Domination from the startNew Ulm's

Neidecker and Aufderheide on top of their game

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- When you ask New Ulm High School football coach Rick VanRoekel to describe Kevin Neidecker and Travis Aufderheide -- the 2003 All-Journal Area Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year -- they are very similiar.

They led the Eagles to the South Central Conference title and a Section 2AAAA title with wins over Mankato East and Mankato West -- the defending 2AAAA and state AAAA champion and the Eagles' first nine win season in school history.

"Both are very quick," VanRoekel said. "When Travis (who was the Eagles' noseguard this season) was at the University of Nebraska football camp, he ran a 4.8, 40-yard dash," VanRoekel said about his 6-foot 2, 245 pound noseguard. "We timed him here at 4.7. Kevin was also fast (4.5 40-yard dash time). And they both were strong and quick. Their similarities on offense and defense were the quickness and strength that they had in being able to play the game to that next level."

This season, Neidecker, from his tailback spot, set the single-season school rushing record with 1,752 yards breaking the previous mark held by his older brother, Micah, of 1,559 yards.

"With Kevin, his biggest attribute was his size (5-foot 10, 200 pounds) and his speed," VanRoekel said. "But what also helped him out this year was his offensive line and having (6-foot 3, 235-pound fullback) Spencer Dickinson in front of him -- that was a great combination for us."

Neidecker, who was one of the Eagle captains along with Aufderheide and Dickinson, really worked hard in the off-season.

"He hit the weights and dedicated himself towards his senior year," VanRoekel said. "A lot of those guys really followed his lead."

Neidecker said there were many special things about this year's Eagle team.

"Getting to the state tournament as a team -- breaking my brother's record, keeping it a family thing -- they all were special," he said. "Going to state will be my biggest memory, but having that (rushing) record is also special, but I am sure that it will be broken sometime."

Neidecker ended his career with 2,846 yards on 402 carries for a 7.1 yards per carry average. He scored 27 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes in his career for three touchdowns.

Currently, Neidecker is looking at focusing on Bemidji State or Minnesota State-Mankato as potential college choices.

"But it is pretty wide open -- I am not really sure yet," Neidecker said.

Aufderheide, who may well be the finest defensive lineman to wear the purple and white, was VanRoekel's anchor on the defensive line. He finished this year with 91 solo tackles and 44 assists. He added 13 1/2 sacks for losses totaling 77 yards. Aufderheide's career mark for tackles sees him with 195 solo stops and 95 assists.

"He has been our main man on defense," VanRoekel said. "We knew that he was strong and quick. When I was talking to other coaches in the (South Central) conference, they said that there was no way that they could stop him -- they had tried double-teaming him. He is so strong in the legs and so quick, no one could stop him. Besides being a great player, he is a great young man."

"It was awesome that we went to state -- our whole team came together," Aufderheide said. Beating both Mankato East and West was also something that this team can use as a feather in their hat.

"Both Mankato schools have had a lot of good teams over the years," Aufderheide said. "We finally were able to jump the hurdle this year. Hopefully it will keep going for teams in the future here."

He added that "the work ethic was there this year -- nobody was slacking in practice and it showed on the field."

Aufderheide is contemplating all the North Central Conference colleges right now.

"They have all shown interest," he said. "But I am still going through the recruiting process now."

VanRoekel then paid both Neidecker and Aufderheide the biggest compliment that a coach can pay to players.

"They both have set the bar high for future football players here at New Ulm High School," he said. "They had dreams -- along with our senior players like Spencer Dickinson, Blake Kral, Andy Miller, Trant Zabel -- and set that notch high. Kevin and Travis made everyone work harder. They have created a lot of memories. What they did was incredible and set the challenge for future teams and players."

The rest of the 2003 squad:

Spencer Dickinson, FB, New Ulm Public -- Dickinson rushed for 981 yards on 200 carries and scored 12 touchdowns for New Ulm, leading the Eagles to their first ever state appearance. He finished his career with 1,509 yards and 15 touchdowns. Selected to the South Central Conference All-Conference team.

Jon Koeckeritz, QB, New Ulm Public -- The senior quarterback passed for 1,018 yards and threw for 10 touchdowns, completing 55 percent of his passes. He also rushed for five touchdowns and he finished his career with 1,325 yards.

Brett Burgau, WR, New Ulm Public -- Burgau caught 18 passes for 456 yards -- an average of 25.3 yards. He caught five touchdowns and helped the Eagles to the state tournament.

