MCAC Eastern Division 

Pre-Season Poll #1 

Parity was the name of the game in the Eastern Division of MCAC football last fall, as Central Lakes College, Mesabi Range and RCTC all found themselves in position to win the Division heading into the final weeks of the season.  

In the end, Central Lakes and head coach Greg Medeck captured the East hardware and home field advantage in the playoffs.  After a quarterfinal win over Vermilion, CLC was stopped short of returning to the MCAC State Championship by eventual winner Northland CTC, 32-21 in the semi-finals. 

Adrian Jackson, a linebacker from Minneapolis,  Nuke Crowell, a running back from Livonia, Michigan and lineman Brendon Loch (Belgrade, MN) all earned All-Region honors for the Raiders in 2017. 

Eastern Division coaches narrowly tabbed CLC as this season's favorite, picking the Raiders as the pre-season #1 over Mesabi Range.  

2017 Raiders competing at four-year college programs this fall: 

Arron Martin, Valley City State University

Jeremy Perencevic, Concordia University (NE)

Head Coach: Greg Medeck, 11 years, 97-25 Overall 

2017 Season:  8-2 Overall, 4-1 Division, 1st Place East

Website: http://www.clcraiders.com/landing/index

Coaching Staff: 

Shane Jordan, Assistant Coach 

Riley Atkinson, Assistant Coach

Robb Kolodziej, Assistant Coach

Dave Bostrom, Assistant Coach

Campus & Local Media Contacts:

Brainerd Dispatch

Mike Bialka, Sports Editor: mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com

Kenn Dols, Director of Marketing CLC:  kdols@clcmn.edu

2018 Season Preview: 

Coach Medeck on the CLC Defense in 2018: "Very young group that will be pushed to action early. Strong contingent of players capable of working together to develop into a solid unit."

Coach Medeck on the Raider Offense in 2018: "Strong returners on the OL and in the backfield should lend experience and leadership to this unit. Optimistic this can be a productive group both running and passing the ball."

Coach Medeck on his Expectations of Central Lakes Special Teams in 2018: "Searching for new contributors in all roles and excited to see how the competition plays out."

Key Returners in 2018:

Nyassinu Crowell, RB, Livonia MI

Emmanuel Smith, OL, St. Paul MN

Collin Olson, OL, Rock Falls IL

Kulani Sylva, OL, Miliani, HI

Zion Owens, OL, Zion, IL

Cameron Whitney, TE, Circle Pines, MN

Jordan Thompson, WR, Oakdale, MN

Will Peabody, WR, Brainerd, MN

Anthony King, DL, Green Bay, WI

Marnez Trotter, DB, Cottage Grove, MN

MCAC Eastern Division

Pre-Season Poll #2

New head coach Tom Inforzato wasted no time in 2017 making his impact known within the MCAC Eastern Division ranks; the Norse navigated their fall schedule to emerge as the Eastern Division representative in the MCAC State Championship game, falling 68-35 to Northland CTC. 

The Norse won a pair of road playoff games, competing in tough conditions in Rochester, Minnesota and Bottineau, North Dakota. A balanced team in 2017, Mesabi Range will return a pair defensive players who earned multiple post-season accolades; Daryl Munoz (DB) and Justin Hooks (DL) will both be key to Mesabi Range success in 2018. 

2017 Norse competing at four-year college programs this fall:  

Tre Howard,  Glenville State University

Ahmad Queider, Univ. of Minnesota at Crookston

De'Abrie Smith,  Elizabeth City State University

Head Coach: Tom Inforzato, 2nd year at Mesabi Range

2017 Record: 7-4 Overall;  4-1 Eastern Division; 3rd Place East

2017 MCAC State Championship Game Finalist

2017 Red Grange Bowl Participant 

http://www.mesabirange.edu/athletics/

Coaching Staff: 

Antavius Thomas, Defensive Coordinator

Mike Williams, Offensive Coordinator

David Wilson, Offensive Line

Jamie Freiheit, Wide Receivers

Dequan Wilson, Defensive Line

Montana Coates, Offensive Line

James Raglin, Linebackers

Hood McMillan, Defensive Backs

Noteable in 2018, according to Coach Inforzato:  "For over three decades the Norsemen have called Ewens Stadium home in Virginia, Minnesota. This season, the team will play all home games in Mt. Iron on a beautiful new turf facility."

 2018 Season Preview: 

Coach Inforzato the Norse Defense in 2018: "Mesabi's defense will return key players from last year's team that appeared in the MCAC state title game. They hope that experience will make an immediate impact in 2018."

Coach Inforzato on the MRC Offense in 2018: "Mesabi's offense will be young at the specialty positions but experienced returners on the offensive line should help with the newcomers transitioning into MCAC football."

Coach Inforzato regarding Mesabi Range Special Teams in 2018: "Emphasizing consistency in the Norsemen's kicking came will be vital to the units success in 2018. The Norsemen return All MCAC kicker Connor Cusick who brings a strong accurate leg to all phases in the kicking game."

