Although its too early to tell if the Packers will have as much success as last year, one thing’s for certain, at quarterback, the Packers will be head and shoulders above last year – literally.

Tuesday, August 24, 1999

Although its too early to tell if the Packers will have as much success as last year, one thing’s for certain, at quarterback, the Packers will be head and shoulders above last year – literally.

Last year the Packers were guided by Zak Ulwelling, who at 5-foot-7 didn’t fit the standard mold for a quarterback in the Big Nine Conference. However, the senior overcame any height problems with the ability to run with the ball when he needed to.

This year the Packers will be led by another senior, Tanner Schieck, who at 6-6, gives the Packers a decidedly different viewpoint.

"Last year Zak couldn’t always see over the offensive line," Schieck said in a recent interview, "but I won’t have that problem."

With a solid group of experienced seniors around him, Ulwelling completed 76 passes for 955 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the Packers to a 6-4 record. He threw 11 interceptions, but was the Packers fourth leading rusher and led the team in rushing touchdowns (4).

In a mop up role for Ulwelling last year, Schieck completed one of four passes for 37 yards and touchdown.

Although his game experience has been limited, Schieck says he’s man for the job.

"Yea, I’m ready," Schieck said. "I’ve had a lot of practice and it’s all coming back to me pretty quick."

Like Ulwelling last year, Schieck is one of the four Packers’ captains this year. Unlike Ulwelling, Schieck will be forced to shoulder more of leadership role on a young squad and even more now that the offense will be without tackle Matt Jenkins for the season and tail back Nick Rohne for at least the first two games.

"That’s tough," Schieck said of the off-season injury bug that decimated half of the Packers’ captains. "It’s basically a whole new team, but we should be a fast team."

While Ulwelling parlayed his point guard mentality to the gridiron as an emotional leader, head coach Steve Knox called Schieck a "quiet leader."

"Tanner’s done a good job of picking up the offense," Know said. " We really think with the receivers w e have this year that Tanner can run the offense and put some points on the board for us."

Like the rest of the team, Schieck’s targets will be for the most part inexperienced.

The Smith brothers, Matt, a 6-5 senior and Dan, a 6-5 junior, should probably be Schieck’s more capable targets.

Matt, who besides having the most experience among the receivers, is probably the most sure handed. Matt’s playing time increased as the season went on started the final regular season game against the Owatonna, a game in which he caught the game-winning touchdown for one of his two catches last season.

Besides the Smiths, who will mostly line up at tight end, Schieck will also have the option of dropping off short passes to group of speedy running backs, led by senior Preston Horton. Other backs that will be likely targets out of the backfield or as wideouts, include junior Isaac Knox, and seniors Jamie Zavalla and Mike Cunningham.