RUN-STOPPER — North Union defensive lineman Colin Rasch (77) halts an Okoboji offensive back’s progress behind the line of scrimmage during a regular-season football game last fall in Armstrong. The Warriors’ senior two-way starter has made a commitment to play the sport at Morningside College next season. (Photo by Greg Abel)

ARMSTRONG — North Union senior Colin Rasch can be described in two words — dedicated leader.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Rasch started on the Warriors’ offensive and defensive lines last year, and will be counted on to fulfill a leadership role this fall.

His talent, speed and strength helped Rasch earn a football scholarship — which he recently accepted — to Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa.

“I like everything about the campus, the football program, the coaching staff and I’m excited I committed to the program,” Rasch said. “I’m going to make the most of my opportunity and get a great education and play the sport I love. It’s a win-win for me. I’m excited for my last high school football season to start, be with my teamates on the field and get more prepared to play college football.

His role will change. He’ll be rushing the quarterback on blitzes, looking to tackle the ball carrier out of the backfield and be in pass coverage looking for running backs or tight ends to defend.

As a defensive end in 2022, Rasch finished with 59 total tackles, 3 1/2 quarterback sacks, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

Rasch’s 59 tackles were second on the team behind 2023 graduate Bryer Prochniak, who had 62 1/2.

“This year we’re going to change his position from the D-line to middle linebacker hoping to utilize his ability to see the field, his speed and intelligence on the field,” North Union football head coach Matt Ernster said. “He’ll make the defensive calls and is one of our team leaders this season. We, as a coaching staff, would love to see him become a more vocal leader for us instead of leading be example, which he has done the past couple of years.”

“I’m excited about the change to middle linebacker,” Rasch said. “It will be a little different for me, but I like the change.”

Rasch was timed in June in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.65 seconds.

He bench presses 255 pounds, squats 405 pounds and deadlifts 525 pounds.

The Morningside football program was picked second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference preseason poll released Aug. 8. the Mustangs had 93 points and three first-place votes. Northwestern of Iowa was picked first with 98 points and eight first-place votes.

The Mustangs went undefeated in conference play last season, winning the GPAC for the 13th time.

At the high school level, North Union’s schedule this fall starts Friday, Aug. 25, with a 7 p.m. home game against Okoboji and continues Friday, Sept. 1, with a 7 p.m. home game against St. Ansgar.

As a sophomore, Rasch finished with 34 total tackes, one quarterback sack, 8 1/2 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Rasch was a freshman when his older brother, Caleb, was a senior on the Warriors’ varsity football team.

“We hope moving Colin to middle linebacker will increase the number of tackles he gets since he’ll be all over the field and not just on the line of scrimmage,” Ernster said.

On offense, Colin plays guard. He is the main pulling guard in Ernster’s offense, thanks to his speed.

“Colin has the speed to get out in front and block for our running backs,” Ernster said. “We have some new faces in the backfield, so we’ll be counting on Colin to help lead the way.”

“I like that I get the chance to set good blocks for my teammates and open holes for them to run through on offense,” Rasch said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs this season, so it’s going to take winning like five games and winning more games can get us a home playoff game, which would be great for our team and fans.

“We have some of the best traveling fans, but getting a home playoff game would be huge.”

Rasch also plays baseball, finishing third on the team this summer with a .369 batting average. He had 24 hits, two doubles, one triple, one home run, 17 runs scored and 22 RBIs.

“I’ve played baseball since I was a little kid, and still enjoy it, but I like football more,” Rasch said.

Rasch had a solid sophomore baseball season, hitting .435 with seven doubles, 13 runs scored and 19 RBIs.

Rasch also competed in track & field, leading the team last spring in the shot put and discus with throws of 50-3 and 109-11, respectively.

As a sophomore, Rasch threw the shot put a team-best 42-10 and was second on the team in discus with a throw of 102-5.

He had a team-best shot put throw os 36-9 1/2 as a freshman and team fourth-best discus throw of 74-11.

As a freshman, Rasch was also a member of the 4×200 relay team that finished with the second, third, fourth and fifth-fastest times on the team.

He joined with Izaak Martens, Aric Arndorfer and Carter Anderson with the second-fastest time of 1:47.7, and was with Martens, Arndorfer and Shawn Odegaard for the third-fastest time of 1:47.98.

He does not play a winter sport and instead trains at Live Fit Sports & Wellness Center in Fairmont.

Colin is the youngest child of parents Amy and Corey Rasch. Colin also has an older sister, Karissa.

At the moment, Colin is undecided on a college major, but takes his studies as serious as the football playbook. His current grade point average is 3.96.

Rasch is putting in the time in the training facility this summer to be as prepared as possible for the rigors of the 2023 fall gridiron season. Lifting weights, running and eating a balanced diet are Rasch’s keys to turning his body into a skilled machine when he runs onto the field for the season opener Aug. 25.