Football: Dickinson’s backfield depth to play key role in their success in 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. — The old saying goes, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. The Dickinson Midgets are embodying that as the 2024 season approaches. After a full commitment to the offseason grind ahead of last year, the Midgets returned to the playoffs. This offseason, Dickinson continued to attack the offseason workouts.

As the Midgets take the field on Friday, one strength for this team will come in the backfield. With key returners in the backfield, Dickinson wants to dictate the line of scrimmage and control the clock. But, it won’t just be the running backs setting the tone.

“Running back is a position that we do have some experience,” head coach John Tuchscherer says. “Braden Meschke was kind of back and forth between receiver and running back last year. Shayden Jackson is a guy that didn’t play last year. He had played previously. He didn’t play last year and he’s back. We like to run with a full back. Tristan Stallsworth; he’s back in the backfield. He does a phenomenal job of blocking along with Malahcai Medina. So, the philosophy hasn’t changed. We want to be able to establish the run game and control the line of scrimmage.”

“I feel like our run game has gotten a lot better, especially with working in some of the guys who actually have been putting in the time, put in the effort, and not just coming to football practices just to come,” Meschke adds.

While their philosophy stays the same to dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball, the Midgets will have some fresh faces on the offensive and defensive lines. After being hit hard with players graduating from last year’s squad, Dickinson will feature three sophomore starters up front.

“They’ve done a great job,” Tuchscherer says. “They’ve been here all summer. They’re smart, they’re physical. We do have a guy back, Brayden Barnhart. He started on the offensive line for us last year. And his leadership so far through the first week has been great for our young guys. [We] might be younger, might be more inexperienced, but I really like the guys that we have on both offense and defensive lines.”

“I feel like we have a really good line this year,” Meschke adds. “We have a lot of younger guys who have some heart to bring to the team. It’s definitely going to be a little harder for us to get things going with the younger guys, but I feel like they can do it with all the hard work that they put in.”

The Midgets open their season this Friday on the road against Grand Forks Red River. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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