 2 TDs), Nick Zeck, So., DL (23 tackles, 7 sacks), Jacob Vigilante, Jr., LB (25 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), Johnnie Ferguson, Sr., DL (31 tackles, 4 sacks), Sam Scharinger, So., LB (39 tackles, 1 sack), Shane Schrimpf, So., DL (24 tackles, 5 sacks).

Aurora (season stats through six games) - Geary Pryor, Sr., RB (126 rushes for 607 yards, 10 TDs), Kyle Daniels, Jr., QB (57 for 98, 758 yards, 6 TDs), Grant Shields, Sr., RB (68 rushes for 225 yards, 4 TDs), Kevin Rynne, Jr., WR (23 catches for 327 yards, 3 TDs), Justen Lehr, Jr., WR (14 catches for 175 yards, 2 TDs), Dustin Robertson, Jr., LB (51 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Ryan Schrader, Jr., DB (51 tackles), Aaron Moore, So., LB (45 tackles), Sean Carlson, So., LB(42 tackles, 0.5 sack, 2 INTs).

Outlook: Although the two teams' overall records are different, the conference records are not. Both teams scored similar results in previous games, blowing out Concordia-River Forest and Eureka, and both teams struggled against Concordia (WI). Aurora will look to duplicate what Concordia (WI) did against the Muskies by running the ball effectively behind Geary Pryor and Grant Shields as they have all year. When in a passing situation, the Spartans will give the ball to reliable quarterback Kyle Daniels, who has only been picked off three times all season, while completing almost 60% of his passes.

The Muskies got back to business as usual last week against Concordia-River Forest, scoring 42 points in the first half, and cruising to an easy victory with 383 yards of offense. Brent Luebke has been the key to the Muskies' success all season, gaining over 1600 yards of total offense on the season, adding 10 passing touchdowns and running for six. Marcus Denham has been the workhorse when the Muskies need to mix it up, rushing for six touchdowns of his own. The defense has also shared the success of the season, creating 25 turnovers and giving the offense many opportunities. They've held opposing offenses to just 15 points per game. Turnovers will also decide the outcome of this game. Lakeland has proven to be opportunistic when forcing turnovers on defense, but suspect on offense when turning the ball over.

Coaches: Muskie coach Jim Zebrowski is 5-2 in his first year as head coach. Head Coach Jim Scott is 121-58-4 in 17 seasons with the Spartans.

Last Year: The Muskies lost 23-13 at Aurora last season.