Winona, Mn-
With the start of the 2019 Minnesota College Athletic Conference football season just around the corner, Conference coaches took time recently to make their predictions for the upcoming fall campaign. Read on for more information regarding the MCAC Eastern Division football teams in 2019.
In 2018, Central Lakes College ran through the MCAC East schedule after dropping their first two non-Division games, capturing the Divisional crown with a 6-0 record. The Raiders finished 7-2 overall. The 2019 season will prove as a good test for the Raiders, as head coach Greg Medeck is on sabbatical this semester, and Robb Kolodziej serves as interim head coach this season. Read more about the Central Lakes coaching staff this fall at this link.
The Mesabi Range College Norse and the Itasca Community College Vikings will be looking to take the next step towards unseating CLC at the top of the Eastern Division. Head coaches Tom Inforzato (Mesabi) and Weldon Braxton (Itasca) both enter their third season with some Divisional experience under their belt and two full recruiting classes of talent in their lockerrooms.
The Mesabi Range roster will include Taquarius Wair, a student-athlete with an inspiring story from Minneapolis North High School; Wair's team will have to replace 2018 MRC standout Sam Okuayinonu, who will suit up for the University of Maryland at the NCAA Division I level this fall. Read more here in a Duluth News Tribune article about Okuayinonu, who immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia at age 13.
Rochester Community & Technical College mentor Derrick Hintz heads into his second full season in charge at RCTC, and the Yellowjackets will have a new-look roster as they hit the field. RCTC will enjoy a new synthetic surface at home for 2019. Click here for more on the Rochester Regional Stadium improvements.
Vermilion Community College is led by Justin Kosik, who enters his second year in Ely and brings coaching experience from Texas and California; Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College head coach Robert Smith will begin his head coaching career this year with the Thunder. Smith and FDLTCC will look to replace Trebian Suggs, a 2018 All-Region performer. Both Kosik and Smith carry a dual-sport coaching role in on their respective campuses; Kosik coaches the VCC softball team while Smith also leads the FDLTCC women's basketball squad.
This fall, Division coaches offered their thoughts as to how teams would fare in 2019: #1 Itasca Community College; Tie-#2 Mesabi Range College; Tie-#2 Central Lakes College; #4 Rochester Community & Technical College; #5 Vermilion Community College; #6 Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College.
Read below for more information on each Eastern Division teams, with preview information as provided by the head coach of each program.
Most teams will kick-off the season this Saturday, August 24; for all things MCAC Football, go to: https://www.mcacsports.org/sports/fball/index
The 2019 MCAC Athlete-of-the-Week honors program - sponsored by the United States Marine Corps, Nicklasson Athletics and Adidas - will begin the week of August 26-31. In football, Conference coaches will submit nominees for Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Athlete-of-the-Week, additionally, the MCAC will recognize a Lineman-of-the-Week, a new honors category in 2019.
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Itasca Community CollegeGrand Rapids, Minnesotawww.itascacc.edu |
Head Coach: Weldon Braxton, 3rd year at Itasca (8-9 Overall) Coaching Staff: Jazz Watkins, Willie Braxton, Dwane Barbee, Zephrin Scott, Jason Wilson, Devin Kendrick Kaitlyn Weimer. 2018 Record: 6-3 Overall; 3-2 Division; 3rd Place East
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Key Returning Athletes: Joshua Booker, RB, Bradenton, FL Maleek Bryant-Davis, S, St. Paul, MN Rikishi Buchanan, CB, Wadley, AL Charmar Cobb, DT, Lehigh Acres, FL Vernon Powell, WR, Baton Rouge, LA Cameron Strapp, LB, Irving, TX Nick Thune, OT, Hibbing, MN Coach Braxton on the Itasca Offense: "We are extremely young and inexperienced on the offensive side of the football. We have a group of young men that continue to learn and improve. They are trusting what we are teaching them each day. I look forward to the maturation process of our offense over the course of the season. We will be challenged early and often by some really good defensive coaches and players in our league." Coach Braxton on the Itasca Defense: "We have a veteran defense that we are excited about. There is a significant amount of college football experience on that side of the football for us in 2019. I look forward to seeing what Coach Watkins and our defensive unit can do against some really strong offenses in the MCAC." Coach Braxton on the Vikings Special Teams in 2019: "We want to continue to be sound in the kicking game. As always, we value our punt and kickoff units heavily. We also want to have athletes on the field in the return game that gives us the best field position possible." |
