The spring schedule has been announced and fall practice is underway for the Coyotes, who have 13 more practices from now until the end of October. In that span, we will catch up with position coaches to learn more about their units. We continue the series with offensive line coach Andrew Prevost, who is preparing for his third season with the unit and fifth at USD.
 
Returning Starters
Mason Scheidegger, Sr., Fonda, Iowa
Alex Jensen, Jr., Plymouth, Minn.
Austin Wallace, Jr., Metamora, Ill.
Isaac Erbes, So., Urbandale, Iowa
Kian Rexroat-Potts, So., Oconomowoc, Wis.
 
Returners
Braden Schneider, Jr., McLouth, Kan.
Cam Seck, Jr., Paola, Kan.
Trevor Shohoney, So., Franklin, Wis.
Colton Harberts, R-Fr., Dike, Iowa
Joey Lombard, R-Fr., Anoka, Minn.
Siler Tschirhart, R-Fr., Overland Park, Kan.
Cliff Johnson, R-Fr., Lake Andes, S.D.
 
Newcomers
Cody Fayette, Fr., Wichita, Kan. (Maize South HS)
Bryce Henderson, Fr., North Aurora, Ill. (Aurora Christian Schools)
Ben Kohls, Fr. Sioux Falls, S.D. (Roosevelt HS)
Kel Stroud, Fr., Chapman, Kan. (Chapman HS)
Paxton Swanson, Fr., Springfield, Neb. (Platteview HS)
 
Outside of the quarterback position, the Coyotes return starters at every offensive position and that includes all five spots along the line. Senior captain Mason Scheidegger highlights a unit that started all eight Valley games together in 2019. USD has led the MVFC in passing three years in a row and boasted three 300-yard rushing performances last season.
 
For Prevost, that means it's time for this group to take the next step and be dominant. To that end, the goals for October are to build on fundamentals, eliminate mistakes and develop depth.
 
"Clete [McLeod] has done an unbelievable job with these guys in the weight room," said Prevost. "Not having the guys here for the better part of the spring and summer and getting them back and seeing how this group is moving around right now and how strong they are shows a commitment. What they did when no one was watching and also what coach McLeod and his staff have done to get these guys ready is remarkable."
 
Small group sessions, individual work and even some golf is how this group has stayed together (for the record, Prevost reports Isaac can hit the ball a mile, but can't putt to save his life, and Harberts is a ringer).
 
"They're having fun and finding different things to do," said Prevost. "But they're hungry. They like to work and they want to do the extra things to get better."
 
Anyone who knows Prevost knows life's lessons with his hippos reach far beyond football. Still a young buck, even he can't imagine all the stresses students face. In that regard, conversations about family, friends and social life have often replaced Xs and Os. Finding ways to keep players occupied, positive and encouraged is vital.
 
"Mason was getting married in March, and now his wedding is moved up to November," said Prevost. "My daughter is his flower girl and my son is his ring bearer, and I couldn't be more excited for him and Mallory, but bumping that thing up six months … it's not just a commitment to teammates, but it extends all the way to your fiancé and family and Mal just did it without blinking an eye.
 
"Times are interesting and it's just what you have to do."