Bethel College Football

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Defense

The Threshers will look toward continuity and “11 Playing as 1” for the 2010 season, with some holes that need to be addressed. The defense returns seven players with starting experience who will be expected early to lead and make the difference to build that defensive team chemistry.

The defense is coming off another good year stopping the run (ranked third in the nation) but must find ways to stop and control the passing game. “We have to be more aggressive in creating turnover opportunities,” said first-year Head Coach Travis Graber.

Bethel will look to key returners at the linebacker spots, especially linebackers Chris Bloss, senior from Maize, Jayson Kaufman, sophomore from Moundridge, and Andrew Wiederholt, senior from Hartford. Other key returners are defensive line players Zach Downs, sophomore from Goddard, Max Montoya, senior from Santa Paula, Calif., and Caleb Stephens, senior from Lawrence, all with starting experience. The secondary is going to see many new faces. Key players to this bunch will be Jacob Stucky, sophomore from Moundridge, at corner and Kellen Goertzen, junior from Henderson, Neb., at safety, who will have to step up and lead a relatively new group of secondary.

“We had a good spring and we are excited about the upcoming season,” said Graber. “We have to take each day and make sure we are getting better. We will be a very young and inexperienced team with only 38 returners. But those 38 have made sure everyone is aware of the high expectations for 2010. We will take our punches but we will also learn from them and we will punch back. There is no one on the team, whether returner or new person, who is a quitter. Each is a fighter and class-act champion.”

Offense

Coming off a 3-7 campaign, the Threshers look to rebound in 2010. The offense will return six players with starting experience and another five with significant playing experience. Senior quarterback Garrett Hiebert, Goessel, and tight end Matt Regier, Whitewater, an All-KCAC Honorable Mention, and the others will need to provide the leadership to bring together a group of young and inexperienced players.

Bethel offense averaged 209 yards per game passing in 2009 and seeks to build on that and bring together a more balanced rushing attack. The offense will look for a consistent group to control the game clock and manage the play. “We have a chance to be a very good offense, but we need to find quality replacements at [running back] and playmakers at the wide receiver spot,” said Offensive Coordinator Chase Hansen.

The Threshers will have to grow together up front to accomplish these goals. “Even though we are inexperienced there, the group plays well together,” said Hansen. “It is a group that looks out for each other. The offensive line knows it begins with them. We have worked on red zone offense and ball security all spring and have talked about finishing drives.”

If the Threshers can find others to join Lee Voth-Gaeddert, junior from Hesston, at wide receiver, they will be a consistent offensive. Leading candidates are Trevor Jenner, sophomore from Ransom, and incoming freshmen Jorden Oden, Hutchinson, and Cameron Stultz, Goessel, who had very good senior campaigns.