Football Preview: Muskies Look to Spoil Concordia's Homecoming
Oct. 9, 2003
Lakeland (4-1, 2-0) vs. Concordia (WI) (4-1, 2-0)
Game Time: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1:30pm
Location: Concordia University, Century Field (2,500 capacity)
by: Corey Kempf

Players to Watch: Lakeland (stats through five games)- Brent Luebke, Sr., QB (71 for 142, 909 yards, 7 TDs; 60 rushes, 180 yards, 5 TDs), Marcus Denham, Fr., RB (79 rushes, 322 yards, 3 TDs), Jeff Taff, Sr., WR (26 receptions, 370 yards, 3 TDs), Roosevelt Moore, Sr., LB, Mike Gregory, Jr., LB, Ryan Van De Loo, So., LB, Nick Zeck, So., DL, Jacob Vigilante, Jr., LB, Johnnie Ferguson, Sr., DL, Sam Scharinger, So., LB. Concordia (stats unavailable) - Brad Sonneborn, Sr., QB, Immanuel Mills, So., RB, Cedric Williams, Jr., WR, Lorenzo Williams, So., DB, Evan Janousky, So., DB, James Fleurimond, Fr., DB.

Outlook: This game could possibly determine the Illini-Badger Conference championship for the season. Both teams have come into the game with blowout victories to open their conference schedules. Concordia has used its pesky, multi-formation offense to run for 374 yards in last week's match against Concordia (IL), which is similar to most of their games this season. The rushing attack relies on switching between workhorse Immanuel Mills and speed demon wide receiver Cedric Williams, who has two touchdown runs of 70+ yards. The offense will rely on the rush to open up a relatively weak passing game that hasn't been needed much the last two weeks.

Lakeland, unlike the Eagles, have a seemingly perfect balance in their offense, combining a strong rushing attack with a barrage of aerial threats in wide receivers Jeff Taff, James Hayes, and Shaun Behrend. Tossing the pigskin to them as always is senior quarterback Brent Luebke, who has 12 total touchdowns (seven passing, five rushing) this season in five games. He has proven that if those three receivers don't get open, he's just as dangerous scrambling. Behind Luebke in the backfield is freshman running back Marcus Denham, who has carried the ball 39 times the last two weeks.

On the other side of the ball, both teams boast tough, stingy defenses. Concordia has allowed eight points in their last two games to Lakeland's seven points against in the two-week span. Concordia's D scored three touchdowns last week, while also blocking a kick and returning it to pay dirt. The Muskies have also had their fair share of defensive highlights, marked by two Ryan Van De Loo touchdowns in as many games. The game will be decided by how well these two defenses perform. The Muskies will have the advantage in this game if they can slow down the Eagle run offense because the Eagles will have a harder time handling the three-dimensional offensive threat of the Muskies.

Coaches: Muskie coach Jim Zebrowski is 4-1 in one year with the program. Jeff Gabrielsen is in his 13th season with at Concordia.

Last Year: The Muskies lost their homecoming match against the Eagles, 29-7.