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Five things to watch as Minot High football practice starts

Garrick Hodge/MDN Minot High football coach Barry Holmen (right) talks with quarterback Creighton Rudolph (17) in a game played last season at Duane Carlson Stadium.

Store away the baseballs and break out the football helmets. The first fall practice for the Minot High School football team gets underway today with a two-a-day.

The last few seasons for the Magicians have ended in painful heartbreak. Following back-to-back losses in the Dakota Bowl in 2014 and 2015, last year’s campaign was cut one-game short of reaching the title game with a 43-38 defeat to Bismarck High in the state semifinals.

Here are five things we’ll be watching for as the Magi embark on another gridiron quest that will try to avoid the pitfalls of seasons past and attempt to trade in their perennial contender’s status for a ring.

1. Muscle on the front lines:

One of the most underappreciated facets of Minot’s success over the years resides in the trenches. The linemen, on both sides of the ball, set the framework in moving the ball or stopping it.

From those listed as offensive and/or defensive lineman on last year’s roster, the Magi will have to find replacements for nine players. That includes Matthew Rabe, who lead the team in tackles (45), tackles for a loss (9) and sacks (3.5).

Defensive line standouts Kade Lindquist and Je-Mario Jones will also be greatly missed. They combined for 62 tackles last season.

On the other side of the ball, Colton Cook has left a gaping hole now that he has moved on to play collegiate football at South Dakota State University.

Big, strong and agile bodies are in high demand.

2. Diamonds in the rough:

With the high turnover from season to season in high school football, there are bound to be new faces that come out of nowhere and become impact players.

They might not jump out right away on the first day of camp, but it doesn’t take long for talent to surface.

Take last year’s breakout running back Manuel Bradford for example. The newcomer, who moved to Minot from Tennessee, started on defense. After weeks of beating everybody in sprints, it was clear that coach Barry Holmen had to find a way to get the ball in Bradford’s hands.

Finding another player that can rattle off 1,097 rushing yards and cash in 14 touchdowns can’t hurt. Or, because maybe that is too much to ask for, a players that provide a spark and can change the course of the game in one play.

3. Development of Creighton Rudolph:

With a year of varsity experience being under center, the senior quarterback is a dual-threat to run or pass when in the pocket and just a natural leader. That was evident last season.

Rudolph won the quarterback competition last year to replace recent Minot State transfer Ben Bolinske, a former three-time Class AAA All-State first team selection. Quite big cleats to fill, but Rudolph held his own by completing 86 of 148 pass attempts (58.1 percent) for 1,416 yards.

Rudolph threw for 15 touchdowns and was picked off six times. He also rushed for four touchdowns.

If Rudolph is given the reins again, it will be interesting to see how much of the offense changes or adapts to rely more on his senior leadership and playmaking abilities.

4. Between the uprights:

After punching the ball into the end zone, the Magi need somebody to boot it through the goal post. The graduation of kicker Preston Johnson, who converted 40 extra points and no field goals, leaves a minor yet vital vacancy to be filled.

While Minot High didn’t have to rely on Johnson too much last season, the quality of the kicker can have an influence on the play calling in and near the red zone. Three points is a nice option to have when faced with a 4th and 10 on the opposition’s 24-yard line.

5. Speeding up the preseason process:

Holmen and the coaching staff have been on the sidelines in a lot of big games over the last few seasons and rightfully deserve credit for that. Yet, after getting so close to bring back the first state championship to Minot High since 1980, the thought of what more can be done to get over the final hurdles must exist.

Teaching the fundamentals is paramount. And, as much as the kids probably hate it, conditioning is always crucial at the start of the season. Those two things make up most of the preseason.

The quicker those are polished and are up to standard, the faster Holmen and his staff can help morph this team to what they envision. Getting players in the right spots with the right scheme doesn’t happen overnight.

While losing the season-opener to West Fargo last season didn’t derail the eventual co-West Region champions, the Packers are going to quickly expose any weaknesses the Magi might have when they square off again in Week 1 this year on Aug. 25 in Minot.

The more prepared they are, the better. And nobody wants to lose a home opener.

Alex Eisen covers Minot High School, Minot State athletics and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.

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