×

Griebel’s strong senior year helps lead Greyhound defense

Photo illustration by Steve Muscatello Joey Griebel of New Ulm Cathedral was named the 2018 All-Journal Defensive Player of the Year. Griebel finished his final year at Cathedral with

NEW ULM — New Ulm Cathedral head football coach Denny Lux remembers the first time that he saw Joey Griebel on the football field.

“He came to our youth football camp when he was in fifth grade,” Lux said. “And I could tell then that he had a real love for football. He was so excited because he had shoulder pads and a helmet. You could see that he had a future in football.”

Lux’s assessment of the young Griebel was right as Griebel grew from that young player to the 2018 All-Journal Defensive Player of the Year.

This season Griebel was named the Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in the subdistrict and was an All-Subdistrict selection. He recorded 95 tackles — 49 of them solo stops — had five sacks and recovered two fumbles. His career at Cathedral saw Griebel end with 129 total tackles.

When it came to football, Griebel took no prisoners.

“He was all business,” Lux said. “And what was so impressive with Joey is that whether it was in practice, in the weight room, watching films or in games, he was all business. He understood early in his career that your playing days are so limited so he always wanted to get the most out of himself.

“That is a true leader,” Lux said. “The rest of the players on the team stepped up because they saw how much the game meant to him. He was a joy to coach and he has to be right up there with some of the better defensive linemen that we have had here. He was always dependable. He was solid every game.”

Griebel’s defensive coach, Jesse Nosbush, described Griebel as an awesome player.

“He is the kind of player that you want on your team,” Nosbush said. “He did everything that you ask of him and more. He led by example. He left it on the field every game.

For Griebel, the memories of playing football as a young player in fifth grade also included watching the Greyhounds varsity playing football at Johnson Field.

“I pictured myself getting to play there one day,” he said. “I thought that every player for Cathedral that I watched was spectacular. Even if I did not get to play, that would have made my year.”

Griebel said that his love of football grew right away.

“I got my taste of football and I got to like it more and more each season,” Griebel said. “This year, I loved football — I wanted to spend every minute doing it. I even thought about football even when I was in school. Cathedral football is all about pride.”

What part of football will Griebel miss the most?

The games? Homecoming?

“I am going to miss running the Herman Hill at Harman Park. Every day we ran that hill after practice. I will miss that,” he said.

It is the same park where Griebel practiced football in fifth grade.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today