Knights hoping for long run in playoffs

By David Wilhelm

Updated August 21, 2016 6:29 PM

Coach Paul Bassler begins his 19th season with the Triad Knights, and he’s ready for an extended run in the playoffs.

“I’m expecting us to contend for a conference championship, to make the playoffs and, depending on injuries and everything, to have some success in the playoffs,” said Bassler, 53, a Belleville East graduate who has led the Knights to 12 postseason appearances. “We’ve been pretty consistent with making the playoffs. I’m not getting any younger, so I’m hoping we can start putting things together and make some deep runs into the playoffs.”

The Knights were 9-2 last season and won the Mississippi Valley Conference. Their only losses came against state runner-ups Althoff (Class 4A) in the final week of the regular season and Lincoln-Way West in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Triad, once again, will rely on its running attack. The Knights might not possess a big-play threat after the graduation of Adam Nelson (1,630 yards, 30 touchdowns). But there are no shortage of candidates to replace Nelson at running back.

Offense

Nelson was a three-year starter who gained 3,386 yards and scored 58 TDs, including six as a receiver. Replacing him is the Knights’ biggest challenge.

I’m expecting us to contend for a conference championship, to make the playoffs and, depending on injuries and everything, to have some success in the playoffs.

Paul Bassler

Triad head football coach

Seniors Tom Kraudel, Will Zehnder and Ethan Salopek, and juniors Trevor Nott and Elijah Kelly take over in the backfield. Kraudel rushed for 334 yards and two TDs last year.

“One guy might be featured one game, then it might be another guy,” Bassler said.

Senior quarterback Tommy Bauer returns after rushing for 542 yards and seven TDs last season. He was 10-for-22 for 192 yards in the air.

Linemen are senior center Christian North, senior guards Zach Leone and Brenden Benardin, and junior tackles Ryan Holcomb, Gavin Bailey and Maxx Boone.

Triad won’t throw often, but receivers are seniors Aaron Miller, Jake O’Dell and Logan Grapperhaus.

Defense

Triad has experience in the secondary with senior Jeron Pino and junior Nick King at cornerback. Safeties are Zehnder, senior Payton Allison, junior Cody Qualls, who also is the backup quarterback.

Ends are senior Chris Berg and junior Beau Barbour. Junior Kaleb Woolverton is a tackle, with the other tackle spot being filled by junior Malone Brown or junior Nathan Clark.

Clark, however, will open the season as a linebacker, where he will be joined by Salopek, senior Collin Brunton and junior Aric Crehan.

“We’re not as big as some of our defenses in the past, but we don’t really have to be because everybody is playing shotgun and throwing the ball all over the place,” Bassler said.

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