DRAGON FOOTBALL
Press Release
HENDERSON ADDED TO DRAGON FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2008
Devin Henderson of Northbrook, IL has signed a letter of intent at Minnesota State University Moorhead, according to head football coach Damon Tomeo.
A three-year starter and an All-Central Suburban League selection, Henderson was voted team MVP and also earned all-area, all-region and all-state honors at Glenbrook High School. He will be used at tight end at MSUM.
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SPRING FOOTBALL DRILLS AT MSUM BEGIN APRIL 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2008
Spring football drills at Minnesota State University Moorhead will begin officially on Thursday, April 3, according to head coach Damon Tomeo.
The Dragons are allowed 15 sessions with spring drills scheduled to close on Saturday, April 26, with a 10 a.m. practice at Alex Nemzek Stadium.
Tomeo begins his third season as head coach at MSU Moorhead this fall and returns 15 starters from last year’s club that finished 4-7 overall and 3-6 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. A major priority for Tomeo and his staff is finding a replacement for departed quarterback Dustin Long.
A two-year starter and a first team All-NSIC selection, Long became the Dragons’ career leader for pass attempts, 743, completions, 462, yards gained passing, 5,437, and touchdowns, 54. He also set single season records for attempts, 420, completions, 254, yards gained, 3,223, and touchdowns, 34, in 2007. Long was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007.
The list of returning starters includes junior All-American wide receiver Jabari Taylor (Hollywood, FL). Last fall Taylor set new MSUM season records for pass receptions, 90, yards gained, 1,147, and touchdowns, 13, and ranked second in NCA Division II with 8.2 receptions per game. Junior safety Josh Jones (Carson, CA), a first team All-American in 2006, returns after a medical redshirt season.
MSU Moorhead opens the 2008 season August 30 at Valley City State University and launches a 10-game NSIC slate September 6 at Wayne State College. The traditional Power Bowl meeting between MSU Moorhead and Concordia College has been tabled because of scheduling conflicts.
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2008 MSU MOORHEAD FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
CHARLES BIGGAR. . . 6-3. . . 285. . . Offensive Line. . . Robbinsdale. . . Armstrong High School. . . Honorable mention All-Lake Conference selection as a senior. . . Played for head coach Derek Fisher at Armstrong High School. . . Construction Management major has four siblings: Michael, 20, Dawson, 10, Preston, 7, and Graham, 7. . . Biggar is a three-year track letterman and has participated in weightlifting for four years. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Biggar is the kind of kid we need to build this program, a big, strong, hard working guy that can get in the trenches and move some people around.”
JAMIE BRAASCH. . . 6-0. . . 170. . . Wide Receiver. . . Oshkosh, WI. . . West High School. . . First team Wisconsin All-State selection as a senior, voted team MVP. . . First team all-conference selection in 2007 and conference receiver of the year, honorable mention pick as a junior. . . Standout wide receiver for head coach Ken Levine at Oshkosh West High School. . . Favorite target of fellow Dragon signee Tyler Wegner, the two hope to continue tradition at MSUM. . . State qualifier in track and field and hopes to do the same as a senior. . . Plans career in business. . . Parents are Jeanette Braasch-Choy and Jay Schneider. . .
Coach Tomeo says: Jamie is a big, physical receiver with good size, hands, and excellent route running ability.”
WES CHATTERTON. . . 6-0. . . 220. . . Offensive Line/Tight End. . . Kenosha, WI. . . Tremper High School. . . Captain-elect as a senior and an all-conference choice. . . Two-way performer for head coach Frank Matrise. . . Parents are Sara and Dan Chatteron, joins older Ryan, a starter on the MSUM offensive line. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Wes may not be the biggest offensive lineman we have recruited, but he may be the most technically sound one that we saw this year.”
RYAN DAHL. . . 6-4. . . 324. . . Offensive Line. . . Thief River Falls. . . Lincoln High School. . . Earned all-conference honors as a senior. . . Played under head coach Jeff Mumm at Lincoln High School. . . Versatile athlete, participated in football, basketball, track and baseball for the Prowlers. . . Plans major in Physical Therapy. . . Lives in Thief River Falls with parents Shelley and Mike Haats and younger brother Gavin. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Ryan is one of those great local kids that is nothing but an asset for your program. He will come in and work hard his entire career and he has the added bonus of having the kind of size that every o-line coach in the country is coveting.”
