School: Beal City
Nickname: Aggies
Coach: Lou Rau
2012 record: 13-1
Player lost: Sam Schafer
Players returning: Greg Keiser, Ryan Tilmann, Kurt Gross, Hayden Huber, Alex Schafer, Nick Hoogerhyde, Josh Starr, Ty Rollin, Luke Schafter, Trenton Armsrong, Kevin Straus, Nick Ward, Jordan Carson, Cody Mottin, Kevin Bleise, Zach Bauer, Carson Salisbury
Coach’s comment: “The strength is the experience and the skill kids we have returning. The offensive line will be much improved this year. Those are the keys. The experience factor is huge for us.”
School: Evart
Nickname: Wildcats
Coach: Pat Craven
2012 record: 8-3
Players lost: Devon VanOrder, John Danley, Austin Grein, Chapman Long
Players returning: Larry VanBuren, Robert Burge, Derek Bowen, Jamin Drake, Dean Marsh
Coach’s comment: “Our greatest strength will be our experience. Our team is battle-tested. We will be as skilled as any team in the Highland Conference; we must get better every day and work to maximize our potential.”
School: Lake City
Nickname: Trojans
Coach: Tim Peterson
2012 record: 10-2
Players lost: Ryan Vincent, Kyler Root, Storm Francisco, Jeramie Lyle, DJ Hunt
Players returning: Drew Marion, Nathan Holt, Kevin Kunkel, Dylan Allard
Coach’s comment: “We are expecting to be very competitive with the teams on our schedule and to provide a fun style of football for people to watch. Team chemistry and athleticism will drive this team.”
School: Manton
Nickname: Rangers
Coach: Steven Hejnel
2012 record: 4-5
Players lost: Austin Shivillie, Lbers Arron, Alex Powell
Players returning: Matt Skiver, Triston Rosted, Zack Skiver, Rob Wilczewski, Luke Shepler, Keefe Brotherton, Jonah Nelson
Coach’s comment: “Strengths of this team will be a technique-sound football team that plays fast on both sides of the ball. We need to work on paying attention to detail and knowing what your jobs are…If you’re thinking on Fridays, you are playing slow…if you are reacting, you’re playing fast.”
School: McBain
Nickname: Ramblers
Coach: Chad Grundy
2012 record: 4-5
Players lost: Trevor Lutke, Jared Larr, Andy Lucas
Players returning: Zach Stephen, Briar Mulder, Grant Koster, Kyle Heuker
Coach’s comment: “We are expecting to make the playoffs; that is our goal every year. The backfield is our strength. We have three backs over 190 pounds that all run well. Our line is really young, so we have to get better up front. Our schedule is pretty strong. We play five playoff teams from last year. Beal City and Lake City will be really good.”
School: Pine River
Nickname: Bucks
Coach: Terry Nelson
2012 record: 2-7
Players lost: Devin Ruppert
Players returning: Skyler Nelson, Brandon Fulks, Mitch McDonald
Coach’s comment: “Our expectation is for our young team to improve every time we take the field and give us an opportunity to compete in every game.”