WILLMAR — Whether it’s the clash of helmets and pads in the trenches or the clash of plates in the weight room, Jacob Flannigan and Marlon Fernandez-Munoz stand out around the sounds of clangin’ and bangin’.
Flannigan and Fernandez-Muñoz, both veterans on Willmar’s veteran front seven defensively, wreaked havoc in the Cardinals’ 27-0 Week 1 win over St. Cloud Apollo.
The duo hope to cause more mayhem down the line when defending Class AAAA state champions Hutchinson arrive at Hodapp Field at 7 p.m. Friday.
“It felt really good (getting the shutout); it really boosted our confidence,” said Fernández-Muñoz, who finished with five tackles (four solo) and two sacks against Apollo. “Going into this week, we’re very confident.”
Said Flannigan, who had a sack and key pressure that led to Carter Dirkes returning a 26-yard interception for a touchdown: “It really shows that doing your job really pays off and trusting your teammates to do it. what they need to do.
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During the summer, Flannigan and Fernandez-Munoz achieved record weights in team workouts. And now, they’re throwing their weight as defensive disruptors.
“Every week, I would get a different video of those guys where they’re squatting, cleaning or benching,” Willmar head football coach Jon Konold said. “They really put in the time last winter and were leaders in the weight room. Then in the summer they were definitely also (leaders).
“The proof is in the pudding with what they got.”
Konold says that Flannigan is one of the strongest players in Cardinal football history. As a junior, Flannigan lifted a combined 1,010 pounds on the bench press, square, and power clean. And he’s on pace to break Brady Reigstad’s 1,040-pound record in 2017.
During the summer, Flannigan broke the all-time football team record for the bench press (335) and power clean (315). Vaughn Johnson held the previous bench record (315) and Reigstad held the clean power record (305).
When Flannigan played on the freshman team, Konold said the coaches were excited about his aggressiveness and playmaking skills. Then, when the check-in boards were set up outside the Willmar High School weight room, Konold saw that Flannigan had a little more motivation.
“He starts looking at what’s on the record boards and sets a new standard for himself because he wanted to break some of those records himself,” Konold said. “It’s been the last two or three years that he’s seen that dedication and drive.”
As a running back on the defensive line, the 6-foot, 225-pound Flannigan hit Apollo quarterback Da’Vion Jackson “half a dozen times,” according to Konold.
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“I just read his tackle and when his tackle kicked, I knew it was my cue to run to the quarterback as fast as I could and try to pressure him,” Flannigan said. “Keep the pressure up and keep the quarterback on his toes a little longer.”
Konold said: “Jacob has really gotten better at using his hands. Coach (Dustin) Carlson will tilt it or something and dive and go through there. He is so strong and has such a good center of gravity that it is difficult to push him out of the way.”
A senior captain, the 5-9, 265-pound Fernandez-Muñoz clogs up the middle as a defensive tackle. During the summer, Fernández-Muñoz achieved a record squat of 535 pounds. Reigstad held the previous record at 505.
“It was crazy,” a beaming Fernández-Muñoz said of the new squat record. “It was a great achievement; everyone was excited.
“Having that number one spot is really cool for me. Everybody looks at it and says, ‘That’s awesome.’ It boosts my confidence a lot.”
That elevated mood from the weight room has certainly carried over onto the field.
“I think when kids get that strength and that confidence, they get praise for those things and try to do more and more. And I think that’s the case with Marlon,” Konold said. “He has received very positive feedback from his coaches and from people in general at the school and that makes him want to do better and do more.”
Against Apollo’s extended offense, the defensive line’s goal was to go upfield and pressure the quarterback. Things will be very different against Hutchinson’s brand of hard-hitting, run-oriented offense.
The duo is ready to unite power with power.
“The biggest thing on my mind going into this is really using your hands, staying grounded, not washing yourself too much, playing your hole and being as physical as possible,” Flannigan said. “Because they are going to go down hard.”
Fernández-Muñoz added: “This team is much more physical than Apollo. We’re going to have to step it up. Each one of us is going to have to take a step forward. Hold our position and use our hands. We have to be better than last week.”
There has been no respite from the current Class AAAA state champion. Hutchinson is dominating the first part of his schedule.
The Tigers opened with a 46-0 victory in week zero against Apollo. Then last Friday they went on tour and beat Class AAAAA Alexandria 46-21.
Hutchinson built a 32-0 lead in the second quarter. Levi Teetzel rushed the ball 28 times for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns. AJ Ladwing added 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 19 attempts.
On defense, the Tigers are led by University of Minnesota Alex Elliott. He is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior outside linebacker. He had four tackles against Alexandria.
Last season, Hutchinson beat Willmar 42-14 at Hutchinson. Teetzel rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Leading 22-14 through three quarters, the Tigers scored 20 points in the quarter.