Key Incoming Athletes: Jakari Brooks, WR, Duncanville, TX Tarik Freeman, DT, Francisville, LA William Thomson, S, Lithonia, GA
Itasca Vikings Playing at Four-Year Colleges in '19: Sam Moberg, Upper Iowa University Mason Conn, Upper Iowa University Joshua Herbert, Langston University De'Monta Harris, Lincoln University Daquan Mackey, Catawba College A'Myrical Diggs, Shaw University
For More On Itasca Football & Viking Athletics: ICC Athletic Webpage: https://www.itascacc.edu/athletics
Grand Rapids Herald Review: https://www.grandrapidsmn.com/
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Mesabi Range CollegeVirginia, Minnesotawww.mesabirange.edu |
Head Coach: Tom Inforzato, 3rd year at Mesabi Range (14 - 8 Overall) Coaching Staff: Antavius Thomas Defensive Coor./DBs - David Wilson Offensive Coor./QBs - Jamie Freiheit OL - Gary Cornell LBs - David Duttenhefer WRs - Dequan Wilson DL - Montana Coates OL - Mike Rittaco DBs 2018 Record: 7 - 3 Overall; 4 - 1 Division; 2nd Place, East |
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Key Returning Athletes: James Smith DB, Cross City, FL Torrey Patterson, RB, Vadilia, GA Jericho Siegle, DL, St. Michael, MN Nytravious Barkley, RB, Tallahassee, FL Mario Johnson, WR, Orlando, FL Coach Inforzato on the Norse Offense: "Mesabi's offense will be young at the specialty posistions but experienced returners on the offensive line should help with the newcomers transitioning into MCAC football." Coach Inforzato on the Norse Defense: "Mesabi's defense will return key players from last year's team. They hope their experience will make an immediate impact in 2019." Coach Inforzato on the Norse Special Teams in 2019: "The Norsemen will have to replace All-American kicker/punter Connor Cusick but feel newcomers will do well." Notable: Be on the look out the upcoming ESPN feature story on Taquarius Wair from North High School in Minneapolis, who joins the Norsemen this fall. Taquarius's amazing story will be featured on an ESPN release an SE feature on TQ's story and his transition into college on August 24th, 2019. Read up on Wair in The Athletic by clicking here in this feature article by Nicole Auerbach. |
Key Incoming Athletes: Alexander Winbigler, LB, Zepherillis, FL Marco Rollins, OL, Tallahassee, FL Brody Gregory, OL, Chattanooga, TN
MRC Norse Playing at Four-Year Colleges in '19: Samuel Okuayinonu, University of Maryland Justin Hooks, Kentucky State University Deavan Burns, Kentucky State University D'Angelo Grays, Kentucky State University Shawn Rogers, Kentucky State University Connor Cusick, Bemidji State University
For More On Mesabi Range Football & Norse Athletics: MRC Athletics Webpage: https://www.mesabirange.edu/athletics/ Local Media: JIM ROMSAAS, webmaster@mesabidailynews.net |
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Central Lakes CollegeBrainerd, Minnesotawww.clcmn.edu |
Head Coach: Robb Kolodziej (Interim in 2019) Coaching Staff: Shane Jordan, Riley Atkinson, Curtis Brisk, Jordan Getty, Dave Bostrom 2018 Record: 7-3 Overall; 6-0 Division; 1st place East |
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Key Returning Athletes: Ridge Reed Mike Bostrom Eli Winegarner Collin Willcox Isaac Hines Coaches Quote on Expectations of Defense in 2019: "Play sound defense." Coaches Quote on Expectations of Offense in 2019: "Score some points." Notable: Raider Head Coach Greg Medeck is on sabbatical for the 2019 fall season. Read more about the Raider coaching staff in this article by Joe Lindholm in the Brainerd Dispatch. |
Key Incoming Athletes: All For More On CLC Athletics & Raider Football: www.clcraiders.com/sports/fball/index
Local Media:
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Rochester Community & Technical CollegeRochester, Minnesotawww.rctc.edu |
Head Coach: Derrick Hintz, 3rd Season at RCTC (22-8 Overall) Coaching Staff: Mark Winkels, Stan Bedwell, Austin Jones, Emmanual Lewis, Jean Velare, Dalton Haas, Jonathon Ashton, Andrew Vanderpoel (vol), Gavin Polansky (vol), Mark Dorn (vol). 2018 Record: 1-6 Overall; 1-4 East; 4th in Division |
