With graduation this past spring came the end of the high school athletic careers of three big running backs for Pella Christian’s football team. Caleb Morgan, Derek Van Kooten and Michael Mason all played big roles in the running attack last year, and with the 2013 season a week away, the Eagles are looking for athletes to step up to fill in those slots. The good news is that Mason Howerzyl is back, and two other kids have really stood out to Coach Rich Kacmarynski.

“Mason really finished the year strong last year, he rushed for over 200 yards against Mount Ayr and finished the season strong,” Kacmarynski said. “I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen thus far. He had a great year in the weight room, and he probably is our strongest player, pound-for-pound. As far as other running backs, Dillon Branderhorst and Carson Dugger have really stepped up for us, and they are probably the front runners for us for the halfback spots.”

The exciting thing about both Branderhorst and Dugger, Kacmarynski adds, is that they are pretty athletic; they both catch and run the ball well. The Eagles’ coach adds that the backfield should be a strength for his team by the end of the year.

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