2004 Season Outlook Couldn't Look Any Better For Fighting Bees
By Ryan Holtmann

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The St. Ambrose Fighting Bees football team has a new attitude from here on out – never say die. That is a motto that they can say they have lived by, especially after the 2003 season, and something they will use for the 2004 season.

After starting the 2003 season at 3-3 and 1-2 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest Division, it appeared as if the Fighting Bees were going to miss out on their fourth consecutive divisional crown.

Mathematically the Fighting Bees were still alive, but needed some help along the way. The one thing the Fighting Bees did know was that if they won their final four games, they could put themselves in position to finish in a tie for the division.

With the “never say die” attitude, the Fighting Bees knocked off two ranked opponents and won their final four games to finish in a five-way tie for the MSFA Midwest Division crown, their fourth straight title.

This season will be no different, other than the Fighting Bees plan to leave no question marks at the end of the season as to who is the divisional champ. This season, the Fighting Bees will look to hold the outright MSFA Midwest crown, and may have the team to do just that.

The Fighting Bees have already been preseason ranked in the Top 10 of all three national polls. They are ranked eighth in the NAIA poll, sixth in NAIAFootball.net’s poll and are ranked ninth in Don Hansen’s College Football poll.

With the success of the past four years, and his work over the past nine, coach Todd Sturdy has made St. Ambrose become known as one of the national powerhouse’s in the NAIA. With four playoff appearances and two trips to the Elite 8 in the past four years, expectations for the 2004 season can only be high.

“I think our kids have high expectations and they should,” Sturdy said. “The seniors have been a part of three pretty good years and I think that they would like to have another good year. We have high expectations and I think that it is good to set the bar high.”

With 25 seniors returning for their final go-around as well as a strong group of seasoned juniors and sophomores to go along with a fresh group of talented freshmen and transfers, this group will be one that could contend for a National title.

“We have 25 seniors and I think that is a good starting point for any program,” Sturdy said. “I think we will have the opportunity to put together a good team and make another run at a conference title.”

The Offense

After last season’s display of offense, who couldn’t get excited when looking at the players returning this season? Despite losing second team All-American lineman turned graduate assistant coach Gabe Barta, the offense does return one All-American and five all-MSFA players. Also graduated are first team all-MSFA tight end Ryan Antonik and lineman Paul Cagle.

There is a storied history of Fighting Bees quarterbacks over the years and this season will be no different. This year’s core of passers is deeper than it has ever been before, starting with Jeff Kietzman (6-5, 205, Jr.). Kietzman started every game last season as a sophomore and completed 170-of-295 passes for 2,235 yards and 16 touchdowns as well as rushing for 213 yards. The North Scott (Iowa) graduate has a season of experience under his belt and will look to make a run at a few all-time SAU records.

“He has two playoff games under his belt, including a playoff win,” Sturdy said of the experience that Kietzman got last season. “Last year he entered without a snap in a college game, so it is a little bit different this year.”

Backing up Kietzman will be J.T. Bucy (6-3, 195, Sr.). Bucy, who saw a lot of quality action last season, completed 2-of-8 passes for 35 yards. Bucy has a season under the Fighting Bees system after transferring in from Harbor Junior College (Calif.).

Adding more depth to the position is Jim DuPage (6-0, 180, So.), a transfer from NCAA Division II Truman State. Jim, whose brother Joe is the starting wide receiver, joins the squad after starting in two games and playing in eight for the Bulldogs. In those games, he completed 29-of-77 passes for 319 yards and a touchdown.

Behind DuPage is veteran Ryan Luttenegger (6-2, 190, Jr.) from Burlington, Iowa. Luttenegger is a utility player for the Fighting Bees as he is also the backup punter. He is athletic and a solid backup for both positions.

The name is all too familiar to everyone in the NAIA when it comes to the Fighting Bees running back. Joe Schimmel returns for his senior campaign after rushing for 1,602 yards on 267 carries, 19 going for scores last season. He was named second team All-American and MSFA Player of the Year.

The Mokena, Ill., native is back bigger and faster than he was a year ago, which is hard to believe after offseason surgery on his shoulder. But have no fear, Schimmel worked the entire offseason rehabbing the injury and getting himself in the best shape of his playing career. Schimmel is also on pace to set some career marks in the St. Ambrose record books.

“He has a relentless work ethic and if anybody can come back from anything, it would be him,” Sturdy said. “He is one of the strongest kids on the team. He tested out unbelievable.”

Behind Schimmel is the speedy Larry Williams (5-9, 190, Sr.) from San Bernardino, Calif. After a stellar first season with the Fighting Bees last year, where he rushed 111 times for 776 yards and 5 touchdowns. Williams transferred in to St. Ambrose last year from San Bernardino Junior College. Williams will see time at both running back and wide receiver this season.

