ST. PAUL, Minn. – Concordia-St. Paul football opens the season at home on Thursday, September 5 with a 6 p.m. kickoff against the University of Sioux Falls on St. Paul Day. The game will be an NSIC South Division matchup.
 
In advance of the opener, cspbears.com has rolled out multiple season previews aimed at providing fans of the program a closer look at the team heading into the season, through the eyes of head coach Shannon Currier. Part one was a program overview as well as a look at the special teams units, part two covered the defense and part three will dive into the offense.
 
FOLLOW ONLINE
All Concordia football games, home and away, will be streamed online as part of the NSIC's league-wide agreement with Presto Sports (formerly Stretch Internet). All CSP football games can be viewed in Concordia's online video portal.
 
Home games will be produced by UltimateX Displays, complete with a 15-foot by 8-foot MAX XL LED screen in the stadium.
 
The broadcast is complete with the play-by-play call from Dan Flanagan, the voice of the Golden Bears since 2008. The St. Paul native is a graduate of Fordham University in New York, where he studied broadcasting including working as the voice of multiple Rams sports teams including basketball and football.
 
Games can also be followed with live stats and by keeping track of the NSIC live scoreboard.
 
COACH CURRIER SHOW ON CSP BEARS PODCAST
The Coaches Show with Shannon Currier hosted by Wally Langfellow of Minnesota Score returns for a second season in 2019. The show airs in the MSP radio market on 1440 AM KYCR following the Minnesota high school football game of the week, typically on Friday of each week. The show is also distributed via the CSP Bears Podcast and is available on most podcast subscription services such as Apple iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music and Stitcher.
 
This week's guests include senior quarterback Maxon Hutton and senior wide receiver Jabril Clewis.
 
Subscribe to the podcast, which will also return for a second year this fall. This year, the podcast will be co-hosted by CSP baseball alumni Andrew Shotwell and Alex LaPorte and will continue to tell the story of CSP athletics in an interesting and engaging way to help people get behind the scenes of various people associated with Concordia – including Comets and Golden Bears!
 
DOWNLOAD THE CSP BEARS FAN APP
Also back for a second year is the CSP Bears fan app, provided by From Now On. The app features a customizable experience, users can select their favorite sports teams and select their affiliation (fan, student, alumni, etc) to receive tailored notifications. The app provides easy to follow live stats along with links to watch games live on their device. Keep up with the latest with the new 'news' feature which combines stories from cspbears.com with the social streams from CSP athletics.
 
MEET THE BEARS: OFFENSIVE LINE
"It starts up front, and that's true for both sides of the line of scrimmage. We have four upperclassmen starting on our line, they are smart players and have solid experience. We're deeper than we've ever been up front."
 
The Golden Bears will look to protect their passers and open holes in the running game without four year starting tackle Terrell Taylor, but the experience that returns up front could still be classified as returning starters across the board.
 
The line is anchored by sixth year senior Rich Kelly at guard, with Currier noting that he's as good as he's ever been. He's played in 33 career games, moving around the interior at both guard spots as well as center.
 
He's joined at the other guard spot by junior Tanner Haechten, who's played in 19 career games across three seasons including a medical redshirt season in 2017.
 
In the middle is redshirt freshman Matthew Montgomery, who was the team's starting center on opening day a year ago but lost his season due to injury, earning a medical redshirt as have Kelly and Haechten before him.
 
"Haechten has a ton of experience as a starting guard for us and Montgomery is one of the best centers I've been around, he's a 300-pound kid who is determined and relentless and will make us better," noted Coach Currier.
 
The tackles will be anchored by senior Cris Wasylciw and Ethan Aune. Wasycliw is in his second year as a starter while Aune has played in 29 games over the previous three years including all 11 games each of the last two seasons.
 
"Last year, we didn't have Cris in practice until right before the first game, he's now gone through a full year of practice and film, an offseason and spring season under his belt and he can be a premier tackle in this league. Aune came in and played for us right away my first year and he's been a four year contributor and solidifies the outside for us."
 
The depth across the line features a mix of youth, transfers and returners with experience. In the middle is redshirt freshman Sam Marshalek while the guards are sophomore Tyson Kauffman who played all 11 games last year as a redshirt freshman along with junior transfer Dejon Hart from North Dakota State College of Science. The backup tackles include senior Tristan Wehmas and redshirt freshman Adam Cook.
 
"Wehmas is a senior who has improved a lot for us to put himself in the mix while Cook is a big time tackle and we like that Kauffman has starting experience," said Currier of the returning reserve linemen.
 
The unit is led by run game coordinator and offensive line coach Jon Medlo, an alum of the program's Comet-era prior to 1999 when the school changed mascots to the Golden Bears.
 
"Coach Medlo is a great recruiter, he's been able to systematically improve the position each year. He pushes the guys, they know he cares about them and he's established a culture in his group. No one ever complains, they know where they stand to the point where they are able to rank each other and our staff sees it the same way as the players and that's a huge benefit and it stems from the relationships Medlo has crafted with his guys."
 