DARREN DELL. . . 5-11. . . 225. . . Defensive Line. . . Aberdeen, SD. . . Roncalli High School. . . South Dakota All-State selection as a senior, two-time all-conference pick. . . Started on both sides of the ball for head coach Terry Dosch. . . Brings championship pedigree to MSUM, won state football titles in 2005 and 2006. . . Plans a Construction Management major. . . Lives in Aberdeen, SD with parents Rhonda and Scott, has been on the honor roll every semester of high school career. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Darren has an explosive first step and will contribute to our defensive line. Plus, he should help the track team (throwing the shot put and discus) early in his career.”
MARCUS FALANAI. . . 6-1. . . 330. . . Offensive Line. . . Long Beach, CA. . . L.B. Polytechnic High School. . . Brings strong pedigree to Dragon program, started as a junior for national powerhouse L.B. Polytechnic High School and head coach Raul Lara. . . Limited to one game as a senior because of injury, but made presence felt, put on headset and helped coach the offensive line from the sidelines. . . Raised in a household with seven older sisters. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Marcus has the kind of attitude you want in your o-lineman. He loves nothing more than throwing people around. I expect him to be doing just that very early in his Dragon career.”
DAVID FLORES. . . 6-2. . . 210. . . Linebacker. . . Whittier, CA. . . Saint Paul High School. . . Joins Dragon football program after successful prep career at Saint Paul High School under head coach Pete Gonzalez, member of CIF Championship club as a senior. . . Prep honors include all-conference, all-area, team defensive MVP and CIF Defensive MVP. . . Native of Whittier, CA, son of Miguel Flores. . . Attended same high school as Dragon head coach Damon Tomeo. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Flores is a big, physical kid that runs extremely well. He should be able to give us depth at outside linebacker as a freshman.”
TONY GODBOLT. . . 6-1. . . 217. . . Defensive Line. . . Menomonee Falls, WI. . . Played defensive end at Menomonee Falls High School under head coach Bob Vitale. . . Second team all-conference and all-area selection as a senior. . . Three-year letterwinner in basketball as well. . . Plans Marketing major. . . Lives in Milwaukee, WI, son of Juanetta Robertson and Tony Godbolt. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Tony is a big, athletic lineman that should be an excellent fit in our scheme. He is another of those kids you love to have in your program because he’s just such a good kid.”
LOGAN JOHNSON. . . 6-2. . . 179. . . Punter. . . Zimmerman. . . Zimmerman High School. . . Handled all of the kicking duties for head coach Dave Hamlin. . . Maintaining a 3.2 grade point average in high school. . . Four-year soccer letterman as well, two-year all-conference selection . . . Lives with parents Denice and Barry, plans teaching major in teaching. . . Also has been active in Big Brother, Big Sister program. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Hopefully Logan will be able to step in and assume the punting duties as a freshman. He also gives us depth at kicker should anything happen to senior Kyle Wilcox.”
ANDY JOYCE. . . 5-10. . . 151. . . Cornerback. . . Plymouth. . . Wayzata High School. . . Major force at cornerback for Wayzata High under head coach Brad Anderson. . . Named to All-Classic Lake Conference honor team, KARE 11 first team All-Metro, Minnesota Associated Press All-State, Minneapolis Star-Tribune All-Metro and St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State. . . Member of B honor roll, lives in Plymouth with parents Lori and Jeff. . . Plans on majoring in Business at MSU Moorhead. . . Will join Trojan teammate Jeff Schuette at MSUM this fall. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Andy may not be the biggest kid in the world, but you wouldn’t guess it by the way he plays. His athleticism and awareness are amazing. He has a very bright future in red and white.”
BROCK KEATON. . . 6-0. . . 169. . . Defensive Back. . . St. Louis Park. . . Hopkins High School. . . Expected to compete in both football and track at MSU Moorhead. . . Logged sparkling prep career at defensive back for Hopkins High School head coach John Denhartog, also finished second at the Minnesota State High School Track Championships in the 200. . . Two-time Minnesota All-State track honoree, school record holder in the 4 x 100. . . Plans a Business major. . . Lives in St. Louis Park with mother Crystal. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Whether it is at corner or safety, Brock has a very high ceiling. You will hear his name often, both on the football field and on the track.”
