MINSTER — Minster coach Geron Stokes doesn’t necessarily want to start out every season with a 2-4 record. But if that start is necessary in order to reach the state final game, he’ll take it.
The Wildcats started 2-4 last season but won their last four games to earn a spot in the Division VII state final. It was the second state title game appearance in three seasons for Minster, which won the Division VI championship in 2014.
Though the Wildcats lost to Warren John F. Kennedy in the championship game last year, Stokes said the season was the ultimate learning experience for players.
“We were really bad to start the year last year, and we had to find ourselves,” Stokes said. “We had to find ourselves a little bit. Some guys had to dig inside themselves a little bit and we had to come together as a team. It was a great learning experience. I wouldn’t have wished that happened any other way.”
Stokes, who is entering his fifth season, is counting on the experience of the senior class to lead a young group. Over half of last year’s defensive starters return while four offensive starters are back.
“Our seniors this year have learned a ton from the previous three groups of seniors, how they lead and how they drive our culture,” Stokes said. “This is the most aligned and the best group of seniors we’ve had as far as leadership goes.”
Senior quarterback Jared Huelsman returns after rushing and throwing for over 1,000 yards a year ago. He was named the Midwest Athletic Conference offensive player of the year and was second team all-conference as a linebacker.
“As far as a player goes, he’s unreal,” Stokes said of Huelsman. “As far as a person goes, he’s the best I think I’ve ever been around. As far as leadership goes, as far as work, as far as competitiveness, as far as doing things the right way, there’s no one better. And when your best player is that way, everybody has to fall in line. He’s a major, major, major piece of the puzzle as far as leadership goes, more so than his play.”
Senior Isaac Schmiesing, junior tight end Cody Frericks and senior tight end/fullback Anthony Boehnlein are also key returnees on offense. Boehnlein is a returning starter at linebacker, as are senior Jeremy Kauffman and junior Jack Heitbrink.
“All these guys are 100 percent attendance guys and extremely hard workers,” Stokes said. “They’re all extra coaches on the field and in the weight room. It’s really cool to see, because as people they’re second to none. We think they’re going to overachieve with their ability because of how great of people they are.”
The schedule is tough as usual with nonleague games against Fort Loramie and Covington before MAC play starts.
“We’ve had a blast getting ready for this thing,” Stokes said. “We’re just going to go compete.”
