The Wayzata Trojan Offensive line invited me to a recent dinner they have every week two days before a game. I arrived at the Windt home to find a fine group of young men joking, laughing, eating, and having a grand time watching a Wayzata game from earlier in the year against Apple Valley. On the surface, it looked like a room full of high schoolers. Once you scratch that surface, you understand the committment and dedication it takes to be a part of an undefeated team that’s headed for the Minnesota State Highschool playoffs.
The proof of excellence and commtiment came from Troy Windt, father of Mitch Windt, who detailed how the young men in the room not only practiced and lifted weights during the football season, but did so year round–during winter when it is too cold to go outside, during summer when it is too hot to be inside, and yes even during football season.
I sat and broke bread with these fine young men. They “oohed” and “aahed” over outstanding plays against Apple Valley flashing on the television screen. They laughed at a shanked punt by their teammate Rob Bathe because the announcer on TV laughed at it.
Overheard at the table:
- “You blocked in the back!”
- “Playing a little soccer!”
- “I was a little uncomfortable”
- “Your’e recording our conversations?”
- “I’m Anya, I can’t block.”
- “John, settle down.”
- “What are you talking about?”
- “We killed ’em.”
- “What color are those t-shirts?”
- “I don’t want to hear another word about those t-shirts.”
- “It’s not actually cake, it’s a small child he had for lunch.”
- “It’s a corn muffin.”
- “It’s not a corn muffin.”
- “Playoff beard.”
- “25 yards.”
- “Gee whiz I am angry with myself.”
- “That’s all I have to say about that.”
http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf
This is the same crew that blocked for the Trojan running backs and allowed them to gain 300+ yards against Champlin Park. This is the crew that has provided the protection to allow Trojan quarterbacks to pass for over 1,000 yards this season. This is the heart and soul of the Wayzata Trojan offensive unit, and if the Trojans can win games in the State Tournament, it will be in part to the offensive line.
Here is what Coach Brad Anderson had to say about the offensive line in his interview this morning:
“The zone scheme we run, everyone is working together. If you have one guy who doens’t work with the other, the five lineman plus the tight end, six, the whole scheme doesn’t work. I am very please with how all… of them have played.”
Mitch Windt talked about how nice it was the parents put on a dinner every week, “They really like it, have a good time doing it, supporting the team.”
Here are the names and numbers of the offensive lineman.
Carson King – #50
Jason Flesher – #52
Cameron Packel – #59
D’Andre Anya – #60
Christian Forster – #61
Mike Elm – #63
Andrew Nouis – #64
Hunter Stemmer – #65
Robbie Bathe – #66
Jack Reynolds – #69
Jason Fluke – #70
Joe Koran – #71
Jake McPherson – #72
Bennet Rustad – #74
Ryan Schmit – #76
Mitch Windt – #78
These guys are the best around, and make up the Wayzata Trojan Offensive line. Thanks for all you do year round for the Wayzata Football Team and the Wayzata Community.
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