Norse looking to compete for DC title
Whitehall head coach John Kleinhans addressed his team during practice on Saturday. The practice had to be moved indoors due to thunderstorms. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
Whitehall football coach John Kleinhans hopes quality prevails over quantity and his team wins the Dairyland Conference football title.
Kleinhans said the Norse have the most experience team in the conference. For the first time in several years, Whitehall has 10 seniors, many of whom have played since they were sophomores.
“We are hoping our senior leadership creates the strength of our team,” Kleinhans said.
The COVID-19 shortened 2020 season was especially tough for the Norse. Whitehall played just three games last year. They had one that was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak at another school and two more because of their own COVID-19 situation.
Whitehall did win two of the three games and the only loss was an 18-14 loss to a Blair-Taylor team that finished undefeated. It was among the closest games the Wildcats had last season as the Norse were the only team to hold them to fewer than 20 points.
Kleinhans expects defense to be a strength again for his squad. The Norse allowed 11.3 points per game last year and will be looking for more of the same this year.
What will help is the number of returning starters and key players, especially up front, including Isaac Skoyen, Ian Pank, Wylie Dunn, Colton Sluga, Justin Fremstad, Nick Matejka and Zach Spittler — all play at or near the line of scrimmage. Also returning is middle linebacker Eric Kleinhans, a junior with two years of varsity experience.
The team also has perimeter players returning. Aidan Sonsalla figures to compete at quarterback, replacing the graduated Ryan Kleinhans. Helping him will be the team’s leading rusher and receiver from last year.
Jonathan Thorn ran for 340 yards and three touchdowns in three games, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Devon McCune could compete for playing time at quarterback, otherwise he was the team’s leading receiver last year with six catches for 72 yards. Thorn could also see time out wide, he was the team’s leading receiver in 2019 with 16 catches for 303 yards.
Whitehall will be looking to replace some key players. In addition to Ryan Kleinhans graduating, Liam Herrick had been a two-way starter for three years while Greg Santos, Sam Brouillet and Riley Orsch all played key roles for the team.
Coach Kleinhans expressed some concern about the depth of his squad. Whitehall only has 27 players out for the sport this year, with several declining to come out right before the season was set to begin. In addition to having 10 seniors, the Norse have 10 freshmen out, but few juniors and sophomores.
If the Norse are able to stay healthy and younger players are able to fill in where needed, Kleinhans expects his team to compete for the conference title this year.
