Marion/Tigerton football preview

Team: Marion/Tigerton Thundercatz

Conference: Central

2021 conference result: 1-4

2021 tournament results: Did not qualify for playoffs

Returning starters/varsity players (positions): Marion seniors: Nick Malueg (RB, LB), Jack Van Kooy (WR, LB). Tigerton seniors: Asher Michaelis (OL, DL). Marion juniors: Kasey Roethle (WR, LB), Ryan Malueg (RB, CB), Sam Gueths (TE, DE).

New athletes who could make impact this season: “We have a lot of new players this year that are stepping into roles that are very important to the program,” said co-op coach Micah Schwantes. “I can’t just pick certain individuals because they all are impact players.”

Returning all-conference players: First team: Nick Malueg (RB, LB), Asher Michaelis (DL). Second team: Michaelis (OL).

Coach’s comment on upcoming season: “We are very excited about this upcoming season,” said Schwantes. “We are very young as far as experience goes but we make up for it with the hard work that this group has done in the offseason.”