Superior’s Anrig a do-it-all gadget man for Spartans soccer – Superior Telegram

SUPERIOR — Landon Anrig analyzed Stevens Point Area High School’s offense just some seconds earlier than the Panthers snapped the soccer.

Superior’s senior security shortly realized it was a passing play with a good finish working up the seam, a play design that one in all Anrig’s coaches had simply informed him to be anticipating. Anrig planted his foot, drove on the ball and intercepted the move.

“My defensive backs coach told me that when our linebackers are up toward the line, (Stevens Point) likes to lead their tight end up the seam,” Anrig mentioned. “It happened on the first drive of the second half, so I saw it right away and made a play on the ball.”

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

After making the interception, Anrig returned it down contained in the Panthers’ 20-yard line. Superior capitalized nearly instantly, because the Spartans put collectively a five-play scoring drive that culminated in a 9-yard landing run by junior Maxton Luzaich.

“It feels great to be the guy who made that interception to help get us into the end zone,” Anrig mentioned. “Helping us get that field position and then scoring, you live for moments like that.”

Superior (0-2) finally got here up quick in opposition to Stevens Point Area High School (2-0), falling 41-20, however Anrig shined. He picked off a move, had a number of tackles and caught a number of passes, together with a 32-yard landing from junior quarterback Carson Smith.

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

Anrig is one in all Superior’s most versatile weapons. He hardly ever comes off the sector and performs quite a lot of positions for the Spartans, together with vast receiver, tight finish, security, kick returner and sometimes quarterback.

“He’s a football player and he wouldn’t want it any other way,” Superior head coach Rob Scott mentioned. “He’s done the preparation and has the mindset to play the whole game. I’m really proud of him. He’s a model for what we want all of our kids to do.”

Superior senior tight finish Beckett Selden, who’s dedicated to play on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, mentioned that having Anrig in this system is important as a result of he’s a stable chief and is able to taking part in almost any place on the sector.

“He has really stepped up this year,” Selden mentioned. “He’s been a facilitator for the team. He’s a pipe wrench — do whatever you need. You can put him anywhere. He’s a great defender, super solid, and offensively he can play anywhere. He just knows the game.”

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

Anrig ready for his senior soccer season by placing in in depth time within the health club this summer season. A number of that was achieved with Scott within the mornings at Superior’s larger, sooner, stronger lifting program.

He additionally traveled the nation taking part in basketball along with his AAU program, the Wisconsin Playmakers E32 staff. Anrig spent vital time squaring off in opposition to upper-eschelon expertise in cities comparable to Dallas, St. Louis and Memphis.

“I did a lot of work with coach Scott in the mornings,” Anrig mentioned. “I played a lot of basketball, too. That’s really good for football conditioning, so that was a big part of getting ready for the season.”

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

When the season started, Anrig anticipated taking part in one aspect of the ball, protection, the identical beginning security place he occupied final 12 months. An harm to Selden in week one at Wausau West shortly derailed that plan, and Anrig discovered himself taking part in tight finish.

Anrig realized on the fly throughout that sport in opposition to the Warriors, and having assistant coach Chad Johnson on the sideline giving him hand indicators about the place to go and who to dam was a whole blessing.

“I just kept looking toward the sideline,” Anrig mentioned. “Coach Johnson was pointing and showing me from the sideline what I needed to do — where to seal, insert, all of the things. It actually worked pretty well, and he did a great job helping me out.”

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

Superior’s teaching workers raved about Anrig’s effort and flexibility in Week 1, and it shortly grew to become obvious that Anrig is just too worthwhile to go away off the sector.

“He’s an extremely intelligent kid with a high football IQ,” Scott mentioned. “It didn’t take long to figure out that this kid is really good and can play tight end. It gave us more depth, and he’s a physical presence. That’s all you can hope for — kids like him who do it all.”

Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group

Anrig mentioned that after two weeks of taking part in each side of the ball and one week of studying the offensive playbook, he’s extra snug and assured that it’s one thing he’ll be capable of do all 12 months for the Spartans.

“I’m ready now,” Anrig mentioned whereas smiling. “I had that week of practice and a couple of games, so I’m going to be good to go the rest of the way.”

Reagan Hoverman joined the Duluth News Tribune as a sports activities reporter in July 2023 after spending the higher a part of two years protecting quite a lot of prep and collegiate sports activities on the Pierce County Journal in Ellsworth, Wis. Before that, he was a information and sports activities reporter on the Inter-County Leader in Frederic, Wis.