The Becker Bulldog football team began their 2015 football season last Saturday, hoping it will lead them back to the state playoffs and a third state championship.
Following an incredible run after losing their first game (and only game) of the year last year, the Bulldogs are ripe and ready to make it two in a row. It was nine years between their first state title in 2005 and the next in 2014 and the players and coaches hope they don’t face another dry spell like that in many, many years.
Becker lost their opening game of the year in 2014 to Minnetonka, then went 12-0 the rest of the way, including a 24-6 thrashing of DeLaSalle last November at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Head Coach Dwight Lundeen is heading into his 46th season at the helm, and his love for the job and the sport has not diminished in the least.
“I love the kids and enjoy working with them,” he said. “I’m passionate about the game and have a competitive spirit. I am also slow to anger.”
Does Lundeen have any part of himself he’d call a weakness?
“Two-a-days seem to wear me out more then in the past.” he says.
Despite the fact their starting QB (Michael Veldman), starting RB (C.J. Schwintek), starting WRs (Eric Blomgren and Matt Conzemius) and starting DB/WR/LB (Dawson Brown) all graduated — the Bulldogs still have the firepower to be a legitimate threat in the playoffs again this year.
Senior Andrew Stanger will take over behind center and though Stanger doesn’t have the size or the downfield arm Veldman had, he has the moxie and the legs and a quick release that could bode well for the Bulldog offense.
At running back, the Bulldogs will be looking at featuring several capable runners in seniors Alex Meidt, Gabe Dertinger, Beau Pauly and Milan Kent among others to wear down defenses. Offensive Coordinator Mike Lundeen tends to showcase the run over the pass and with all the talent Becker has at that position, you’d think Lundeen just smiles every time his Bulldogs get possession of the ball.
At wide receiver, Stanger will be looking to hit seniors Tyler Thorson, Jake Fobbe, Clayton Gallus and Matt Stone while checking down to his tailbacks in seniors Cody Gruenhagen, Austin Rasmussen, Austin Vigdal, Eric Lehrke and Wyatt Nett.
On the line, Stanger will be well protected and the RB’s should see lots of daylight with the likes of senior offensive linemen Dillon Radunz, Casey Vesledahl, David Peckskamp, Grant Steffens, Brenden Barsody, Jake Liestman and Jakob Edling. Juniors Tyler Schmitz, Dawson Thom, Mitchell Johnston, Mitchell Dale, Brandon Cichy and Brady Roessler will most likely see lots of playing time also.
Most of the players on offense play both ways and Defensive Coordinator Hokan Bengtson will see no falloff from last year’s team to this years, despite losing his most dynamic player (Brown).
Kent, Pauly, Radunz and junior Jaylin Hildebrandt will be Bengtson’s go-to guys as they tend to swarm to the ball on a consistent basis. Junior Nick Radunz will help anchor the middle with his older brother as well as Vesledahl and junior Jack Conzemius.
“I think we are going to be pretty good,” said Coach Lundeen. “We are reloading and every team is different. These players are coachable, committed, fast, strong and they like each other.”
Captains for this year’s team are Meidt, Pauly, Kent, Stanger and Dillon Radunz.
Joining Lundeen’s staff as an assistant this year is Jasper Schmidt. He will join Bengtson, Troy Robinson, Tyler Niedfeldt, Shane Potter, Brent Scheideman, Jeff Zimmer, Dan Schlicht, Brady Cobb, Mike Lundeen, Chris Meidt, Tony Vesledahl, Gregg Veldman and Todd Smith at practices and games on the sidelines.
The student managers are Anthony Agnew, Cheyenne Springer and Erica Freeman.
The team consists of Tyler Lindquist, Alex Meidt, Jake Fobbe, Brett Reichle, Adam Bauman, Bryce Boser, Zach Halvorson, Josh Fobbe, Matthew Moe, Branden Roemer, Frankie Baker, Mason Platz, Andrew Berglund, Brady Sheeley, Andrew Stanger, Kreeden Blomquist, Alex Blomgren, Colten Demant, Jacob Drury, Austin Rassmussen, Cale MacMillan, Tyler Thorson, Gabe Dertinger, Cody Gruenhagen, Lucas Dertinger, Blake Angell, Brenton Arbuckle, Sidney Boros, Zack Fisher, Brandon Blomgren, Travis Ferris, Milan Kent, Jayden Gruba, Austin Marx, Zack Hollen, Tanner Kiffmeyer, Cody Johnson, Austin Vigdal, Eric Lehrke, Beau Pauly, Patrick Bernstrom, Preston Hamilton, Austin Hemmelgarn, Jaylin Hildebrandt, Wyatt Nett, Jake Smith, David Peckskamp, Casey Vesledahl, Dawson Thom, Mitchell Johnston, Mitchell Dale, Brandon Cichy, Tyler Schmitz, Mitchell Enerson, Neil Odden, Grant Steffens, Brenden Barsody, Brady Roesler, Ryan Nohner, Gage Gallus, Tyler Henkemeyer, Jake Liestman, Mason Seeley, Travis Meyers, Nick Radunz, Dillon Radunz, Evan Wraspir, Cooper Lindsey, Jakob Edling, Marshall Kramer, Chandler Wiltsey, Matt Krenz, Clayton Gallus, Hunter Golden, Justin Kringler, Jack Conzemius, Matt Stone, Matt Wilson, Hazen Whitt and Scott Braun.
The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 22 - Home vs. Hutchinson (W, 41-14); Aug. 28 - Away at New London-Spicer; Sept. 4 -Home vs. Little Falls Sept. 11 - Away at Zimmerman; Sept. 18 - Home vs. Foley; Sept. 25 - Away at Milaca; Oct. 2 - Away at St. Cloud Cathedral; Oct. 8 - Home vs. Albany.
