VanOverschelde to evaluate roster at next week’s football camp

Mitchell High School football coach Kent VanOverschelde will be taking a close look at his roster during next week’s football camp.

The Kernels, who are replacing several starters on both sides of the ball, are having a high school camp Monday and Tuesday on the practice field at Joe Quintal Stadium. The camp will be mainly freshmen through seniors, but VanOverschelde said some younger players have been invited.

“The purpose of this camp is going to be to work on some specific skills and technique,” he said. “We’re going to evaluate the roster. … I’m really excited to get going and start with a group of kids that are going to be somewhat inexperienced … I think it’s going to be a fun opportunity for not only them, but for us as coaches.”

Mitchell, which went 8-3 last year and lost in the second round of the Class 11AA playoffs to Sioux Falls Washington, is opening its season Aug. 25 at Watertown. Next week’s two-day camp starts at 6 p.m. Monday and will go until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday is slated to start at 9 a.m.

VanOverschelde realizes the team needs to replace its top three playmakers from a year ago in Jason and Justin Greenway and quarterback Brent Havlik.

Mitchell is returning two players offensively from last year’s team: Evan Mastel, a wide receiver, and Justice Hinker, a guard. Tyler Sipes, a nose guard, Kirby Fuerst, a linebacker, are the team’s two returners on the defensive side.

Next week’s camp will be a good time to evaluate who’s going to be the Kernels’ primary ball handlers and defenders this fall, VanOverschelde said. At the top of the list of question marks is who’s going to be the Kernels’ quarterback.

Two juniors, a sophomore and a freshman will be battling for the job. Juniors Sean Meyer and Alex Herrick, sophomore Matt Larson and freshman Kanin Nelson all have experience at the position and could be in the running, VanOverschelde said.

“As we’ve progressed, we have what I look at probably four different candidates for that job,” VanOverschelde said. “Right now, it’s a toss-up for who’s going to fit into that role.”

Despite not knowing who’s going to start under center this year, VanOverschelde is looking to other bright spots on the team.

“We feel one of our greatest athletes assets this season will be our solid offensive and defensive lines,” VanOverschelde said. “We excited about getting those groups of kids together and providing them with some skills. We want to give them some things they can work on their own to prepare for their season.”

The Kernels, who start full practice Aug. 13, are playing two August games this year, including the season-opener at Watertown. Mitchell’s home opener this year is Aug. 31 against Brookings, starting at 7 p.m.

Mitchell football 2012 schedule

Aug. 25: at Watertown, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: home vs. Brookings, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: home vs. Aberdeen Central, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: at Brandon Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: home vs. Pierre, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: home vs. Rapid City Central, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5: at Sioux Falls Lincoln, 8 p.m. at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Oct. 12: at Yankton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: home vs. Huron, 7 p.m.

Tags: sports, kernels, football, updates