Countdown to Kickoff 2018: AAA Sleeper
(Cover Photo: Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald)
Story No. 4 in NFN's 2018 sleeper series highlights a team that returns nearly its entire starting line up from last season. Brian Jerzak's Class AAA pick has an experienced quarterback and an experienced offensive line. They have not had a four-win regular season since 2010. On paper – that changes this year. NFN's 2018 AAA sleeper: East Grand Forks 2017 Record: 3-7 Returning starters: Carter Beck QB/CB, Trebil RB, Jackson Galstad RB, Ross Corbid OL/LB, Jhett Pesch OL/DL, Zach Johnson OL/DL, Chase Olderbak OL/DL, Aaron Riddle OL/DL, Luke Vonesh TE/LB, Kaden Robinson CB With a whopping seventeen out of 22 starters back from a three-win team – the Green Wave have the look of the team to get EGF finally over the .500 mark. They return quarterback Carter Beck and all five starting offensive linemen. These linemen were not just taking up space because the Green Wave didn't have anyone better to fill in – they return three offensive linemen that garnered all-conference recognition. On the defensive side of the ball, they will be returning both corners and most of the front seven. The defense gave up a ton of points last season, but with a year under their belt, I expect their points allowed to drop significantly next season. Head coach Ryan Kasowski obviously likes his team's chances on the line of scrimmage and should be able to ride the guys in the trenches to a string of victories this season. Kasowski feels the team's biggest weakness is explosiveness down the field on offense. If they can find some receivers to compliment the guys up front, the Green Wave will be tough to stop and should be in line for their best season in years.