Also seeing time at running back will be Steve Parker (6-2, 230, So.). In limited action last season, Parker became accustomed to the Fighting Bees offense and could be a major factor this season.

This season, Kietzman will have a host of standout wide receivers to throw to, they include: Joe DuPage (5-9, 180, Sr.), Andy Ford (5-9, 160, Sr.), and Chris Burhans (6-1, 200, So.).

The Pekin, Ill., native DuPage is coming off a career season where he caught 33 passes for 524 yards and four touchdowns, which earned him first team all-MSFA honors. His career numbers continue to grow as he climbs the charts to become one of the top receivers in St. Ambrose history.

Ford, who hails from Iowa City, Iowa, will be tearing up the defensive secondary of every Fighting Bees opponent yet again, after a stellar 2003 season. In his final year, Ford will look to add to last year’s 32 receptions, 364 yards and three touchdowns.

Burhans is coming off a tremendous freshman year, hauling in 22 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Despite only being a sophomore, Burhans is one of the more vocal leaders on the team, on and off the field.

Behind the top three will be Brandin Smith (6-3, 190, So.) and Nic Gieselman (5-10, 165, Jr.). Smith and Gieselman are two receivers who have the quickness and skill to be solid backups and should see plenty of playing time.

Jason Lynch (6-4, 240, Sr.) steps into the starting role this season at tight end and will try and fill the shoes of all-MSFA first team selection Ryan Antonik, who graduated this past May. Last season while backing up Antonik, Lynch caught two passes for 32 yards.

Backing up Lynch this season will be Chris Logan (6-5, 245, Jr.). Logan, who hails from North Scott High School has some good experience within the Fighting Bees program and should be a solid backup.

“In my opinion (the offensive line) is the hardest position to play on our football team,” Sturdy said. “As far as what’s expected of them and what they have to know, it is a challenging position.”

With that in mind, replacing second team All-American Gabe Barta and all-MSFA honorable mention Paul Cagle will be easier said than done. But have no fear as returners Kurt Gersch (6-1, 275, Sr.) and Jon Ford-Harris (6-4, 310, Jr.) are back to take full control of the reigns.

Joining them on the line will be seasoned sophomores Brad Cook (6-1, 250, So.) and Jonah Mergen (6-2, 265, So.). Last season both started in both of the playoff games as true freshmen. Both bring loads of experience to the table after seeing plenty of action last season.

“I don’t look at them as sophomores anymore,” Sturdy said. “They have some big games under their belt.”

Another sophomore who will be on the starting line is Orion, Ill., native Greg Ford (6-0, 285, So.).

A young core of freshmen and sophomores will back them up this season. Dru Filkins (6-4, 270, Fr.) and Sean Dominick (6-4, 245, Fr.) will both getting their first collegiate action this fall and will be expected to step up and play a lot of minutes. They will be joined by Matt Kron (6-1, 245, So.), who will have major role on the line.

The Defense

The Fighting Bees defense may have a new look on the sidelines this fall, but they will look the same on the field. New defensive coordinator Mike Magistrelli does have a reputation to live up to with his defense, as they finished as the nation’s top passing defense and ninth best defense overall. But with the crew returning for Magistrelli’s inaugural run as the Fighting Bees defensive coordinator, matching those numbers may not be that hard and could even be surpassed.

“(Magistrelli) is exactly the type of guy who I want as a role model for our players and teacher in our program,” Sturdy said.

The Fighting Bees defense will be without the services of All-American honorable mentions defensive back T.J. Sheedy and defensive lineman Brandon Graves. Also gone is all-MSFA honorable mention linebacker Ricky Shepard. All have been lost to graduation.

But you have to look no further than the front four for some veteran leadership. Returning for their final go around are second team all-MSFA selections defensive tackle Mikey Novak (6-4, 250, Sr.) and defensive end Shawn Giffin (6-0, 230, Sr.). Also back is all-MSFA honorable mention defensive end Jacob Brower (6-4, 240, Sr.) along with Jason Kratt (6-5, 285, Sr.). In what is probably the best front four in the MSFA, look for these guys to be holding the opposition’s offensive lines in check all season.

Backing up the defensive line is a trio of experienced seniors. Rory Quinn (5-11, 245, Sr.) will see a lot of time trying to get at the opposing quarterback as well as Nick Hoadley (6-3, 260, Sr.) and Paul Vesey (5-11, 245, Sr.). All will see a lot of playing time and should dominate up front.

