Reigning Ski Valley POY Croff headlines St. Mary's football players to watch in 2023
GAYLORD ― The St. Mary's Snowbirds may play eight-man football nowadays, but that doesn't mean its roster lacks talent or depth.
On the contrary, GSM has been one of the most successful football programs in the Otsego area since their move to eight-man ball in 2019, making the playoffs in all four years while advancing to the regional finals in three of the last four seasons.
However, continuing their run past the regional round has been a sticking point, with losses to Suttons Bay (twice) and Marion (twice) derailing St. Mary's teams that had promising hopes of the school's first eight-man state title. This season, the Snowbirds enter with hopes of conquering an improving Ski Valley Conference and advancing deeper into the playoffs, all while having to replace three of their top contributors from last year's team, Gavin Bebble, Brody Jeffers and Donovan Blust.
Still, the Snowbirds have enough returning talent plus some intriguing young pieces that have people dreaming of a journey to the Superior Dome in Marquette in late November.
Here are players to watch out for on GSM's roster:
Dillon Croff
While there are quite a few contributors missing from last year's team, the team's No. 1 running back returns for a featured role in 2023.
Dillon Croff excelled as a junior last season, putting up monster numbers in the weeks when Bebble and Jeffers were out with injuries before finishing the year with 1,430 total offensive yards and 21 touchdowns. Now, as the lead back in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense, Croff could be set up for a monumental season in 2023.
MORE: Breaking down the 2023 GSM football schedule
Daniel Jacobson
While Croff figured to be one of the top contributors for the team heading into last season, there was little thought that sophomore Daniel Jacobson would have a crucial role for the 2022 team. In fact, he wasn't even on the varsity roster when the season began, starting week one as the junior varsity quarterback. However, when the injury bug claimed both Bebble and Jeffers early on in 2022, Jacobson was thrust into the starting QB role.
He handled the pressure in stride, helping guide the Snowbirds to three conference wins in his four starts. His best performance came in his final start of the season against Onaway, helping the Snowbirds put up 40 first-quarter points with 91 rushing yards and a touchdown in the first 12 minutes of action.
He figures to step into the QB1 spot to open up the 2023 season.
Brett Koscielniak
The SVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, Koscielniak returns to lead the stout St. Mary's defense again this season.
A first-team all-conference and all-area linebacker, Koscielniak's mix of strength and athleticism make him a tough player to run away from, especially in the space that eight-man football allows.
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Rylan Matelski
If St. Mary's wants to continue its successful run as a program, it will need players to step up their game to help fill the shoes of last year's senior class. Fortunately for them, senior Rylan Matelski is one player that could do just that.
The Class of 2024 member showed flashes of his athleticism last season, including a career day in the 2022 regular-season finale against Bear Lake, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown on offense, while completing a scoop-and-score fumble recovery on defense. A bigger role in 2023 could benefit him and the St. Mary's team as a whole.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Reigning Ski Valley POY Croff headlines St. Mary's football players to watch in 2023
