With 41 new bodies on the Baker University football team, head coach Mike Grossner said this year could be the year for the Wildcats. With a new turf football field and many young players returning, Grossner is setting the goals high for his team and wants them to set their sights on the ultimate goal: the national championship.
“My goal for our team is to win all home games, win conference, go to playoffs and take home a national title,” Grossner said. “We try to look at all those goals in the big picture. If we lose one of them, we still have another one. The ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs. Let’s get there and then get our shot at a national title.”
This season brings back a young team that has seen a lot of playing time and could easily help improve from their 3-8 record from last year, Grossner said.
“I think we had 40 to 50 kids in the area this summer and it’s showing in our pre-season,” Grossner said. “We came into practice in much better shape, and a lot of kids really developed over the summer. They have made a conscious effort of getting better. We had a speed program in the spring to work strictly on speed, not conditioning, and I think it’s helped. It’s put a more serious note on our off-season workouts.”
All-conference returner Andrew Patch, sophomore, said he’s been working hard this summer to prepare for the new turf they will play on at home games.
“This summer, I made a lifestyle change to where the focus of my day was around the upcoming football season,” Patch said. “We would work out on field turf during 120 degree weather to get used to the heat. I ran in the pool, which made me a lot faster. I’ve taken a really serious attitude to become an All-American, and I think I can reach that.”
The Wildcats are returning five all-conference players this year. Junior kicker Ryan Smith was named first-team and returns as an NAIA first-team pre-season All-American. Sophomore Andy Bibb was named to the second team, while Patch was named third team. Honorable mentions include junior Micah Mason and sophomore James Hensley.
Although the Wildcats are returning impact players, Grossner said he’s excited to see the younger class step up this season like last year’s freshmen did.
“Last year, we started 11 true freshmen at times and now those guys are sophomores with a lot of experience,” Grossner said. “I think this incoming class might be better from that aspect. It’s exciting to see these two classes when we put them together and to see what the future holds for us.”
The Wildcats open their season on Sept. 2 against conference rival Benedictine College.
“Our ultimate goal right now is Benedictine. We’ve been so close for so many years, and I’m stressing to the team to play one half, one minute at a time,” Grossner said. “I think good things are going to happen.”