Fall 2011 Sports Preview

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

D2 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Irish looking for another playoff run St. Pat’s returns all skill players

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Coaches always prefer to look forward.

It’s the way of coaches everywhere that last season is done, this season is here and the focus needs to be on the present. For fans of St. Pat’s football, that’s easier said than done after the Irish’s stellar season last year.

St. Pat’s went 10-2 and advanced to the state semifinals, hosting Hastings St. Cecilia. The Irish fell short of a state final, but many fans already consider this year’s squad another contender.

It’s hard not to look at the Irish this way. St. Pat’s returns quarterback Matthew Jensen, running backs Thatcher Vap and Andrew Vinton, receiver and kicker Sean Ryan, tight end Jared Arensdorf and linemen Joseph Clinch, Barrett Pieper and Dominic Pasquinelly on offense.

The Irish also return nine starters on defense.

So what’s the issue?

Well, it begins at the tackle position.

“I’m pretty comfortable with our tackles,” said head coach Kevin Dodson.

“We wanted to keep our interior linemen where they are comfortable and allow for some new players to come in at the tackle position.”

Dodson and the Irish have been known to run the ball effectively, especially with traps and op-

Roger Bluhm / The North Platte Telegraph

Matthew Jensen of St. Patrick’s fires the ball downfield to running back Thatcher Vap during the annual St. Patrickk’s scrimmage in North Platte last week. Jensen is one of many skill players returning for the Irish this season. tions between the guard and tackle or around end.

Both options require the tackle to effectively seal either inside or outside, allowing the runner a lane.

“It was a tough decision for us,” Dodson said. “We run a lot of C-gap plays, but the players are stepping up and doing a good job.”

Dodson said the tackles — projected to be Rhett Nordquist and Pedro Martinez — will often work with the guards on plays.

“Key number one for us is to be quick off the ball,” Dodson said. “We’re not

huge on the offensive line, so good technique will also be a key for us.

“Technique is a part of football, but it also takes some heart and soul.”

While running the ball has been a St. Pat’s staple for years, with the skill players returning for the Irish, Dodson doesn’t feel the team will only be running.

“I’ll air it out,” Dodson said. “When you got a receiver like Sean Ryan, who will go get the ball, it’s nice to have that kind of receiver.

“Having the ability to

throw the ball keeps the defense honest.”

Ryan also handles kickoff and kicking duties for the Irish, while Clinch will be doing the punting.

“In a perfect world, we’d have plenty of athletes to have an offense and a defense,” Dodson said. “In our class, we have to put the 11 best athletes on the field, both offense and defense, all the time.

“We don’t have the luxury of separate offenses and defenses because of depth, so our players have to be in good condition and go out and play.”

As for conditioning, Dodson said all the running in the world won’t get a team ready.

“There’s no better conditioning for a football player than a football game,” he said. “By the end of the season, we’ll be ready to go four quarters with anybody.”

St. Pat’s opens the season tonight against Bayard. The Irish’s first home game of the season is Sept. 16 against Chase County.

Dodson said he believes his schedule is filled with tough games. Hershey re-

turns a large number on their team, Cambridge is always tough, Bayard and Kearney Catholic have spread offenses while Chase County, Sutherland, Dundy County-Stratton and Morril have traditionally been successful.

“They are all going to be tough,” the coach said.

So, after a deep run in the playoffs last season and just one loss the season before that, is St. Pat’s ready for another deep run?

“One at a time,” Dodson said. “All we care about right now is Bayard.”

St. Pat’s ready for growth Lady Irish has height entering volleyball season

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

St. Pat’s head volleyball coach Shelly Byrn already knows what to expect this season — lots of tough contests, growth for her team and, hopefully, a good postseason run.

Of course, Byrn, like many coaches, expects this every season. However, her team this year fits the mold perfectly. She has just two seniors on a young team, but the players she has are athletic and, with some growth and luck, could return the Lady Irish to the state tournament.

“We are a very young team,” Byrn said of her squad, which features four letter winners, six juniors and a cadre of enthusiastic sophomores and freshmen.

“We lost five seniors from last year’s team, including three starters, a part-time starter and our libero.”

One of her two seniors hasn’t seen the volleyball court in a couple of years. Candice Shelton has been on the team, but the past two seasons has battled injuries.

“Candice is like having a whole new player,” Byrn joked.

“She’s been injured with her knee and shoulder, so she hasn’t played in two seasons.

“She brings a lot to the table for us.”

The Lady Irish’s other senior is outside hitter Shelby McClellen.

“It seems like we have a lot coming back because of the players we have back that have some experience,” Byrn said.

“We do have a handful back and they are going to carry us, especially early in the season.”

Shelton will join McClellen as an outside hitter. Also coming back are Shelby Allberry and Brittany Lawrence and Sam Byrn, who will be the Lady Irish setter this season.

While the team is young — Allberry and Sam Byrn are juniors and Lawrence a sophomore — the Lady Irish have some size this season.

“Finally, we have some height,” Byrn said. “You can’t coach height. Brittany is 6-3, Shelby [Allberry] is 5-11 and Sam is 5-8, so we have some height.”

Junior Kari Slattery will be the team’s libero this season, while juniors Jamie Andre, Na-

talie Mackley and Jenna Torres will also see time.

“We’re going to run a different style of offense this year,” Byrn said. “While Sam will be our setter, we want others to be able to set the ball and Sam to be a hitter as well.

“We want to be diverse, not the normal dig-set-hit with the setter always having to touch the ball. We’re going away from the traditional so we can utilize our weapons more.”

The Lady Irish hope to improve on their 17-12 record from a year ago and Lawrence may be the key. The 6-3 middle hitter made big strides as a freshman towards the end of last season and her continued growth may make the Lady Irish a tough opponent for anyone.

“She’s got a lot of potential,” Byrn said. “When she gets those long arms moving, there’s a lot of power on the ball.

“But it’s not on her. She’s just a part of the team and the girls will grow together and pull together, we could have a special year.”

Byrn knows just playing well in the South Platte Valley Association may get the team all the

Roger Bluhm / The North Platte Telegraph

Sam Byrn of St. Pat’s laughs during practice at the school recently.

Byrn will be the setter for the Lady Irish volleyball team this season. experience it wants.

“Every team in the conference has a ton coming back,” the coach said. “Perkins County lost just one girl and has all their big girls back, Heshey is always tough, Sutherland has a lot back from a team that went to state last season, even Maxwell has

five starters back.

“All the SPVA teams will be tough.”

St. Pat’s gets a chance to gauge early in the season how good they might be. The Lady Irish open the season on Sept. 1 hosting conference for Perkins County.

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D3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

Irish runners eye state meet St. Pat’s wants to improve on fourth place finish

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

For the last few years the name O’Malley has been attached to St. Pat’s cross country. It still is for this season.

Mandy O’Malley returns for her junior season along with running partner Maggie Vinton. The two led St. Pat’s to a fourth-place finish in the state cross country meet last season and have set their sights on a larger goal this year.

“Both the girls placed individually in state last season,” said cross country coach Marie Brosius. “They both want to do better this year, especially as a team.”

Joining the juniors on the team is freshman Anna O’Malley, Mandy’s cousin.

“She’s a tough runner,” Brosius said. “Last year in eighth grade she broke some of Mandy’s school records in track.”

Filling out the squad will be Jamie Smith and Jodicci Torrez.

