Prep football preview 2017
The Hays Daily News • Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017
Line will be key for Norton By NICK McQUEEN nmcqueen@dailynews.net
NORTON — When Collyn Auker came into the prep ranks at Norton Community High School, he had every intention of being a tight end for the Bluejays. That changed his sophomore year when Auker got a bit bigger in the weight room and Bluejay head coach Lucas Melvin decided to give him a shot on the line. It turned out to be a good move. Auker once again will anchor Norton’s front on both sides of the ball, and looks to be one of the better lineman Class 3A has to offer. The big key for the Bluejays is to have someone else step up around the big 6-foot3, 250-pounder, who also happens to be the defending Class 3-2-1A 285-pound state wrestling champion. “We’re looking pretty good so far,” Auker said last week. “Had a good camp in Hays this summer, and we’re looking forward to getting that first game out of the way.” Auker’s leadership, Melvin said, is instrumental for a Bluejay club that is turning to a lot of young players, especially on the line, where Norton was dealt a heavy blow to graduation. “We’re just trying to fill some spots on that line, see what works best,” Auker said. Protecting the likes of senior quarterback Jace Ruder and running back Tevin Petrie will be key to the success offensively. Ruder, a University of North Carolina commit, threw for 1,589 yards and 14 scores last year, and Petrie rushed for 1,108 yards on 155 carries with 12 scores in Norton’s 7-4 campaign and second-round appearance in the Class 3A playoffs. “We’re still figuring things out,” Melvin said. “We have a lot of young guys that are going to have to step up. When you play that first game, some things change. But we’re excited.” Petrie, who has his eyes on a collegiate opportunity as well, hasn’t made any big decisions yet. But, when Norton is looking for a playmaker this season, it just might be him. “He’s always running hard,” Melvin said of Petrie, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder. “And
D7
Goodland Cowboys Class 4A Division II, District 7
NICK McQUEEN, nmcqueen@dailynews.net
Tevin Petrie (23) returns for the Norton Bluejays this fall after having a solid season a year ago. he works really hard in the weight room. He’s also put on a little bit more weight, and he’s gotten even a little faster, which is really good.” Perhaps the biggest absence and need for a fill-in came with the graduation of Jacob Green, Norton’s standout defender and lineman and the three-time Hays Daily News Defensive Player of the Year. While Green got many of the honors and racked up the tackles, though, Auker’s play on defense was equally as impressive. He had 85 stops a season ago, with a team-best 21
tackles-for-loss. “People would always try and double up me or Jacob,” Auker said. “We just had to fight past it. That’s how we were so successful.” Teams no doubt will look to attack Auker again this season, meaning a youthful line looks to step in and make their name. “Have no doubt people are going to be looking out for me,” Auker said. “Kind of have to keep my head on a swivel. Just going to play my heart out and do the best I can just like I do every year.”
Coach: Chase Topliff (1st year) Last season’s record/playoff finish: 3-6 Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense Top returning players: Levi Archer, 6-3, 190, sr., QB/DB; Brandt Mull, 6-0, 200, sr., TE/DE; Evan Peter, 5-10, 195, sr., WR/LB: Chris Berls, 6-1, 210, jr., LB; Reyes Bustillos, 6-2, 230, sr., OL; Louie Ledesma, 5-10, 270, sr., OL/DL; Dawson Raymer, 5-8, 165, sr., DB; Lucas Wood, 6-2, 170, sr., WR/LB. Team notes: The Cowboys have a fourth coach in five years in Topliff, who was hired for his first job as a head coach. Topliff takes over for Jeff Savage, who led Goodland to 3-6 records in the last two seasons. Senior quarterback Levi Archer leads an experienced group of returning players, many of whom which have played on the varsity level for three seasons. The Cowboys have had just two above-.500 seasons since 2008, both coming under former coach Kent Teeter, now at Holcomb. Goodland has finished 3-6 the past three seasons with the last winning season coming in 2013. The Cowboys open the season with Class 3A contender Norton at home. Last season, the Cowboys lost 42-7 in Norton. 2017 schedule (*district game) Sept. 1....................vs. Norton Sept. 8............at Wray (Colo.) Sept. 15..........vs. Clay Center Sept. 22............... at Holcomb Sept. 29................ at Hugoton Oct. 6.....................vs. Ulysses Oct. 13.............at Concordia* Oct. 20.............vs. Scott City* Oct. 27.................... at Colby*