Head Coach: Greg Bowman
Assistant Coaches: Marty Green, Pat Hicks, Scott Link, Bill Miller, Craig Moose, Brian Robison
Team Name: Northern Polar Bears
2014 Record: 3-7
Key Players Lost: Ethan Bell, Sam Geiser, Zach Shanahan
Offensive Starters Returning: (8) Sr. OL Owen Blaschak, 5-9, 200, Jr. OL Kyle Goss, 5-9, 240, Sr. RB Michael Kearney, 5-10, 165, Sr. OL Austin Miller, 6-2, 230, Sr. OL Trevor Morris, 6-1, 245, Jr. QB Curtis Robison, 6-1, 190, Sr. RB Bobby Shelly, 6-0, 195, Sr. OL Cale Walker, 5-10, 220
Defensive Starters Returning: (7) Sr. DB Jake Cromer, 5-10, 155, Sr. DL Gunnar Renninger, 5-10, 195, Sr. LB Bobby Shelly, 6-0, 195, Sr. DL Noah Smith, 6-3, 260, Jr. DL Jared Sutch, 6-0, 180, Sr. DB Andrew Swaisgood, 5-11, 145, Sr. DL Cale Walker, 5-10, 220
Special Team Starters Returning: (3) Jr. K Aidan Alves, 6-0, 170, Sr. P Justin Markle, 5-11, 170, Sr. KR Andrew Swaisgood, 5-11, 145
Key Newcomers: Jr. WR/DB Josh Fekete, 5-11, 155, Jr. WR/DB John Kearney, 5-7, 128, Jr. WR/LB Joey Razzano, 6-2, 175, Jr. OL/LB Austin Wenger, 6-0, 185
D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: Sr. RB/LB Bobby Shelly, 6-0, 195
Key Stats: Statistics are a thing of the past, and the Polar Bears will not look back. Rather, they will focus on moving forward to “Restore the Roar” in 2015!
Twitter: @NorthernFootbll
2015 Outlook: Please let us know the keys about your team on offense, defense and special teams. What are your keys to having a successful year?
Offense: The 2015 Northern offense will feature a downhill rushing attack operating out of multiple formations. Opposing defenses will be forced to respect both the run and the pass, as well as maintain option responsibilities on every snap. The Polar Bears will look to senior running backs Bobby Shelly (2014 2nd Team All-Mid Penn Colonial Division RB) and Michael Kearney to shoulder the load in the running game, and will rely on a variety of receivers in the passing game.
Junior quarterback Curtis Robison returns and will compete with senior Justin Markle for the starting nod under center. Regardless of who takes the field first, both young men are expected to contribute.
The key to Northern’s offense will be the play of an experienced offensive line, which returns five starters, four of whom are entering their senior year. If the guys up front can successfully open holes in the running game and protect the quarterback in the passing game, the Polar Bears will be very difficult to stop.
Defense: The 2015 Northern defense will operate out of a base 4-4, gap-control scheme designed to prevent the opponent from driving the ball, changing field position, and taking time off the clock. The defensive unit will pride itself upon being physically dominant at the line of scrimmage, relentlessly pursuing the ball carrier from sideline to sideline, gang tackling, preventing the big play, and forcing the opponent into errors which result in turnovers.
A variety of coverage schemes will be utilized in an experienced secondary, featuring seniors Andrew Swaisgood (2014 2nd Team All-Mid Penn Colonial Division CB) and Jake Cromer. Having lead the Polar Bears in tackles in 2014, senior linebacker Devin Reed returns to hold down the middle of the field, and he will be flanked by the multi-talented Bobby Shelly at one outside linebacker position and Curtis Robison at the other.
As with the Polar Bear offense, the key to victory for the Northern defense will be the big guys up front. Returning starters Noah Smith, Cale Walker, and Jared Sutch will be relied on heavily to stuff the run and put pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback.
Special Teams: Junior placekicker Aidan Alves put in a ton of work in the off-season and promises to be a huge weapon for the Polar Bears’ special teams. Senior punter Justin Markle returns and will compete with Alves – who added punting to his kicking regimen during the summer months – for the punting job. A dynamic return man with exceptional speed and quickness, Andrew Swaisgood will be a threat to take it to the house on every kick.
