Photo courtesy of Wheel Herald. The 2024 Murray County Central football team consists of (back row, left to right) Eli Baumgartner, Gavin Johnson, Hunter Reese, Levi Kopperud, Henry Carlson, Brayden Gilb, Quintin Lewis, Colby Kesteloot, Isaiah Wolske, Carson Engelkes, Hudson Schryvers, Andrew Holm, Griffen Braun, Gavin Gillette, Drew Wajer, Gabe Tentinger, Keigen Wiekeraad, Caleb Rosenbrook, Carson Lewis, Jaxson Kline, Evan Joens, Parker Johnson, Dane Hanson, (front row) Quentin Cady, Trenton Heard, Dylan Gilbertson, Thomas Pruitt, Gonzalo Fernandez, Jordan Sturges, Colby Miller, Lucas Kuball, Gabe Wolske, Broox Platt, Luke Iverson, Teague Meyer, Jaxon Wendorff, Noah Mathiowetz, Carter Hanson, Krew Schneider, Gabe Jacobson, Noah Frisk, Max Mathiason. 

SLAYTON — Coming off a season with a young roster, Murray County Central will now compete with an older, more experienced team and have a goal to be more consistent coming off their 4-5 2023 campaign.

“I felt like last year we had some ups, and we had some downs, but we weren’t able to be consistent enough, so we’ve been really trying to focus on our effort and execution,” head coach Patrick Freeman said. “A lot of our preaching has been on alignment, assignment and execution, and making sure that we are being consistent throughout it, and no matter what bad things happen, we’re going to still stay level-headed … Then when good things happen, we stay consistent and focus on what we’re still trying to accomplish.”

Freeman is going into his 11th season coaching the Rebels. Last season’s roster primarily consisted of underclassmen, who now have a year of watching and playing on varsity. They hope to debut a new look for the team as they grow into their junior and senior roles.

“We have six seniors this year, so a lot of them return. They contributed last year, and now are starters this year,” Freeman said. “We have around 14 guys within our junior class, so a lot of those were sophomores that were pretty young last year … But we’re hoping now, after a year of varsity, they’re a little bit more experienced. We’re excited for our potential this year.”

Junior Teague Meyer is returning as the quarterback. Last year, he threw 48 complete passes on 116 attempts for 562 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a team-leading 786 rushing yards and his six touchdowns on the ground trailed only Ross Engelkes’ 10.

“He started as a sophomore last year. [I’m] Excited for all the work that he’s putting in the offseason,” Freeman said. “I feel like he’s going to be a leader on our offense, and someone that we need to rely on for high-quality production throughout the year.”

Junior Colby Kesteloot is also returning as one of the team’s main linemen. He had 24 tackles last season.

“He was an all-district player last year, and we just expect him to continue to be a leader on our defense, be a force and be someone that we rely on in all situations,” Freeman said. “Really expect him to bring the physical play that we’re really looking for.”

Another key returning player in junior lineman Quintin Lewis. He finished second on the team in tackles last season with 34, behind now-graduated Ross Engelkes’ 45.

MCC has one major injury to start the year, as junior Lucas Kuball tore his meniscus in wrestling. He will be out at least 6-8 weeks, which could translate to missing the entire season depending on how surgery goes, according to Freeman.

Kuball was a spark for the defensive line last season, tallying 32 tackles.

This year will be about growth and using the strategies and strength gained over the summer to begin the year on a positive note.

“Start off fast … I feel like now is the time to show all the work that you put in the offseason, weight room, the early mornings,” Freeman said. “Let’s make sure that we get off the bus and start out fast.”

The Rebels were eliminated in the first round of last year’s Section 3A tournament, but Freeman acknowledged that the accomplishments of this season will be gradually earned, starting in game one and continuing to build.

“I know a lot of coaches say ‘one game mindset’, but I just want to continue to see our growth. I think we want to be playing our best football by the end of the year, so understanding that we got to continue to grow week in and week out,” Freeman said. “We play in a tough district, tough section, so we understand that each week is going to be a challenge … We want to make sure that we don’t overlook anyone, and we continue to move forward in a positive and upward direction.”