Key Returners in 2018: 

Daryl Munoz, DB, Lawrence MA

Justin Hooks, DL, Kissimmee FL

Joquan Lennear, LB, Cocoa FL

Deavan Burns, LB, Miami FL

D'Angelo Grays, LB, Gary IN,

EJ  Barnes OL, San Augustine TX

Key Incoming Athletes in 2018:

Samuel Okuayinonu DL, Lowell MA

Mario Johnson WR, Kissimmee FL

Torrey Patterson RB, Lyons GA

Phaizon Scott DB, Minneapolis MN

Jericho Siegle OL, St. Michael MN

MCAC Eastern Division 

Pre-Season Poll #3

Derrick Hintz returns to the RCTC sidelines as the program's head coach in 2018, after serving as the defensive coordinator in 2017.  Hintz is familiar to the Rochester community, as he was also the Yellowjacket head coach for the 2011-12 academic year and has over 40 seasons of coaching experience in football, wrestling and track/field in the area.

Local standout Cazz Martin had a strong 2017 season and Rochester will be looking for him to pace the offense once again in 2018.  NJCAA All-America linebacker Brendan Perce has moved on to NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University, but RCTC hopes Jamel Smith (LB, St. Louis, MO) and Robert Brown (DL, Eden Prairie) will more than make up for his absence. 

Rochester will host pre-season MCAC favorite and 2017 State Champion Northland CTC on Saturday, September 1.  The Yellowjackets will begin Eastern Division play on September 15 when they travel to Duluth to take on Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College. 

Head Coach: Derrick Hintz, 2 years, 21-2 Overall           

Coaching Staff:   

LaQuintin Yancey

Mark Winkels

Adam Barner

Jean Velare

Gavin Polansky

Jamar Boone       

Jimi Oyefeso

Website:

http://www.rctcyellowjackets.com/landing/index

Campus Contacts & Local Media:

Mike Lester, Athletic Director

mike.lester@rctc.edu

Rochester Post-Bulletin, Guy Limbeck 

2018 Season Preview:

Coach Hintz on the Yellowjacket Defense in 2018: " We should be active and aggressive on defense."

Coach Hintz on the Rochester CTC Offense in 2018:  "We should be fun to watch and fundamentally sound."

Coach Hintz on Expectations of RCTC Special Teams in 2018: "Special teams will have a core of good athletes and should turn field position for us."

Key Returners: 

Cazz Martin, RB, Rochester, MN

Trey Johnson, WR, Apple Valley MN

Tim Messenger, OL, Owatonna, MN

Robert Brown, DL, Eden Prairie, MN

Jamel Smith, LB, St Louis, MO

Bangalee Bamba, DB, Rochester, MN

Greg Henry, RB, Rochester, MN

Key Incoming Athletes: 

Rashon Ashley, RB, Milwaukee,

Dakota Elsenpeter, OL, Wilson WI

Khalan Coleman, DL, Sun Prairie WI

Eddie Martinez-Sosa, LB, Plainview, MN

Bernard Charles, DB, Rochester, MN

Peter Osmon, WR, Rochester, MN

MCAC Eastern Division

Pre-Season Poll #4

Itasca Community College head coach Weldon Braxton returns for his second season with the Vikings, who were selected fourth in the Division pre-season poll. 

Braxton will have to replace several 2017 performers who have moved on to four-year programs this fall, but early reports note that ICC has had a strong 2018 recruiting class.

Viking returners boast a good mix of Minnesota talent and out-of-state performers, led by All-Division linebacker Sam Moberg (St. Paul, MN). 

Itasca will travel to Dakota College-Bottineau to open 2018 and then host Ridgewater College in week two.  Local rival Mesabi Range College will visit Grand Rapids in week three to begin Eastern Division play for both teams.

2017 Vikings playing at a four-year program this fall.

CJ Scott, Southern Utah University

Jamauri Bennett, Eastern New Mexico University

DJ Hickman, Fort Hayes State

Wyatt Fitterer, University of Northwestern (MN)

Steven Edwards, St. Augustine University

Jashon Roundtree, Bemidji State University

JJ Woods, Friends University

Michael Bolden, Baker University

Dalton Rowan, Avila University

Jay Cummings, Southeastern University

Eric Reichwaldt, Adams State University

Chris Oliva, Augsburg University

Troy Alcaraz, Augsburg University  

Head Coach: Weldon Braxton, 1st year, 2-6

2017 Record: 2-6 Overall, 1-4 Division, 5th Place East

Coaching Staff: 

Dwane Barbee

Willie Braxton

Jasmon Watkins

Tyree Studivant

Reggie Morrow

Divante McEeachern

Website: http://www.itascacc.edu/athletics/

ICC Football Social Media Resouces

Twitter: @itascafb

Facebook: itascafootball

Campus Contacts: 

Athletic Director: Justin Lamppa, Justin.lamppa@itascacc.edu

Head Coach, Weldon Braxton:

weldon.braxton@itascacc.edu

           2018 Season Preview:

Coach Braxton on the Itasca Vikings Offense:  "Offensively, we want to play aggressively with sound fundamentals."

