By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor
With a new season under way Head Coach Dan Maresh is optimistic about his 2015 team. The sixth year Head Coach is coming off a 2-6 season and a four game losing streak but is upbeat about his squad. “Our low numbers have given us the opportunity to get everybody some reps in the varsity games. Now is the time to use that experience and turn it into a positive and play as a unit.
After the upset of the playoff team from B-R the Cougars dropped their last four games. “We did not get better as the season went on. I relate that to the practices because we were not able to push ourselves. This year were are better from top to bottom. There is competition for positions and our scout teams are much better.”
With five starters back the Cougars have the basis for a good team, but must replace their backfield. Chevy Henneman closed out his career with a senior season of 1753 total yards. He rushed for 1103 and passed for 650 as he accounted for 19 TDs. Dylan Hardeman scored 11 TDs as he rushed for 673 yards and caught 15 passes.
Junior Montana Riecken moves from wide out to run the offense this year. He made one start while Henneman recovered from mono in 2014. He ran for 241 yards as the Cougars took a 40-14 win over Parkview. “He’s a much better player this year as he has put on 20 pounds and knows the offense well,” declared he coach.
Marcus Hegy will be the running back for the Cougars. Hegy had a solid season as an end during his sophomore year when the Cougars made to the second round of the playoffs. An ALC injury wiped out his junior year. “He getting better every practice. He has the toughness to be a good back for us,” said Maresh. Sophomore Dean Gibbs is a back up for Hegy.
The Cougars will field a larger line than they have in the past. 230 pound Cole Christoffersen anchors the line at center. Home School student Tyler Kroger weighs in at 200 and plays one guard while Bren Shatto plays the other. Coach Maresh has a pair of 200 pounders as reserves with junior Tyler Hardeman and freshman Seth Totten.
The coach looks for senior Jayden Vetick and freshman Nick Ronnfeldt to start at tight end. Joey O’Connor and Dustin Burgett are backups.
Jon Christiansen returns at wide out. He caught 10 passes for 170 yards and 2 TDS. He added another 370 yards rushing. Jacob Whittaker snagged 7 passes last year. Track speedster Benny Estrada is out for football for the first time.
Coach Maresh is hoping to play a more aggressive style of defense this year. Christoffersen, Vetick, and Ronnfeldt will be the down line men. Shatto and Hegy are the linebackers with Riecken, Christiansen and Burgett making up the secondary.
Northeast opens the season at Lincoln Parkview on August 28. The Patriots were 4-4 in 2014. They have a new QB, but all district running back Isaac Branding is back after a 574 yard season. The defense is experienced with two good line backers.
Northeast has their home opener against Humphrey St. Francis. A perennial power with 27 playoff appearances the Flyers are coming off a 10-1 season with their lone loss to the eventual state champion in the playoffs. They are reloading this season, but have quarterback Damien Baumgart returning after throwing for 9 TDs in 2014. and linebacker Cole Wemhoff an All-State candidate at linebacker.
Osmond has suffered through two season plagued by injuries. They were 3-5 in 2014 as they relied on a lot of frosh and sophomore players. QB Brent Johnson missed several games but ran for 506 yards and passes for 232. Caleb Krohn ran for 643 yards. 280 pound Max Frank is a Top 10 Talent in the offensive line.
After an open date the Cougars start district play on September 25 at Bancroft-Rosalie. B-R is coming off a 5-4 season. They will feature 160 pound sophomore Jacob Zuhlke at running back and all district tight end Dayne Wortman .
Allen was 4-4 in 2014. The Eagles have 195 pound Taylor Krumm to carry the ball, but only one returning starter in the line.
Winside broke a losing streak as they beat LDNE 52-26 last year. They finished 1-7 and start 2015 with a new coach.
Emerson-Hubbard is the Homecoming game on October 16. The Pirate were 5-4 lastn year. They have two experienced starters in Haberman and Ostrand to carry the ball two big blockers in the Parker -Diaz brothers to block for them.
Wynot is favored to win the district. They won six of their nine games in 2015. Cody Stratman, the Class D long jump champion, gives them one of the best athlete in district. He rushed for 1984 yards and 30 TDs last year.
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