2008 Woodie Awards
Lakeland Football has New Coach, Identity
Corey Kempf
Issue date: 9/30/03 Section: Sports
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After last season, the Lakeland football team had to find a way to improve its relatively mediocre record of 6-4 (4-3 in conference). However, first the Athletic Department had to find a new coach for the Muskies because former coach Jeff Hynes resigned to coach for Concordia University (IL).
In February, Lakeland ended its search for a new coach successfully. Jim Zebrowski, who had previously been the offensive coordinator for a Millikin University team that went 24-7 under his three years of guidance, was named the new head coach. With the new head coach, the Muskies faced a transition and learning period, during which they had to learn a new offensive scheme that is a little more diverse than there previous run and shoot attack of years passed.
The offense did not suffer much from graduation, returning six Illini-Badger All-Conference honorees from last season. Senior quarterbacks Brent Luebke and Kevin Cox, who both received All-Conference honors last season, look to lead the team once again with the help of returning receivers Jeff Taff, voted IBFC Most Outstanding Wide Receiver last season, James Hayes (Second Team), and Shaun Behrend (Honorable Mention).
Although Luebke led the team in rushing last season, under the new offensive scheme, he will probably not be able to repeat that feat. With Juniors Nick Hunter and Travis Gervais lining the backfield and Nick Fox, Shane Straseske, and a big, talented line forming the lanes, the Muskies are hopeful to gain more yards on the ground than they have in previous years, even after losing three All-Conference linemen.
On defense, the Muskies show definite promise, returning three All-Conference honorees, all linebackers in Senior Roosevelt Moore and Juniors Mike Gregory and Jacob Vigilante. The defensive line returns two seniors, Johnnie Ferguson and Eric Luchina, and enters many other strong, young linemen headlined by Junior Rick Bowerman and Sophomores Nick Zeck, Joe List, Shane Schrimpf, and David Benton.
Among the secondary are three starters with Senior Erich Voight leading a pack of defensive backs that looks to give quarterbacks and receivers fits. Also returning for the backs is Junior Mark Edmund, who is returning from knee surgery that ended his season early last year.
Junior, Matt Cook and Senior, Gerald Starner return for the special teams and look to share kicking duties once again this year. Along with freshman punter, Casey Kedrowski, the special teams hope to bring added depth to the team this season. Zebrowski and the Muskies are definitely ready to make a run for the conference title and many opposing teams may not stand a chance against this potent team.
In February, Lakeland ended its search for a new coach successfully. Jim Zebrowski, who had previously been the offensive coordinator for a Millikin University team that went 24-7 under his three years of guidance, was named the new head coach. With the new head coach, the Muskies faced a transition and learning period, during which they had to learn a new offensive scheme that is a little more diverse than there previous run and shoot attack of years passed.
The offense did not suffer much from graduation, returning six Illini-Badger All-Conference honorees from last season. Senior quarterbacks Brent Luebke and Kevin Cox, who both received All-Conference honors last season, look to lead the team once again with the help of returning receivers Jeff Taff, voted IBFC Most Outstanding Wide Receiver last season, James Hayes (Second Team), and Shaun Behrend (Honorable Mention).
Although Luebke led the team in rushing last season, under the new offensive scheme, he will probably not be able to repeat that feat. With Juniors Nick Hunter and Travis Gervais lining the backfield and Nick Fox, Shane Straseske, and a big, talented line forming the lanes, the Muskies are hopeful to gain more yards on the ground than they have in previous years, even after losing three All-Conference linemen.
On defense, the Muskies show definite promise, returning three All-Conference honorees, all linebackers in Senior Roosevelt Moore and Juniors Mike Gregory and Jacob Vigilante. The defensive line returns two seniors, Johnnie Ferguson and Eric Luchina, and enters many other strong, young linemen headlined by Junior Rick Bowerman and Sophomores Nick Zeck, Joe List, Shane Schrimpf, and David Benton.
Among the secondary are three starters with Senior Erich Voight leading a pack of defensive backs that looks to give quarterbacks and receivers fits. Also returning for the backs is Junior Mark Edmund, who is returning from knee surgery that ended his season early last year.
Junior, Matt Cook and Senior, Gerald Starner return for the special teams and look to share kicking duties once again this year. Along with freshman punter, Casey Kedrowski, the special teams hope to bring added depth to the team this season. Zebrowski and the Muskies are definitely ready to make a run for the conference title and many opposing teams may not stand a chance against this potent team.