×

Malocha eager to lead Rogers City back to the postseason

ROGERS CITY-As a high school player, Cory Malocha led the Rogers City football team to the playoffs in the fall of 1991.

Twenty five years later, Malocha is hoping to do the same thing, only this time he’ll try to do it as the Hurons’ head coach.

Malocha took over coaching duties after Tim Nagy resigned midway through last season and now he’ll embark on his first full season in charge of the program.

“There’s a lot to learn yet. I’ve learned a lot from all the coaches I’ve coached under. I think I’ve coached under four or five head coaches. So I’m taking all the good I’ve seen and (I’m) going to fuse it all into one,” Malocha said. “My blood and sweat are on this field, so I’ll probably stay with it ’til I can’t.”

The Hurons haven’t made the playoffs since 2009, but with a roster of 23 players, including 14 seniors, Rogers City is feeling good about its chances in 2016. This season, Rogers City hung a picture of the 1982 state-runner up team in the locker room as inspiration and as a reminder of what the program has accomplished in the past.

“This is a good group they’re ready for it. They’ve seen the picture up in the clubhouse. They want it (and) they’re hungry for it,” Malocha said. “They touch it every time they go out.”

At quarterback, senior Caleb Karsten takes over for graduated four-year starter Quintin Kelly. Karsten has seen some playing time over the past two seasons and Malocha is confident he can step up as a senior. Senior Matt Altman will backup Karsten.

At running back, seniors Gavin Veselnak and Tristan Baller return from last season and will be joined in the backfield by sophomore newcomer Michael Karsten, who was within striking distance of 1,000 yards last season on the Hurons’ JV team.

Altman will be Rogers City’s top option at receiver and has already earned praise from Malocha for his knowledge of the offense and good hands. Senior Brendan Koss will also be in the mix at receiver and Caleb Karsten should have two additional big targets to throw to in senior tight ends Brendan Hart and Andrew Radke.

Up front, junior Zane Grzesikowski will anchor the offensive line at center. Senior Jacob Hein and junior Cory Sweeso will line up at the guard spots and senior Evan Delke and junior Christian Ryan will bookend the line at the tackle positions.

Malocha said he plans to call the Hurons’ offensive plays and will run a spread offense with pro-style elements mixed in. The big key for this season was fine-tuning the playbook and making it easier for the offense to manage.

“We had a lot of plays. These kids knew them, but we cut it right down in half, so we can fine tune it and the linemen can do their jobs,” Malocha said. “It’s simpler for them.”

On the other side of the trenches, Hein will be the Hurons’ main anchor at defensive end or defensive tackle and was one of the team leaders in tackles last season. Now, 25 pounds lighter and a lot stronger, Malocha is expecting Hein to be able to disrupt offenses regularly and thinks his senior lineman is capable of an all-state season.

Among those joining him on the line will be senior Juan Beltran at defensive end and Ryan at defensive tackle. Grzesikowski could also see time there, though his main position will still be at center.

Hart will captain the offense at middle linebacker and a multitude of players will see time in the defensive backfield. Matt Altman and Alex Altman will lineup at cornerback and Koss and Kaleb Budnick will both play safety.

Rogers City went 4-5 last season and can expect another tough slate of games in 2016. The Hurons will have their work cut out for them in the North Star League’s Big Dipper division against Alcona, Oscoda and Whittemore-Prescott.

The Hurons open the season at Au Gres and play their first three games on the road, but close the season with five of their last six games at home.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today