SHAWN MARLOWE. . . 6-4. . . 200. . . Tight End. . . Oakdale. . . Tartan High School. . . Honorable mention All-Classic Suburban Conference pick as a senior. . . Brings versatility to Dragons offense he displayed in high school under head coach Darin Glazier. . . Lettered in football, basketball, track and weightlifting. . . Plans Criminal Justice major. . . Lives with parents Rosanna and Jeff, has older sister and a younger brother. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Shawn is very difficult to defend because of his athleticism and pass catching abilities. We can line him at wide receiver, tight end, or even at fullback. That creates the kind of matchups that defensive coordinators dread.”
MAX PRYOR. . . 6-0. . . 244. . . Defensive Line. . . Eden Prairie. . . Eden Prairie High School. . . Key member of Eden Prairie High School’s run of consecutive Minnesota State Class AAAAA Championships under head coach Mike Grant. . . Collected batch of prep honors, including KARE 11 first team all-metro, Minnesota Prepers first team all-state, Minneapolis Star-Tribune second team all-metro, St. Paul Pioneer Press honorable mention and first team all conference. . . Also lettered for past three years in track. . . Lives in Eden Prairie with dad, Michael Pryor, step mother Anne Pryor and mother Stephanie Wankel. . . Older brother Philip also plays college football. . . Plans major in Criminal Justice. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Max is a dominate force on the defensive line. He is the type of kid teams have to redesign there blocking schemes for.”
T.J. ROSAS. . . 6-1. . . 187. . . Outside Linebacker. . . Van Nuys, CA. . . Birmingham High School. . . Logged reward prep career at outside linebacker for Birmingham High School. . . Coached by Ed Croson. . . Standout linebacker on a team full of Division I athletes. . . Prep honors include three-time all-league, two-time All-City and team defensive MVP as a senior. . . Rosas lives in Van Nuys, CA with grandparents, plans double major in Business and Exercise Science. . . Will rejoin former high school teammate and current Dragon Dominick Baker. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “TJ is a sideline to sideline linebacker. He is very athletic and has a great nose for the ball.”
JEFF SCHUETTE. . . 6-0. . . 210. . . Linebacker. . . Plymouth. . . Wayzata High School. . . Finalist for Mr. Football and MN Preps Defensive Player of the Year last fall, dominant force at linebacker for head coach Brad Anderson. . . Two-time All-Classic Lake Conference, first team Minnesota All-State as a senior, second team as a junior. . . Named to all-area honor teams as a junior and senior. . . Plans Engineering major, maintained a 3.85 grade point average in high school. . . Lives at home with parents Sandy and Dennis. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Schuette has the speed and toughness you want in a linebacker but it is that natural instinct, along with his great blitzing ability, that really sets him apart.”
KYLE THORPE. . . 6-1. . . 187. . . Defensive Back. . . Stanley, WI. . . Stanley-Boyd High School. . . Three-sport standout at Stanley-Boyd High School, also lettered in track and wrestling and has maintained a 3.64 grade point average. . . Started at quarterback and safety under head coach Jeff Koenig. . . First team all-conference as a junior and senior, All-County Player of the Year in 2006. . . All-Northwest and all-region pick as a junior and senior and honorable mention all-state. . . State qualifier in wrestling, state finalist in track. . . Lives in Stanley, WI with his parents Kari and Jay. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Kyle is just so athletic that you need to find a way to get him on the field. He should provide quality depth to our secondary, bringing both size and speed.”
EZRA VAN DEN EINDE. . . 6-6. . . 260. . . Offensive Line. . . Bejou. . . Mahnomen High School. . . Played for head Coach John Clark, key member of trusty offensive line that helped propel Mahnomen High to the state quarterfinals. . . Maintains a 3.49 grade point average, Student Council Co-President and Knowledge Bowl captain. . . Will rejoin former Mahnomen star and current MSUM starting safety Eric Schaumberg in the Dragon program. . . Lives in Bejou with parents Maureen and David. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Ezra has the physical tools necessary to help our team. Once he makes the adjustments to our offense, I feel that he will be a great addition to our offensive line.”
TYLER WEGNER. . . 6-2. . . 206. . . Quarterback. . . Oshkosh, WI. . . West High School. . . Promising addition to Dragon quarterback corps, will join prep teammate Jamie Braasch at MSU Moorhead this fall. . . Logged prolific prep career under head coach Ken Levine. . . First team All-Fox Valley Association as a senior and co-MVP. . . Plans on majoring in Business. . . Avid outdoorsman. . . Lives in Oshkosh, WI with parents Patti and Randy. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Tyler is a very talented quarterback with a big time arm. He has the potential to follow in the footsteps of other great Dragon quarterbacks.”
