WATERLOO: Bulldogs seek to keep their playoff appearance streak going

WATERLOO -- They have their snazzy new artificial turf football field, but the Waterloo Bulldogs are being a little more greedy.

They want their 2009 season to include a fourth straight state playoff appearance, which would be an important "first" for coach Dan Rose's program.

"Going into a new building and a new facility, that should be a good boost for us," said Rose, whose 6-4 team put together a four-game win streak late last season that finally ended with a 35-21 playoff loss to Mississippi Valley Conference rival Mascoutah.

Waterloo will break in its new field with a 7 p.m. home game today against Freeburg, one of the area's top-ranked small schools.

The Bulldogs hammered out a 48-24 victory over the Midgets in a memorable 2008 regular-season finale, relying on 431 yards rushing and a 307-yard, six-touchdown performance by B.J. Grayson.

Grayson and All-Area kicker-punter Ben Skaer --now at the University of New Mexico -- are among the critical losses faced by the Bulldogs. Another concern is an inexperienced line, although versatile senior quarterback Tim Kassebaum's return could help offset that.

Kassebaum completed 30-of-62 passes last season for 482 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions. Despite missing three games with a broken hand, he also was Waterloo's third leading rusher with 264 yards and six TDs.

"Any time you get a returning starter at quarterback it's big," Rose said. "They've been there, they understand the dynamics and the pressure. It's not the first time they're walking out on the football field."

Senior Tyler Fickas (163 yards, one TD) is the top candidate to replace Grayson in the backfield. Junior Zach Laidley (6-1, 185) is another running threat.

The top receivers are juniors Dalton Kaufmann (6-2, 170) and Gabe Hopkins and senior Mike Mayer.

A mostly untested offensive line includes seniors Matt Tutor and Thomas Falk competing at tight end with senior Jacob Frank.

The tackles are junior Pat Bourgeois (6-3, 255) and Luke Hartenstein (5-11, 220), with seniors Seth Seymour (6-1, 210) and Nate Marchwinski (5-11, 220) at guard.

Senior Brian Earll (6-1, 180) and junior Dakota Riddle (6-3, 255) are competing at center. Sophomore offensive and defensive lineman Sam Faszold (6-7, 285) also has the potential to crack the starting lineup at some point.

Junior Aaron Aycock will replace the talented Skaer as kicker and punter.

Starting four sophomore and some juniors on defense a year ago should pay dividends in 2009.

The returnees include senior defensive end Nick Scott (6-2, 190), Laidley (65 tackles), Marchwinski (73 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions) and junior Shelby Culpepper (53 tackles) at linebacker and Bourgeois at defensive tackle.

Junior lineman Dakota Riddle also saw time last season while Kassebaum (20 tackles, two interceptions) and Kauffmann (17 tackles, three interceptions) return at defensive back.

Fickas will fill another linebacker spot.

Four of the six MVC teams qualified for the playoffs last season and Rose would like to see his team challenge for the league title.

"I would hope defense is a strength," Rose said. "We're strong and aggressive and have a little size. We're as big as we've ever been this year. We've got 13 guys in the 1,000-pound (weightlifting) club, so I've got some beef up front and some potential."