Large group of returning players has Hemlock football poised for improvement

DAVID COOK
Sports Scene
While the Hemlock football team graduated some key players from last year’s squad, a large group of returning players has the Huskies determined to increase the win total this season.
Hemlock turned in a 2-7 overall record last season and were 1-4 in conference play. The Huskies were led by all-state players in quarterback Chad Brown and running back Landon Zastrow. While those two standouts are gone, the Huskies have a large group of veterans back.
“We’ve had an excellent offseason,” said Hemlock coach Jamie Slate. “We did an entire leadership speaker series. We’ve had over 2,000 workouts attended, we are far and beyond what we’ve been doing in terms of offseason workout attendance. This group is really a football group.”
While Zastrow will be missed at running back, the Huskies have plenty of backs ready to step up and the team is looking to run the ball more.
“We have a stable full of ballcarriers,” Slate said. “We are getting away from the spread and starting to look at more option-based football. It will completely change the way we attack games and this group is excited about it and ready to go.”
Leading the group of running backs are senior Steven Katzenberger (6-0, 180) along with juniors Drew Genow (5-6, 160) and Kayden Kapka (6-1, 190). The Huskies also have a pair of promising sophomore backs ready to contribute in Markus Plowdon and Braden Stanard (5-9, 175).
“I feel like we are looking good,” Katzenberg said. “We’ve had a good offseason and we’ve been working hard at practice getting down the new offense and working on new things.”
At quarterback, the Huskies have the luxury of two players capable of handling the starting duties. Juniors Gavin Schmidt and Wyatt Launstein are both challenging for the starting duties. Schmidt was set to be the junior varsity quarterback last season before breaking his leg in a scrimmage and missing the season. Launstein then stepped in and quarterbacked the team turning in a big season.
Paving the way for the running backs is a veteran group of linemen. Senior Tim Reid (5-7, 160) returns along with junior Sean Grove (6-1, 215) and seniors Nathan Gohr (6-1, 190), Trevan Swanson (5-10, 170) and Wyatt Scoles (5-10, 240).
“We have yet to determine who are top five are on the offensive line,” Slate said. “We’ve got a pretty good group of eight or nine guys competing for those spots. With our new scheme I think it fits are size as we are not overwhelmingly large, but we are very athletic and move well.”
Grove also likes how he sees the offensive line coming together.
“I think we will be good,” Grove said. “I’ve worked out with the entire offensive line all summer and I think there has been only one or two who have missed a couple. We know what were doing and we are showing up and doing the work we need.”
Reid believes that the Huskie offensive line will really excel at run blocking.
“I think we will be a lot better at running the ball and moving the ball down the field,” Reid said. “With the coaches, new strategy of using the triple option I feel more confident this year. I think it will do well and I enjoy the change.”
Defensively, the Huskies are looking to utilize their speed and athleticism.
Katzenberger returns to head up the defense from his linebacker position where he earned honorable-mention, all-state honors last season.
“We’re going to be really fast on defense,” Katzenberger said. “We have a lot of linebackers so I think we can really control the middle of the field. We have some safeties and corners that can really play defense.”
Genow also earned all-region honors for his play at defensive back last season. Launstein, an all-around athlete, will also play a key role in the secondary.
“This season will be a lot better than last season,” Genow said. “I think coaches have put a lot into this offseason getting us better, getting us right. There’s been a lot of dudes who have shown up and have put that work in so we are going to be a lot better as a team.”
Up front, the defensive line is looking for Reid, Grove, Scoles and Swanson to contribute. Kapka and Gohr will also see time at linebacker.
“I think our defense for sure will be a strong point,” Kapka said. “I think our linebacking corps and defensive line will be really good against the run. I’m excited for that. We want to control the ball on offense and put points on the board and on defense stopping the run.”
The defense will be put to the test early as Hemlock opens the season with Essexville-Garber and Cass City before getting into conference play were the powerful ground games of Ithaca and Michigan Lutheran Seminary loom along with the prolific passing attack of Saginaw Nouvel. The Huskies wrap up the regular season with non-league games against Lakeview and Mt. Morris as they look to earn a playoff berth.