“We have a good chance to be better this year,” Brosius said. “We won conference and district last year and we’re looking forward to doing that again this season.”

While the girls have experience and high goals, the boy’s team is trying to rebuild. Sean O’Malley was the lone Irish boy’s runner to make state last season and he has graduated. The team this season will be led by senior Peter Troshynski and Joe O’Malley, a junior and Anna’s brother.

“We also have several sophomores who will be in the mix,” Brosius said of the boy’s team. “Our goal is to make it to the state meet as a team on the boy’s side.”

Brosius said Troshynski and Joe O’Malley will be the leaders the boy’s team needs.

“Last year, both were new to the team,” the coach said. “This year, they both know what’s going on and that experience will be needed to keep the team moving in the right direction.”

St. Pat’s will open the season at a meet in Cambridge on Sept. 2, but the team is pointing to the Sept.

15 McCook Invite.

“The McCook meet is the one that will tell us how good we are,” Brosius said. “That course is uphill, all the time, or so it feels like.

“That’s a good test for us. If we do well in the McCook meet, I believe we can accomplish a lot of our goals.”

Telegraph file photo

Drew Solie of Maxwell runs against Brady last season. Solie will quarterback the Wildcats this season, who open the year hosting Brady on Sept. 2.

Wildcats pulling together Maxwell hopes to ‘surprise’ some teams this season

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

MAXWELL — Physical tools don’t always translate into success and a team with unity can overcome a team with talent.

These are credos most coaches live by. Maxwell coach Ryan Jones will try and prove these credos this season with a team short on speed and physical tools, but perhaps filled with a unity and desire to come together for the greater good.

“We’re not real fast this year,” Jones admitted.

“Where in the past we’ve been a power-I running team, now we’re going to use a shotgun and spread the field and use technique and angles to gain yardage.”

Jones’ Wildcats don’t return a ton of starters, but does have a plethora of players who saw action last season.

“We’ve got good numbers this year,” Jones said.

“We have a good group of hard workers.”

While the team isn’t as big, fast or strong as previous years, Jones believes this group has the makeup to pull together and shock some people.

“We pride ourselves on our technique,” Jones said. “We always want to be the best we can be and we coach that every year.

“These kids understand to win, they are going to have to pull together, everyone doing their job and just out-heart other teams.”

The Wildcats leader this

season will be senior Connor Norton.

He returns for Maxwell as running back and linebacker.

“Connor is a three-year varsity starter and a good leader for us,” Jones said.

“He runs hard and on defense he has a nose for the ball.”

Drew Solie returns at quarterback for the Wildcats and will also join Norton as a linebacker.

“The offense will require a lot of reads by the quarterback,” Jones said.

“There’s also a lot of trapping. The kids have picked up the offense pretty well so I’m looking forward to our first game.”

Maxwell opens the season on Sept. 2 against rival Brady.

“That’s a tough team to

open with,” Jones said of Brady, which advanced to the playoffs last season.

“They have size and they are a good team. It’s going to be a tough opener.”

In the district, South Loup, which went undefeated a season ago, and Garden County are considered the top teams according to Jones.

“We will have to play together,” Jones said, repeating what’s fast becoming a motto for the Wildcats this season.

“We can overcome some teams that might have more physical tools and we could surprise some teams if we continue to improve.

“This is a challenge for us, but I believe these kids will make the sacrifices for a successful season.”

Maxwell seeks improvement Limited numbers hamper cross country teams

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

MAXWELL — A year ago the Maxwell Wildcats were pleased to have full teams in both girls and boys cross country competing.

This year, it’s back to individual accomplishments as six students — four girls and two boys — will comprise the Maxwell cross country squads.

“It’s tough at Maxwell,” said coach Jared Meinheit. “Football and volleyball draw so many athletes, that we get those who aren’t right for those sports.”

Telegraph file photo

St. Pat’s cross country runner Mandy O’Malley runs during the McCook Invite last season.

While Meinheit won’t complain about the numbers, he understands the runners that are out have a desire for running.

“These are runners,” he said. “These are the kids who want to be a runner, who like the isolation of running, the challenge of pushing yourself.”

Ashley Schaub will the leader of the girls’ squad.

Schaub is a three-year varsity runner for the Lady Wildcats.

“She’s always upbeat, always positive,” Meinheit said. “She has an excellent work ethic and leads by example.

“She had a good season

last year and I look for her to improve this season.”

Joining Schaub on the girls’ team are Brooke Orr, a returning sophomore, senior Alex Oberg and D’lainee freshman Groseth.

Zac Gregg, a sophomore, is the only returning boys runner.

“Zac has grown a lot,” Meinheit said. “He’s much more confident this fall than he was last year.”

Sophomore Jon Assels will join Gregg on the boys’ team.

“The team has really been pushing each other this fall,” Meinheit said.

“We run around Maxwell,

we have a six-mile course we go around.

“Also, north of town, we travel up and run some hills.”

Meinheit knows most of his team will need to continue to grow and improve as the season moves along.

“We are a very young team,” the coach said. “We need to grow throughout the season. Ashley will be gone next year and the younger kids need to be ready to step up next season, which makes this season important from that angle.”

Maxwell opens the cross country season on Sept. 1 at the Cozad Invite.

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D4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Bulldogs working with ‘quality kids’ North Platte wants to stay healthy

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

“Quality kids,” said North Platte head football coach Bernie Madison when talking about his 2011 football squad. “We don’t have a big quantity, but we have good quality and hard working kids.”

Quantity could be a problem for the Bulldogs, as 62 young men reported for practice this fall, down 14 from a year ago. And one of the biggest questions Madison might have to answer this preseason is — Who will be his starting quarterback?

Senior Trey Moore, 2010 Bulldog quarterback, has moved to Omaha and will be attending Papillion High School.

Micah Lauber and Dylon Mylady are handling the quarterback duties during the preseason in preparation for the Bulldogs season opening home game against Lincoln High.

“Dylon has the experience since he was a quarterback in our system last year,” said Madison. “But Lauber has explosive athleticism.”

Six starters return from last season — five on offense and two on defense

with one athlete returning on both sides of the ball.

Madison would like to continue with his two-platoon system, but because of numbers, it could be challenging.

“We try to platoon, and have done fairly well in the past,” he said. “It has helped us stay competitive to the end in many of our games.

“But that really means we have to stay healthy.”

System wise, Madison doesn’t plan on any changes in the near future.

“It should help with familiarity on both sides of the ball,” he said of sticking to the same offense and defense.

And although the schedule will be very competitive, the Bulldogs should enjoy it more than in recent years.

“It is competitive, but the travel should be better,” Madison said. “Our road trips aren’t as bad and are spread out a little.

“We have to try and win at home and sneak some out on the road. I think we will put a good product on the field with our quality.

What I have seen so far, I think we are a little ahead of years past.”

Senior Trevor Schramm

will be one of the Bulldogs Madison will expect to lead his troops. A leader on the field, Madison said Schramm has attended leadership conferences outside of school.

“Trevor is a 4.0 student in the classroom and has tremendous football talent. He has great knowledge of the game.

“Trevor is one of our two-way players, but hopefully we can give him a break on defense and find someone to take his place at free safety.

Mitch Alexander returns at the running back and line backer positions.

“Mitch runs hard and is strong and physical,” said Madison. “He will probably play both offense and defense.”

Another returning starter is Jesse Henne.

Madison said Henne is also a good leader from his middle linebacker position.

“He really helps the others along,” Madison said.

