by UNDSiouxfan » Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:40 am
I'll just give my opinion on Region 1.
I believe Wyndmere-Lidgerwood will be the team to beat. They have size, speed, & skill. They have a top level QB in Harles and some very quick RB's and WR's that all can handle the ball. They should be better than most on the defensive side of the ball, so it'll be a matter of if teams can outscore them. I expect them to go far in the state this year, and they may just win it all. I also believe they have an outstanding head coach.
Thompson has a lot of skill back, but size will also be their issue. They lose several lineman, a top RB & the best QB in the state last year, but they have a great program and Coach Schwab seems to get the most out of his players.
Hankinson will be very strong on Defense as usual. They don't have a lot of size, but they have two of the better Defensive players in the state in Race Kath and Hayden Boll. They have a 3 year starter at QB with Mason Falk and I expect a big senior season from him. There will be a lot of close games with a very tough Region 1 schedule, but their defense will be their strength. How far they go will depend on their depth, and they could surprise with a top 2-3 finish in the Region. They will certainly miss Cody Mauch who brings his talents to NDSU. He showed his playmaking ability with his Shrine Bowl performance and it's really tough to make up for that level of FB talent. Mauch and Calen Schwabe (Thompson) were the best players in ND 9 man last year and it'll be interesting to see how their respective teams perform this coming season.
Richland has a lot of skill & talent coming through the ranks. They will have speed that will be tough to match for most teams.
Hatton-Northwood returns a very good RB and they'll be better than last year.
MPCG was very young last year, and they return a lot of speed & skill. They were very underrated last year and competed in a lot of games. There was a young Satrom kid who I thought stood out for them last year on both sides of the ball. Their experience in close games will definitely help and this team will be much improved.
FSHP - I don't know much about this team, but they have a very tough beginning schedule with Napoleon, Thompson, W/L, and Hatton/Northwood to start the season.
Good luck to all the teams this season,