Despite losing many star players to graduation Maple Grove finished in second-place in both the conference and the section last fall, the Crimson return a strong enough nucleus to give coach Craig Hansen and their fans reason to be optimistic about 2001.

The Crimson return experience starters in key positions on both sides of the ball. Maple Grove also has four returning starters back in Travis Iskierka (in his third year), Justin Kokales and junior all-conference inside linebacker Luke Greder.

“It is a good nucleus to build on,” Hansen said. "Nothing beats experience and I think we have experience on defense and offense that helps the newer kids coming in. That's a big plus."

The Crimson's biggest holes are in quarterback and to find someone to supply big plays like all-state wide receiver Jake Johnson provided last year. Senior Aaron Getchell, a back-up running back and linebacker last year, is battling sophomore Ryan Iskierka for the starting quarterback spot.

"They are new to the position but they are both excellent students and athletes," said Hansen. "I don't know who will start this Friday. I feel that early in the season we try to play a number of kids if they are close. As the season goes, eventually one of kids emerges."

That is the approach Hansen will take with all other vacant positions. "We like to play a lot of kids early if they are comparable in ability and performance," Hansen said. "There are so many unknowns. You just put the pieces together and see which piece fits where."

Hansen looks for his young team to improve as the season progresses. Hopefully, by the time sections arrive, the Crimson will be as formidable as last year's squad, which finished 8-3 overall and was second to Blaine in the conference and second to Wayzata in the section.

"Last year was very exciting," Hansen recalled. "We lost to Blaine by nine and played them very tough. It was very fun to see the team come together and really perform well. You hope that momentum continues. But you can't rest on that at all. Each year is a brand new year and so many factors come into it."

Hansen picks Blaine and Champlin Park as favorites in the Northwest Suburban Conference. After those two, it is a wide-open field. The Crimson will start the season with a 'home game' at Roseville Friday, Aug. 31. The team has to play its home game at Roseville because the remodeling work at its home field is far from complete.

"I don't know. It's the way the construction scheduling goes, I guess," Hansen said. "Park Center is just about complete and Osseo's renovation is up and going. But ours is the furthest from completion."

Fortunately for Maple Grove, its next two games after Roseville are at Blaine and Champlin Park. The Crimson's next scheduled home game is Friday, Sept. 21 against Osseo.