Russellville

What a season in just year-two of the program for the Russellville Indians! Coach Rulo sums it up best “We were blessed with an outstanding season last year, far surpassing expectations and going 8-2. We experienced so many firsts as a program and laid a strong foundation for the future of the program.” Having an experienced coach like Tim Rulo, a roster with a good number of players and the support of the community goes a long way toward establishing a program’s foundations. This season the Indians will experience their first test of having to replace a solid graduating senior class. They do have quite a few upperclassmen who have gained experience over the last two years and they will build around that as they have four returning starters on the offensive side of the ball and five returners starters on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, it starts up front. The offensive line will see the return of juniors Brayden Paull (5’10, 310) and Ryan Brown (6’0, 250). Paull was 2nd Team All-District & All-Conference and Brown as named All-Conference last season as well. They both started every game last year and have had a great off-season. They both bring much strength and experience back, not to mention good size, to the O-Line. Filling out the line will be senior Jacob Fisher (5’6, 225), sophomore Canaan Plate (6’1, 175) and the junior duo of Lydia Eickhorst (5’5, 195) and Garrett Holtgrewe (6’1, 160). Coach calls Plate “An athletic sophomore with a high motor! Excited to see his impact on the field.” He describes Eickhorst as “Athletic, strong, and smart OL/DL who will look to make

Class: 1

Conference: Independent

Head Coach: Tim Rulo

Years at School: 3

Record at School: 10 - 8

Returning Lettermen: 18

Returning Starters Offense: 4

Returning Starters Defense: 5

Last Year’s Record: 8-2 an impact on both sides of the ball.” Coach looks at Holtgrewe as a “Blue collar, hard worker who knows how to get things done on the OL/DL.” There is some solid talent to build an effective O-Line from. The guys running behind this line will start with junior Keaton Schrimpf (5’11, 170) who had significant playing time due to injuries last year. “Really blossomed as a RB (21 Carries for 133 Yards and 1 TD),” stated coach. In the mix are a stable of running backs including senior Cayden Cook (5’11, 185) who played WR last year (5 Catches for 98 Yards) and will move to RB to have an even bigger role in the offense. Senior Nolan Gartner (6’1, 200) who is a strong and physical athlete who will make his presence known on both sides of the ball and senior Drake Armes (5’8, 155) who is a hard working athlete who will make an impact on both sides of the ball. Colten Koenigsfeld (6’0, 170) a junior, will provide depth at RB along with sophomore Jonathan Witt (5’8, 160). Russellville did not throw the ball much last season averaging only 61 yards per game through the air, but this season coach would like to strive for a little more of an effective passing game. Senior Payton Behrens (5’11, 160) returns after an All-Conference season at WR (6 Catches - 176 Yards - 3 TDs). Junior Braedyn Bryant (6’3, 175) is at wide receiver and coach is excited, “Braedyn is coming back out for football. Excited to see his presence felt on the offensive side of the ball. Long and athletic body! Definite help in the passing game.” Fellow junior Aiden Keeven (5’11, 160) will provide some depth at receiver also. It looks like the signal caller will be sophomore QB Justin Seaver (5’9, 175). The Indians will utilize their run-heavy Spread Option attack that accounted for 241 rushing yards per game last year which is the main reason they were able to average a staggering 32 points per game. “We are replacing many pieces from the past season, but our team is excited for the challenge ahead,” commented Coach Rulo. “We will lean on the experience of our OL as we must continue to develop depth upfront. Will be bringing in a new QB (Justin Seaver). Very athletic sophomore who can beat people with his arm and legs. Excited to see our seniors step up into starting and more prominent roles as well as juniors and sophomores fill in the open spots.” On, defense the solid linebacking pair of senior Nolan Gartner and junior Keaton Schrimpf return. Gartner had 14 Solo, 36 Asst. tackles, 6 TFL and 2 Sacks last season and Schrimpf recorded 13 Solo and 36 Asst tackles with 3 TFL and 2 Sacks. Senior Cayden Cook played some LB last season (6 Solo, 27 Asst. tackles with 3 TFL and an 1 INT). The sophomore duo of Justin Seaver who played some backer last year (11 Solo, 23 Asst.) and Canaan Plate will be at LB also. Along the D-Line senior Zane Sluyter (6’4, 250) returns along with junior Ryan Brown

(4 Solo, 9 Asst. tackles with 2 TFL). “Senior Jacob Fisher has worked so hard this off season! Really looking to make an impact on defense this year!,” stated Coach Rulo. Juniors Lydia Eickhorst, Garrett Holtgrewe and Colten Koenigsfeld are looking to make an impact on the DL this season. In the secondary, one starter returns, senior Drake Armes (2 Solo, 9 Asst. tackles with 1 INT). The talented sophomore Jonathan Witt played some defense last year (7 Solo, 11 Asst. tackles with 2 TFL, 1 INT and 1 FF). Aiden Keeven is an athletic junior who played some last year now looking to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Last season, Russellville allowed teams 197 rushing yards and only 65 passing yards per game. Overall, a solid effort and keep their opponents to 20 points per game. “Ex-

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cited to see the energy that this defense can produce on Friday nights!” exclaimed Coach Rulo. “Returning starters and other players who have experience due to some injuries during last season should be ready for action come this Fall. As Russellville football develops and matures excited to see more physicality and “Swarm and Celebrate” mentality take over!” Coach is ready to get back on the field, “It’s an exciting time to be at Russellville because every year more and more players are familiar with the game of football and the system, tradition, and culture we are building here. We are excited to continue to watch them develop their identity as a consistently successful program year in and year out.”