2007 Season Outlook

The expectations this season are high for MNU, but it may all come down to how well the defense can perform. As for the offense, they should not miss a beat this season.

Offense
At quarterback MNU will feature returning starter Matt Schneider, but he will not have to carry the load alone. One of the weapons Schneider has is the 2006 HAAC Offensive Player of the Year, wide receiver James Perry. The receivers lost three seniors, but there is still plenty of talent of that Perry. Bryant Jestes, LaDrew Murrel, and true freshman Brock Drumm have stepped up and shown they can carry the load.

The tight end position is a bit of a mystery with the leading candidates being Caleb Harvey and Lynn Hoffman. At running back the offense is having to replace 1st Team All Conference DeShawn Goldsmith. With the addition of transfers Patrick Ealy from Northern Colorado and Kendall Addison from Southern University, the running game should be a key weapon for the Pioneer offense.

Whoever the starting back is, he wonÕt have to create too many holes for himself. The offensive line is returning three starters with Tyler Rodden, Travis Larson, and Mac Gouin. They also return Nick Woodard, who started several games last year and saw plenty of action as a reserve. MNU also had a strong recruiting class of offensive linemen and some may push for playing time early.

Defense
MNU lost only two starters on defense and are expecting to come out strong. Quarterbacks may feel the heat as the defensive line returns starters Lathanial Johnson, Mike Deavours, and Travis Huseman. The fourth spot is up for grabs, but is expected to be Shannon Cannon, Cliff Dunham, or Keith Dixon. At linebacker the defense did not lose a starter. Nick Beghtol, Chad Ammons, Josh Speer, and Tyler Ruzich will compete for the three starting spots. There is also a stout class of freshman nipping at the heels of the upper classmen. The defensive backs may be the strength of this yearÕs defense with the return of All Conference DB Andre Shaw. Ramon Fulson and Ryan Steigleder are the other two returning starters in the secondary, but look for some stuff competition for that fourth spot.

Special Teams
Special teams lost all of its starters from 2006, but the cupboard is not bare. At punter the Pioneers are expecting Chris Hankins to step up and fill in for the loss of Brian Cox. True freshman Quentin Weygaerts from Harrisonville gets the nod at place kicker.