2016 High School Football Preview: Grundy Center

Grundy Center's hopes of returning to post-season play in 2016 relies on developing depth, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Brent Thoren's team should have a strong offensive line, with four starters back from a 2015 squad that advanced to the second-round of the Class-A state playoffs.

2016 SEASON PROSPECTUS: GRUNDY CENTER SPARTANS

2015 RECORD: 6-5 Overall / 4-2 District
2015 PLAYOFFS: Class-A 2nd-Round

HEAD COACH: Brent Thoren
School Record (Years): 18-21 (5)
Career Record (Years): 53-24 (8)

2015 STARTERS RETURNING (9):
Bryce Flater, RB - 237 carries, 2,103 yards, 24 TDs
Nolan Freeman, OL
Cade Rohler, OL
Josh Kuiper, OL
Jordan Hook, OL
Braidan Buhrow, TE
Tim Knock, LB - 2015 team’s leading tackler
Jared Krausman, CB
Chase Boren, CB

OTHER 2015 LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (2):
Aaron Havens, OL/FB
Andrew Rathe, WR/SS

KEY LOSSES FROM 2015 SEASON:
Jordan Graham, FB/LB - 1st Team All-District
Austin Burroughs, QB/CB - 2nd Team All-District
Jack Stumberg, WR/FS - Honorable Mention All-District

HOW COACH THOREN VIEWS UPCOMING SEASON

Team Strength Entering 2016:
Offensive line (4 of 5 starters return)

Concerns Heading Into 2016:
All skill positions and runningback depth. Depth at all positions, especially on defense.

Opponents Expected To Compete For District Title In 2016:
Mason City Newman and Saint Ansgar. Newman returns its leading rusher from 2015. Saint Ansgar has its entire offensive line back, along with its starting quarterback and runningback from a team that finished 10-2 overall.

Expectations For 2016 Season:
"For Grundy Center to contend this year, we will need to develop in the defensive front seven and the quarterback position."