Newcomers to the group include freshmen Brody Card who was an early enrollee this past spring, Mitchell Heinz, CJ Picazo, Tyler Martin, Elliott Wolfe along with SMSU transfer Bryce Oslund who will sit a year due to league policy.
 
MEET THE BEARS: TIGHT ENDS
Extending the offensive line, Concordia's tight ends are deeper and more experienced than they've been in recent years led by incoming junior transfer Kevin Ventura-Cortes from Abiline Christian and senior John Damrow in his final year of eligibility in a career that started at Wisconsin.
 
Damrow broke out late last season and finished the season as the team's fourth leading target with 14 catches and was third in yards with 191, averaging 13.6 while adding a touchdown. Of his 14 catches, 12 came in the final six games including 3-for-56 against Northern State and 5-for-42 at Winona State. He had long grabs of 34, 23 and 26 in three straight games, as well.
 
Ventura-Cortes joined the program at the winter semester break and has had a full spring season and summer offseason to get acclimated with his new teammates.
 
"Kevin is a big, long, athletic tight end. He and Damrow make a nice 1-2 punch we haven't had here and they are both capable. I see us using 12-personnel more than we have in the past, and our tight ends will earn more targets in the pass game than recent years. The great thing about how they work together is they contrast each other nicely and allow us to use multiple formations within the 12-personnel group which creates more problems for the defense. Damrow is one of our best leaders and Kevin is one of the more athletic tight ends in the conference."
 
Behind them are seniors Robel Ezana and Brandon Stevenson to provide leadership and experience while freshmen Mario Ventura-Cortez and Jackson Thompson (younger brothers of Kevin Ventura-Cortes & Hunter Thompson) bring youth to the unit.
 
"Robel has worked hard and is diligent in his training. He's committed, hasn't missed a workout and is impressive academically, securing solid internships and has high character. He's done everything possible within his control to make improvements to earn the third tight end spot."
 
The unit is led by Reed Johnson who spent the spring and early summer winning a title in Europe for Prague.
 
"Reed has really grown as a coach and while his time here has been great, the experience in Prague where he won a title was great for his confidence. He's done well interacting with the tight ends, he's personable and holds them accountable. He's extremely loyal and cares about the program and wants to treat the kids the right way. The players enjoy having him as a coach because he relates to them and is willing to tell them the truth."
 
MEET THE BEARS: WIDE RECEIVERS
Anchored by four year starter Marcus Gustaveson and returning All-NSIC standout MJ Williams, the Golden Bear receiving core became more dynamic with the addition of fellow senior Jabril Clewis, a graduate transfer from Tulane University.
 
Gustaveson, a superb thrower on the track & field program, has bulked up to 235 to 240 pounds on his 6-foot, 5-inch frame while the 6-1, 180-pound Williams has been as dynamic and explosive in fall camp as he was on the field last year.

Gustaveson has 110 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns in 32 career games and is ascending the career receiving charts at Concordia. He's coming off a season with 26 catches for 436 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Williams led the squad last year in catches (43), yards (656) and touchdowns (5) in his first year as a transfer.

Clewis, though, brings a strong, physical and polished demeanor to the group standing at 6-2, 215. With the Green Wave last year, he helped the program to an AutoNation Bowl championship and was the program's third-leading receiver with 14 catches for 220 yards, averaging 15.7 per reception. His high mark was an 83-yard effort on four catches with a touchdown in front of over 20,000 fans in a 29-28 win over Navy last November.
 
"Our top group of receivers is the best we've had. Overall we have five seniors and a lot of experience. Everyone knows about Marcus and our goal is to keep him healthy and on the field for all 11 games. MJ is very talented and we'll look to use him out of the slot. Jabril is a phenomenal addition. He's humble, works hard, finishes plays and has good hands and size."
 
The rest of the receiving corps features a deep mix of players including seniors Gabe Steed, Jake Tanner, juniors Darice Haywood, Keyon Walters and Jake Shepley and newcomer Isaiah Koran, a transfer from Minnesota Duluth.
 
"Gabe is a four year contributor with great experience and Koran is a new addition from UMD who is a good slot player. We'll also look to use Shaq Johnson out of the slot and Darice Haywood has put himself in the mix. We have guys who've been key contributors in the past who right now aren't in that top group entering the year. We have a variety of players that we're excited about and if we can keep them healthy we have a dangerous position."
 
Walters was third on the team in catches (18) last year for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Tanner wasn't far behind with 14 receptions for 139 yards despite missing three games to injury. Steed had six catches for 51 yards while Shepley had four catches for 95 yards and a pair of touchdowns including one from 76 yards.
 
