DRAGON ATHLETICS
News
WOLFE UNDERSTANDS PROTECTIVE ROLE ON DRAGON OFFENSIVE FRONT
By Larry Scott, MSU Moorhead Sports Information Director
Damon Wolfe is in the protection business, and he takes his role seriously.
A senior at MSU Moorhead and the starting center for Minnesota State University Moorhead, Wolfe is entrusted with opening running lanes for Dragon runningbacks, and perhaps more importantly, keeping record-setting quarterback Dustin Long upright.
All hands know Long is the centerpiece of the Dragon offense, on course to shatter virtually every single game, season and career passing record at MSUM. To fully work his craft, however, he needs time, a fact not lost on Wolfe and his upfront pals on the MSUM offensive line.
“Having a mobile quarterback who can move around makes you want to work harder on your block because you know he can make plays off of it,” Wolfe said. “He is one of the elite quarterbacks who can turn any play, no matter what down or distance, into a big play and a touchdown. It’s a lot of fun to block for a guy like that.”
While Long is the unquestioned triggerman, Wolfe insists it’s not all about passing.
“I think any team needs to be balanced,” said Wolfe. “We are set up as a spread team, but to do what we need to do with our passing game, we need to run the ball effectively.”
Wolfe exited spring practice as the starting center after a switch from guard. Wolfe lettered at MSU Moorhead last fall as a junior and made eight starts on the Dragon front. He transferred to MSU Moorhead in the spring of 2006 after a stay at Coffeyville Community College where he earned all-conference football laurels as a sophomore.
The 6-0, 250-pound senior from Elk City, KS is used to being relocated, and has adapted well. “In high school I played tackle and guard, and they moved me around,” said Wolfe. “I played center for two years at a JUCO, and last year here I played guard.”
After two seasons at Coffeyville CC, it was time to move on, and Wolfe eventually cast his lot with the Dragons, despite a couple of nearby suitors. “There were a couple of schools in Kansas I was looking at, but I would have to be a backup for a couple of years.”
When MSU Moorhead makes its final home appearance today, Wolfe realizes that dreams of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship and a winning record have evaporated. Still, he insists, there is much to play for.
“Whenever a season isn’t going the way you want it to go, or if you are having some tough breaks, you have to keep playing for the guys around you, your friends and family. You have to keep fighting for each other,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe can rely on plenty attention from his personal fan club of wife Mandy, daughter Ashley (3 ½) and son Haze (1), and insists Mandy is certainly all-conference in his eyes.
“She makes it easy; she does an awesome job with the kids. She just started a job, but she was a stay at home mom. The kids keep you busy; they want to play with puzzles and toys, but it’s a lot of fun, very rewarding.”
A three-sport captain at Sedan High School, Wolfe was named to the Kansas All-State team as a senior and earned all-district honors as a sophomore, junior and senior.
Wolfe is completing a Physical Education degree at MSU Moorhead and would eventually like to set up a fitness center. First, there is the matter of putting the wraps on his final season.
One of 12 departing seniors on the latest Dragon football edition, Wolfe and his football pals close their season November 10 against Southwest Minnesota State at the NSIC Metrodome Classic. He is well aware the shelf life of his collegiate football career is about to expire, but he isn’t ready to think about life after football. “I haven’t let that sink in yet. I’m sure it will hit me after the Metrodome game that it’s all over, but for now, I’m just pushing it to the back of my mind.”
