MOORHEAD - What a difference a year can make. This time last year, there was some wonder to how the Spuds would do under first-year head coach Kevin Feeney.
Now, there's a bit of confidence and belief that the Spuds can be better.
"I think the kids realize that there is more out there for them," said Feeney, who won three North Dakota state championships at Fargo South before coming to Moorhead. "I don't want to say that I believe last year's team was shocked to be out there. But the expectations are now that we need to be out there."
In this case, "out there" means being able to compete for a section crown and a chance to play in the state playoffs.
Moorhead fell short of that goal last year when it lost to Brainerd in the section final. Feeney said the loss to Brainerd served as an inspiration heading into the offseason.
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"We did realize that there were some areas where we needed to improve," Feeney said. "I thought Brainerd got after us and that's where our weight room and summer strength and speed programs take over by finishing out games."
Feeney said strength is going to be the biggest change with the Spuds this year. With players spending time in the weight room, Feeney says his team has gotten stronger.
"From our fitness scores, we feel we have a different product," he said. "We feel they are physically stronger and faster than what we had last year."
Feeney said another thing that helped was having a core group return - led by running backs Chase Morlock and Jake Uglem.
Morlock increased his weight from 165 to 185 pounds and his speed has increased, Feeney said.
As for Uglem, he's stronger and faster too, according to Feeney.
"He got 10 pounds heavier and multiple times more explosive," Feeney said. "It's going to be fun to see him play in a live football game."
- Compiled by Ryan S. Clark
