Look out Simpson College. The 2010 Simpson Storm football team is back with a vengeance this year.

Coming off of a rough season in 2009, the entire team and coaching staff has high hopes and expectations for the 2010 season. 

“I know the Storm football team has a high standard set for themselves,” senior defensive lineman Vinni Smith said. “I expect our team to go out and play hard and fast every Saturday with a great attitude and effort. Those are the only two things we can actually control.”

A great attitude will be no problem for the Storm this season with a fiery group of 49 freshmen on the roster. This upbeat bunch should bring a variety of new talent to the table.

“We have several new faces and a small senior class,” Head Football Coach Jim Glogowski said. “I am looking for individual improvement from each and every player.”

Along with all the new faces, the Storm football squad is returning a small-but-mighty class of 10 seniors, as well as many other talented players. Senior fullback Jake Rissi will be a force to be reckoned with for the Storm this year. The team also returns junior running back Michael Smith and sophomore defensive lineman Taylor Stockdale, who each received Scout Team Player of the Year awards from the team at the conclusion of the 2009 season.

There are many goals set for this season, but one key idea sticks out in the mind of the head coach Jim Glogowski.

“The key to our success is to play hard and give great effort snap after snap,” Glogowski said. “We are focusing on being more consistent in everything we do. Executing our assignments at a high level over and over again.”

Glogowski has a few more specific ideas for the team to work on as well.

“We want to do a better job of throwing and catching the ball,” Glogowski said. “We need to be more accurate in the passing game. Defensively we need to be assignment sound and pursue to the ball as a whole.”

Another member of the football squad has his own personal goal in mind. Senior running back Renauld Shelton has been at Simpson for longer than most, but remains enthusiastic. He is entering his ninth semester here at Simpson and is looking forward to his fourth and final season playing for the Storm.

“What I am looking forward to most is the chance at redemption against our conference opponents that we were defeated by in 2009,” Shelton said. “I expect to help the Storm win football games any way that I can.”

Goals are set, spirits are high,and things are looking up for our very own Storm football team this season. Smith has his own request to make to all of us, though.

 “I would just like to ask that the whole student body comes out and supports us for all of our games,” Smith said. “I think they will all see some exciting stuff from the football team this year.”

The Storm fell short at their home opener against Bethel on Sept. 4 losing 34-12. Junior quarterback Chris Garza entered the game in the second half relieving freshman starter, Taylor Nelson. Sophomore tight end Jake McCulley scored the only two touchdowns for the Storm.