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Bobcats continue culture transformation

Don Knock is trying to transform the culture of Marshalltown football.

After coming off a 3-6 season in 2015, Knock – the Bobcats’ head coach – has seen a healthy amount of progress this offseason, all moving toward the common goal.

“It’s about caring, team unity, trust [and] the values you can get out of teamwork and playing together on a team,” Knock said. “It’s not about the X’s and O’s. It’s about all the other things you create when you have a team concept. Only in the sport of football can some of those values come forward, because of the nature of the game.”

Offseason training has played a crucial role in the family atmosphere Knock preaches. Now in his second year of head coaching the MHS program, Knock said the Bobcats’ weight room turnout was “outstanding” and the team has spent countless hours together at OTAs and summer football camps.

Knock said he’s been seeing comforting preparation from the Bobcats heading into the Aug. 26 game at Ames High School.

With team bonfires, summer camps, two-a-day practices and even parents volunteering their time toward the cause, Knock said the Bobcats are headed in the right direction to make even more progress in 2016.

The offense will be sound, especially in the running game this season, as the Bobcats seek to build off returning talent as well as establish some of the younger players.

“We have a good receiving core; TJ Snyder’s back, [Jake] Streeter and some juniors that are really good athletes,” Knock said. “We’ve got a lot of kids who have a potential to be really great players.”

Senior Austin Tullis and junior Sam Irwin will be set as the two leaders at quarterback this season. Tullis threw just two completions – on three attempts – for 26 yards in 2015.

The Bobcats were fourth in passing yards at 1,327 in Class 4A District 4 last year, gaining a majority of those behind the arm of graduated player Peyton Williams. Williams is expected to play at the tight end position at Northern Iowa this fall after being recruited by the Panthers.

Knock is also confident in his depth, but the Bobcats will have to wait until week one to figure out just who some of the more influential playmakers will be on this year’s squad.

Snyder grabbed three receptions for 29 yards in 2015 and will be sought as the top Bobcat receiver heading into Friday night’s game against Ames.

On defense, the Bobcats return Maddux Richardson. The senior leads returning defensive players with 41 total tackles and eight solo tackles for loss in 2015. He also led the Bobcats in sacks with three last season.

Richardson will also have junior Dru Dobbins to accompany him on defense. Knock said he’s extra confident in Dobbins’ playing ability, and will make for an excellent addition to the MHS defense. The trick, Knock said, is just getting all the right pieces in the right places.

As is always the case, the Bobcats have set their goals and expectations for the 2016 season. While Knock said his captains are trying to think on a week by week basis in trying to get wins and make progress physically each week, he said the overall goal will be to try and cultivate the new culture that is growing at Marshalltown High School.

“Anytime you’re changing the culture of a program, it’s about commitment,” Knock said. “Kids creating team unity and a family atmosphere, and the only way to do that is you get them together. This is turning into something it’s supposed to look like.”

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