“He demands the most out of everyone around him.”

Madison said he is very excited to get the season going, like most coaches this time of year. And only time and work will tell about the fate of this 2011 football team,

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

Mitch Alexander breaks a tackle during the annual scrimmage at Bauer Field at Memorial Stadium in North Platte last week. Alexander will be the main running back for the Bulldogs this season.

’Cats want to be quick

Lady Bulldogs are young with lots of talent Softball team ready to play

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

Maxwell has 5 starters back

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

MAXWELL — How can a volleyball team lose one player and it change the whole dynamic of the team? Easy, if the team is Maxwell and the player is Kassie Schuett.

The Lady Wildcats return five starters from a 14-16 season last year.

While the players don’t change, the style of play will.

“We’re going to have to be really quick and get a lot of digs,” said Maxwell head coach Lori Mau. “We also don’t have that big, power hitter so we’re going to have to find different ways to score.”

While Schuett is gone, Mau believes this year’s team will pull together.

“The five girls coming back, they have a lot of experience,” Mau said. “We have the same setter, the same libero. It’s a good team with lots of experience.”

Kalyn Calhoun will be the leader, Mau said, and

Telegraph file photo

Maxwell libero Ivy Mueller digs a serve last season against Hershey. Mueller and four other starters return this season for the Lady Wildcats. will take over the middle hitter position.

“Kalyn has very good quickness and she gets up quick,” Mau said. “She’s going to be our middle hitter this year.”

While Calhoun may become the middle hitter, she’s not alone in being a leader.

“All the girls have become leaders,” Mau said.

“These girls have played together for so long, they’ve started feeding off each other.”

Joining Calhoun will be returning players Madi-

son Elliott, Reanna Crane, Tara Fletcher, Brooke Boucher and Ivy Mueller.

“Defense and serve receive will be big keys for us this year,” Mau said.

“There are some tough servers we will face and we need to be in shape and be really quick.”

Mau said her team has excelled in practice and know what they have to do this season.

“We’re a different team this year,” she said.

“Everybody is focused on the same thing. Everybody is stepping up, being more

vocal on the court.

“We have more leaders out there. We all know we’re not big, so we have to be smart, be quick and be focused.”

Mau said Sutherland, a returning state qualifier, will be one of the tougher opponents, but also knows all of the conference will be a challenge.

“Our conference has so many good teams,” she said. “It’s a challenge every year, but this year, we return five players and we know it’s going to be tough.”

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After having one of your best seasons (17-13) for quite some time, losing ten seniors to graduation and returning only one starter, you might expect a coach to be using the term rebuilding.

But North Platte High School’s head coach B.J. Songster was quite the opposite when talking about her 2011 softball squad.

“The girls just need to believe in themselves,” said Songster. “We have the talent to be good, but need to gain confidence and learn not to be intimidated.

“This is a very athletic group with a good work ethic. One thing I know is they come to the plate ready to hit.

“Coming from a multiple of organizations, being able to gel as a team will be important.”

Sydney Standage returns as the only starter from a year ago and she will be joined by Sally Hengen, the only other Lady Bulldogs player with varsity experience.

Standage, a junior, was used primarily as the designated hitter in 2010, but will probably take over the duties at third base this year. Hengen, a sophomore, will likely make short stop her home for the Lady Bulldogs.

“Sally is a natural leader,” Songster said. “She always wants to be at the top, and will do what it takes to get there.”

Junior Ashten Hernandez will handle the majority of the pitching duties, as Songster searches to build a staff.

“She [Hernandez] is the glue that will keep us together,” said Songster.

“She couldn’t play varsity last year because of transferring in too late.”

Others that could be looking for mound time are Aspen Smith, Bryanna Schade, Kaite Franzen, Nicole Zelinski and Jenny Keck.

Songster said an advantage her new team will have is their speed.

“We have a lot more speed this year,” she said.

“Two freshmen — Rachel Kosmacek and Christina Yoshida bring a lot of speed to the outfield.”

Songster feels her team will be solid in the field and all they need to do is overcome the youth and inexperience.

North Platte began their season Thursday as they traveled to Hastings, taking on Omaha Skutt and Omaha Gross.

The Lady Bulldogs will host the 2011 GNAC tournament Oct. 1.

“We should be very competitive,” she said. “I am really looking forward to the season. This will be a fun group to work with and I am anxious to see what’s to come.”

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

D5

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

The North Platte cross country teams run near Bauer Field at Memorial Stadium during a recent practice at North Platte High School.

New faces to pace North Platte Boys’ team needs youth to step up, girls’ seek improvement

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

The North Platte boys cross country team will have to experience some growing pains in 2011 as seven of the top 10 runners from a year ago are gone due to graduation.

Brady McGuire, Bryan Hill, Warren Lannon and Jake Hasenauer, all running at the next level this fall, no longer will be wearing the blue and gold of North Platte High.

“That is quite a blow to us,” said head coach Dennis Fornander. “The last two years we have had good senior classes.

We need to have some of the younger guys step up — and I think we have some that can.”

Fornander will look to returning seniors Mateo Wilcox and Ben Montgomery, junior Joe Godfrey and sophomore Wyatt

McGuire to keep the Bulldogs fortunes going.

The Bulldogs are coming off a season where they finished second in the GNAC, second at districts and had a fourth place finish at state in 2010. A state placing that could have easily been a runner-up finish without some tough luck in the final stages of the race.

“Mateo has matured a lot,” said Fornander. “He is such a consistent runner and we are hoping he can have a break out year.”

Wilcox finished 52nd at the state meet in Kearney.

“Ben and Joe had a great spring in track last year,” Fornander said. “Hopefully they can come into their own this fall.”

Wyatt McGuire is back to improve on his 12th place finish at state a year ago.

McGuire went from a 31st place at the

GNAC meet to placing 14th at district before his medalist performance in state.

“Wyatt already has proven he is one of the better runners in the state,” said Fornander. “He has stayed healthy this summer and should be ready for a great season.”

The Bulldogs season could hinge on their development as a team.

“We need to gel and develop as a team,” Fornander said.

“We will have an inexperienced team at the varsity level, but the core group of boys were dedicated with their running this summer.”

Senior Natalie Poppe is back to lead the Lady Bulldogs for the upcoming season.

A group that Fornander will have to wait and see how their fortunes will work themselves out.

“We will be looking to develop as a team,” he said. “We have some upper

Lady Bulldogs return all players

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North Platte should see some improvement on golf course sports@nptelegraph.com

North Platte head girls golf coach, Jim Orcutt, should see a new and improved product as he enters the 2011 golf season.

Although inexperienced in 2010, the Lady Bulldogs did not graduate anyone from last year’s team and Orcutt is encouraged by the amount of time some have spent on the course.

“This bunch of girls have taken more lessons and worked more on the course than ever before,” said Orcutt. “I really like this rotation we have now of having a couple good seniors and then some juniors to fill in the next year.”

Senior Karissa Moreland, a two time state qualifier, will be expected to take the lead for the Lady Bulldogs.

“Karissa didn’t even play her freshman year because she went out for volleyball,” said Orcutt. “She really has only played competitive golf for two years. She has come a long way.

“Karissa has such a competitive nature and a good work ethic,” Orcutt said. “I think she brings that from the other sports she plays. She works on things until she has it.”

Moreland also plays basketball in the winter and soccer in the spring.

MontSenior Karli gomery and junior Tessa Burford will also be looked to if the Lady Bulldogs are to improve as a team.

