stillwatergazette . com Stillwater Ponies Football Preview • Friday , August 23 , 2024 Page 11
DEFENSE
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coach suggested .
“ It ’ s pretty impressive that ( the injury ) happened in November and he ’ s back ,” LaBore said .
Senior DK Gora ( 6-0 , 165 ), junior Isaac Sainsbury ( 5-10 , 165 ) and sophomore Jack Runk ( 5-9 , 155 ) are also candidates for playing time in the secondary .
Special teams
There are familiar faces returning for the Ponies on special teams , including kicker Landon Huber . The senior has connected on 59 consecutive extra-point kicks since 2022 , eclipsing the previous record of 45 in a row by Joe Stormont in 2005 and 2006 . Stillwater has been impressive on extra-point
2023 Ponies football defensive points
Top 15
Player
Points John Karkula .............. 164 Grayson Zurn ............. 163 Cal Nitti ...................... 126 Charlie Goodland ........ 114 Bryce Rosewicz .......... 112 Joe Fredkove ............... 99 Riley Runk .................... 97 Soel Riser ..................... 81 Ryan Silbernagel .......... 78 Henry Zollar ................. 62 Patrick Lundgren .......... 55 Cash Cerar ................... 43 Jack Mellgren .............. 42 Sam Doughty ............... 40 Samuel Fredericks ....... 37 Khalid Afuye ................. 37
kicks for at least the past five seasons , making 174 of 175 attempts dating back to 2019 .
“ We ’ re in a nice situation with Huber ,” Stillwater coach Beau LaBore said . “ He ’ s been pretty dedicated at getting better throughout the spring and summer and even did a little kicking in the winter with hockey and soccer going on . He has also worked really hard on improving his kickoffs .”
Huber , who is also an outstanding goalkeeper for the Stillwater boys soccer team , is expected to add punting to his duties this season .
“ That looks promising ,” said LaBore , who added Wyatt Wells could also contribute in the punting department if needed .
Senior Ryan Silbernagel returns after serving as the primary holder on extra points and field goals last season and junior Nolan Von Behren provides reliable long-snapping as well .
“ He snapped almost every PAT ,” LaBore said .
Stillwater has also traditionally been strong returning and covering kicks
Landon Huber is expected to handle the kicking and punting duties for the Ponies .
and punts . The Ponies averaged a whopping 14.8 yards on 16 punt returns last season while limiting other teams to just 3.4 yards per return . Stillwater also averaged a five-yard advantage over their opponents on kick returns .
“ It ’ s a bright spot ,” La- Bore said of the special teams .