KINGMAN EAGLES

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Kingman football has consistently moved in a positive direction since fifth-year head coach

Tanner Hageman took the program over in 2019. The Eagles finished 3-6 in that initial season, but in the following three campaigns are 28-6 with an appearance in the 2A state title game against Nemaha Central in 2022.

A major factor for Hageman and company during that time is on the defensive side of the ball, with just three teams scoring double digits against the Eagles last fall.

“What our defense has been able to accomplish these last few years is absolutely a direct reflection of how successful our team has been,” Hageman said. “We struggled on offense early in my tenure and a lot of times our defense kept us in those games until we were able to figure it out. That still holds true to this day. I believe we are a more balanced team now, but our defense, week in and week out, is what we hang our hat on.”

Defensive coordinator Dusty Beam has been a key contributor to the unit’s success over the last couple of years as well, implementing his 3-3 stack with major success.

“The toughness and ‘havoc’ mentality that our defense plays with is how we want our team to play in all three phases of the game. The attitude and discipline that our defense has played with over the last few years has allowed us to stay in close games with good teams, giving our offense time to figure it out or make just enough plays to win the game. What Coach Beam and the rest of the staff have done on that continued on page 66

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

First year Lincoln High head coach Colby Hamel is inheriting a team coming off a 3-6 season, but also has the potential for a big step forward in 2023.

Eight seniors return from that 2022 squad, including a dynamic defensive combination of All-State seniors

Branden Sinclair and Logan Meier.

Lining up at backer, Sinclair led the team in tackles as a junior with 151, along with nine tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and four pass deflections.

“I plan for us to do better and go farther in the playoffs than last year,” Sinclair said. “My personal goal is to break some records and make first team All-State.”

Meanwhile, Meier recorded 107 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, eight forced continued on page 66