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Key Returning Athletes: Cullan Olson, OL, Houston, MN Michael Schimming, WR, Princeton, MN Keshon Williams, DB, Racine, WI Corey Waller, LB, Austin, MN Dakota Elsenpeter, DL, Wilson, WI Erik Snook, Minneapolis, MN Coach Hintz on the Yellowjacket Offense: "Our offense should be fun to watch." Coach Hintz on the Yellowjacket Defense: "Our defense will be experienced and should play fast." Coach Hintz on the Yellowjacket Special Teams in 2019: "Special teams will be athletic, disciplined, and fast" Notable: RCTC will play on a new synthentic surface at Rochester Region Stadium for the 2019 fall season. Read more about the stadium re-surfacing project and related news at this link in a story byGuy Limbeck for the Rochester Post Bulletin. |
Key Incoming Athletes: Jacob Guidry, QB, Slidell, LA Israel Lozoya, RB, Rochester, MN Severyn Foster, WR, Lincoln, NE Jarvis Green, OL, Lewisville, TX Damon Hinrichs, DL, Rochester, MN Josh Miser, LB, Hastings, MN Dashawn Williams, DB, South Milwaukee, WI Yellowjackets Playing at Four-Year Colleges in '19: Nasheed Hargrove, Anthony Harper, Greg Henry, Cazz Martin, Ben Thompson, Damon Stokes, Jamel Smith, Robert Walls For More On RCTC Football & Yellowjacket Athletics: RCTC Athletic Webpage: http://www.rctcyellowjackets.com/landing/index Rochester Post Bulletin: https://www.postbulletin.com/ KTTC TV: https://kttc.com/ KAAL TV: https://www.kaaltv.com/ |
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Vermilion Community CollegeEly, Minnesotawww.vcc.edu |
Head Coach: Justin Kosik, 2nd season at VCC (1-7 Overall) Coaching Staff: Marcus Waugh, Richard Embry, Ethan Smith, Willem Cohen, Ryan Roary, Jack Roddy, Robert Bradford, Cody Perkins, Thomas Martin. 2018 Record: 1- 7 Overall, 1-4 East (5th) |
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Key Returning Athletes: David Rush Damon Dunn Ty Williams Jaleel Hansberry Jeremy Seadorf Onterial Carter Casey Holman Coach Kosik on Expectations for the Ironmen Defense in 2019: "Faster, sharper, and more disciplined and sound." Coach Kosik on Expectations for the Ironmen Offense in 2019: "Faster, sharper, and more disciplined and sound as well." Coach Kosik on Expectations for the Ironmen Special Teams in 2019: " Faster, sharper, and more disciplined and sound." Notable: Vermilion will take the field this fall with new faces in most coaching position; only Kosic and offensive coordinator, Marcus Waugh, were a part of the 2018 staff. |
Key Incoming Athletes: Ty Edmonds Mekahi Woolridge Murphy Theodore Davion Sanders Chris Bellamy Widly Francois Leroy Bolden
List Name & School of student-athletes from 2018 team who are playing at a 4-year college program this fall: Oscar Lopez Daniel Fredrique LaKeiath Nunn Joe Hess Tas Dericho Anthony Miranda
For More On VCC Football & Vermilion Athletics: VCC Webpage:https://www.vcc.edu/athletics/ ELY ECHO, Tom Coombe, Editor: tom.coombe@vcc.edu |
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Fond du Lac Tribal & Community CollegeCloquet, Minnesotawww.fdltcc.edu |
Head Coach: Robert Smith, 1st Season Staff: Laura Sylvester, AC; Charlene Heule, ATC 2018 Record: 3-6 Overall, 1-4 East |
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Key Returning Athletes: Emani Douglas, OL, Orlando FL Hero Douglas, CB, Austin TX Saige Humphrey, OL, Cass Lake, MN Rashaad Inge, DE, Ruther Glen, VA Carl Jones, RB, Chicago, IL Dante McCormick, FB, Cache, OK Rayshaad Roody, DE, Cincinnati, OH Marlo Tillman, DT, Orlando, FL Roderick Washington, WR, Austin, TX
Notable: FDLTCC home games will have live radio and online streaming broadcasts on WKLK-FM, 96.5 FM. Click on the "Listen Live" button on the Northwoods Radio web site here for the online broadcasts.
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2018 FDLTCC Football Honors: All-Divison 1st Team: Trebian Suggs RB Pensacola, FL Cedrick King CB Haines City, FL Arman Keely LB Kirkwood, MO All-Divison 2nd Team: LeDarian McAllister WR Lakeland, FL Dondre White WR Haines City, FL Dawayne Hearns SS Arcadia, FL Johnathan Turrentine CB Akron, OH Keenan Brown WR Denver, CO All-Division, Honorable Mention: Donta Jones LB Covington, GA Marlo Tillman NG Orlando, FL KeAndre Smith CB Leighton, AL Anthony Conard DE Madison, WI Van Johnson LG Proctor, MN For More on FDLTCC & Thunder Athletics: |
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, as well as select member colleges in North Dakota and Wisconsin. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.
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