Sauer wins and then excels at his job

Going into his junior year, Rosemount's Stefan Sauer was in a three man battle for a starting spot in the Irish offense. Even after winning the starting job, three games into the season his job was not secure. A poor performance in that third game put his staring status on shaky ground. Since that game, Sauer developed into solid offensive lineman who not only helped anchor the AAAAA runner-up's line, but has solidified himself as a leader on the offense and a college prospect with the potential to sneak onto some DI programs' radar.

Sauer and his teammates went into the state championship game undefeated. They used a dominating running game and a tough defense to run through the South Suburban Conference and most of the AAAAA programs in the state. Although they fell one game short of their ultimate goal - dropping their final game to Wayzata - Sauer and his teammates knew last year could be special long before the 2010 season kicked off.

"We had very good team chemistry," said Sauer, "ever since we were in 4th grade we had been close as a team. People understood their roles. A lot of kids in my grade knew that only a select few kids were going to play because of this year's seniors. They accepted their role and that was a big part of our success. We had some holes, but we knew in middle school that our two grades fit together. We could fill the gaps the senior class had."

Sauer played sparingly as a sophomore, filling in at the end of lopsided games and as a junior had to work to stay in the starting lineup.

"In week three I had my worst game - I just didn't come to play," said Sauer. "My coach really called me out the next day watching the film. He was questioning if I was going to start the rest of the season. Then something finally clicked in my head and I picked up the tempo for the rest of the year."

After week three Sauer was secure as the team's starting center and could focus on what he does well on the field.

"My coach says I am able to get off blocks well," said Sauer. "My snap and step is really good - being able to snap the ball while making that first step into the d-line. My coach says I have a good initial punch to scoop the guy and get to the second level to get to a linebacker. I work well on double teams as well."

This winter Sauer wrestled - mainly on the junior varsity. He started on the varsity as a sophomore - the normal starter was out because of injury and Sauer struggled early. As the season wore on he gained more confidence that went into football season and this winter. He was able to move back to JV as a junior and won over twenty matches on the season.

This spring he is a thrower on the track team. Where wrestling helped him with his confidence, his work ethic and his lower body, track is helping him with footwork and building strength. With most of the track coaches also football coaches, the staff organizes practices and workout sessions to help not only track, but also football.

In the weight room Sauer and his teammates do Olympic lifts. They focus on the explosive aspect of each lift to make the athlete's more explosive both in the throwing circle and the football field. Continuing with those workouts in the summer, Sauer is also going to go to a number of football camps to like he said, "get back into a football mindset".

"I am going to go to a camp at Northern Iowa and the Minnesota Big Man camp. I was invited to the North Dakota State three day camp. I might go to the Winona State football camp and also the Mankato State camp."

In addition to his duties at center, Sauer expects to be a part-time nose guard in the team's 3-4 defense. He doesn't expect to be the starter, but will fill in a handful of plays to give the starter a rest. He has an area of his game on offense he feels is a concern and he will be focusing on it during camps and up until the season begins.

"I want to work on my footwork," said the ???, ??? pound junior. "A couple of times last year I would get off balance. I want to work on getting into my guy and either being able to drive him off the line or get to the next level of the defense."

He has been working to get to the next level of football as well. Sauer has not been able to get his highlight tape out to schools yet, but has had interest from Gustavus, River Falls and was invited to the Augustana spring game.

His position now secure, Sauer been able to focus on the subtle aspects of his game and become an even more effective player. Something his skill position teammates and college recruiters will be glad to see.