The unit is led by EJ Shelby along with pass game coordinator and Ollie Taylor who also works with the quarterbacks. "EJ is doing a nice job and the accountability is what he brings more than what we've had in the past. At that position, more than others, individuality can come into play. Receives have a lot of personality and it can be a challenge to have guys who want the ball to get them to conform to the team game and EJ has brought them together and pushed them at the same time. We'll block better and be more disciplined with the combination of Taylor and Shelby coaching these guys. EJ's recruiting, passion, commitment and loyalty have been great to have back on the staff."
 
MEET THE BEARS: RUNNING BACKS
Prior to a season-ending injury, Shaq Johnson was a staple in the end zone in the early part of 2018. He combined for five touchdowns in the first four games and had 416 combined rushing (367) and receiving (49) yards including his second career 100-yard game (22-110) against Upper Iowa. He totaled 89 combined yards or more in each of the four games, as well and he'll get a redo on his sophomore year.
 
"It starts with Shaq. He's versatile and can be one of the best backs in the country. He's very determined and focused, has enthusiasm and comes to play every day at practice and has fully recovered. We'll play him all over and get him the ball in a variety of ways – you'll see him everywhere, he's our top playmaker."
 
When Shaq went down in week four against Wayne State, Lajuan Preston answered the call and became an All-NSIC performer. He led the team in rushing with 704 yards on 109 carries, averaging 6.5 per carry including a run of three 100-yard games in a four game stretch with a high of 141 yards on 21 attempts against Northern State. He showed breakaway speed with a 73-yard touchdown run against Upper Iowa and nearly hit 100 yards in the finale at Winona State with 15-for-97.
 
The only other returner with handoff experience is sophomore Jeremiah Pierce-Johnson who had 21 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown in his first with the program after transferring from Akron.
 
Newcomers to the group include junior transfer Ethan Falaniko from the University of South Dakota. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year as a prep in Alaska and brings a physical style of play to CSP's backfield. Joining him is senior Cole Kirchoff, a standout two-sport athlete as a prep at Chanhassen High School where he rushed for 1,000-plus yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior for the Storm. He's been a four year member of the baseball team, where his athleticism was on display in 2019 with three triples and 17 stolen bases while producing three home runs.
 
"Freshman Darios Crawley-Reid has also been a nice surprise for us, he's a smooth freshman," commented Currier.
 
The position group is coached by Jim Honsa, "a great addition from Hamline a couple years ago. Coach Honsa is a guy who comes everyday with his heart in the right spot and cares about the kids. He loves being around, has wisdom and is a great role model. He's been excellent and the running backs benefit from his direction and leadership to become better young men."
 
MEET THE BEARS: QUARTERBACKS
Late in the 2018 season, Maxon Hutton assumed the starting role under center which he had also done the previous year in 2017 before an injury derailed his grasp on the spot. In his three years at CSP, Hutton has accumulated 1,486 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 515 rushing yards and two scores. In the season finale at Winona State, Hutton rushed for 114 yards on 23 carries while passing for 153 yards and two scores.
 
"Maxon has played his best football this fall, he's maybe thrown one interception all camp. He's more accurate, vocal and confident. We've added things to the offense that he has enjoyed executing. He's a big, fast athlete and I sense more desire and leadership this year. He's been on blast more and I'm excited to see him play."

Behind Hutton is a group of talented quarterbacks at various stages of their careers and development.
 
"We have a few good quarterbacks and all are capable. I'm not sure who would be in the 2-3 spots right now, but we know we'll use Jared Olsgaard at wide receiver, punt returner and quarterback. He is one of our more talented athletes and we want to involve him more. He can run, move well and has an aggressive running style that is capable of making plays."

Olsgaard excelled during the spring game with 17 carries for 88 yards and completing 9-of-14 for 110 yards and a touchdown.
 
The program also received a boost with the transfer of junior Johnny Saavedra from Pierce College in California. At Pierce, Saavedra was a two-time SCFA All-Pacific League quarterback where he led the league with 1,852 passing yards and added nine touchdowns with just four interceptions.
 
"Johnny throws a nice ball and is accurate. He's a winner and a grinder, his best football is ahead of him as he learns the system."
 
A pair of redshirt freshmen also had a chance to shine in the spring football game earlier this year in Abe Schwartz and Darion Manning. Schwartz, who may see action on special teams, completed five passes for 74 yards and added 4-for-20 on the ground while Manning had a big day with 8-of-12 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown.
 
"Abe is disciplined and committed and might find himself on special teams because we can trust him and count on him. He has a strong desire and hunger. Darion is also a capable quarterback with a big arm and has grown."
 
With five capable quarterbacks, the program is in good hands under center. They're led by first year assistant coach and pass game coordinator Ollie Taylor, who joined the program from Delaware State.
 
"Coach Taylor has done great and the whole group has benefited. He's organized the offense, scripted practice, brings fresh ideas to the table and has been really valuable to the program and has been a great hire. He fits in well with the staff, holds guys accountable and his impact will lead us to more points this season."