“Karli worked hard over the summer,” said Orcutt.

“She didn’t play that much, but did spend a lot of time on the range improving her game.

“One thing about her is she forgets easily. She doesn’t let things bother her. If she makes a mistake, she just goes on.

“Tessa worked at a club so she was around the sport all summer. She has taken a lot of lessons to get better. I’m really proud of the way she has improved her game.”

Orcutt said that others who will be playing for varsity spots are juniors Jordyn Pearson, Jenae States and Kaylee Payne.

Sophomore Erin Green joins the others in looking for varsity play.

Orcutt said a twist in the improvement of North Platte golf is the positive influence of North Platte’s three golf courses.

“Lake Maloney, Iron Eagle and River’s Edge are so pro youth golf,” he said.

“They really interact with the kids well and it is a

The North Platte Telegraph strives to provide results of all area sporting events.

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By MARK OBERMEIER

classmen that are trying cross country for the first time, although some have been out for track before. I am hoping that our numbers will be better this year.

“Natalie is our only proven veteran,” Fornander said. “She is our only state qualifier and one that placed at most the meets last year.”

Poppe finished 13th at GNAC, 9th at districts and 48th at the state meet in 2010.

With only four returning letter winners for the Lady Bulldogs, Fornander said it will be wide open for the varsity spots.

“A key to our season will be the development of our new comers and staying healthy,” he said.

Other returning letter winners are senior Janelle Osteen and juniors Rikki Drews, Kodie Fourtner and Taylor Hansen.

C O N TA C T U S

Sports Editor Roger Bluhm 532-6000, ext. 254 Sports Writer Mark Obermeier 532-6000, ext. 244 Sports e-mail sports@nptelegraph.com Telegraph fax 5329268 Telegraph toll free 800-753-7092 The sports staff of The North Platte Telegraph looks forward to your imput. Please feel free to contact us.

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

North Platte senior Karissa Moreland practices at River’s Edge Golf Course recently. definite advantage to practice at all three courses.

I’m just tickled to death.”

With all the positive vibes surrounding the girl’s golf squad, Orcutt has his sites set on im-

proved team finishes.

“We took some knocks last year,” he said. “But the girls have written down some goals and we will look to be more competitive this year.”

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D6 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

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Lady Bulldogs are tall in talent North Platte is experienced, but a little short on height

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

Confidence should not be a problem as the North Platte High School volleyball team takes to the hardwoods this fall, as six letter winners return and the Lady Bulldogs should have nine pretty solid performers to draw from.

Even though this 2011 version of Lady Bulldog volleyball will be short on stature compared to other Class A teams to the east, their coach has a good feeling about the season.

“I am confident we will be very competitive this fall,” said North Platte head coach Laura Miller.

“We have a lot of experience coming back and great senior leadership in Kenzie Michaels and Breezy Jahnke.

“Breezy is so competitive and aggressive,” said Miller. “She has a lot of desire to give 110 per cent all the time and that raises everyone’s level of play while she is on the court.

“Kenzie’s volleyball IQ is great. She sees a lot that goes on, on the other side of the court and is able to share that with the rest of the team.

Michaels played a lot of the 2010 season with an injury and Miller said she just started touching the ball the last couple of weeks.

“We will need her to be there 100 percent of the time this year,” Miller added.

Juniors that will figure in the mix are Anna Allberry, Abby Bradley, Jackie Paloucek, Kylie Wroot and Allexis Menghini.

There are some sophomores that will be called upon this season and they are Madalynn Doughty

and Allison Sawyer.

A starter last year, Wroot will be looked upon to be a presence at the net.

“Kylie was solid on the right side last year,” said Miller. “She finished second offensively to Janessa States. She quietly snuck in from the right against teams.”

Miller said that she would prefer to see Allberry also hitting from the outside.

“Anna played some middle last year,” she said. “I really want her on the outside, but we might have to use her in the middle some.”

Paloucek and Menghini should be vying for starting positions.

“Jackie gives us some size and Allexis is so quick,” Miller said. “Allexis has a lot of athletic ability, moves side to side so well and can get up quick.”

Sophomores Doughty and Sawyer also look to get extensive varsity time.

A defensive specialist for the varsity last year, Doughty also was the junior varsity libero.

“She played more sets than anyone in our system last year,” said Miller.

“And I am confident Allison can handle her varsity duties. The only concern I have is her height.”

North Platte will host the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference tournament this fall and Miller can’t wait.

“The GNAC is here this year,” she said. “It will be nice we won’t have to travel and we can sleep in our own beds. Kearney is always good, but I expect us to be in the championship game.

MarkObermeier / The North Platte Telegraph “Our seniors are good leaders, which should North Platte senior Breezy Jahnke stretches for a dig during a recent practice at North Platte High School. The Lady Bulldogs are tall in talent, but short in height this season make for a fun season.”

Lehmer more comfortable as tennis coach in 2nd year

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

As John Lehmer begins his second year as head tennis coach at North Platte High School, he seems to feel more comfortable with coaching at the high school level and in the Nebraska system.

“I’m more familiar with how Nebraska high school tennis works,” said Lehmer. “It’s kind of crazy how you play six or seven matches in a day. It is a very demanding sport where the kids are asked to compete for seven or eight hours consecutive with very little or no rest. I wasn’t used to that when I moved here, but I guess it makes sense when you have to travel the distance that we do.”

After giving lessons as a teaching pro and coaching in college, Lehmer has settled into the high school scene.

“I feel more confident and trust my own in-

stincts working with the kids,” Lehmer said.

Lehmer commented on the possibility of a varsity player competing in nearly 50 matches in a little over a month and a half.

“It will be a positive for those who have played during the summer,” he said. “They will be ahead of the game.

“With the season being so compacted — how you compete is more important than the talent level.”

With three starters lost to graduation, Lehmer said it is important to develop the squad into a team.

“Team chemistry is a most critical aspect for a successful season,” he said. “Many years it’s just a group of individuals on the same team. But to have a successful team each individual must be focused not only on their performance, but the performance of all their teammates.”

Leading the way for the 2011 tennis team will be

GOOD LUCK INDIANS!!

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

John Lehmer, center with hat, leads the North Platte boy’s tennis team during a recent practice at Cody Park. Lehmer is entering his second season at head coach of the team. senior Jake Berglund, and Lehmer feels he is up to the challenge.

“He has a lot on his shoulders this year,” Lehmer said. “He is the team leader whether he wants to be or not, but I

think he is ready.

“He has the most experience, and not just in terms of high school. He has also played in USTA tournaments during the summer.”

Lack of play during the

summer by prospective varsity members could be a telling factor during the upcoming season. Especially early on.

“Our lack of summer tournament play might negatively impact our

said team results,” Lehmer. “They [team members] haven’t put themselves in a position to enhance their skills in a competitive setting. Our skills and talent level aren’t where I would like them to be, but we will more than make up for it with our competitiveness.”

With only three varsity members returning, Lehmer will look for strong performances from the junior class. Lehmer said he isn’t too concerned because many of the juniors were very close to a varsity spot a year ago.

Cameron Juniors Bargell and Michael Odle also return as starters from 2010 and will make an important impact in both singles and doubles.

Lehmer said, “Both Cameron and Michael are solid all court players who can easily fit into a singles or doubles roll,” Lehmer also expects help from seniors Skyler Golter and Mitchell Twidwell.

