Pointers feature mix of veteran, first-year starters By JIM STRICK Special to The Gazette Despite returning 14 starters, including several key players from squads that have won conference titles three of the past four years, head coach John Miech is careful not to place high expectations on this year's version of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-SP) football team. The Pointers are in an all too familiar situation, having sat in a similar position in 2000 with several key players back from a conference championship and NCAA playoff team before proceeding to finish 2-8. "Even though we've won three of the last four titles and there's high expectations this year, we know what can happen," Miech said. "We're taking the approach that there's a lot of work to do and we can't rest on our laurels. Our guys know from experience not to take anything for granted." UW-SP was forced to use that rebuilding approach last year and it resulted in an 8-3 record and second round appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs where the Pointers lost at St. John's 9-7 on a last-minute field goal. Even though eight starters return on defense, there's plenty of rebuilding ahead for the Pointers this season as they look to replace WIAC co-Player of the Year Paul Schmitt at defensive end as well as four offensive linemen, including three first-team All-WIAC selections. One of the positions that appears the most solid for the Pointers is quarterback where junior Scott Krause returns after taking all but three snaps last season. A double threat, Krause threw for nine touchdowns and rushed for nine more a year ago. "We're fortunate to have a quarterback that has a lot of big-game experience," Miech said. "He's an outstanding athlete and makes the big plays when we need them. He wants to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line." Sophomore Nolan Ott and redshirt freshman Dan Glinski also return at the quarterback position. Krause will surely do plenty of running, but he'll have a solid trio of running backs behind him for the second straight year. Last year, Jason VanderVelden, Kurt Kielblock and Lance Gast all rushed for nearly identical numbers and VanderVelden and Kielblock are back this year, while senior fullback Ian Zertler may pick up where Gast left off. Redshirt freshmen Ryan Johnson and Ryan McMillen could also contribute in the backfield. Krause hopes his wide receiver and tight end spots will be as wide open during the games as they are entering training camp. Junior Tony Romano and sophomore Ross Adamczak are both back at wide receiver, which is a position that caught just 36 of the team's 139 passes last year. Levi Massey will also contend for an end position. There also is no clear-cut candidate entering training camp to replace graduated Steve Jones at tight end. The team's biggest holes to fill are in the offensive line where the Pointers need to replace four seniors and three All-Conference players. However, one thing's for sure - the Pointers will again feature one of the largest lines in Division III. The one returning starter fits that billing as Luke Hilgeman will likely hold a tackle position at 6-8, 340 pounds. Another candidate for a spot is 318-pound sophomore Cliff Ruland. "The line is a major rebuilding project," Miech said. "There will be a great deal of competition for starting spots, but it'll again average around 300 pounds per person." Other contenders for playing time on the line are returning letterwinners Joe Hoell, who weighs 335 pounds, and Jeff Sieg at 275 pounds. Redshirt freshmen Cory Verdegan at 6-6, 310 pounds, T.J. Severson at 6-0, 290 pounds, Kyle Verhelst at 6-0, 290 pounds and Matt Karch at 6-2, 260 pounds also provide plenty of competition up front. There's only one opening on the defensive line, but it's a big one in departed second-team All-American Paul Schmitt at defensive end. Otherwise, junior Doug Mittelstaedt (6-1, 305), senior Matt Raduechel (6-0, 300), sophomore Josh Plisch (6-3, 295), junior Justin England (6-2, 275) and junior Tim Lium (6-0, 260) are all back on a deep defensive line and senior David Rogers (6-4, 240) returns at a defensive end spot. Craig Johnson (6-4, 235), who started at linebacker as a true freshman last season, may take over at the other end position and will be challenged by redshirt freshman Brent Hendricks (6-6, 235). "It'll be tough to replace someone like Paul," Miech said. "But everyone else is a year older and you always have to try to replace great players." Junior Nick Haffele led the team with 92 tackles last season and is the projected starter at middle linebacker. Five other players will battle for playing time as the Pointers look to fill the spot vacated by unanimous All-Conference performer Heath Novitzke. Senior Joe Makovec was the top backup last year, while sophomore Brett Ehret started two games as a true freshman two seasons ago and returns after a year off. Kyle Korinek, Wes Kornowske and Jeff Crandall also return at the linebacker position. Two-time All-Conference performer Dillon Maney is back at free safety after posting 78 tackles and six interceptions a year ago. Three of his picks came in the WIAC title-clinching win over UW-Eau Claire. "I can't see a better free safety in the country than Maney," Miech said. "He's got great range, he's an outstanding tackler and he plays his best in all the big games." Matt Stoehr is back at cornerback after starting last year as a true freshman, while experienced sophomores J.J. Chaudoir and Ryan Bentley both return at strong safety. The other returnees in the defensive backfield are senior free safety Andy Heller and redshirt freshman Chase Kostichka. Junior Cory Kahl placed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line last year and gives the Pointers a solid returner on special teams. Kahl will be challenged by honorable mention All-State performer Ryan Prochnow. Kahl will also battle to take over the placekicking duties for exited All-Conference performer Ricardo Vega. Other contenders include redshirt freshman Ryan Mullaney and three incoming freshmen, led by honorable mention All-State prospect Dan Heldman. Sophomore Chad Cartier also returns after handling all of the long-snapping duties last season. The return positions are wide open with several candidates, including redshirt freshman Ryan Johnson. Miech is also pleased with several quality incoming freshmen as well as possibly 17 transfers that will make for competitive battles at nearly every position during training camp. Those battles will have to be resolved quickly, since the Pointers face one of the nation's toughest nonconference schedules with traditional powers Augustana and Ohio Northern followed by Division I-AA Butler. "What the new NCAA playoff selection process has done is it has allowed us to have outstanding nonconference games and not hurt our goals for a conference title and NCAA berth," Miech said. "You don't gain anything by beating someone 52-7. We want to be challenged and play great competition before the conference race starts." UW-SP 2002 Football Schedule Saturday, Sept. 7, vs. Augustana College (Ill.) (Spud Bowl), 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Ohio Northern University, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Butler University, 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, vs. UW-La Crosse (homecoming), 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at UW-Whitewater, 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at UW-River Falls, 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, vs. UW-Oshkosh, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at UW-Stout, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, vs. UW-Platteville, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at UW-Eau Claire, 1 p.m.