Northwest Suburban Conference Football Preview

The 2011 Northwest Suburban Conference football season should be filled with talented teams and players ready to make an impact on the gridiron. 

The conference had three teams reach their section finals last season, and Blaine was the lone NWSC team to make a state appearance in 2010.

How will this year’s teams fare? Seven of the NWSC head coaches weighed in on some of the top players and teams to watch for as the season begins Sept. 1.

Teams to watch

Coming off strong seasons last year, conference champions Blaine (10-1, 8-0) and Osseo (7-3, 6-1) look to have strong years once again. Coaches were also quick to point out a sleeper in Champlin Park (4-6, 3-5).

Offense players to watch

Michael Sales, RB, Champlin Park—Sales should be in store for a big year after rushing for 800 yards and nine TDs last season. 

DJ Hebert, QB, Osseo—Hebert completed 55 percent of his passes last year while tossing 15 TDs. That’s just through the air; he also rushed for 449 yards and seven TDs. 

Defensive players to watch

Tyler Hartmann, DL, Andover—Hartmann looks to continue the success of last season that earned him the defensive line of the year in the NWSC. With 5.5 sacks and 81 tackles last year, he will be feared around the league.

Denzel Anderson, FS, Armstrong—With an average of 4.4 tackles a game, Anderson looks to be a senior leader on defense for Armstrong. 

Key losses

Karl Sorenson, D, Maple Grove—Sorenson was the conference’s defensive player of the year in 2010. Each team has losses, but this will be the most glaring since it comes on a Maple Grove team that has a first year head coach.

Toughest road trip

Coaches let it be known that every game on the road is hard in this conference. With that being said, defending champion Blaine will be the hardest of them all.

Preseason Conference Player of the Year

DJ Hebert, QB, Osseo—A multi-talented player, Hebert can do it all. Not only can he help the team through the air, he can also carry the team on the ground. It’s no surprise NWSC coaches selected Hebert as the preseason conference player of the year.

2010 final standings

Conf Overall

Blaine 8-0 10-1

Osseo 6-1 7-3

Andover 6-2 8-3

Coon Rapids 5-3 6-4

Centennial 3-4 3-6

Champlin Park 3-5 4-6

Maple Grove 3-5 3-6

Armstrong 2-6 2-7

Anoka 2-6 2-7

Park Center 1-7 1-8

Top 2010 postseason finishes 

Blaine lost in the first round of the Class AAAAA state tournament to Wayzata, 34-0.

Andover lost 40-14 to Blaine in the Section 7AAAAA championship with a trip to state on the line.

Osseo lost 35-0 in the Section 5AAAAA championship to Wayzata, which sent the Trojans to state.