Schmidt, Goetz Lead a Young Royals Football Team

As the 2010 Blissfield varsity football season starts, making the playoffs for a fourth straight season isn’t on the radar of coach Ron Estes. And it’s not because this year’s Royals aren’t capable of it. It’s because Estes and his team don’t look that far down the road.

“It’s a very tough, long season. That first game against Sand Creek could determine whether or not we make the playoffs at the end of the season,” Estes said. “I see no reason to worry about six games until we have five under our belt.”

This year’s team is a talented squad. But it’s a young squad. The Royals graduated 22 seniors from last year’s team, which went 8-3 (3-2 in the LCAA, 3^rd Place) in a season that ended in the district final against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. Numbers are down a little this year, with 26 players on the team.  And there are only 11 seniors.

“The numbers are down, but it’s one of those things where we have the right kids on the bus. If this is all we have, but they are the right kids, then that’s good enough,” Estes said. “I like this group. Attitude wise, they are really fun to be with and you want to see them succeed because these kids go at it hard,”

On offense, Blissfield will throw behind a young an inexperienced line led by co-captain Eric Diesing and Taylor Kuhn. Diesing, who was second team LCAA last year, is a strong, tough and smart player who can play anywhere on the line. Kuhn, a strong, athletic senior, will play center. Estes credited Kuhn for moving to a new position.

“What a team player he is to do that. He’s what you would call a ‘skill’ guy,’ but he is moving to center because we need some older guys up front,” Estes said.

Senior Mitch Winkelman could see some time on the line. Otherwise, Estes plans to use a group of sophomores like big Zech Bostick, Grayson Strouse, Thomas Jackson and Jason Slomski. Tight ends are Noah Schultz and Jordan Willson

They big guys will try to make room and space for QB Eric Schmidt and a talented group of running backs.

Schmidt, a senior, begins his third season behind center. And that’s reassuring to Estes.

“It’s comforting to have a kid in there who has started all but three or four games. Eric’s got lots of experience, tons of skill and he’s a tremendous leader,” Estes said.

He’ll throw to tight end Noah Schultz and split ends Jordan Bateson, Garrick May and Devin Moore.

Blissfield has a great group of running backs led by senior Dalton Goetz, who was a monster down the stretch last years.

“I told Dalton that at the end of the season, he was our best all-around player last year,” Estes said.

Also running this year are juniors Blake Haupricht and Josh Knorr.

“They’re our home run hitters. They’re very quick and strong and have good instincts. They can break one at any time,” Estes said.

The defensive line is anchored by returning starter Noah Schultz, who is blessed with good speed and strength. He’s joined by Kuhn, who moves in from linebacker, and Diesing. The team will benefit from the return of Jacob Coleman, who returns to Blissfield after a year in St. Louis. Coleman is a hard working and quick kid who can handle the battles on the line. Bostic, Dylan Thompson and Christian Davis will also work in on the line.

The situation at linebacker isn’t settled. Winkelman, an undersized but fearless senior, Goetz, Lucas Stange and Lee Keinath will play.

Knorr, a first-team all-LCAA player, returns at safety. He’ll be joined at defensive back by Bateson, who started every game last year, as well as Johnny McEwan, Schmidt, Haupricht and May.

Schmidt, one of the better punters in the region, will handle punting duties. Riley Creps, who also plays soccer, is learning the art of placekicking and should take on the duties as the season goes on.

May, Haupricht and Knorr will handle punt and kick returns. Estes likes what he sees from May.

“He’s a tough little nut. He’s fearless and he catches everything,” Estes said.

After a great camp, good practices and an effective scrimmage, Estes believes his boys are ready to go. He said his team is very coachable.

“They’re very attentive. We don’t have to put in any extra time grabbing your attention. Whether on the playing field or in the classroom, if you’re trying to teach and you want them to learn, that’s a great characteristic to have,” he said.

With a young team, Estes said, the key will be the ability to forget the last play and move on to the next one.

“Kids make mistakes. How quickly do we quit making them? Do we keep repeating them? Or do we learn from them,” Estes said. “We’re optimistic. We’ve had good scrimmages and good practices. If we’re resilient and able to get over disappointments and successes and move on to the next play or the next game and keep our focus on the task in front of us, we’ll be fine.”