Photo courtesy of Murray County News: The 2023 Murray County Central football team includes Andrew Holm, Gavin Gillette, Carter Hanson, Krew Schneider, Hudson Schryvers, Aiden Dierks, Wyatt Loosbrock, Teague Meyer, Dugan Kluis, Danny Larson, Brayden Gilb, Jordan Sturges, Carson Lewis, Ross Engelkes, Lucas Kuball, Henry Carlson, Caleb Rosenbrook, Thomas Pruitt, Anikan Larson, Quintin Lewis, Luke Iverson, Keigen Wiekraad, Jaxon Wendorff, Carson Engelkes, Noah Mathiowetz, Colby Miller, Griffen Braun, Drew Wajer, Hunter Reese, Colby Kesteloot, Thomas Huso, Levi Koperuud, Weston Kruger, Jaxon Kline, Gabe Jacobson, Aiden Swenson and Broox Platt.

SLAYTON — The Murray County Central team prided itself on its staunch defense last season. The Rebsl held opponents to under 12 points per game. Now they’re looking to come back and better than ever in 2023.

MCC allowed just two opponents all season to score more than 15 points: they allowed 25 in a loss to Section 3A runner-up Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and allowed 20 to Wabasso in a 44-20 blowout win. While a defense that stout is tough to replicate, the Rebels have the tools to do so.

Leading the defensive returners is Ross Engelkes. The senior linebacker led the team in tackles last year with 53 and also took down 14 ball carriers in the backfield. Unfortunately for MCC, they lost each of the next five players on the leaderboard. Still, Colby Kesteloot had 19 total tackles as just a freshman and Andrew Holm had 16 as a sophomore, so both could be poised to take a big leap forward in the wake of players like Christian Tentinger and Dylan Doeden graduating.

Engelkes also will play a major offensive role for the Rebels. He served as the No. 2 running back behind Carter Benda last season. Benda had 591 yards on 91 carries last year while punching in seven touchdowns, but Engelkes’ numbers were right behind him. Engelkes took 100 carries for 544 yards and four touchdowns; with another year of experience and an expanded role, expect Engelkes to have a breakout season.

Part of the reason Engelkes’ role could grow so much is also because of quarterback turnover. As a team, the Rebels attempted 168 passes last season. Of those passes, 163 came from Abe Paulzine. Teague Meyer was the only other player to log a completion, going 2-of-3 for 21 yards as a freshman. Now, he’ll likely have the reins to the offense.

One issue he may run into is the team’s receiving depth, though. Christian Tentinger, Tanner Graphenteen and Jaden Deacon were MCC’s leading receivers last year; all three graduated. Still, it’s next man up for a young and athletic Rebels squad. Hudson Schryvers was productive on limited touches in his sophomore season, catching six passes for 51 yards and one touchdown, so he could be in for a massive leap in production this season.

The Rebels kick their season off at home against Lac qui Parle Valley on Friday at 7 p.m. Coments were unavailable at time of print.