Hazen returns 20 starters from last year

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Hazen has found itself in a comfortable position, returning all but two starters.

“It’s the exact opposite of last year,” Hazen head coach Rick Philion said. “Basically, the kids we have back were all kids who had playing time. They made some good progress last year.

“Practice is very different this year than it was last year.”

Hazen’s record last year was 7-3 and it will play a little different competition this upcoming season with three new teams in Class A, Region 4.

“The one catch to it is that we were young, but other teams like Killdeer and Heart (River) were young also,” Philion said. “Then Richardton-Taylor coming in has a strong, rich tradition of good, physical football.”

One area where Hazen isn’t lacking is guys who can score the ball on the ground.

Sophomore Briar Bornemann posted 841 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

“He’s one of those kids that didn’t play a lot for us at the beginning of the year,” Philion said. “Then the last four and five games is where he picked up a majority of those yards.

“We are really optimistic about the things he can do on the football field for us.”

Another dynamic scorer for the Bison is junior quarterback Stetson Carr, who ran for 797 yards and 11 touchdowns. Stetson also completed 43 passes for 711 yards and six TDs.

“I think our two playoff games were his best performances,” Philion said.

While Carr did throw nine interceptions, Philion said seven of those came in the first half of the season.

“From the end of the year on, he did a much better job of managing the ball,” he said. “Not trying to force things.”

Hazen’s strongest area is its line, which should be able to keep Carr and backfield out of the trouble.

The Bison’s goals are set high as they want to return to playoff contention and at least reach the state semifinals.

“We are hoping that we can take another step forward,” Philion said. “There are a lot of good teams standing in our way. But we feel if you don’t set the goals high, there not much since of setting them.”

Hazen Bison

Head coach: Rick Philion

Last season: 7-3

Returners: Jon Doll, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 155; Alex Volk, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 180; Ethan Eberle, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 214; Collin Lindquist, Sr., WR/DB, 6-2, 180; Josh Rothe, Sr., WR/DB, 6-4, 192; Brock Bruner, Sr., RB/LB, 6-0, 207; Tyler Parker, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 185; Colton Stiefel, Sr., OL/LB, 5-10, 185; Blaze Sommer, Sr., TE/DL, 6-1, 208; James Ternes, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 181; Stetson Carr, Jr., QB/DB, 6-2, 182; Briar Bornemann, So., RB/DB, 5-7, 155; DeMarques Smith, So., RB/LB, 6-0, 185; Bret Leier, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 175; Michael Berg, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 190.

Newcomers: Michael Maas, Jr., OL/DL, 6-2, 248; Austin Cieslak, So., OL/DE, 6-3, 234; Dominick Opp, So., RB/DB, 5-7, 145; Josh Erhardt, So., QB/DB, 6-0,170.

2011 schedule (all times Mountain): Aug. 26–vs. Beulah, 6 p.m.; Sept. 2–at New Salem-Almont-Glen Ullin, 6 p.m.; Sept. 9–vs. Killdeer, 6 p.m. Sept. 16–vs. Heart River, 6 p.m. Sept. 23–at Richardton-Taylor-Hebron, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30–at Southern McLean, 6 p.m.; Oct. 7–vs. Standing Rock, 6 p.m.; Oct. 14–vs. Grant County-Flasher, 6 p.m.

Tags: high school football, kickoff football preview