Tabor News
11.13.2008 - [Football]
Head Football Coach Mike Gottsch
Saturday's Tabor vs. KWU Game Marks Parent's Day, Season's End, Groundbreaking for New Stadium
Q: It's been an exciting season, especially these past two weeks with victories over Southwestern and McPherson. What factors have contributed to your success?
A: First I'd like to be quick to say, our success is not my own, this has been a huge team effort. It has been the steady consistent play by players on both sides of the ball. It has been a stubborn determination and trust in God that he would show favor with our team. We want to be quick to say and clear about giving Him all the credit for any good things that are happening right now and in the future.
Q: What can you tell us about the seniors who will be playing their last game for Tabor College this Saturday, on Parent's Day? (Talk briefly about them, individually, collectively as a group).
A: First we want to thank those who are not able to play who sustained season ending injuries, players like Daren Fisher, (All-Conference Offensive Lineman); Kyle Bassinger (All-Conference linebacker); Seth Mills (defensive back); Cody Duff (offensive lineman). Though sidelined, these players persisted in demonstrating quality leadership even with their difficult situations.
The seniors still on the field are to be commended for their faith and persistence in fighting through a very difficult and challenging season. They made it a season they can be proud of, and one in which we can definitely use to build on for next season.
All the senior starters have contributed in big ways and have accepted their leadership roles quite well. They have been excellent role models to such a young team. The younger players respect them for their determination and really want to play for their success.
Q:What can you tell us about Saturday's opponent, Kansas Wesleyan?
A:They are a solid football team with a winning record. They are big and physical on both sides of the ball. They are coming off a big win against Bethany, beating them 38 - 7. They played Ottawa to a 14 - 7 game in a tough loss. They also played Friends relatively close. They have a senior quarterback who is the coach's son. He is a solid player. He does a nice job leading the balanced offensive attack. The strength of the defense is their defensive line - a senior-laden group.
Q: Your team has won its last two games, against Southwestern and McPherson. What will it take for the Bluejays to make it three victories in a row?
A: It will be important to play a complete game this week. Last week we stumbled offensively in the first half. If we can get a good start, I believe it will lead to an exciting game. Our guys are believing and playing for one another now. The seeds of doubt are starting to evaporate. They are experiencing successes on the scoreboard and it affirms their hard work on the practice field. We are really looking forward to this opportunity!
Q: Not only will we be celebrating Parent's Day on Saturday, the game is a chance for the community to come together for the groundbreaking of the new Joel Wiens Stadium complex. What will a new football stadium mean to your program?
A: It will balance the scales where recruitment is the name of the game. Like it or not, everything else being equal - cost, location, and relationships, players will weigh heavy the aesthetics of facilities. We believe our new facility (stadium and team locker room) will be one of the best in the state and region when it comes to small-college atmosphere football. Link the new facilities with a decidedly Christian education and culture, and we have a combination that is hard to beat.
Q: Sum up the season and your outlook for the future of Tabor football.
A: We are disappointed in the fact that we did not secure more wins than losses. However I believe we are finding ourselves and each other through the difficult times and will continue to count on God. Our relationships have grown in very important ways: coaches to coaches, coaches to players, and players to players. We have developed that sense of playing for each other. The victories have come; they were in God's timing. They have laid a very important foundation for the future, giving us something to build on for next season.
We have a special nucleus of players who are committed and excited about TC. That excites me. As stated I am in this for the long haul and want to make progress towards a championship-caliber program -- one that is decidedly Christian. Above all, we want a football program that values a great Christian education and helps young men to grow in their walk with God.
Q: It's been an exciting season, especially these past two weeks with victories over Southwestern and McPherson. What factors have contributed to your success?
A: First I'd like to be quick to say, our success is not my own, this has been a huge team effort. It has been the steady consistent play by players on both sides of the ball. It has been a stubborn determination and trust in God that he would show favor with our team. We want to be quick to say and clear about giving Him all the credit for any good things that are happening right now and in the future.
Q: What can you tell us about the seniors who will be playing their last game for Tabor College this Saturday, on Parent's Day? (Talk briefly about them, individually, collectively as a group).
A: First we want to thank those who are not able to play who sustained season ending injuries, players like Daren Fisher, (All-Conference Offensive Lineman); Kyle Bassinger (All-Conference linebacker); Seth Mills (defensive back); Cody Duff (offensive lineman). Though sidelined, these players persisted in demonstrating quality leadership even with their difficult situations.
The seniors still on the field are to be commended for their faith and persistence in fighting through a very difficult and challenging season. They made it a season they can be proud of, and one in which we can definitely use to build on for next season.
All the senior starters have contributed in big ways and have accepted their leadership roles quite well. They have been excellent role models to such a young team. The younger players respect them for their determination and really want to play for their success.
Q:What can you tell us about Saturday's opponent, Kansas Wesleyan?
A:They are a solid football team with a winning record. They are big and physical on both sides of the ball. They are coming off a big win against Bethany, beating them 38 - 7. They played Ottawa to a 14 - 7 game in a tough loss. They also played Friends relatively close. They have a senior quarterback who is the coach's son. He is a solid player. He does a nice job leading the balanced offensive attack. The strength of the defense is their defensive line - a senior-laden group.
Q: Your team has won its last two games, against Southwestern and McPherson. What will it take for the Bluejays to make it three victories in a row?
A: It will be important to play a complete game this week. Last week we stumbled offensively in the first half. If we can get a good start, I believe it will lead to an exciting game. Our guys are believing and playing for one another now. The seeds of doubt are starting to evaporate. They are experiencing successes on the scoreboard and it affirms their hard work on the practice field. We are really looking forward to this opportunity!
Q: Not only will we be celebrating Parent's Day on Saturday, the game is a chance for the community to come together for the groundbreaking of the new Joel Wiens Stadium complex. What will a new football stadium mean to your program?
A: It will balance the scales where recruitment is the name of the game. Like it or not, everything else being equal - cost, location, and relationships, players will weigh heavy the aesthetics of facilities. We believe our new facility (stadium and team locker room) will be one of the best in the state and region when it comes to small-college atmosphere football. Link the new facilities with a decidedly Christian education and culture, and we have a combination that is hard to beat.
Q: Sum up the season and your outlook for the future of Tabor football.
A: We are disappointed in the fact that we did not secure more wins than losses. However I believe we are finding ourselves and each other through the difficult times and will continue to count on God. Our relationships have grown in very important ways: coaches to coaches, coaches to players, and players to players. We have developed that sense of playing for each other. The victories have come; they were in God's timing. They have laid a very important foundation for the future, giving us something to build on for next season.
We have a special nucleus of players who are committed and excited about TC. That excites me. As stated I am in this for the long haul and want to make progress towards a championship-caliber program -- one that is decidedly Christian. Above all, we want a football program that values a great Christian education and helps young men to grow in their walk with God.
