Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:30 amFrom Grand Forks Herald
A look back at 2005
Central Valley was the odd team out in a three-team race. Adams-Edinburg-Edmore, Dakota Prairie and Central Valley tied for the regular-season title with 3-1 marks, with CV being eliminated by tiebreakers. The region didn't advance far in the playoffs. Dakota Prairie lost in the first round. A-E-E was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
A look ahead to 2006
Herald rankings (based on coaches' poll): 1. Central Valley; 2. Lakota; 3. Dakota Prairie; 4. Adams-Edinburg-Edmore; 5. Drayton-St. Thomas-Valley.
The reasons: Central Valley averaged 336 yards in total offense per game. Almost all of that yardage returns, headed by the proven backfield of quarterback Dustin Brend (65-of-117 passing, 1,075 yards) and running backs Aaron Delvo (777 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns) and Jason Novacek (358 yards rushing, team-high 22 receptions for 474 yards). Lakota also has an experienced group returning from a 3-5 team that suffered two last-second losses. The Raiders have six starters back on offense and defense. Quarterback Cory Wall, leading rusher James Olderback (550 yards) and guards Kyler Harder and John Harris anchor the offense, while point leader Chris Hoerth is back to lead the defense. Dakota Prairie suffered some major graduation losses but has a 1,000-yard passer in Seth Nichols and Ross Severson, who rushing for 500 yards, to lead the offense. Traditional power A-E-E suffered major graduation losses.
Returning all-region players: Dustin Brend, Aaron Delvo and Jason Novacek, Central Valley; Nick Bye and Ross Severson, Dakota Prairie; Cory Wall, Lakota.
A look back at 2005
Central Valley was the odd team out in a three-team race. Adams-Edinburg-Edmore, Dakota Prairie and Central Valley tied for the regular-season title with 3-1 marks, with CV being eliminated by tiebreakers. The region didn't advance far in the playoffs. Dakota Prairie lost in the first round. A-E-E was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
A look ahead to 2006
Herald rankings (based on coaches' poll): 1. Central Valley; 2. Lakota; 3. Dakota Prairie; 4. Adams-Edinburg-Edmore; 5. Drayton-St. Thomas-Valley.
The reasons: Central Valley averaged 336 yards in total offense per game. Almost all of that yardage returns, headed by the proven backfield of quarterback Dustin Brend (65-of-117 passing, 1,075 yards) and running backs Aaron Delvo (777 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns) and Jason Novacek (358 yards rushing, team-high 22 receptions for 474 yards). Lakota also has an experienced group returning from a 3-5 team that suffered two last-second losses. The Raiders have six starters back on offense and defense. Quarterback Cory Wall, leading rusher James Olderback (550 yards) and guards Kyler Harder and John Harris anchor the offense, while point leader Chris Hoerth is back to lead the defense. Dakota Prairie suffered some major graduation losses but has a 1,000-yard passer in Seth Nichols and Ross Severson, who rushing for 500 yards, to lead the offense. Traditional power A-E-E suffered major graduation losses.
Returning all-region players: Dustin Brend, Aaron Delvo and Jason Novacek, Central Valley; Nick Bye and Ross Severson, Dakota Prairie; Cory Wall, Lakota.