Jeremy Penkert, OL-DL, New Ulm Cathedral -- Penkert had 19 solo tackles and 84 assists. He had 4 1/2 sacks and caused two fumbles. He finished his career with 13 1/2 sacks and was the Defensive Player of the Year for the Southern Minnesota Conference.

Jeff Schnobrich, RB, New Ulm Cathedral -- The junior back finished with 1,097 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, he had 49 tackles and three interceptions and he was named all-conference.

Al Gleisner, OL/DL, New Ulm Cathedral -- Gleisner finished the season with 94 tackles and six sacks. For his career, he ended up with 144 tackles and he was all-conference in 2003.

Eric Schugel, WR, New Ulm Cathedral -- The junior racked up 613 yards on 34 catches, scoring eight touchdowns. Defensively, he picked off seven passes and broke up seven more. Selected all-conference.

Joey Lux, RB/LB, New Ulm Cathedral -- Lux, a junior, finished the season with 106 tackles and he broke up eight passes. He also had 445 yards rushing and 167 yards receiving. He scored six touchdowns and was all-conference.

Andy Beilke, QB, MVL -- Beilke stepped up in his first year at the quarterback position, throwing for 876 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 800 more with 12 touchdowns. He also had 73 tackles and four interceptions. His 16 career interceptions is a school record. Selected all-conference three times.

Kyle Compart, LB, MVL -- An all-conference selection, Compart registered 143 tackles -- good for second in the Gopher Valley -- and finished his career with 199 tackles and 13 sacks.

Nathan Nass, TE/LB, MVL -- A 3-year starter, Nass caught 30 passes for 504 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, he finished with 73 tackles on the season and 212 for his career. He is a 2-time all-conference selection.

Tyler Morgan, LB, MVL -- In his first full season of varsity play, Morgan finished with 99 tackles and earned all-conference. He also picked off one pass and will be a big part of the defense next season.

Jason Costello, CB, MVL -- Costello earned all-conference this season, finishing the season with 51 tackles and eight interceptions, a school record. He also scored two touchdowns defensively.

Mitch Anderson, RB/DB, Sleepy Eye -- Anderson's big play ability translated into 1,159 yards rushing and 251 yards receiving. He finished the season with 1,799 all purpose yards and led the Indians to a 9-1 record.

Dan Petersen, QB, Sleepy Eye -- The senior quarterback threw for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns and led the Indians to a conference title. An all-conference selection, he also rushed for 307 yards.

Tyler Jensen, FB/LB, Sleepy Eye -- The senior rushed for 876 yards on 121 carries, a 7.1 average. He also scored eight touchdowns. Defensively, Jensen had 103 tackles and three touchdowns. He was selected all-conference.

Matt Mathiowetz, WR/DB, St. Mary's -- The senior was one of the elite receivers in the conference, catching 58 passes for 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns. He earned all-conference for the Knights in 2003.

Matt Samyn, QB/DB, Wabasso -- The senior led the Rabbits all the way to the state semifinals, where they lost 14-8 to Medford. He passed for 1,566 yards and threw for 19 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 649 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, he led the team with eight interceptions (two for touchdowns) and he returned 20 punts for 255 yards.

Jase Guetter, RB/LB, Wabasso -- Guetter rushed for 680 yards and 10 touchdowns and he caught 27 passes for 484 yards and seven touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, he finished with 86 tackles and a sack.

Dan Mathiowetz, TE/DE, Wabasso -- The senior caught 30 passes for 538 yards and six touchdowns this season. He had seven sacks and 32 tackles for the Rabbits.

Craig Brand, LB/RB, Madelia-Truman -- Brand was one of the more dominant defensive players in the area, recording 168 tackles, including four sacks and he blocked two punts. He finished his career with 126 solo tackles, 238 assists, three interceptions and eight sacks.

Reggie Vacek, McLeod West -- A 2-time Southern Minnesota Conference lineman of the year and 3-time all-conference selection, Vacek had 68 solo tackles and 49 assists. He had three sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.

Brandon Rudenick, LB/OL, Nicollet -- Rudenick anchored an a tough offensive line and he led the Raiders to a 22-3 record in his time as a varsity starter. He finished with 119 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a safety.

Brandon Wilhelmi, RB, Springfield -- A 3-year starter and 2-time all SMC pick, he led the team with 59 solo tackles and 110 assists. He carried the ball 141 times for 950 yards and ff11 touchdowns. He had 272 yards on kickoff returns and 229 punt return yards. He rushed for 2,099 yards in his career and 19 touchdowns.