Others that could vie for a varsity spot are juniors Charley Halligan, Alex Edwards and sophomore Troy Hlavaty.

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

D7

Hershey not settling with their setters Lady Panthers seek state

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Telegraph file photo

Jordan Hiatt, a senior running back this fall for Hershey, plows ahead for a gain against Bridgeport last season at Hershey. Hiatt is one of eight returning starters for the Panthers on offense this season.

Panthers on the prowl Hershey looking to build on 2010 success

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

HERSHEY — In 2010 the Hershey Panthers football team went 6-3 and returned to the playoffs for the first time in several years. As 2011 started, the Panthers decided one of the changes was to move the starting quarterback back to tight end.

That’s right. The starting quarterback for a playoff team isn’t returning under center, he’s going to be catching passes instead of throwing them this season.

“Parker [Young} started as a tight end for us in his freshman and sophomore years,” Hershey head coach Ryan Smith said.

“We started joking about him playing quarterback before last season and he came in and did a good job, but he and I talked and decided to put him back at his natural position.

“He’s 6-3, 225 pounds with good hands. He’s a natural at tight end, so we put him back there.”

The switch also allows Young to play more on defense for the Panthers.

“There was a lot of times he didn’t play defense for us last year,” Smith said. “He was banged up, or we needed to save him for offense.

“The move will allow him to play defense and help us on that side of the ball.”

With Young back to catching the ball, the Panthers needed a new signal caller.

“Jimmy Moore is our quarterback this season,” Smith said. “He stepped in at team camp in Chadron and ran the offense well.

He did a really good job.

“He played wide receiver for us, but he’s an athlete and he will do well for us at quarterback.”

Hershey is returning eight players on each side of the ball, including leading running backs Jordan Hiatt and Trevor Otzel.

Last season Otzel would spell Hiatt at running back when Hiatt moved to tight end.

“We’re opening the offense more,” Smith said.

“We’ve put in a power I formation with Otzel at tailback and Hiatt at power back and keeping them both in at the same time.

“This also allows us to spread two or three out, open up the spread. With Parker at tight end, he can split out as well, so we’re going to be versatile with our offense.

“But we’re always going to want to run the football.”

Senior Aksel Wiseman will be the top backup for all the backs.

“He’s our utility man,” Smith said.

“He’ll back up the quarterback and all the running backs.”

With 21 returning letter winners, including 12 seniors, the Panthers are gearing up for a very successful season. However, Smith wants his team to focus on Southern Valley, the opening week opponent.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised how focused

we’ve been,” Smith said.

“We talked big picture over the summer and what we need to do to advance deep into the playoffs.

“As soon as fall camp started, however, we talk about Southern Valley and only Southern Valley.

These guys know that we can have a very successful season, but we need to focus on one game at a time.”

An opening night win might be the key to the whole season.

“Last year we won in double overtime and it set the tone for us,” Smith said. “We started out really well last year and we want to be able to do that again.

“We know we can play with Cambridge and St. Pat’s, but we didn’t do such a good job last year.

This year we’re focused on one game at a time, but we know what we want to be by the time we play those teams. The talent, the experience, it’s all there. It’s up to us to put it all together.”

HERSHEY — Arguably the most important member of a volleyball team is the setter.

The setter touches the ball every possession and sets the hitters up for scoring. Hershey is looking for a new setter as longtime setter Camrie Gregg has graduated.

“We’ve got two kids that are going to be setters for us,” said head volleyball coach Amy Beyer. “Cara Huebner and Jenna Young will handle the setting.

“Both are athletically talented, but they have to grow into the role and be steady, no matter what.”

What made Gregg a good setter, Beyer said, was her demeanor on the court.

“Camrie never got rattled,” the coach said. “She would always put the ball where [the hitters] needed it to be.

“Cara and Jenna can do the job for us, but it will take some learning and growing to have the right demeanor.”

While setters will be new for the Lady Panthers, hitting won’t be. Hershey returns Meagan Hiatt, Daynlee Miller and Sierra Young on the front line.

Also playing a role will be Maddie Seaman and Shelby Mustion. Mustion’s role is undefined.

“She might be our libero or an outside hitter,” Beyer said. “She’s athletic and it will depend where she helps us more.”

The Lady Panthers might not be as tall as some of their opponents, but they are improved in some areas.

“We’re much quicker and much more athletic this year,” Beyer said. “I’m really pleased with our ball handling and passing game.

“We have quickness and, if we remember our fundamentals, we have good ball hitters which will allow us to be versatile.”

Beyer is looking at Hiatt to be a spark for the Lady Panthers.

“She plays really big around the net,” Beyer said.

“She’s very good at hitting and gives us a 1-2-3 punch on the front line with Sierra and Daynlee.

“She’s going to be one of the go-to players for us.”

The Lady Panthers open up play on Sept. 3 at the Lexington Invite. Beyer believes her team will improve throughout the season by playing in the South Platte Valley Association conference.

“Our conference is so tough,” the coach said. “If we play and compete pretty well in conference, it’s going to prepare us well for the postseason.

“The SPVA is so tough, that just by playing each other we’re going to make all of us better.”

With volleyball stalwart Ogallala in Hershey’s subdistrict, getting ready prior to the postseason is a must for the Lady Panthers.

“I have high expectations,” Beyer said. “If the kids work hard daily, we should peak about right and compete for a trip to state volleyball.”

Lady Panthers rely on senior Hershey needs to build experience behind Mackley

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegrapn.com

HERSHEY — A year ago Joanna Mackley started playing golf. Now she’s the leader of the Hershey girls’ golf team.

“She just started playing last year as a junior,” said Teresa Rotert, girls golf coach for the Lady Panthers.

“Now, she’s the leader of this team.”

Mackley just missed qualifying for the state golf tournament last season.

“The improvement she made from starting the season until the end was amazing,” Rotert said. “She will be our leader and already has been for the practice rounds we’ve played.”

While Mackley is the leader, the rest of the team isn’t very experienced on the varsity level.

“We have some inexperienced girls, but I believe we’ll compete,” Rotert said.

“There are some sophomores that are playing well.”

Joining Mackley on the team are seniors Christina Slinde and Kristy Cullan.

Both played some varsity last season and will be counted on to be there each week this season.

Sophomores Samantha Miller and Ashlie Walters will complete on the varsity team.

“Samantha Miller is a good compliment on our team,” Rotert said.

“She’s already showing improvement and might do what Mackley did last year as far as progressing.

“I expect the three seniors and Miller and Walkers to be there every week for us.”

Other team members are sophomores Kelsey Lafferty and Kaylin Klaasmeyer and freshmen Courtney Lauber and Britnee Fear.

“It’s good that we have some younger girls out,” Rotert said. “We

have some good numbers, so we should be able to use this year for experience for the younger girls and be OK in the future.”

With such an inexperienced team, Rotert believes she will be busy on the course.

“They changed the rule a few years back which allows the coaches to talk to the golfers from green to next tee,” the coach said. “I tend to be all over the course, talking with the girls, calming them down if they need it.

“With this young group, I bet there will be a lot of calming down, but even if all is good, I’ll be out there because I believe a coach should be there when needed.”

Hershey will open play Sept. 1 at Creek Valley.

“It’s going to be a good year for us,” Rotert said. “I like this team and I think we’re going to have a good year.”

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Hershey’s Sierra Young goes up for a kill last season.

Young returns as one of Hershey’s leaders this year.

