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St. Paul City Conference preview

By Star Tribune, 08/28/12, 2:57PM CDT

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Central has earned at least a share of the conference crown the past four years and is an overwhelming favorite to make it five.

The Minutemen won the league title outright in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and shared it with Como Park and Highland Park in 2009. Their two nonconference games (at Northfield and Fairmont) will provide formidable tests.

CENTRAL MINUTEMEN

Coach: Scott Howell

2011 record: 7-3

• The Minutemen return seven starters. Junior quarterback Felix Taylor (5-10, 170) will direct an offense that will feature senior running back Gabe Walker (5-10, 185). Taylor has two solid receivers in seniors Theo Haslow (6-2, 190) and Elijah Campbell (5-10, 175). Howell's group won't be very big but will have plenty of speed.

 

COMO PARK COUGARS

Coach: Kirby Scull

2011 record: 2-7

• Scull is hoping an outstanding group of young players, coupled with good team speed, can make enough explosive plays to help the Cougars regain their winning formula. He welcomes back six starters on offense and five on defense. His squad will be improved over last season and could surprise some teams in 2012.

 

HARDING KNIGHTS

Coach: Michael Houston

2011 record: 5-4

• Houston will have a tough time getting this year's young and inexperienced squad to match last year's victory total. He returns only three starters on offense and two on defense. Senior quarterback Antonio Wagener, a three-year starter, will be counted on heavily to keep the Knights in games.

 

HIGHLAND PARK SCOTS 

Coach: David Zeitchick

2011 record: 4-5

• A solid group of experienced seniors will anchor the offense, which has seven returning starters. The defensive unit is the opposite, young and inexperienced, with only four starters back. Keep an eye on senior running back/wide receiver/cornerback Tycell Page, who played only four games last season because of a torn meniscus.

 

HUMBOLDT HAWKS

Coach: Steve Elizondo

2011 record: 0-8

• Coming off a winless season, the Hawks are counting on senior quarterback/running back Dominique Khamarath (6-1, 225) to change their fortunes in 2012. Elizondo welcomes back eight starters on offense and six on defense, so improvement should be on the way.

 

JOHNSON GOVERNORS 

Coach: Jeff Plaschko

2011 record: 4-5

• The Governors have eight starters back, all of whom have started on the offensive side of the ball. However, senior running back/defensive back Kierre Rhodes is out for the season after suffering a broken leg. He was a 1,000-yard rusher. Plaschko's squad will be looking to slow down its opponents after yielding 23.9 points per game a year ago.

RON HAGGSTROM

 

 

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