DONALD WILLIAMS. . . 5-11. . . 261. . . Defensive Line. . . Orange, CA. . . Lutheran High School. . . Anchored defensive line under head coach Jim Kunau, made it to the Los Angeles Divisional title match, losing to Long Beach Polytechnic. . . Second team All-Trinity League in 2006, first team as a senior. . . First team All-CIF, helped Lutheran High capture CIF titles in 2005 and 2007 and state crown. . . Business major. . . Lives in Orange, CA with parents Julia and Don. . .
Coach Tomeo says: “Don Williams is a big kid that can step in next year and provide solid depth for our defensive line. “
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DRAGONS CLOSE WITH VICTORY OVER MUSTANGS IN THE DOME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2007
GAME 11- - - Minnesota State University Moorhead closed the 2007 season with a 41-27 victory over Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday at the Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis.
RECORDS- - - MSU Moorhead finished 4-7 overall and 3-6 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
STAFF- - - Damon Tomeo, in his second season as head coach at MSU Moorhead, is 10-12 overall. Varsity assistants include Robin Abraham (runningbacks), Travis Anderson (wide receivers), Joel Beard (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Shane Carter (outside linebackers), Brandon Lemer (defensive coordinator/inside linebackers), Ben Olson (offensive line) and Kirk Peterson (defensive line).
BROADCAST- - - Dragon football games are broadcast over ESPN Radio 1660 AM. Steve d’Eustachio returns for his 10th season as play-by-play announcer while Mike Larson will provide commentary. All Dragon games are also available on the World Wide Web at www.msumdragons.com.
LAST WEEK- - - MSU Moorhead put the finishing touches on the 2007 football season with a 41-27 victory over Southwest Minnesota State at the NSIC Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis. Dustin Long completed 23 of 33 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns, Jabari Taylor caught 14 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns and Enol Gilles rushed for 121 yards and one TD.
ALL-NSIC- - - Dragon senior quarterback Dustin Long was saluted as the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year, and joined sophomore wide receiver on the All-NSIC first team. Senior offensive tackle Aaron Cribb was a second team selection, while junior inside linebacker Jonathan Miller, sophomore offensive guard Ryan Chatterton, sophomore defensive end Jon Swart (Fargo, ND) and sophomore placekicker Kyle Wilcox were honorable mention picks.
LINEUPS- - - THE DRAGONS’ PROBABLE STARTING OFFENSE:
LT 75 Casey Gibson (Moorhead), Sr., 6-1, 270
LG 69 Matt March (Wildomar, CA), Sr., 6-4, 285
C 65 Damon Wolfe (Elk City, KS), Sr., 6-0, 250
RG 60 Ryan Chatterton (Kenosha, WI), So., 6-0, 270
RT 77 Aaron Cribb (Breckenridge), Sr., 6-3, 290
TE 82 Eric Eager (Maplewood), Jr., 6-3, 225
QB 19 Dustin Long (San Jose, CA), Sr., 6-3, 220
TB 7 Enol Gilles (West Palm Beach, FL), So., 5-6, 155
WR 80 Nick Scharpf (Horizon, WI), Fr., 6-0, 158
SB 9 Jabari Taylor (Hollywood, FL), So., 6-1, 175
SB 8 Eric Frost (Bloomingdale, ILL), Sr., 6-2, 170
THE DRAGONS’ PROBABLE STARTING DEFENSE:
OLB 42 Bryce Leggins (West Liberty, Iowa), Jr., 6-2, 217
DT 47 Zach Cahill (Rolla, ND), Jr., 5-11, 230
NG 95 David Webster (Maple Grove), Fr., 6-0, 285
DE 3 Jon Swart (Fargo, ND), So., 5-11, 229
OLB 41 Trent Johnson (Bismarck, ND), Sr., 6-0, 185
ILB 45 Jon Miller (Goodridge), Jr., 6-0, 210
ILB 22 Dennis Oswald (Frazee), Jr., 5-10, 210
CB 31 Willie De-Souza (Chanhassen), Jr., 5-9, 165
CB 25 Tyler Hagen (Moorhead), Jr., 5-11, 165
FS 11 Brandon Larson (Fargo, ND), Fr., 5-11, 185
SS 16 Eric Schaumburg (Bejou), Jr, 6-0, 185
DRAGON SPECIALTY:
S 6 Casey Kannel (Spring Valley, WI), Sr., 5-11, 230
H 13 Nick Stoltman (Moorhead), Fr., 6-0, 175
P 85 Dontay Holloway (East Los Angeles, CA), So., 6-2, 200
PK 35 Kyle Wilcox (Ramsey), So., 5-11, 178
PR 29 Chancey Ames (Moorhead), Fr., 5-7, 160
23 Bert Smith (Superior, WI), Sr., 5-7, 167
KR 29 Chancey Ames
9 Jabari Taylor
TAYLOR MADE- - - Jabari Taylor established new MSUM single season records for pass receptions, 90, receiving yards, 1,147 and 13 touchdowns
LONG WINS FOOTBALL GAZETTE AWARD- - - For a second time in his collegiate career MSU Moorhead senior quarterback Dustin Long has been saluted as a Football Gazette NCAA Division II National Player of the Week. Long set MSUM single game records for pass attempts, 57, completions, 34, and yards gained passing, 440, and tossed four touchdown passes against University of Mary October 20.
