MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/26/06)--One of the most improved positions for the Cobbers in 2007 will be at linebacker. In 2006, Concordia started three inexperienced players that improved continually improved throughout the season. By the end of the year, the group was completely different than the crew that stepped on the field against MSU Moorhead in the season opener. Despite losing two starters, the CC linebacking corps will return a deep crew that will help strengthen the passing defense.

The lone returning starter is senior captain Brennen Lewis (Great Falls, Mont./C.M. Russell HS). Lewis led Concordia in total tackles, solo tackles and assisted tackles last year. He is one of the fastest players on the team and uses his speed to pursue from sideline to sideline. He will benefit from a full year’s experience and will be less likely to get caught out of position due to over pursuing. He will be the starting weak side linebacker and should once again be at the top of the team’s tackling list.

Joining Lewis on the outside will be super senior Dave Moll (Battle Lake, Minn.). Moll was moved out of the defensive backfield in 2006 and helped add depth to the position. In 2007, with his learning curve on the upswing, Moll will be slated into the strong side linebacker spot. Like Lewis, his speed on the outside will make him hard to find for any offensive lineman or running back. He was third on the team in tackles in 2006 and over the last three seasons has collected 157 tackles and should crack into the top ten on the school’s all-time ta Moll also has the innate ability to deliver a bone jarring hit that can help the Cobber defense swing the game’s momentum at any time.

The middle linebacker spot will be the most highly contested position on the defensive side of the ball. Sophomore Grant Aakre (Hawley, Minn.) and junior Isaac Berling (Melrose, Minn./Sauk Centre HS) appear to be the frontrunners heading into training camp. Both players have been brought up through the system and will be looking to prove they can be the steadying force in the middle of the field. Aakre’s strength and quiet fortitude make him a solid fit in between Lewis and Moll. Berling also adds a steely intensity that will give the Cobbers a nice mesh of players in the second tier.

Put me in coach I’m ready to play: Brett Abrahamson, Jay Thoreson

Bet You Didn’t Know: Brennen Lewis is only the fourth Cobber player since 1940 to be named as a team captain in back-to-back seasons (Ryan Hebrink and Josh Vickerman – 2002 & 2003 and Jordan Talge 2003-04).

If the Cobber linebackers were:

A Country Song:

“Speed” by Montgomery Gentry
A Rap Song:

“Hard Hitters” by Young Buck
A Dave Matthews Band song:

“I’ll Back You Up”