Waters’ success not a surprise to MLC

By Brent Wasenius/Managing-Sports Editor

Concordia University couldn’t be blamed if it didn’t know much about running back Khalid Waters heading into last week’s season-opening game at Memorial Field.

Waters, a sophomore from LaMesa, Calif., was teamed in the backfield with returning All-Great Plains Athletic Conference choice Brandon Brooks. Also available at running back was Eric Hart, a 2008 honorable mention all-conference selection.

Khalid Waters rushed for 143 yards on 24 carries against Concordia.

By the end of the Warriors’ 12-10 victory, however, the Bulldogs definitely knew all about Waters as he rushed for 143 yards on 24 carries.

“I had a couple of runs last year against Concordia, but I think I did surprise them and they probably didn’t know who I was,” Waters said. “They were probably surprised that Hart didn’t start.”

Midland coach Casey Thiele likes the various attributes Waters, Brooks and Hart give the Warriors. Waters’ strength as a back isn’t hard to pinpoint.

“It’s speed, speed, speed,” Thiele said. “Unless a defense can match it, that’s tough to go against. He also has good vision. If someone is closing in, he has the vision to redirect himself. He has become a very good back in the last year.”

Waters lettered last year, but his first season in Fremont was a learning experience.

“I had my ups and downs,” he said. “It took me a while to pick up the offense. All through high school, I played in a spread offense and a lot of one-back sets. Last year we ran kind of a Wing-T and it was way harder for me to pick up. It took some time.”

Thiele said Waters was just going through normal growing pains that freshmen experience.

“We did run some Wing-T concepts in our spread option attack last year,” he said. “The terminology and things were difficult for Khalid being a first-year player. If we were still running that, he’d be a lot more comfortable because of it being his second year. He’s a good fit here because he knows his role and he knows how we’ll get him the football.”

The Warriors hired John McMenamin as offensive coordinator during the offseason. Waters said he adapted quickly to McMenamin’s schemes, including using the I-formation significantly against Concordia.

“It was more of what I was used to in high school,” he said. “I definitely like it more.”

After his freshman season, Waters went to work to earn a bigger role in the Warriors’ offense. He would join teammates at 5:45 in the morning for running and lifting weights.

“Very few guys have worked harder than Khalid,” Thiele said. “Some have run as much, but haven’t done as much in the weightroom. And some have done as much as much in the weightroom, but haven’t down as much running. He ran his tail off and he worked his tail off in the weightroom. He is a hardworking guy.”

Waters’ ascent in the offense was also helped by the camaraderie he has with his fellow running backs.

“We help each other while watching film,” he said. “We see the mistakes we make and talk about what we need to change. Hart and Brooks helped me last year and I’m trying to take that and help this year’s freshmen backs.”

Waters is also grateful for the holes created by an offensive line that includes All-GPAC guard Sam Dancer and veteran center Jordan Crook.

“The offensive line is a fun group to be around,” he said. “We all like to have fun before practice and games. They have a good group, but I trust our whole offense. Without them, we wouldn’t be anywhere.”

Waters is hopeful the Warriors can push their record to 2-0 this weekend, but it won’t be easy. Midland faces perennial NCAA Division III power Wisconsin-Whitewater, currently rated second, on Saturday.

“This will be our hardest test coming up this week,” Waters said. “Coach Thiele said we have a challenge on our hands and that they’ll be counting us as underdogs. But we’ll go in there with our gameplan and we’ll be prepared. We’re focusing on them 110 percent.”

Waters is one of several Californians on the Warriors’ roster. Starting safety Branden Brown is from LeMesa and Waters’ brother, Jeff, joined the team this year as a transfer.

Fremont and Midland have proven to be a second home for the 5-7, 185-pound back.

“I had never been to Nebraska before I came here to school,” Waters said. “But it is nice because everyone pretty much knows each other in the community. I like meeting new people.”

Published in the Fremont Tribune on Sept. 11, 2009:
http://www.fremonttribune.com/articles/2009/09/11/sports/college/doc4aaa6d2528332896669964.txt