Weight room dedication key to Knights’ recent success

by Bryan Zollman

When Matt Kolling saw the Kingsland team having some down seasons, it bothered him. Not only did he have a son coming up through the program, he was a member of the Kingsland’s 1995 state championship team.

In small town 9-man football, teams and programs can go through up and down years. Kolling chatted with a friend whose son hadn’t won a game in three years. Kolling decided then and there that he wanted to get involved and see if he could help turn the program back around.

“We were  just coming out of a 51-game losing streak and were 6-67 the prior seven years,” he said. “We had nowhere to go but up.”

Kolling remembered what it was like having a rough season as a sophomore and then going undefeated his senior year. 

“I knew what it takes,” he said. “It all starts in the weight room.”

Kolling owns a lumberyard in nearby Spring Valley, so coaching football wasn’t ideal for his profession, but because he had good employees, it afforded him the time to get away during the fall afternoons to coach. He coached seventh grade for two seasons before taking the head position.

“It started slow,” he said of the weight room commitment. “I was hoping I could just walk in and tell them and they would all do it, but it started with about three kids. Now we have 20-plus kids in there all the time.”

There were some more lean years after Kolling took over, but last year his Knights advanced all the way to the 9-man finals against Nevis, only to fall 14-12. 

While they lost some valuable players, they bring back one of the state’s best pass rushers in Parker Johnson, a 6’1” 210-pound edge rusher who leads the state with 18 sacks.

“He’s got one of the best motors I’ve ever seen,” said Kolling. “He is one of the most aggressive players I have played against or coached. He loves the smash mouth type of football.”

Johnson started as a sophomore and recorded nine sacks and last year had 16.5 sacks.

“He just gets after it,” said Kolling. “This year offenses plan around him so he’s been getting doubled and they run away from him a lot.”

Kolling said the coaches have worked with Johnson on his hand moves and swipes and how to get his shoulders skinny.

“Before he was very unconventional and ran as fast as he could and hit people out of his way,” said Kolling. “This year he is more hand moves and technique and that is fun to see.”

He even draws praise from opposing coaches. Leroy-Ostrander’s Trevor Carrier said, “he is one of my favorite players to watch on film. He has one of the best defensive motors I have ever seen. He‘s a special athlete and whoever gets him is really going to enjoy that effort. He’s one of the athletes in the state. He plays the game the way it should be played.”

Johnson will have the tough task of tracking down Leroy-Ostrander’s Camden Hungerholt, the Cardinals QB who leads the state in rushing yards and has also thrown for 24 touchdowns. They played the Cardinals tough in the season opener, losing 35-26, and almost didn’t get to the section final, having to beat Spring Grove 17-14 in overtime last week to keep their season going. Johnson scored a touchdown in that game (he’s also a tight end).

“He could play anywhere on our team on both sides of the ball,” said Kolling. “He could play every position and do it effectively.”

Kaaleem Rieland also scored and ran for 110 yards. Rieland is the team’s QB, but the Knights have him carry the ball more than throw it. He has been effective averaging 10.1 yards per carry with 12 TDs. Like Johnson, Rieland is also being recruited to play at the next level. Kolling said the team’s defensive line has also played a huge role in the team’s success and not just Johnson. Ira Schmidt, Sam Howard and KD Rieland have been steady defenders and pass rushers to keep teams like Spring Grove to 14 points in a playoff tilt and make key stops when needed.

The Knights are 8-2, their other loss coming to Spring Grove 36-33 mid season. They have so far taken care of Spring Grove. Can they get past the unbeaten Cardinals from Leroy-Ostrander? With last year’s experience of being one score away from a state title, the Knights are battle tested. 

“Our kids know the run they made last year and what it takes,” said Kolling. “I expect our best football is still to come.”

Watch:

Let’s Play Football’s

The Program

Episode 2: Stillwater

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Watch:

Let’s Play Football’s

The Program

Episode One: Caledonia Football

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