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No. 3 Ryan football gears up for another state title push

Alex Eisen/MDN Bishop Ryan senior Logan Merck takes a breather during a practice held Thursday afternoon in Minot.

After losing in the Class A state championship game last season, the Bishop Ryan football team wants redemption. The Lions are hungry.

“I don’t think there is added pressure,” Ryan head coach Roger Coleman said. “I think fuel has been added to the fire. We want to get back there and complete the job.”

Ryan’s returning talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Lions were ranked No. 3 in the preseason media poll behind the defending state champions, No. 1 Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich, and Region 3 rival, No. 2 Velva.

At the top of the list are three All-State selections from a year ago. There is first-team senior running back Jaxon Feller, second-team senior quarterback Nick Sanders and second-team receiver/cornerback Bryson Elm.

Versatile offensive weapon Logan Merck will also be a handful to slow down. Due to a lack of healthy bodies, Merck is projected to play tight end to start the season. Getting touches as a receiver or in the backfield isn’t out of the question either.

“Pretty much the same,” Coleman said about his offense. “We are going to be uptempo as much as we can with these new guys. We are still a spread team that likes to run the ball.”

Under first-year starting quarterback Sanders and a lethal rushing attack, the Lions offense scored an absurd 557 points in an 11-2 campaign last season. That’s 42.8 points per game, and the most points Ryan has scored in a single season dating back to 1975.

The season-low in points came in the state championship game, losing to LAEM 42-14. That was also the most points the Lions gave up with a defense that posted five shutouts during the regular season.

“We want to be fast and physically like always,” Coleman said. “I thought we had a great season defensively last year. We have to be flying to the ball and be physical right out of the gate.”

Senior lineman Cutter Kent will anchor the front lines next to a host of juniors in Jacob Fricke, Steven Fred and Rylan Vibeto.

Younger players are also being asked to fill in the gaps, like seventh-grader Cade Okeson — younger brother of former All-State lineman Corbin Okeson — getting a starting spot on the defensive line.

“We have some young guys that are going to have to step up,” Coleman said. “Some freshmen and we are even dressing quite a few eighth-graders who are going to fill a role. We will see what we can get out of those young guys.”

Also getting an expanded role is junior Zach Hendrickson. The Our Redeemer’s basketball standout returns to the co-op with hopes of bringing his playmaking abilities to the secondary and as a wideout.

This is the second season Our Redeemer’s has been sending players over to compete with the Ryan football team. While that inter-city rivalry is harmonious during the football season, a different cross-town clash is about to get very interesting.

Ryan will be playing its home games at Nedrose High School this season because of the air-supported dome staying up at Herb Parker Stadium. Since Minot State athletics were postponed through Dec. 31, the decision was made to keep the bubble up.

“It’s great (Nedrose) are allowing us to play there because we were obviously in a tough spot,” Coleman said. “Thanks to Brock Zietz and the administration over there for letting us play. It’s going to be different. We are going to meet here, drive over and play. We will see how it goes. It’s football — the field is the same size. We would love to be at Minot State, but we are glad that Nedrose is helping us out.”

Season Schedule

Aug. 21, 7 p.m. at Dickinson Trinity.

Aug. 29, 2 p.m. vs. Carrington at Nedrose.

Sept. 4, 7 p.m. vs. Kenmare/B/BC at Nedrose.

Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Tioga.

Sept. 18, 7 p.m. vs. Velva at Nedrose.

Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at Nedrose.

Oct. 3, 1 p.m. vs. South Prairie at Nedrose.

Oct. 9, 7 p.m. at DLB.

Oct. 16, 7 p.m. at Garrison/Max.

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

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