Three Cloquet Running Backs Commit To Play College Football

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May 6

Joe Vork-NSO

Nolan Dokken has committed to play college football next year at Bemidji State University while his backfield mates Taylor Kolb and Simon Thill will both play for legendary coach John Galardi at St John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

The “three-headed monster” was a perfect blend of speed, versatility and toughness for Lumberjack coach Tom Lenarz, who has quickly turned his team into a yearly section contender.

Thill led the trio with 977 regular season rushing yards, while averaging 9.7 yards per game. He also finished his career as one of the top five running backs in Cloquet history. Dokken, who came to Cloquet only two years ago, made an immediate impact on the program and averaged an astounding 13 yards per carry, finishing the season with a total of 586 yards on the ground. Kolb, perhaps, was the most intriguing story of the three. Kolb tied with Thill with 11 touchdowns on the season, while compiling a respectable 436 total yards rushing. His impact as a leader, however, is what impressed his head coach. Coach Lenarz told NSO that Kolb converted to running back from guard two years ago as a favor to the coaches and has been a starter ever since.

Coach Lenarz cites the three seniors as key components to this year’s success and had glowing departing comments for his senior backs. The coach related to NSO he has been impressed with Thill’s ability to maximize his athletic ability by being dedicated and working hard, while never “taking a play off.” Lenarz told NSO that “his toughness and instincts are things that cannot be measured on paper, so I look for big things out of him next year.” Coach Lenarz also had similar respect for Dokken, who will play defensive back next year at BSU. Lenarz stated “on any other team Nolan could have been a leading rusher.” The Cloquet head coach also stated how impressed he has been with Kolb’s work ethic stating he “has worked extremely hard to become a great football player.”

Thill, Dokken, and Kolb have all left an indelible mark on Cloquet’s football program and will be missed next year. Their head coach hopes that all future Lumberjack football players will feel obligated to work as hard as his departing running backs. NSO would like to congratulate Simon, Nolan, and Taylor on an outstanding high school football career and with them continued success at the collegiate level.

Joe Vork can be reached at joe@northlandsportsonline.com