Some talent for Blaze, just not a lot of depth
- By Tom Schardin, tschardin@swpub.com
- Aug 18, 2015
Last season, the Burnsville football team won its first playoff game since 2010 and its first under coach Tyler Krebs.
Can the Blaze build off that victory this fall? Can the team post its first winning record since 2006?
Burnsville finished 4-6 overall last year, 3-4 in the South Suburban Conference. It’s season ended one game shy of qualifying for state, falling 34-14 at Eden Prairie, the eventual champion.
Burnsville coach Tyler Krebs is entering his fifth season at the helm. This year’s team is sort of similar to previous ones. There’s some top talent, but not a lot of depth.
“We have had four years now to establish our program,” said Krebs. “Our players are much bigger, faster and stronger. We expect to be competitive in every game.
“We have a very talented senior and junior class,” added Krebs. “We took a step as a program with our playoff win against Eastview last year and hope to build on that momentum. Our goal always is to play our best football at the end of the season.”
Burnsville opens the season Aug. 22 at home to Roseville at 7 p.m. It’s an early start due to no more Metrodome and the unavailability of TCF Bank Stadium late in November for the state tourney.
It’s also the first year of district football and the new 32-team playoff bracket format. Burnsville is in the South Division of the East Metro Distirict with Rosemount, Eagan, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Eastview, Farmington and Apple Valley.
Burnsville could be pretty explosive offensively, led by second-year starter Kamal Martin. Last year, the 6-foot-3 quarterback threw for 923 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for four scores.
Martin will play Division I next year at the University of Minnesota, but not as a quarterback. He looks to convert to a receiver or tight end.
Behind Martin is junior tailback Steph Olson, who ran for 555 yards and five touchdowns last year as a sophomore. Seniors Michael Schiller and Jordan Leake will play at fullback, while senior Max Cantrell and junior Jackson Martens should also get some carries.
Senior Gerritt Olsen will play some tight end and at fullback. He had 264 yards receiving last year. Senior Hamza Hassan is a 285-pound tight end and is expected to be a big receiving threat in the middle of the field.
At receiver, there’s senior Tucker Shepley and junior Jake Shepley, along with senior Keenan Winge.
The offensive line could be a strength for the Blaze with senior Benn Olson leading the way. He’s committed to play Division I at Northern Illinois next year. He’ll be joined by seniors Andy Samuel, Jesse Orak and Matt Melich and juniors Jake Staats and Nick Burton.
“We don’t have a lot of quality depth and will play some players both ways,” said Krebs. “We play a very tough district schedule. We play a lot of seniors every year — eight seniors from last year will play football in college — so new players will need to step into roles for us to be successful.”
Martin, Samuel, Olsen, Olson and Olson will all play defense too, along with Cantrell, Leake, Jake Shepley, Winge and Martens.
Steph Olson had two defensive touchdowns, four sacks and 73 tackles as a linebacker last year. Olsen recovered four fumbles and had 103 tackles at linebacker as well.
Martens had three interceptions in the secondary, while Martin started both playoff games at safety and had an interception in the playoff win.
Senior Isreil Hart is also in the secondary, along with Cantrell, Winge, Jake Shepley and senior Jared Gemuenden.
Leake will also play at linebacker, along with newcomer Dan Eisele, a senior who moved into the district from Washington state. Senior Aron Hawkinson is also in the mix.
There could be a lot of rotating on the defensive line with Benn Olson, Samuel, senior Rickie Jackson and senior Cody Vonghmah in the mix.
Senior Josue Gonzales, a transfer from New Mexico, is expected to take over the kicking duties.
“If we stay healthy and play our best football at the end of the season, this team is talented enough to make a playoff run,” said Krebs.
In Week 2, Burnsville will play at Lakeville South Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The Blaze returns home Sept. 4 to take on one of the favorites in the East Metro District in Lakeville North.
