(Sentinel photo by Brian Schekirke) The Le Mars Bulldogs practice their special teams as they work on punt coverage in a recent practice as the team prepares for its opener with Lewis Central on August 29. [Click to enlarge]

With a historically proud defense, the 2008 Le Mars' football campaign looks to be no different as the defense returns seven starters to the field this fall.

 2007 all-district performers Ryan Baue and Pat Rosacker look to anchor the defense when the Bulldogs look to improve on last season's 6-4 record that ended with a lopsided 48-7 loss to annual power Harlan. The senior duo will join classmates Nick Plueger and Spencer Vore at the linebacker spot. Baue, Plueger and Rosacker are projected to take the starting positions with Vore seeing a significant amount of snaps in the rotation.

Seniors Ben Beitelspacher and Travis Hansen will be the front line of defense with secondary support with fellow seniors Tyler Bohlke and 6'2, 200 pound Chris Bergquist who look to shut down district opponents.

(Sentinel photo by Brian Schekirke) The Le Mars Bulldogs practice their punt coverage as the punting team converges on the punt returner in a recent practice. The Bulldogs will open their season with a road trip to Council Bluffs to play Lewis Central on August 29. [Click to enlarge]

 The offensive load will be squarely on the shoulders -- or the feet -  of signal caller Tyler 'T. C.' Candor who returns after splitting some time with graduated senior Adam Hasselquist.

"T.C. gives us experience to work with," said Le Mars coach Jim Boyd. "He has taken his time to learn the system and should do well for us."

However, Candor's backup Scott Borchers, who played for the sophomore team last season, has some catching up to do after missing the first ten days of training camp and practice after nursing an injury suffered during the spring track season.

(Sentinel photo by Brian Schekirke) Two Le Mars Bulldog football players hit the tackling sled in a recent practice as their teammates look on and wait for their turn. The Bulldogs, who went 6-4 last season, will open their season at Council Bluffs Lewis Central on Friday, August 29. [Click to enlarge]

 "Scott missed about ten days of camp with an injury so he's just starting to get back into it," said Boyd. "But he has a lot to work on right now."

As far as Candor's go-to man in the backfield, it looks to be up in the air. Returning leading rusher Levi Price returns but the senior will miss the first few games after re-injuring a pulled hamstring from baseball season. Brayton Ringsdorf who looked to get a few snaps at the running back position is currently nursing a concussion injury and could miss some time.

Matt Ferris, a junior this fall, looks to be the only returning running back with any experience that could be healthy by the time the Bulldogs open the season with an away game at Council Bluffs Lewis Central on August 29.

The team could look to go to running back by committee, incorporating a few sophomores at the spot including speedster Zach Reed.

"We're an option team so we're going to move the ball around a bit," said Boyd. "A lot of people will get some touches. We have been throwing the ball more than we have in previous years but we're not a spread option team so we're not going to throw 40 times a game.

"Twenty is a large number for us so you can expect us to throw the ball between 10 and 20 times a game."

 Special teams look to be an area of concern for the Bulldogs as Kyle Koth, who handled most of the kicking duties, graduated. Baue and Ringsdorf look to fill the void at kicker while Matt Jurgens and Bergquist will battle for the punter position.

"Special teams is a concern but you always need them to step and deliver -- that's expected of them," said Boyd. "Is it always going to go your way? No. But they are young kids and we have to trust that they'll get the job done."

With 20 seniors and 27 juniors, the team will have plenty of leadership but some of the large sophomore class of 35 could see playing time.

"That's kind of the way it works around here. We have big numbers every other year but I like numbers," said Boyd.

Depth will help keep Le Mars in the hunt for a district title as they will face reigning district champion Sioux City Heelan and stiff competition from Spencer and Estherville. Boyd lists Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Denison-Schleswig as potential spoilers in the district.

"It all comes down to defense. Defense wins championships," said Boyd. "The defense plays very well together and is expected to do so again this year."

 "The attitudes on this team are exceptional," he continued. "The chemistry is very good and this team focuses on team play. We want to take it one game at a time and improve a little each week. Right now, our only focus is on Lewis Central."