Coach Braxton on the Itasca Vikings Defense:  "Defensively we expect to be a unit that rallies to football. We want to play aggressive assignment-sound defense for 60 minutes."

Coach Braxton on the ICC special teams play: "We want to build a special teams unit with works in unison with our offensive and defensive philosophy. We want clean execution and explosive plays."

Key Returners: 

Sam Moberg, LB, St. Paul, MN;

Joshua Herbert, DB, Baton Rouge, LA;

Amir Stewart, LB, Apple Valley, MN;

Brandon Williams, DL, Lehigh Acres, FL;

Mason Conn, DL, North Chicago, IL;

Jason Wilson, OL, South Bend, IN;

Dan Foster, WR, St. Paul, MN,

Dauquan Mackey, WR, Seneca, SC;

D'Monta Harris, WR, Minneapolis, MN

MCAC Eastern Division

Pre-Season Poll #5

Vermilion Community College is one of four MCAC programs with a new face in charge on the sideline this fall.  Justin Kosik takes over the Ironmen team this season, coming from East Los Angeles College, where he served as the linebackers coach. 

Kosik, who will also coach the VCC softball team, inherits a Vermilion team that went 3-6 in 2017, but did advance to the MCAC playoffs, falling to Central Lakes, 24-8. 

VCC had a All-Region performer last fall in Cedric King, a defensive back who had eight interceptions, the second-most in all of NJCAA football.  Vermilion will open their 2018 season on Saturday, September 1 at home in Ely against North Dakota State College of Science. 

Head Coach: Justin Kosik, First Season at VCC

2017 Season: 3-7 Overall, 1-4 Division,  4th Place West

Website: http://www.vcc.edu/athletics/

Coaching Staff: 

Marcus Waugh

Suish King

Chris Riley

Hanife McClain

Charles Taylor III

Tyree Johnson

Local Media and Campus Contacts:

Ely Echo

Tom Coombe, sports editor tom.coombe@vcc.edu

2018 Season Preview: 

Coach Kosik on the Vermilion Defense in 2018: "Our goal is to bring something new, dynamic, and unexpected to the field."

Coach Kosik on the VCC Offense in 2018: "We expect to be prepared and focused to face any challenge."

Coach Kosik on the Ironmen Special Teams in 2018: "I expect it to be a game changer in every matchup"

Key Returners: 

Anthony Miranda, LB

Sean Giles, DE

Glenn Smith, WR

Malik Gainer, LB

Breon Jackson, QB

Key Incoming Athletes:

Raevon Clarke, DB

Onterial Carter, DL

Joe Hess, QB

Mike Innello, QB

Haden Leach, DL

MCAC Eastern Division 

Pre-Season Poll #6 

First-year head coach Davin DePoe is one of four new leaders within  the 2018 MCAC football ranks.   With a strong staff in place, DePoe will look to lead the Thunder up the Divisional standings.  FDLTCC will travel to Ridgewater College in Willmar to open 2018 on the road and feature their home debut against RCTC at Duluth East High School on September 15. 

In 2017, the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College Thunder featured one of the toughest ball carriers in the Conference in Lorine Parker, who earned All-Conference and All-Region accolades. Parker had 165 rushes for 724 yards in eight contests for FDLTCC.  He was particularly strong in Eastern Division contests, where he averaged more than 100 yards a game (109.7).  

Head Coach: Davin DePoe, 1st year at FDLTCC

FDLTCC in 2017: 1-7 Overall, 1-4 Division, 6th place East 

Website:

https://fdltcc.edu/campus-life/thunder-athletics/

Coaching Staff: 

Josh Murto, Asst. Offensive Coordinator

Salomon Whitherspoon, Running Backs

Mike Kesner, Wide Receivers

Aaron Bevington, Offensive Line

Robert Smith, Defensive Coordinator

Davalance DePoe, Defensive Line

Tony O'Neil, Linebackers

Garry Brooks, Defensive Backs

Chris King, Asst. Coach

Joel Andrewjeski, Film Manager    

Campus & Media Contacts:   

The Pine Journal

Duluth News Tribune

Channel 3, 6, 10, 21

Davin DePoe, davin.depoe@fdltcc.edu

        2018 Season Preview:

Coach DePoe on the Thunder Defense in 2018: "Spill the run, and drink the pass!"

Coach DePoe on the FDLTCC Offense in 2018: "Well rounded!"

Coach DePoe on the Fond du Lac Special Teams in 2018: "Swarm to the the ball!"

Key Returning & Incoming Athletes in 2018 for FDLTCC: 

Dijuan McCullom, Chicago IL

Donovan Vondall, Grand Portage MN