NATIONAL MARKS- - - MSUM quarterback Dustin Long is seventh in NCAA Division II in passing yards, 3,223, and eighth in passing yards per game, 293.0, and total offense, 308.2. Wide receiver Jabari Taylor is second in receptions per game, 8.2, and eighth for receiving yards per game, 104.3. MSUM linebacker Jonathan Miller is 15th for total tackles, 11.1, and tied for 19th in solo tackles, 5.9.
ADIOS- - - Twelve Dragons made their final appearance on Saturday, including Kyle Anderson (LB), Aaron Cribb (OT), Eric Frost (SB), Casey Gibson (OT), Trent Johnson (LB), Casey Kannel (LB), Dustin Long (QB), Matt March (OG), Matt Oachs (DT), Bert Smith (SB), Patrick Williams (LB) and Damon Wolfe (C).
LONG TAKES AIM ON DRAGON RECORDBOOK- - - Dustin Long set Dragon single game records for pass attempts, 57, completions, 34, and yards gained passing, 440, in a 45-31 loss to Mary October 20. Long established seasonal records for attempts, 420, completions, 254, yards gained, 3,223 and touchdowns, 34, as a senior. Long has become the Dragon career leader for pass attempts, 776, completions, 485, and yards gained passing, 5,748, and touchdowns, 54.
TAYLOR MADE- - - Jabari Taylor established new MSUM single season records for pass receptions, 90, receiving yards, 1,147 and 13 touchdowns.
LAST YEAR- - - MSU Moorhead finished 6-5-0 overall and 4-4-0 in the NSIC in 2006.
JONES SHELVED- - - Junior safety Josh Jones has been lost for the year with a broken arm. A first team DAKTRONICS All-American as a sophomore, Jones shared the NSIC Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year award with Zach Stafford of Bemidji State. Jones ranked second nationally with 10 interceptions in 11 games as a sophomore. Jones has been tabbed a first team pre-season All-American by Football Gazette and second team by D2football.com.
NSIC POLL- - - MSU Moorhead ranked eighth on the 2007 NSIC Coaches’ Pre-Season poll with 36 points. Defending NSIC champion Bemidji State was installed as the pre-season title choice with 88 points.
FOR STARTERS- - - The Dragons retain 13 starters from last year's club that finished 6-5-0 overall and 4-4-0 in the NSIC. Returning offensive regulars include senior tackles Aaron Cribb (Breckenridge) and Casey Gibson (Moorhead), senior quarterback Dustin Long (San Jose, CA), junior tight end Eric Eager (Maplewood), junior wide receiver Bruce Green (Miami, FL), sophomore guard Ryan Chatterton (Kenosha, WA), sophomore wide receiver Jabari Taylor (Hollywood, FL) and sophomore runningback Enol Gilles (West Palm Beach, FL). On defense the Dragons retain senior outside linebacker Trent Johnson (Bismarck, ND), junior inside linebackers Jon Miller (Goodridge) and Dennis Oswald (Detroit Lakes), junior safeties Eric Schaumburg (Bejou) and Josh Jones (Carson, CA), junior cornerback Tyler Hagen (Moorhead) and sophomore cornerback Marvin Anderson (Encino, CA).
NEXT- - - MSUM closed the season at the Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis on Saturday.
