Returning players headline Northern defense this fall

Under new head coach Jerome Souers, the Montana State University-Northern football team will look to set the foundations for what they want to be as a program. This fall, Souers hopes to see his defense develop into a strong unit that can help the Lights compete in the Frontier Conference in the future.

"I hope that our defense develops a tenacity mentality that is able to manage some of the prolific offenses in the Frontier Conference," Souers said. "We've got to be active and we've got to really be fundamentally sound. That's something that I've always believed in."

Things start up front for the Lights with the defensive line. Like many position groups for the Lights, there are plenty of new faces to be sorted out. Some underclassmen who could get time this fall include Cordell Langton, Greg Rivera, Hunter Depriest, Dominic Paribello and Liam Lewis.

But the Lights also have experienced players on the defensive line. Colter Szymoniak and Samuel Sanders return for another year with the Lights. John Toth will also join the defensive line as a new recruit for the Lights. While they are still figuring out who will get the most playing time, Souers likes what he has on the defensive line.

"I think we got some good tough hard-nosed young men that can make up the components of a strong defense," Souers said. "I believe we're going to have to use our athletic ability to play fast and keep the game simple."

The linebacking corps for the Lights sees the return of Dylan Wampler. The junior brings plenty of experience to the defense this year. He is coming off a year where he earned second team all-conference honors after recording 115 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. With his experience, Wampler will serve as the captain and the leader of the defense this season.

The secondary will look to limit the air attacks of opposing offenses this season. Fortunately for the Lights, they return several players with experience in the secondary. Hunter Riley will return for his senior year while Joshua Rose is another defensive back returning for the Lights

While the offense and defense get all the attention, special teams is another important part of the game. Freshman Kaden Nelson from Polson will take over as the placekicker for the Lights as he will try to be a reliable leg for point afters and field goals. Along with playing safety on defense, Riley will once again punt for the Lights this fall. If the Lights can play well in this area of the game, it could go a long way.

"There's just so many yards that are exchanged. We need to be a team that's going to try to find every advantage we possibly can," Souers said about special teams. "I think if you work really hard in special teams, it can help you be more competitive."

With Souers now leading the team, the Lights will look to begin steering things in the right direction this fall. If they are going to do that, the defense and special teams will have to do their part and become strong units for the Lights.

The MSU-N football team will open the season this Saturday at 1 p.m. with a contest against the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.