Move to safety pays off for Boatright

By Brent Wasenius/Managing-Sports Editor

Ken Boatright played receiver in high school and linebacker his freshman season at Midland Lutheran College, but there is no hesitation about what position the sophomore feels at home.

"I am a safety," the Bolingbook, Ill., native said emphatically.

Safety has been a good fit for Boatright. In his first season in the secondary, he is 11th in the Great Plains Athletic Conference in total tackles with 48. That figure trails only veteran linebacker Reed Manstedt for the Warriors’ team lead.

Boatright is also fourth in the league in passes defended with four breakups and two interceptions.

Boatright was a tight end and receiver during his prep career in Illinois. He originally came to Midland to be a safety, but coaches shuffled him to outside linebacker during preseason practices of 2008.

"We had to play him at linebacker last year because of some depth issues," Midland coach Casey Thiele said. "I would’ve rather had him at safety, but for the good of the team we asked him to play linebacker. We thought linebacker would be easier to learn than safety, plus we had a good group in the secondary. We thought playing linebacker would be a quicker way to get him on the field."

Boatright started three games at linebacker, but did play safety in junior varsity games.

"It was nice being in the trenches at linebacker, but at safety you are able to see the whole picture and you can read things a lot more," Boatright said. "At safety you can read things slower and react fast. At linebacker you have to read fast and react fast. When you are that close to the line of scrimmage you have only one chance to make a play because things happen so fast."

At the end of last season, Boatright thought that his future was at safety. He had 10 tackles and an interception to help the Warriors win a junior varsity game.

"They started whispering about me playing safety," Boatright said. "Then in spring ball, that’s where I was. I had no hesitation about it. The opportunity presented itself and I took it."

The 6-foot-3 Boatright played at about 190 pounds during his first season in Fremont.

"I held up pretty good, but it was a disadvantage going against some of the bigger guys," Boatright said. "But that’s football. It’s a learning experience."

Boatright learned that he needed to get bigger and stronger to handle the rigors of the GPAC easier. He stayed in Fremont during the summer and gained about 25 pounds of muscle.

"Coach Thiele told me he wanted me at about 215 and in shape," Boatright said. "I committed to our (offseason program). I ate healthy and worked out every day."

Boatright credits Thiele and several of his teammates, including fellow starting secondary members Brandon Brown, Chris Butterfield and Chris Luly, with helping him adjust to safety.

"Branden gave me pointers to help me get comfortable back there," Boatright said. "Luly and Butterfield are always talking about what to look for. They tell me if I mess up, they’ve got my back and then just worry about the next play."

Brown, a 6-2, 203-pound sophomore, earned second-team All-GPAC honors last season. He teams with Boatright to give the Warriors a pair of intimidating safeties.

"Our defensive linemen and linebackers say that when they have a running back fighting for extra yardage, they are uncomfortable because they know those two will bring the wood," Thiele said. "They think they can get hurt just as easily as the running back because those two are big, fast and physical."

Thiele said the Warriors like to utilize the skills of Brown and Boatright.

"We try to feature those two on our defense," he said. "We put them in position where they can make plays. Having said that, they are also in a position to make mistakes but they don’t do that very often. If they do, they don’t repeat it. Boat is a guy who gets better and better each week. He makes a lot more plays than mistakes."

Thiele said Boatright has played a key role in the Warriors’ last two victories. On Sept. 26, he blocked a punt that teammate Zac Feuerbach picked up and returned for a touchdown during the Warriors’ 21-14 win over Briar Cliff. The following week, his interception and 29-yard return early in the third quarter led a go-ahead touchdown in a 29-26 win over Dakota Wesleyan.

"He had a big hand in those wins," Thiele said. "He has been in the right position for us."

Boatright, however, is quick to pay tribute to his teammates on the interior line, at linebacker and in the secondary with helping the Warriors’ defense click. Midland, 4-2, plays Saturday at Dordt College.

"I’m just doing what I can to help the team," he said. "I’m real happy with the whole team and the coaching staff. I think this team can do a lot. I feel if we work out some kinks, we can go a long ways."

Published in the Fremont Tribune on Oct. 17, 2009:
http://www.fremonttribune.com/articles/2009/10/19/sports/college/doc4ad961ce261b5932449627.txt