By Becky Walz,
A strong nucleus of senior players will lead the way for the Turkey Valley football team this fall.
The Trojans return experience in the backfield. That, mixed with a large offensive line, could create some dynamic plays this year.
Putting together the script for the season is veteran coach Mark Scott who is entering his 19th season as the skipper. He will be assisted by Dan Stepan, Alvin Hackman, Dalton Hackman and Frank Wilson.
Cut short
It was what many would call a rebuilding year for the Trojans after graduating 14 seniors. TV relied on younger players to step up and fill the voids with few returning starters taking the field in what would be an up-and-down season.
The season began with a double overtime loss to Riceville at home, 38-36. In week two, the Trojans had everything clicking as they put together a 42-33 road victory over Rockford. It wasn’t much of a home-field advantage in week three as TV hosted AGWSR, giving up numerous short fields and fell 58-40.
The Red and White put it all together once again for Homecoming to outlast Northwood-Kensett, 60-50. Game five with Clarksville was cancelled due to the Indians’ low participation numbers and injuries, giving TV a rest week. Too slow of an offense was costly for the Trojans versus No. 10 Janesville, as TV dropped the contest 73-34. It was another close game for the Red and White versus North Iowa that left a sour taste in the Trojans’ mouth with a 38-36 loss.
In a season that saw all teams advance to playoffs, the Trojans traveled to Lansing to take on Kee High. However, TV was hurting from the loss of several running backs and starting QB, Kalvin Langreck. Facing an uphill battle, the Hawks got the best of the Trojans, 50-24.
The Trojans finished the season with a 2-5 record. As a team, they rushed for 1,437 yards and picked up 1,091 through the air for 2,528 yards of total offense.
Graduated
The Trojans lost four players to graduation, with perhaps the biggest loss being Kalvin Langreck. As the squad’s starting quarterback, he was 52-for-87 in passing for 861 yards and 10 touchdowns. Langreck also scampered 61 times for 298 yards and another six TDs.
The primary kicker last year was Jesus Tinajero with 29 kick-offs for 1,020 yards. He also provided 15 total tackles.
Other departed players include Patrick Haskins and Cael Wickham.
Standing tall
Leading the offense this season will be a swarm of running backs, along with a host of other returning letter winners.
Senior Marcus Herold (RB/LB, 6’2”, 195 lbs.) bulldozed his way to 594 yards on 123 carries, averaging 4.83 yards per carry and scoring nine touchdowns. He also led the Trojan defense with 51.5 total tackles, including 34 solo takedowns.
Also, back on the gridiron for his senior campaign will be Garrett Kurtenbach (RB/DE, 6’0”, 195 lbs.) who garnered 274 yards in his 15 receptions a season ago. He was second on the TV squad in tackles, tallying 47.5 total.
Making his way down the field for 308 yards in 62 touches of the pigskin last season was Noah Hanson (QB/CB, 6’0”, 170 lbs.). During his sophomore season, Hanson also plucked 10 passes out of the air for another 222 yards, besides stepping in as QB, completing 13-of-35 passes for 230 yards and four TDs. Defensively, he had 22 total tackles.
Others back with a letter for the Trojans are Dylan Reicks (RB/CB, 6’3”, 175 lbs.), Austin Kuehner (OG/CB, 5’10”, 190 lbs.), Collin Kleppe (OG/DT, 6’2”, 230 lbs.), Carson Busta (RB/CB, 5’10”, 150 lbs.), Chase Hayek (TE/DE, 6’2”, 165 lbs.), Treyton Hulbert (OG/DE, 5’11”, 195 lbs.), Ryan Franzen (TE/CB, 6’5”, 175 lbs.), Robert Kruse (OG/DT, 6’2”, 210 lbs.), Troy Schmitt (C/DE, 5’9”, 185 lbs.), Brady Fisher (OG/DT, 6’1”, 190 lbs.), Calvin Bodensteiner (RB/CB, 6’3”, 160 lbs.) and Oliver Schmitt (FB, 5’10”, 165 lbs.).
From Coach Scott’s view
It will be an exciting season, according to Coach Scott.
“The juniors saw a lot of playing time last year and will be playing big parts for the team this fall,” he said of the team’s strengths. “We have good size and quickness that could help us be competitive. The players have been working hard and are ready to play a game.”
Of course, with the good comes some bad as the Trojans lack depth a several positions.
In the district, Coach Scott said Riceville, Janesville and Tripoli all look to have good squads returning to the field.
On the schedule
With the new scheduling, Turkey Valley will only play eight regular season games with the option to play a ninth if the Trojans miss a playoff bid. The new playoff qualifying rules for 8-player include the top three in each district qualifying for the postseason, as well as two teams picked at large by a -/+17-point differential.
The Trojans take the field Friday, Aug. 27, at home against Ed-Co. It’s on the road to Don Bosco Sept. 3 to close the non-district schedule. TV is on the road again Sept. 10 at Rockford, before returning home to play Riceville Sept. 17. On Sept. 24, the Trojans go to Janesville. It will be homecoming for TV on Oct. 1 versus Clarksville, followed by another home game Oct. 8 versus Tripoli. The Trojans close out the regular season on the road at West Central Oct. 15.
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