With high hopes and new faces, the Baker football team opens its season Saturday against Missouri Western State University.
“They are a very good football team and program,” head coach Mike Grossner said of MWSU. “They are a run-oriented team with a new quarterback. They are going to try to establish the run.”
Grossner said MWSU beat a talented Pittsburg State University team, earning a trip to the playoffs last season.
“I don’t think they are going to change much,” he said.
Grossner said the Griffons, who are ranked 22nd in the country, have several holes to fill as the team lost several players to graduation. The team’s senior class from last year won more games than any class in the history of the program.
Baker quarterback Mack Brown said MWSU is counting on two new cornerbacks to step up.
“They are going to have a challenge with our receivers,” he said.
Running back Richie Bryant said the team’s philosophy, especially on offense, will be somewhat different this year than in years past.
“We’re going to mix it up a lot more,” he said. “To attack the air we have to run the ball. I think we will be a lot more balanced this year.”
Grossner said three years ago the Wildcats were a running team, but the last two years they have been throwing the ball. He said the team was poor at establishing the run the last two years, and that the offense must be more balanced.
Defensively, the Wildcats will lineup similar to last year, he said.
“We are a sound defensive football team,” he said. “Our secondary should be very good when the ball is in the air.”
Grossner said although he and the staff have had four recruiting classes brought in, there is no pressure from the university.
“The vision that we had 3 1/2 years ago is exactly where we want to be,” he said. “I feel we match up in the league very well now.”
Grossner said the team is definitely more talented than any team in his previous years at Baker.
“It’s very obvious up front, we’re bigger and more physical,” he said. “Our guys outside are faster.”