D8
Prep football preview 2017
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 • The Hays Daily News
Norton Community Bluejays Class 3A, District 14 Coach: Lucas Melvin (11th year, 82-35) Last season’s record/playoff finish: 7-4/1-1 Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense Top returning players: Jace Ruder, 6-3, 200, sr., QB/S; Tevin Petrie, 5-10, 185, sr., RB/C; Ryan Johnson, 5-8, 150, sr., WR/S; Hayden Wiltfong, 6-5, 210, jr., TE/ DE; Collyn Auker, 6-3, 250, sr., DT; Matt Cavure, 6-3, 230, sr., OL/DL. Team notes: There is a great deal of hype surrounding standout quarterback Ruder, much like there has been the last three seasons. Ruder, after committing to Tulsa last year, re-opened his recruitment and eventually committed to the University of North Carolina. Key for the Bluejays’ success might be putting all that on hold for Ruder, a dual-threat quarterback with blazing speed and a strong arm. That, and filling in some big holes left by graduation for the Bluejays. Several juniors and sophomores are looking to carve out bigger roles with the Bluejays this fall, hoping to give names like Ruder, Petrie and Auker room to do their thing.
On defense, Auker is a focal point, much like he was a season ago. The 250-pound tackle — second on the team behind former standout and three-time Hays Daily Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Green — had 85 tackles with a team-best 21 tackles for loss. Auker, the defending Class 3-2-1A 285-pound state wrestling champion, also keys an offensive line looking to pave the way for Ruder and Petrie out of the backfield. Petrie, who hopes to solidify an offer at the Division II level, returns after rushing 155 times for 1,108 yards and 12 scores. Ruder, also a standout basketball player and sprinter for the Bluejay track and field team, completed 96 of 189 passes last year for 1,589 yards with 14 touchdowns. He has thrown for 3,586 yards in his career. However, all of Ruder’s top receivers graduated. He’ll look to spread the ball around to a new group when Norton does pass, namely Ryan Johnson — also a defending 3-2-1A wrestling champion — Wiltfong, a state wrestling medalists, and Jace’s Younger brother, Jonah Ruder, just a freshman.
FRONT ROW (from left): Mason Schulze, Tucker Pfannenstiel, Carson Harting, Ryan Schrum, Devin Shearer, Jonah Ruder, Gavin Sproul, Aiden Wicker, Christien Hawks and Greyson Tanner. MIDDLE ROW: Tyson Glennemeier, Ryan Johnson, Nathan Nelson, Camdyn Unterseher, Connor Haresnape, Carter Jones, Luke Wahlmeier, Devon Gasper, Alex Auker, Brandon Vacura, Brady Sumner and Dallas Gosselin. BACK ROW: Trenton Chisham, Jay Mulder, Tevin Petrie, Kade Melvin, Dante Smith, Carter Leibbrandt, Judson Wiltfong, Jace Ruder, Hayden Wiltfong, Collyn Auker, Matt Vacura, Zach Rowh and Oren Rhea. 2017 schedule (*district game) Sept. .................................. at Goodland Sept. 8.................................vs. Plainville Sept. 15..................................vs. Oakley
Sept. 22........................ at Smith Center Sept. 29..........................vs. SW Heights Oct. 6.......................................vs. Colby
Oct. 13...................................at Russell* Oct. 20...........................at Phillipsburg* Oct. 26...................... vs. TMP-Marian*