For St. Michael-Albertville's Seniors, the Time is Now

If there's one consensus feeling throughout the football team this season, it's that 2010 was a bit of a mirage.

Yes, the Knights finished runner-up in their section. And, yes, St. Michael-Albertville was the Mississippi 8 Conference runner-up, as well.

But the Knights were a one-dimensional offense, relying on a "student body left, student body right, student body up-the-middle" playbook that would have left football die-hards smiling.

"Absolutely, we're looking for a better passing game this season," said senior wideout and captain Ben Zahler, who will wear No. 8 tonight in the season opener vs. Princeton High. "We need to give our quarterback time to throw the football. If we can do that, we can build on last season."

To create more time and space for a passing game, has created a bigger, better offensive line, centered around one of the shorter guys on the squad–veteran Trever Nevin. The all-conference lineman said his teammates have worked hard this summer in the weight room, and it's showing.

"The line is looking pretty big, for sure," Nevin said. "I think the coaches have said it's the biggest they've seen in the last 15 years of STMA football. That's going to let us do some different things on offense."

Make no mistake, St. Michael-Albertville's success will still be predicated on the run. But the Knights have to diversify to keep up with the bigger teams in the conference–Buffalo and defending champion Rogers.

"You kind of have an eye on that game [vs. Rogers, Sept. 16]," linebacker and tight end Cory Rothstein said. "We've studied a lot of film. We need to do a better job of stopping them on defense, and scoring with our offense, if we want to win that one."

Looking ahead won't do the Knights any favors. With the Mississippi 8 hosting a range of teams (as big as Buffalo, asolid as Rogers, as small as Princeton)–Essler said keeping an even keel will be key.

"We will , and we could wind up the season with a section playoff game against (No. 1 and defending 5A champ) Wayzata," he said. "You take it week by week."

As for this week, only one result will do.

"We want a win," Zahler said. "It's the first game. At home. Win."