Sports Editor Matthew Yannie recently talked about the upcoming football season with starting quarterback Austin Holter í10.
The football team is looking to continue the winning tradition that resulted in a second place finish in the North Coast Athletic Conference just last season.
Holter, who led the conference and in total yards from scrimmage with 2,712, which was also a school record.† He also totaled 22 touchdowns (nine rushing and 13 passing) over the ten game span. He was named a second team NCAC All-Conference quarterback after starting every game in the 2008 season.
MY: Given the success of last season how high are your expectations for this year?
AH: Iíd say they are pretty high.† Obviously we have a good senior class and offensively we bring back nine starters. On our offensive line everyone comes back with the exception of Cam Lemasters,† and defensively we have great senior leadership on that side of the ball too, so weíre looking to have a really good season.† Anything less than an NCAC championship is not good enough for us so weíre working towards that.
MY: Towards the end of last season the team really began firing on all cylinders. What needs to be done to ensure continued success this year?
AH: We have to stay focused throughout each week and just go into each week prepared for that team.† We have to give good effort, give 100 percent, and not overlook any opponents. Coach has talked about enjoying the process, that itís not just about the outcome, but to enjoy the time you have, working as hard as you can day by day. Through that we should be pretty successful.
MY: In your four years as a member of the football team, where do you think the program has shown the most growth and improvement?
AH: Year by year everything improves. As players grow, their intelligence for the game grows obviously. Every year we have more and more guys coming into the program with a better understanding of the game which makes it a lot easier for them to adapt to college football. It goes along with great coaching, I think our coaching has improved year by year and thatís definitely a key to our success.
MY: With a successful season not only for the team but for you as an individual, receiving second team all conference honors, what are your personal goals for this, your senior season?
AH: First team All Conference would be fantastic, maybe NCAC player of the year depending on how the season goes, but my first goal would have to be an NCAC championship for the team.† We have a lot of team goals as well, to win the NCAC championship and host a playoff game, and ultimately to win the NCAA division three championship.
MY: How important of a role will the 16 returning starters play in the success of this yearís squad?
AH: They should play a major role in our success but also our younger players are going to play a big role as well.† I think returning players will be great leaders for the younger players but weíve had some of the younger players step up into leadership roles as well.† The success of this team is going to be reliant on all 95 of us.
MY: Is there a specific game on the schedule this year that you are most looking forward to?
AH: Iím looking forward to every game, to be honest.† With it being my senior year I have to take it one game at a time.† Iím just excited to get the 10 guaranteed opportunities to play, so every week Iíll embrace a new game.