Bearcat Football - a look at the linebackers

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat linebacking crew will be the program's most experienced unit entering the 2018 season.is entering his eighth season as the Bearcat linebackers coach and he said this is one of the deepest groups of players he has had the opportunity to work with."I feel comfortable playing nine to 10 guys and five of these guys will be seniors," Bostwick said. "Four of those five seniors are fifth-year guys so we have plenty of experience and leadership to lean on with this segment of players. I'm excited about this group. There is no selfishness among them. They are team guys and very competitive. They even coach each other up because they want each of them to get better and have the team reach its ultimate goal."Two of the leaders of this group –(Palmyra, Mo.) and(Liberty, Mo.) – are not only returning starters from last year, but also played roles in the Bearcats's 2016 run to the NCAA Div. II national championship.Althoff earned third-team All-America honors from Don Hansen and first-team All-MIAA status after leading the team with 83 tackles. Althoff is a stellar student-athlete as well with a double major in agronomy and agricultural business with a 3.87 cumulative grade point average."Last year we had Ben in the middle for us and he filled a void left byfrom the national championship squad," Bostwick said. "We didn't know what to expect from Ben last year but he turned in an All-America performance."Hess, who came to Northwest as a walk-on, secured third-team All-MIAA status after posting 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss and three quarterback sacks."There are not many guys that are going to outwork Nick," Bostwick said. "He's a film rat. He's organizing meetings on his own with guys. When it comes to leadership, we will rely on Ben and Nick a lot."Bostwick said three other seniors -(Omaha, Neb.),(Kansas City, Mo.) and(Omaha, Neb.) – will play roles for the Bearcats in 2018 even though they have yet to start a game in college."Matt and Breyon came to Northwest as walk-ons," Bostwick said. "Cole was recruited as a linebacker and he played some defensive end in 2016. Now we've moved him back to linebacker and he has been taking it in stride."Junior(Hartland, Wis.) handled long snapper duties last year is anxious to get in the mix at linebacker."Andy was battling injuries last year, but he was still able to contribute as our long snapper on punts and field goals," Bostwick said. "Now that's he's healthy, Andy is eager for playing time at linebacker."Junior(Flint, Mich.) and sophomore(Omaha, Neb.) contributed on special teams and in back up roles in 2017.Bostwick indicated redshirt freshman(Tabor, Iowa), who played 8-man football as a prep in Iowa, has good size and can battle for a reserve spot this season.The Bearcat linebackers have played a key role in helping Northwest be the No. 1-ranked defense in the country in each of the last four seasons."It comes down to guys buying into doing their job," Bostwick said. "Doing your 1/11th. If you do that the numbers will take care of themselves. Kids know the standard here because we run the ball and play good defense. If we limit our turnovers and create more turnovers we are doing our job. That is one thing we didn't do enough of last year was create more turnovers on defense. That is a big emphasis for us to get better in this season."Bostwick said there are keys that he looks for in recruiting linebackers to Northwest Missouri State."We want winners," Bostwick said. "We want guys with the ability to run. They also have to have athleticism and possess change of direction. When they get to the ball carrier and how they strike them. If they can knock down the ball carrier and not get knocked down. Another aspect we look at is how they play with their hands. In the MIAA, you have to be physical and get off the blocks with your hands. We always want good leaders, team captains and stand-up guys. Individuals that teachers and counselors would recommend are the kind of guys we want."As he enters his ninth year on the coaching staff, Bostwick said Maryville and Northwest Missouri State are near and dear to his heart."It's where I went college and I grew up watching football here," Bostwick said. "I remember seeing my first games here in 1994 and watching my brother, Scott, coach with Coach (Mel) Tjeerdsma, Coach (Bart) Tatum and Coach (Jim) Svoboda. I saw the whole thing turnaround. Then I got the opportunity to play here when my brother offered me the chance to walk on to the squad. This is home for me. I met my wife here. Many of us have been offered other jobs but this place is hard to leave because you know you have a chance to win a national championship every year."Northwest will open the 2018 football season at home on Thurs., Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. against Missouri Western. For ticket information call 660-562-1212 or visit www.bearcatsports.com/tickets.