Oppelt: This year’s Bulldogs most selfless team he’s seen
Members of the MFL MarMac football team include (front, left to right) Gavin Meana, Cayden Ball, Cedrick Drahn, Ethan Stubbs, Zach Howe, Brock Lamborn, Logan Engelhardt, Trevor Jones, JT Stocker; (second row) Manager Jiwoo Kang, Hunter Cherrier, Zach Trudo, Michael Egan, Tyler Wille, Kutter Andereson, Alexander Fels, Caden Stuckman, Max Havlicek, manager Chelbe Feuerhelm; (third row) head coach Tom Oppelt, assistant coach Kyle Kirkestue, Jacob Trudo, Avrey Smith, Michael Berger, Mason Hertrampf, Brady Olson, Levi Ferguson, Derek Larson, assistant coaches Mitch Seitz and Brian Berger; (back) Kaleb Tilson, Gavin Hertrampf, Korby Keehner, Dylan Corlett, Riley Wille, Garret Keehner, Spencer Larson and Tyler Kurth. (Photo courtesy of Blaker Photography)
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
Now in his fifth season as head coach of the MFL MarMac football team, Tom Oppelt said he’s never seen as selfless a team as this year’s Bulldogs.
“They have a great mindset,” he said. “The cohesiveness and selflessness they play with are huge strengths.”
That will come in handy, said Oppelt, as the team works to make up for its youth and smaller numbers.
“We are not big, but we will definitely be fun to watch,” he said.
MFL MarMac boasts several key returning players this season, whom Oppelt said the team will rely heavily on, including seniors Mason Hertrampf, Derek Larson, Brady Olson, Levi Ferguson, Avrey Smith and Michael Berger. Juniors Riley Wille, Garret Keehner and Korby Keehner will also play important roles, he added.
Junior Zach Trudo will step into the quarterback role, while junior Dylan Corlett will be the featured slot back. Oppelt said junior Hunter Cherrier will fill the team’s field corner spot.
Some underclassmen will receive a chance to shine, as well.
“Sophomore Cedrick Drahn will play at outside linebacker for us, [sophomore] Spencer Larson will play center this season and [sophomore] Gavin Hertrampf will get an opportunity at offensive tackle along with freshman Jacob Trudo,” Oppelt said.
Oppelt, who’s joined this season by assistants Brian Berger, Mitch Seitz, Kyle Kirkestue and Brandon Burke, said his team will work to improve in two key areas throughout the season.
“We will always work on fundamentals and running our offense with perfection,” he shared.
