EDWARDSVILLE -- In just two years as head coach at Metro-East Lutheran, Matt Tschudy has the Knights program headed in the right direction.
The Knights, who were 4-5 in Tschudy's rookie season in '07, finished with a mark of 5-4 a year ago. And with 30 players currently on the squad, interest in the Metro-East Lutheran program is as high as its been in several years.
"The (school) enrollment is dropping, but we're getting bigger teams. It may be just two or three more, but we are getting more kids,'' Tschudy said. "The attitude in practice has been great and the kids are anxious to get going. We're looking for another good season."
But while finishing with a 5-4 record is sometimes good enough to qualify for the playoffs, the Knights were left out.
A Class 1A school which competes as an independent, the Knights are forced to play several teams from out of state, which prevents them from earning playoff points in the IHSA playoff system.
"The playoffs are the goal for every team and it's ours too,'' Tschudy said. "Our schedule hurts us in terms of playoff points, but by the same token we don't want to play tough teams every week. It's kind of a Catch-22 situation.
"We were disappointed we didn't make the playoffs but I think the kids were just as upset that their last game was called off when the team we were playing from Colorado had to forfeit. It was senior day and I know they really wanted to play.''
The Knights open the '09 season Friday at Wesclin.
On offense, the Knights will be big in the backfield where senior Dan Niemeier (6-foot, 200 pounds), junior Quinn Fuhrmann (6-0, 185) and sophomore Trevor Hale (5-10, 200) will handle most of the work on the ground.
"We've got pretty good size and speed in the backfield. All of those guys played last year but some of them played different positions,'' Tschudy said. "We tell the kids at the start of the season to be prepared to play anywhere. Most of our kids can do that.''
Junior Matt Holle (6-1, 180) will be the starter at quarterback and possesses excellent ability while either running or throwing the football.
Senior Andrew Ayres (6-3, 250) and sophomore Matt Horton (6-0, 225) will anchor both the offensive lines while junior Josh Trampe (5-11, 255) will also be a key up front for the Knights.
Tschudy added several players will play offense and defense for the Knights
Metro-East Lutheran is looking for another winning campaign.
"I think 6-3 at a minimum is what we'll need to make the playoffs,'' Tschudy said. "But 7-2 or 8-1. We'll give it a shot. Whatever it takes.''
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