By: Zach Hiney, Editor-in-Chief of the Trumpet
WAVERLY- The 2023 Wartburg football season ended in an eerily similar way to 2022; A one possession loss in the Division III football semifinals to a national powerhouse. Two years ago, a 34-31 loss to Mount Union ended the Knights season. Last year, in front of a sold-out Walston-Hoover Stadium and an ESPN broadcast crew, the Knights fell to North Central 34-27. Those losses aren’t the only ones the Knights are dealing with entering this season.
The loss of a record-breaking class of fifth-year students, including Owen Grover, Hunter Clasen, Nile McLaughlin and Jordan Downing, leaves big opportunities for others to step up this season. Head coach Chris Winter, entering his fourth year at the helm, understands that while players change, the standard remains the same.
“We’re going to miss those guys, they were great players, and they made a mark on Wartburg football,” Winter said. “But our goal this fall is to make sure people don’t realize that they’re missing. Hold the standard.”
That standard has been set extremely high following a 26-2 record over the last two seasons and a preseason number 4 ranking in 2024. The Knights return this season with a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and a core with plenty of postseason success.
On defense, senior safety Parker Rochford returns and will be the quarterback of a strong defensive unit. Rochford has 15 interceptions and 6 touchdowns over the last two seasons so far and has even garnered some attention from NFL scouts. Nate Link, Justin Grieff, Jake Walker and Caleb Lamphier also return to a defense looking to repeat its past success. Rochford gave a lot of credit to the coaching staff for continuing to put players in a position to succeed.
“It’s all them,” Rochford said. “They’re progressing the future of Wartburg now, so we don’t have to worry about the turnover going forward.”
Some of those future pieces are planning to make an impact this season for the Knights. Keenan Tyler, Thane Alexander, Connor Grover and Blake Janssen are all expected to see an uptick in playing time, according to Winter’s media day press conference. They all chipped in through smaller roles last year and will step into a larger role in 2024.
The defense isn’t the only unit experiencing some turnover this season.
The Knights offense will be entering 2024 without some all-time greats. Nile McLaughlin, Hunter Clasen and Tom Butters hold numerous school records and were huge contributors to one of the best offenses in the country last season. Thor Maakestad and Alex Lahmon also played extremely well last season and have since graduated. Replacing all that production will be tough, especially Clasen’s.
Last season, Clasen rushed for 1,654 yards and a school record 24 touchdowns while averaging 6 yards a carry. Coach Winter knows that replacing Clasen isn’t a one-man job and spoke highly of the running back room.
“There might not be one guy replacing all of Hunter’s [Clasen] production,” Winter said. “It could be multiple guys, and I think it’s a good thing to have all that depth and we’re excited about that group.”
That running back group includes Ben Bryant, Bricen White, Joey Anderson and Dawson Rud. Bryant and White were contributors last season and should see an elevated role this season. Anderson missed last year with a torn ACL but showed flashes his freshman year. And Rud came out of nowhere as a true freshman last season, posting 474 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rud feels like he’s improved the mental part of his game just as much as the physical part.
“I think just some of the mental side of it, just getting to know the plays, how it’s set up and where I’m supposed to hit,” Rud said.
There’s a few more questions about who’s going to fill in the shoes that Nile McLaughlin is leaving. Senior Carter Markham and junior Leo Dodd are competing for the starting job. Markham was the backup quarterback last season and both he and Dodd received playing time.
“We’re really excited about that group,” Winter said. “It’s not a competition because we don’t have anybody. We got some good options, let’s figure out who’s the best option.”
Like McLaughlin, Markham played at North Scott high school. He was McLaughlin’s primary backup for the past two seasons and played in 17 games over those two years. Markham talked about how that experience and playing in those games have helped prepare him for this quarterback battle.
“Experience is huge, and I think every time I went into those games, I was confident because my teammates believed in me,” Markham said. “Along with having Nile [McLaughlin] as a mentor, that guy is awesome and super smart so having him at my disposal to ask questions to was awesome.”
Regardless of who’s behind center, the Knights will be tested early. They open the season with three straight road games against Monmouth College, St. John’s University and Central College before hosting Nebraska Wesleyan in the home opener on September 28. That schedule provides plenty of hardships but also opportunities for Winter’s squad.
“It’s certainly going to be a challenge,” Winter said. “We’ll find out a lot about our team in those first three weeks… we’ll find out a lot about ourselves by getting on a bus and traveling over there and I’m excited for it.”
The last two seasons have ended in heartbreak for the Knights, but the core is in place for them to get over the hump in 2024. Despite roster turnover, coach Winter insists the team must “hold the standard”. If they do, 2024 could be a magical season for the Knights.
CLICK HERE to listen to Coach Winter’s entire media day press conference.