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

D8 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Wallace football wants to keep upward trend New coaches leading team

By BEN VIGIL sports@nptelegraph.com

Andrew Bottrell / The North Platte Telegraph

Brady linemen run a drill during practice on Tuesday in Brady. The Eagles are hoping to make back-to-back postseason appearances.

Eagles want playoff return Brady has plenty of size, but questions remain

By ANDREW BOTTRELL Andrew.Bottrell@nptelegraph.com

BRADY — After two straight playoff seasons, the Brady Eagles will look to build on that success in 2011.

Building on a playoff berth in 2009, the 2010 Eagles earned their first ever playoff win, topping Litchfield 26-7 in the first round of the Class D-2 playoffs, before bowing out to Mullen the following week.

The Eagles finished last season 82.

“We want to continue to keep building,” head coach Bob Frederickson said. “Last year we wanted to compete and get a home playoff game. We did that. We believe we can do just as well, if not better than that. The kids are really starting to believe in the program.”

The Eagles lost star running back Brad Ward, one of the best runners in the area, so how will Brady replace him?

“By committee,” Frederickson laughs.

Sawyer Burke will get the starting nod, but Tyler Kleinow and Michael Neiman will also see significant car-

ries, behind one of the biggest offensive lines in the area.

The line is led by Ryan Porter, an all-district selection last year as a junior, who at six-foot, three-inches tall and 265 pounds, will be one of the biggest offensive lineman at the D-2 level.

He’ll be joined by 6-4, 270-pound Matt Litzenberger at center and 6-1, 240-pound Tyler Egenberger at the other guard slot.

“We believe it is going to be one of the biggest offensive lines on this side of the state,” said assistant coach Andy Seamann. “We think we have a really good offensive line and they are all seniors.”

Piloting the offense will be junior quarterback Zach Mann, who also has big shoes to fill with the departure of Kyle Pohlman.

“His freshman year, he kept telling me, ‘coach, I want to play quarterback, coach, I want to play quarterback,’ and I kept telling him to play wide receiver,” Frederickson said. “The next year, he kept telling me, ‘coach, I want to play quarterback,’ so I threw him a couple of footballs and said, ‘alright, throw.’

Sure enough, three passes later I told him, ‘you’re a quarterback.’”

Mann sat behind Pohlman for the last two seasons, and Frederickson said Pohlman took him under his wing, mentoring the young quarterback, which Frederickson hopes will pay off this season.

Defensively, the Eagles will look to attack a little more than they have in the past, said Seamann, who is in charge of the defense. He brings his attacking style from Wayne State.

“We’re going to bring pressure,” Seamann said. “We have a lot of guys coming back, and some guys coming back from injury who didn’t get a lot of playing time last year. I’m expecting some good things out of them. We’ll see when kickoff comes.”

Porter will anchor the defense, with Egenberger and Litzenberger, with Ty Grasz, Lincoln Blade, Kleinow and Neiman all returning from last year’s team to anchor the defense.

The Eagles kick things off with rival Maxwell, and will also be tested in week five by Medicine Valley and in week eight by Hayes Center.

Brady: State or bust

By ANDREW BOTTRELL Andrew.Bottrell@ nptelegraph.com

BRADY — In the gym this fall, the Brady Lady Eagles volleyball team looks to build on the success they had in 2010, finishing the season 21-7, runner’s up at districts.

“They want to make it to the state tournament,” head coach Lynne Johnson said.

“Two years in a row we’ve come really close. Of course, it’s everyone’s stated goal, but it’s pretty realistic for this team. It’s an obtainable goal.”

The Lady Eagles will return most of their starters from last season, anchored by four-year starters, setter Maggie Burke, setter and hitter Courtney Widick and hitter Megan Polt.

“Their knowledge of the

game [is great],” Johnson said.

“They’ve all played club ball, which helps. They are thinkers and they are quick.

That combination makes them pretty good volleyball players.”

The Eagles are deep at the hitter position, so deep in fact, that Johnson doesn’t have a firm rotation set up.

Figured to be in the mix are juniors Dakota Terry, Brittney Christopherson and Molly Hannon, sophomore Val Most and freshman Josie Palmer.

“There’s a huge competition for middle and outside hitter,” Johnson said. “They keep getting stronger, because there is so much competition.”

Sophomore libero Carissa Rayburn will round out the rotation for the Eagles.

WALLACE — Wallace football will have a different look at the top in 2011, as the duo of Gary Hager and Joe Hesse take over the program as co-head coaches, looking to continue the Wildcats improvements on the field.

After a rough 1-7 2009 campaign, the Wildcats rebounded to make the playoffs in 2010, losing in the first round to finish the season with a 4-5 record.

The Wildcats will look to improve yet again in 2011 with what Hager and Hesse say is a good mix of football players.

Hager takes over the reins after being an assistant coach last year, while Hesse, a Valentine native, is a new college graduate.

Wallace has what most teams dream of, a combination of size and speed, according to Hager and Hesse. Add solid leadership at the top, and the Wildcats could make some noise in Class D2.

“We field a team that is pretty solid at every position,” Hager said. “We should have a good shot to win most of our games and have a shot at the end to win the district.”

Winning the district is Wallace’s top goal, according to Hager.

Hager and Hesse have another coveted asset in quarterback Landon Swedberg. Swedberg, who started 4-5 games last year, is just a sophomore, but his play making abilities will add another dimension to the Wildcat offense. “[Swedberg] is starting the year looking real sharp,” Hager said. “He is an all-around good athlete.”

Swedberg could help the offense catch up with the defense, which returns six of eight starters, including Eric Koop (190 pounds), Tanner McCoy (220) and Hunter Franzen (235) up front.

On offense, four players return as starters, with Ethan Scott taking over at running back, Dustin Fosbinder stepping in at tight end and McCoy and Franzen starting on the offensive line for the first time.

McCoy and Franzen may be starting for the first time on the offensive line, but they have plenty of experience and size to draw from. Mark Jameson, a 180pound junior, will add to that solid offensive line.

The Wildcats will rely on running the ball, according to Hager, but will also have the ability to “mix it up” and throw the ball from time to time as well.

Hager and Hesse see the inexperience at running back and linebacker as a possible weakness for the team, but the senior leadership could help the team mature quickly.

Hager said that newcomers John Marquardt and Josh Grauerholz could step up and make an impact for the team. Marquardt, a sophomore, will contribute at running back and cornerback, while Grauerholz, a junior, will play fullback, end and linebacker.

Hayes Center and Brady will present some tough district competition, according to Hager. Brady lost just twice last season, making it to the second round of the playoffs, while Hayes Center has a traditionally strong program.

The Wildcats expect to be right back in the hunt for a district championship by the end of the season, looking for another crack at the playoffs. The season kicks off Friday, as Wallace hosts Potter-Dix.

Attention Wallace fans, Repeated attempts to reach volleyball coach Kory Rhode for a preview story for this section were unsuccessful.

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The Brady Lady Eagles volleyball team is working hard towards a state tournament berth this season.

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

D9

Lady Sailors should be tough — again After a taste of state tournament, Sutherland looks for return trip

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

SUTHERLAND — The Sutherland Lady Sailors finished the 2010 season with a 15-17 record, but an end of the season trip to Grand Island for the state volleyball tournament and the loss of just two seniors head has Sutherland coach Valerie Kershner looking forward to the upcoming season.

“We will be very competitive this year,” said Kershner. “The team is looking to improve upon our record from last year.”

