By Becky Walz,
With a lower number of athletes on the gridiron than past years, the Decorah football team will once again look to experience as the key to success in 2022.
A new quarterback and a rookie offense in the skilled positions, the Vikings will be a little green when they take the field for the first time. However, with eight letter winners scattered throughout the line-up, the season looks bright.
Overseeing a team hungry to reach the Dome is Head Coach Pat Trewin, who is entering his fifth season as the skipper, his 31st with the football program. He will be assisted by Michael Tangen, Matt Kuempel, Brian Waskow, Jesse Halweg, Scott Pierce, Steve Nesteby, Jared Bucksa and Montana Bohr.
With a lower number of athletes on the gridiron than past years, the Decorah football team will once again look to experience as the key to success in 2022.
A new quarterback and a rookie offense in the skilled positions, the Vikings will be a little green when they take the field for the first time. However, with eight letter winners scattered throughout the line-up, the season looks bright.
Overseeing a team hungry to reach the Dome is Head Coach Pat Trewin, who is entering his fifth season as the skipper, his 31st with the football program. He will be assisted by Michael Tangen, Matt Kuempel, Brian Waskow, Jesse Halweg, Scott Pierce, Steve Nesteby, Jared Bucksa and Montana Bohr.
What a run
Decorah put together an almost magical run last season, peaking at just the right time.
The campaign began with a 41-14 win over Crestwood, followed by a pair of losses to Waukon (0-15) and West Delaware (21-42), before the Vikings rattled off five straight wins over Charles City, Mason City, Western Dubuque, Marion and Waterloo East. With the district title on the line, Decorah went to Waverly-Shell Rock in the finale and came up short 7-26, finishing second in the district.
Next was a thriller on the road against No. 1 North Scott in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. Trailing 10-7 late into the fourth quarter, senior Joseph Bockman intercepted a North Scott pass to set up a 50-yard drive that ended in the end zone with 26 seconds remaining. That touchdown gave the Vikings the 14-10 win to advance to the quarterfinals versus Winterset. It wasn’t in the cards for Decorah on the road as the season came to an end at Winterset, 28-19.
For the season, Decorah picked up 3,182 total yards, with 1,736 through the air and 1,446 on the ground.
Some pieces there
Coach Trewin and the rest of the coaching staff won’t be starting from scratch. They have eight returning letter winners back.
Jaden Baker (6’0”, 190 lbs.) was third in rushing yards as a junior with 189 yards in his 41 touches, averaging 4.6 yards per carry as one of the Vikes running back. On defense, he provided 22.5 total tackles with 16 solo stops, along with two interceptions as a linebacker.
Linebacker/quarterback Brady Stille (5’10”, 175 lbs.) is back for his senior campaign after completing 3-of-3 passes for 58 yards last year and carrying the pigskin 41 times for 136 yards. Defensively, Stille was in for 38 total tackles, making 29 stops by himself with one interception.
Ben Wymer will return as a defensive back and wide receiver for Decorah. At 5’10”, 175 pounds, Wymer carried the ball 19 times for 70 yards and had six solo tackles with 7.5 total tackles and an interception.
Casey Brickley returns as a defensive back and tight end. Brickley (6’0”, 190 lbs.) had four solo tackles and three assists on defense last year.
Erik Hjelle (5’11”, 180 lbs.) saw action last year as well, plucking one pass from the air for 47 yards and garnering 10 solo tackles and two assists. During his junior campaign he also had some time kicking with six kick-offs going for 262 yards and completing 11 PATs.
Also returning are William Einck (6’1”, 180 lbs., DE/WR), Kasey Krauskopf (5’10”, 160 lbs., DB/WR) and lone junior Brady Bohner (6’4”, 195 lbs., DE/OL).
Making their mark
Several athletes will be pushing for a starting spot vacated by graduated athletes.
Those making some noise early are juniors Kelley Gates (6’4”, 185 lbs., TE/DE), Brady Benzing (6’1”. 165 lbs., TE/LB) and Fisher Tweten (6’2”, 240 lbs., OT/DT), along with sophomore William Hahn (6’2”, 260 lbs., C/DT).
“We had a good summer of training with hardworking, positive attitudes,” said Coach Trewin. “However, we will still have to work to be physical.”
Spots open
Positions will be open this season, especially on offense as the Vikings graduated 17 seniors last year.
They lost five players from the All-State list.
At the top of the list was quarterback and linebacker first team honoree Keenan Tyler. A threat on both offense and defense, Tyler was 132-of-231 in passing for 1,678 yards to go with 151 carries of the pigskin for another 623 yards, leading the Vikings in both categories. He also led the Decorah defense with 54.5 total tackles which included 40 solo tackles. Tyler had three interceptions and one fumble recovery, as well.
As the team punter, Noah Storts was named to the second team all-state list. Storts had 34 punts for 1,148 yards, along with 39.5 total tackles with 31 solo stops. Offensively, he compiled 435 receiving yards in 39 receptions.
Jacob Pipho was also a second-team all-state selection as the leading receiver for Decorah last season with 502 yards in 27 receptions, averaging 18.6 per catch. He also provided staunch defense with 24.5 total tackles of which 21 were solo stops, with a trio of interceptions.
Earning third team all-state honors, Joe Bockman had 47 receptions for 473 yards and rushed for another 47 yards in 16 carries. Defensively, he had 32 total tackles with 28 solo tackles to accompany three interceptions. Handling the kick-off and punt returns, Bockman had 15 kickoff returns for a total of 268 yards and 10 punt returns for 72 yards.
A mainstay on the line, Joe Hjelle was another third-team all-state selection as the Vikings’ center and defensive end. During his senior campaign he drug down 38 opponents for solo tackles and had 50 total tackles.
Also graduating were Zach Jermier, Dane Frieden, Brody Young, Carson Wemark, Ryan Johanningmeier, Trysten Finholt, Brayden Reiser, Gavin Stortz, Thomas Ostlie, Garrick Smith, Sam Kleiner and Kendall McCain.
History on their side
Decorah boasts a history of success, having claimed a conference or district title 30 times.
Last year’s postseason appearance was the school’s 26th time – 1973, ’74, ’78, ’84, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’94, ’97, ’98, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’15, ’17, ’18 and ‘20. Post led the team into the playoffs 11 times (2003 as Decorah-North Winneshiek, ’04, ’05, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’15 and ’17 as Decorah).
Nine times the Vikes have landed in the state championship contest — 1974, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’97, ’04, ’08, ’11 and ’12. They hoisted the trophy five ties (1974, ’87, ’88, ’89 and ’12), with former head coach Bill Post at the helm in 2012. He was the lead skipper in all four runner-up finishes.
The outlook
Just like Decorah, many teams in the district graduated a lot of talent; however, Coach Trewin said Waverly-Shell Rock could be the early season favorite with several all-state players set to return to the field.
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