Fall is here and football is back and as the area’s rabid fans settle into the stands for another exciting season of Becker Bulldog football, the same thing is expected this year as it has been every year since its inception in 1969.
Just win baby.
They are coming off another very successful season last year in which the team won eight games in a row after losing the first and have won 14 straight consecutive games since moving to the Granite Ridge Conference from the Mississippi 8.
This year’s team is ripe with youthful energy but composed maturity as the well-anticipated junior class continues to make this 2014 team a legitimate state title contender.
Leading the way are juniors Andrew Stanger (QB), Austin Rasmussen (RB), Milan Kent (TB), Beau Pauly (FB), Casey Vesledahl (OT), Robbie Benson (WR) and Dillon Radunz (OT).
Those juniors teamed up with seniors Michael Veldman (QB), Dawson Brown (WR), Matt Conzemius (WR), Eric Blomgren (WR), Adam Rasmussen (TB), CJ Schwintek (FB), Chris Weberg (OG) and Blake Sandeen (OT) should make the Bulldogs a tough matchup for just about any team in the state.
Just ask the Minnetonka Skippers.
In Becker’s first regular season game of the year Aug. 29, the Bulldogs led the formidible Skippers — a highly ranked team in the state of Minnesota — with under a minute left on Minnetoank’s own home field. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs lost on a last second FG, but the message was sent. Becker football was and is never to be taken lightly.
Head Coach Dwight Lundeen has added four new coaches to the mix with Chris Meidt a QB coach, Tyler Niedfeldt a defensive back coach, Tony Vesledahl an offensive line coach and Dan Schlicht, the kicking coach.
As in previous years, Lundeen and his staff have a plethora of talent to shuffle in and out of the lineup all the way from a few freshmen to 27 seniors.
“We think that we have good numbers,” said Lundeen. “Experience returning off a good last year. A number of very good football players gives us hope for a good season.”
Captains this year are Brown, Veldman, Adam Rasmussen, Schwintek and Weberg.
Last year, Lundeen shuffled the offense, using three playing every other play. Veldman, Stanger and Zach Zimmer rotated at QB and it appeared Stanger and Veldman would share the duties behind center this year, however the coaching staff has decided (at least early on ) that Veldman will be at the helm for all the offensive drives this year.
“Anytime you bring back experience at QB that is good, we have two starters returning we think we are very good at that position,” said Lundeen. “The defensive overall speed has also improved.”
This is Lundeen’s 45th year as head coach. Playing a powerful Minnetonka team the first game year is exactly what he likes to get his team focussed and involved in playing their best right from the get-go.
“I like to schedule very good teams for our non-conference games,” Lundeen said. “I feel that is a good motivator for off season preparation and playing well early. I’m hoping our Minnetonka experience against one of the best teams in the state will make us better for the rest of the year.”
(In no particular order): Tyler Lindquist, Alex Meidt, Jake Fobbe, Brett Reichle, Taylor Dawson, Bryce Boser, Dawson Brown, Michael Veldman, Matt Conzemius, Eric Blomgren, Hayden Fassler, Mason Platz, Adam Rasmussen, Zach Anderson, Andrew Stanger, Morgan Kramer, Zach Halvorson, Colton Demant, Tyler Haus, Austin Rassmussen, Cody Ferris, Tyler Thorson, Gabe Dertinger, Cody Gruenhagen, Luke Dertinger, Blake Angell, Ben Wehmann, CJ Schwintek, Adam Bauman, Brandon Blomgren, Mitchell Lindeneau, CJ Howard, Milan Kent, Brandon Olson, Austin Marx, Brandon Roemer, Tanner Kiffmeyer, Frankie Baker, Cale Macmillan, Andrew Berglund, Austin Vigdal, Eric Lehrke, Beau Pauly, Logan Andersen, Preston Hamilton, Nathan Voigt, Jaylin Hildebrandt, Wyatt Nett, Kamden Luethmers, David Peckskamp, Casey Vesledahl, Dawson Thom, Chris Weberg, Colin Sackett, Joe Lyons, Mitchelll Dale, Brandon Cichy, Tyler Schmitz, Travis Rotzien, Daltin Schmitz, Grant Steffens, Mitchell Johnston, Brenden Barsody, Brady Roesler, Ryan Nohner, Max Becker, Adam Ewald, Cody Case, Blake Barthel, Jake Liestman, Connor Burlet, Trevor Goodrich, Blake Sandeen, Dillon Radunz, Jack Conzemius, Cooper Lindsey, Quinn Radeke, Jakob Edlling, Marshall Kramer, Chandler Wiltsey, Cameron Kolbinger, Robbie Benson, Clayton Gallus, Devon Dawson, Tanner Neidenfeuhr, Tyler Lambert, Matt Stone, Matt Wilson, Zack Fisher, Hazen Whitt, Nick Radunz, Scott Braun and Basil Macfarland.