And Kershner feels the state tournament appearance has had a very posi-

tive influence.

“It [trip to state] has helped a lot already,” she said. “The girls went on to have a good basketball season [in which they also qualified for state] and this year we have been more competitive from the get go. They have a lot of team cohesiveness.”

Returning starters for the Lady Sailors are seniors Dani Miller and Hannah Fleecs at the outside hitter positions. They are joined by sophomore Jalyne Schuster.

Guarding the middle of the net will be sophomore Sam Kennedy and junior Joli Hopping returns at setter.

Also looking for playing time will be freshman Kelsey Dillenburg on the outside and juniors Haley Baxter and Kristan Nelson in the middle. All but two of those mentioned are listed at 5 feet, 9 inches or taller.

“They are all good athletic players,” said Kershner. “That is exciting.

More than the height, it is more important they are athletic.”

Kershner feels the key to the season will be the team’s consistency.

“It is important that we are consistent,” she said.

“We have the ability to be good all the way across the net. They can’t key on any

one player at the net.”

With all the height in the front line, 5 foot, 6 inch setter Hopping may be an important piece to the puzzle. Kershner said the setter is very vital to the success of any team.

“She really works hard,” Kershner said.

“She understands the game so much and all the girls look to the setter for leadership. She fits that mold to a — T.” Kershner also used the words poised and focused when speaking of HopTelegraph file photo ping.

Sutherland begins their Sam Kennedy of Sutherand hits a kill during play last seaseason Thursday, Sept. 1 at son. The Lady Sailors are looking to return to the state tournament this season.

Paxton.

▼

VOLLEYBALL CAPSULES

North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Laura Miller PLAYER TO WATCH: BreighAna Jahnke – Breezy has a lot of desire to give 110 per cent all the time.

TEAM STRENGTH: We have a lot of experience coming back and great senior leadership in Kenzie Michaels and Breezy Jahnke.

TEAM WEAKNESS: For a Class A school we are not very tall. Going to have to play great defense.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We are confident we will be very competitive this fall. We open our season at home for the first time in a very long time. Our seniors will be great leaders. It will be a fun season.

KEY MATCH: Ogallala = rivalry; toughest opponent=all the eastern teams; conference is here this year and Kearney will be tough; district is unknown.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Kenzie Michaels, *Anna Allberry, *Abby Bradley, Jackie Paloucek, Allexis Menghini, Allison Sawyer, *BreighAna Jahnke, *Kylie Wroot, *Madalynn Doughty.

Chase County NICKNAME: Longhorns CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Jodie Schuller PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Plenty of team strengths and some team weaknesses, that’s why we are looking forward to starting practices.

One day at a time. Great kids to work with.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Shannon Liewer, *Chantal Heathers, *Shayla Dinnel, *Kristen Jussel, MaKenna Ketter, Paige Spady, Alyssa Fisher, Mindy Castle, *Bethany Sorensen, Bridget Langin, Morgan Fisher.

Hershey NICKNAME: Lady Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Amy Beyer PLAYER TO WATCH: “No individual”/our seniors-We will look to our three seniors (Sierra Young, Cara Huebner, Shelby Mustion) for setting expectations!

TEAM STRENGTH: Quickness and athleticism will be improved overall. Hopefully, we will be strong defen-sively and difficult to put the ball down against.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We will be training two new varsity setters. (They demonstrate the physical skills but will need to learn the mental/situational aspects quickly.

SEASON OUTLOOK: High expectations! If the kids work hard daily, we should peak about right and compete for a trip to state volleyball.

KEY MATCH: We will play a difficult schedule with SPVA and Ogallala in our sub.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Meagan Hiatt, Ryde Troyer, Shelby Mustion, *Daynlee Miller, *Sierra Young, Maddie Sea-

mann, *Jenna Young, *Cara Huebner.

Broken Bow NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Ashley Warren PLAYER TO WATCH: Taylor Duncan – This will be her third year as a middle hitter and she has improved each year. I look for her to be our “go-to” hitter this season.

TEAM STRENGTH: Hard working, positiveness, team unity.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Consistency, starting and finishing every game, confidence SEASON OUTLOOK: We will continue to build on our progress/development from last season. We will work to be more consistent in all areas and will strive to be competitive against all teams.

Overall, should be a good year and a lot of improvement.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Halie Jones, Tressa Ripp, Ashley Kirkpatrick, Krisha Scott, *Taylor Duncan, *Sami Gaston, *Kelsie Myers, Morgan Hueftle, *Megan Peterson, Baily Kirkpatrick.

Ogallala NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Steve Morgan PLAYER TO WATCH: Emma Schroer and Savanah Welsh – The two senior athletes seem to understand what the team concept is really about.

TEAM STRENGTH: Balanced offense – great oncourt communication.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Quite young.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Ogallala will be competitive and learning each game as we grow.

KEY MATCH: Minden/Hershey.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Emma Schroer, Savanah Welsh, Morgan Reed, Jess Paloucek, Clara Voychesy, Kendall Schroer, Sidney Mell, Brook Robertson, Carley Kay. Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Mary Gohl PLAYER TO WATCH: Molly Thramer – Strong leader, hardworking, determined.

TEAM STRENGTH: Team unity – hard workers. Girls work together.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Lacking experience, height.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Very optimistic outlook this year.

The girls are determined and working hard to make things happen for us.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Molly Thramer, Morgan Altwine, Haley Montgomery, Haley Gengenbach, Sara Weber, Payden Knudsen, Alexis Marquardt, Kendra Finnell.

North Plate St. Pats NICKNAME: Lady Irish CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Shelly Byrn PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: A young team with a lot of ath-

letic ability. Very coachable and positive young ladies with the will to win.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Look to improve from last season with several returning letter winners and a fresh, new outlook on the season.

KEY MATCH: All SPVA teams will be tough. Most have several returning starters also.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Shelby McClellen, Candice Shelton, *Shelby Allberry, *Brittany Lawrence, *Samantha Byrn, Kari Slattery.

Perkins County NICKNAME: Plainsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Penny Hite PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Lost one senior this year, but have five returning seniors and two juniors with a lot of experience. Our key to a successful season is confidence to face tough opponents and finish. We need to capitalize on our offense, which by far, is our biggest strength. We have a lot of power, but we need to be more consistent.

Junior, Shania Metcalf, had a great summer and we will look forward to all she has to con-tribute to this team. We have played a lot of ball this summer and this year’s team has the potential to clench a state berth. Experience in our five seniors will lead us through this year. Kristen Beck will again lead her team in the setting role. Tanya Metcalf and Shalee Pollard have the most varsity experience and will be looked to for big game toughness and leadership. Gabrielle Patrick, Matisyn Humphrey and Tori Osler round out the outside hitters. Our height and experience in our hitters will be the force behind this year’s team. We will have defensive strength from juniors Michi Prante, Kim Cook and senior Shalee Pollard to make our team well rounded. We should be a team to reckon with this season.

RETURNING STARTERS: Kristen Beck, Tanya Metcalf, Tori Osler, Shania Metcalf, Gabrielle Patrick, Shalee Pollard, Matisyn Humphrey.

Elwood NICKNAME: Pirates CONFERENCE: Fort Kearny CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Codina Schutz PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: The return of two experienced setters Lexie and Sheridan and two-year starter Rachel Mahlberg.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Graduation took a lot of our strength, quickness, and leadership that we hope to rebuild.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We have a lot of good shoes to fill. We hope to overcome

our lack of experience and become competitive throughout the season.

