Northfield lineman Stuckmayer eager to finish up big

Northfield senior Sam Stuckmayer faces a new challenge in his final prep football season. His Raiders squad has left the defunct Missota Conference for the Big Nine.

"I'm excited to play against big teams like Owatonna and Mankato East, but as sophomores my class went 8-1 in the Missota," said Stuckmayer, who will play guard and nose tackle for coach Bubba Sullivan's team. "I kind of wanted to see if we could do that as seniors."

Northfield finished with an overall record of 4-6 a year ago. It went 3-4 in the conference.

Here is a closer look at Stuckmayer, who also plays catcher/outfield on the Raiders baseball team:

Q: The best movie I've seen in the past year?

A: "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

Q: Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me?

Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …

A: …"Stay" by Florida Georgia Line; "Mary Jane's Last Dance" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; and "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi.

Q: What are your three favorite apps?

A: Twitter, Dream League Soccer and The Weather Channel.

Q: Who do you like to follow the most on Twitter, and why?

Q: At my first varsity practice, I felt …

A: … really hesitant. I was a very quiet and small kid, but after the older guys brought me in I really enjoyed it and began to crack my shell.

Q: What did you work on most in the offseason?

A: Increasing my speed and muscular endurance.

Q: What is your favorite meal before a game?

Q: What are your goals for the 2014-2015 school year as an athlete?

A: Have a winning record on both my teams and make runs into the playoffs. Also, be all-conference in football.

Q: What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?

A: Playing every Friday night under the lights with my best friends.

Q: How do you balance school and sports during the year?

Q: If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be?

A: I wish you could wear tinted visors in football.

Q: Name one sport that you wish you could play, and why?

A: Definitely hockey. It's so fun just playing with my buddies on a pond. It would be so cool to play if I was good at it, and we're the state of hockey.

Q: When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do?

Q: Do you have a secret talent – and if so, what is it?

A: I can wiggle my ears.

Q: In 10 years, I hope I'm …

A: … gainfully employed doing something I love.