If a running back or quarterback somehow manages to snake their way through the front four, it will be hard to get past this trio of linebackers. Kevin Hopkins (6-1, 230, Sr.), Ben Sacco (6-4, 240, So.) and Brian Hunt (6-3, 210, Sr.) are all back with a vengeance and have one thing in mind – shutting down offenses. And it doesn’t look to be much of a problem with the experience these three have.

Hopkins finished as the Fighting Bees leader in tackles with 113 (47 solo) and was second on the team in tackles for loss with 11.

“I think that (Hopkins) really blossomed last year and by the end of last season, he was one of the better linebackers in our league,” Sturdy said. “By the time that the dust clears this season, I think that he is going to be one of the elite players in the league as far as linebackers are concerned.”

Their backups are just as good and will see valuable playing time throughout the season. Matt Seidel (6-1, 220, Sr.) is looking to have a big year after a stellar 2003 campaign. Brett Walzer (5-10, 190, So.) and Ryan Lincoln (6-2, 230, Fr.) will both be looking to get some quality experience in the first few games and make a major impact this season.

The secondary could be a force to be reckoned with. With all-MSFA honorable mention strong safety Luke Perry (6-3, 215, Sr.) returning after an outstanding season and cornerbacks Ryne Foster (5-11, 185, Jr.) and Johnny Dickens (6-1, 185, Sr.) moving up to full-time rolls as starters, opposing quarterback’s could have their hands full. Add to the mix Matthew Hunt (6-0, 180, Fr.), who is fresh out of Fairfield (Iowa) High School and will be asked to step up and make some big plays early in his Fighting Bees career.

Behind them will be a pair of upperclassmen and a pair of underclassmen. Cale Jasper (5-9, 180, Sr.) and Kyle Schultz (5-10, 180, Sr.) will look to make a big impact in their final seasons, while Chris Oehlman (6-0, 180, So.) and Dan Eble (5-9, 165, Fr.) will be looking to get some valuable playing time.

Special Teams

After being selected to the all-MSFA first team his junior year, kicker Matt Webster (6-0, 165, Sr.) will handle the kicking duties. Webster connected on 42-of-47 of his extra points and hit 9-of-25 field goals, including four field goals made in the first game of the season against Quincy.

The punting duties are clearer this season than they were last season. After starting in well over half of the Fighting Bees games last season, Jon James (5-10, 160, So.) has been deemed the starter after an outstanding freshman year. Last season he averaged 32.4 yards per punt and had opponents inside their own 20-yard line nine times.

The Schedule

The 2004 schedule will be a challenging one as usual. The one thing that fans will be quick to notice is the change at the end of the season. For the past five years, the Fighting Bees and McKendree Bearcats have always closed out their seasons against each other.

All five years, that game has either decided the MSFA or a playoff spot and each year, the game has been exciting. This season, that game will take place a week earlier than normal, with the Fighting Bees closing their season out on the road against Olivet Nazarene.

The season will open with an opponent the Fighting Bees have not seen in 21 years. For the first time since 1983, the Fighting Bees and Loras Duhawks will meet on a football field to try and revive what was then the biggest rivalry in the state of Iowa. The game is set for Sept. 11, at The Rock Bowl in Dubuque, Iowa.

The following week, the Fighting Bees will have their home opener against the Waldorf Warriors. Last season in Forest City, Iowa, the Fighting Bees stomped the Warriors by a count of 70-0. The Warriors got their first ever NAIA win in school history on Aug. 28, 2004, with a 7-6 victory over Haskell. This is the Warriors second season as an NAIA institution.

The Fighting Bees will then close out their non-conference schedule with a road trip to take on Taylor (Ind.). The Trojans finished last season with a record of 2-8 and will be looking to improve on that this season.

Then the fun begins for the Fighting Bees as they will enter MSFA Midwest Division play in hopes of winning the division outright. Last season, there was a five-way tie for the division and only two teams made it to the national playoffs. This season, the Fighting Bees want to leave no question marks.

It will be a slightly tough task this season as they will be on the road for four of the seven contests, including trips to an improved St. Francis (Ill.), Iowa Wesleyan, William Penn and the finale against Olivet Nazarene.

After winning two-of-three on the road last season in harsh environments, the Fighting Bees will welcome Trinity International to Brady Street Stadium on Oct. 9 in hopes of avenging last seasons 24-3 loss in Deerfield, Ill.

Saint Xavier, who is ranked 18^th in the NAIA preseason poll, will come to town on Oct. 23 and McKendree will close out the Fighting Bees home regular season on Nov. 6 in hopes of getting their second win against the Fighting Bees.

All but three games will kickoff at 1 p.m. this season, including all four home games. Games that do not start at 1 p.m. are games at Taylor and at Olivet Nazarene, both kickoff at 1:30 p.m. and the game at St. Francis (Ill.) will kickoff at 6 p.m.

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