With 3:56 of the fourth quarter showing on the game clock on a dreary November afternoon in Arden Hills, the 2007 Johnnie defense took the field for the season-defining drive. Clearly in their sights were an undefeated regular season, an MIAC championship, redemption for Bethel’s stunning win in Collegeville the season prior, and a chance to knock the pesky Royals out of playoff contention. At their backs was the 73 yards of green standing between Bethel and the touchdown they needed to erase the four-point lead the Johnnies’ sputtering offense had built.
In most storybook Johnnie seasons, the ending to this game writes itself: the Johnnie defense stiffens and finds a way to get the ball back into the hands of the offense, which harmlessly runs out the clock, the team hoisting another championship banner into the proverbial rafters. That’s what made the 9 play, 73 yard scoring drive the Royals were about to embark on so much more unsettling.
While it is entirely unfair to lay last season’s loss to Bethel solely at the feet of the defense—or to allow that one drive to denigrate what was yet another solid season for the Johnnie D—it’s easy to imagine the returning players using that drive as motivation for the new season that kicks off this weekend at Clemens Stadium against the East Texas Baptist Tigers.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the players who have moved on, those who hope to grow into a larger role, and some significant newcomers to the program.
Defensive Line
For the second straight year, the focal point of the Johnnie defense will be All-American defensive tackle Nick Gunderson. The senior, who led the defense in virtually everything a season ago—sacks (9.5), tackles for a loss (15), quarterback hurries (5), forced fumbles (4), fumble recoveries (3), and blocked kicks (3)—returns to strong and experienced line that is expected to lead a defense with holes to fill elsewhere.
The Johnnies offset the loss of starter Mitch Eversman with the return of starting end Michael Schumacher and tackle Joe Luke, both seniors, as well as their top backup on the defensive line, junior end David Burns.
Adding to the impressive depth and talent on the St. John’s defensive line are two highly touted transfers from North Dakota State, juniors Jimmy Sharpe and Jeff Bohlman. Both expect to challenge for immediate playing time in what should be a star-studded unit.
Linebackers
While the Johnnies are fortunate to return Ryan Wimmer, who started 11 games at linebacker in 2007 as a sophomore, their success at the position this season is going to be defined by how well a host of talented players step into larger roles in 2008. Adding to the blow of losing James Shockman to graduation, Josh Rose has left the program. Rose was expected to fill a starting role either as a linebacker or on the defensive line as a junior in 2008.
There are a handful of talented players eager to fill the open spots in the linebacking corps. Junior Ethan Eid, who started in place of an injured Ryan Wimmer against Bethel, is expected to move into a starting role fulltime. Two seniors who saw a lot of playing time last season, Nick Kotsmith and Stephen Foertsch, are expected to compete with junior John Stanton (who is completely recovered from the broken leg that cost him the last 10 games of the 2007 season) and sophomore Billy Lawrence for the remaining playing time at the position.
While there is no lack of talent at the linebacker position, expect some growing pains as the coaching staff tries to find the right combination of players in the right spots.
Defensive Secondary
Cornerback can be a lonely position when a player is asked to cover a top wide receiver in single coverage, so that feeling shouldn’t be a foreign one to junior corner Dominic Haik, the sole returning starter in the St. John’s secondary. Not only did the Johnnies lose quantity at the position, they also lost qualtity. Both safeties, all-MIAC first-teamer John Cloeter and all-MIAC second-teamer Kevin Boegel, who led the team in with 87 tackles and 4 interceptions, have moved on, along with starting cornerback Sam Gervais.
A flock of juniors should be in the mix for playing time at the two safety positions, including Nate Anderson, Bobby Klint, Nathan Calderon, and Andrew Gurbada. Don’t be shocked if one of the linebacker candidates sees time at strong safety as the coaching staff tries to get more of the talented young ‘backers on the field.
At corner, senior Derek Stifter is expected to see the majority of the playing time alongside Haik. Stifter spent the 2007 season as the primary return man on special teams and the nickleback on defense. Senior Dusty Clintsman and junior Mark Brown should see plenty of playing time, as well.
The MIAC is becoming more of a passing league every year—in addition to the Johnnies, St. Olaf, Augsburg, Gustavus, and St. Thomas all feature threatening aerial attacks, and even Concordia is starting to pass the ball more frequently. The secondary’s ability to step up and perform this season will go a long way in determining how far the Johnnies go in the playoffs—or if they make the playoffs at all.
Special Teams
The kicking games should be in good hands (er, good feet, I guess) with the return of senior kicker/punter Russell Gliadon. Long a thorn in Coach John Gagliardi’s side, the kicking game attained a modicum of consistency in 2007 with Gliadon converting on 8 of 10 field goal tries and 52 of 56 extra point attempts. After a solid season as the primary punt and kick returner last year, senior Derek Stifter should reprise that role in 2008.
The Johnnies’ friendly early season schedule (they play their first four games at home and likely won’t get their first real strenuous test until the third game of the season against Concordia) should allow them to rely on their stout defensive line while they sort through the talented-but-inexperienced players throughout the rest of the defense. How well those youngsters step up should decide whether this Johnnie defense is a solid unit or a spectacular one.
I value and welcome any comments you might have. I can be reached at tc@johnniefootball.com.