KEY MATCH: RETURNING STARTERS: Rachel Mahlberg, Lexie Remmenga, Sheridan Bandauf SMC NICKNAME: Cyclones CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Alan Miller PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Hard workers.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Lack experience and height. One returning starter.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Will be a strong defensive team that will improve as the season progresses.

KEY MATCH: Brady and Mullen-top two in the Sandhills Conference.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) Alecia Paxton, Savannah Donohoe, Summer Brown, Karlee Cutler, *Tori Opela, Sammi Riedel, Alyssia Johnson, Courtney Ehlers, Jordan Goodell.

Maxwell NICKNAME: Ladycats CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Lori Mau PLAYER TO WATCH: Kalyn Calhoun – Going to be working to become our lead attacker this year. Great quickness and ability.

TEAM STRENGTH: Quickness and experience.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Height – we are vertically challenged this year.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Have a lot of returning experience.

Return five of six starters. We will have to work to be a great defensive team and be very quick to make up for lack of height.

KEY MATCH: Sutherland will be tough to beat this year.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Madison Elliott, *Reanna Crane, Tracy Blake, *Tara Fletcher, *Kalyn Calhoun, Michelle Henry, *Brook Boucher, *Ivy Mueller, Naomi Schaub.

Sutherland NICKNAME: Sailors CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Valerie Kershner PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Many returning starters. Team cohesiveness.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Consistency.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be very competitive this year and are looking to improve upon our record last year.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Jalyne Schuster, *Hannah Fleecs, Kelsey Dillenburg, *Dani Miller, *Sam Kennedy, Kristan Nelson, Haley Baxter, *Joli Hopping.

Cambridge NICKNAME: Trojans Please see VB, Page D11

Sailors hope for better 2011 year Low numbers causing issue

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

SUTHERLAND — The Sutherland football team looks to regroup after a 1-7 record from a year ago, but the number of boys in school and out for football will make for a challenging task.

Sutherland’s new head coach Joe Kaup doesn’t want to dwell on the numbers, but does say it will affect the way he directs practices and approaches games.

“We have 19 boys signed up to play football but three of those have yet to practice because of injuries,” said Kaup. “Going into our first weekend of games, it will be more likely we will have about 12 or 13 for our first game with Chase County.

“We have to completely change our practice structure,” he said. “We can’t scrimmage and we don’t hit as much. We need to get to the first game. It’s a fine line, we need to get them there and keep them there.”

Although the team is small in numbers, Kaup says the attitude and unity are exceptional.

“The kids know full well what may lie ahead due to numbers on our squad,” he said. And they still come everyday ready to work and learn multiple positions.

The linemen need to learn the receivers’ position and the receivers need to learn the linemen positions.

“Due to the squad size and who we have had available for practice during camp, they have become a tight knit group. They have become very positive towards each other.”

One athlete that will help lead Sutherland into battle is senior Tyler Jedlicki. To begin the season, Jedlicki is listed at wide receiver and free safety for the Sailors.

“Over the summer, Tyler took on a huge leadership role,” said Kaup. “With a new coach coming in, he took it upon himself to be the player that organized activities and got information to his teammates.

“He will also be called upon to play numerous positions, many with limited practice working those spots.”

Kaup said it is about a three-year window before the numbers turn around.

“Until then the kids show up ready to work and I know they will come out swinging,” he said. “At the moment — It’s all about survival.”

Sutherland teams running for glory

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

SUTHERLAND — Third year Sutherland head cross country coach Jessica Saner is excited to see the season begin. The boys and girls squads, although small, have been showing signs of improvement from a year ago.

“I am excited for this season because I think the kids are really working hard and pushing themselves in practice every day,” said Saner. “I have worked with most of them for several years and I think that

Please see GLORY, Page D12

Good Luck to All Area Schools

GOOD LUCK SAILORS!!

BRULE, GRANT, ELSIE, WALLACE, SUTHERLAND, ROSCOE

800-308-6096

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW ▼

D10 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Bernie Madison PLAYER TO WATCH: Trevor Schramm – He had tremendous football talent and knowledge of the game. 4.0 in the classroom. Great leader.

TEAM STRENGTH: Quality kids.

We don’t have a big quantity but we have good quality, hardworking kids.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Numbers.

Those quality kids mentioned above will need a break from time to time.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be competitive. We must find some depth. Another year in the system will make us better.

KEY GAME: Papio will be a challenge. On the road to Omaha. We will find out what we are all about.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Micah Lauber, Dylan Mylady, Mitch Alexander, Dillon Wordekemper, Nick Martinez, Tyson Chromy, Trevor Schramm, Max Brown, Jesse Henne, Hunter Greene, Sam Morris, Luke Wright, Matt Beckman, Bradon Erdman, Jake Howitt, Drew Beyer, Steve Torres, Grand Holscher, Ben Raska, Adam Bailey.

Broken Bow NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Mike Garner PLAYER TO WATCH: Justin McCullough is a two-year starter who was All-District last year. Nate Hansen is also a returning All-District player. Nathan Evans played about 50% of the snaps on offense and defense last year and will be replacing Adam Pracht.

TEAM STRENGTH/TEAM WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We had a lot of kids who made some big gains in the weight room this summer. Our receiving corps has looked really solid in 7-on-7 this summer. We are three-time defending district champs and have also qualified for play-offs the last four years. I know our sen-iors want to keep both of those streaks going.

We have three pretty good trips to make – Chadron, Ains-worth, and Valentine. Both our district and non-district schedules will be tough.

The biggest thing will be having leaders step up to replace last year’s seniors. We need to find someone to replace All-Star player Na-than Scott and with only two returners, we need to develop some linemen. McCullough and Hanson are both play makers and we have to find ways to get them the ball.

KEY GAME: Valentine lost only one or two starters from last season and will be very tough. Cozad has a great class of sophomores coming up and Gothenburg and Ainsworth are always tough. We need to work hard every day to be competitive within our district.

RETURNING STARTERS: Justin McCullough, Austin Handley, Tanner Thompson, Nate Hanson, Austin Roach, Nathan Evans, Alex White, Jake McCormick.

Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1-9 HEAD COACH: Ron Bubak PLAYER TO WATCH: The following players will play an integral roles-Micah Neill, Jake Paulsen, Jake Kappes, Evan Smith, Daniel Chacon, Jimmy Brown, Rhett Montgomery.

TEAM STRENGTH/ TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We are an extremely young football team but I think we will also be very athletic. We will depend highly on the few upperclassmen that we have and simul-taneously put a great deal upon our sophomore class. Our sophomores are a talented bunch with a great deal of team speed. Our success, however, will depend on the growth and play of our juniors and seniors. We were very weak last season on the offensive and defensive lines.

KEY GAME: We feel our schedule will be challenging throughout the season, especially our opening game with 2010 semi-finalist, Ogallala. I believe we can be very competitive this season and because of our team speed, we can at any time at any place on the field, score. We will have to improve defensively to be success-ful in 2011. We look forward to these challenges and hope to play well.

RETURNING STARTERS: Micah Neill, Jake Paulsen, Jake Kappes, Evan Smith, Daniel Chacon, Jimmy Brown, Rhett Montgomery.

Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Craig Haake PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We return some talented players in offensive backfield and line backing corp.

We have to find a few linemen on both sides of ball and lost four defensive backs, but we believe we will fill those with some pretty good athletes. We need to have some younger players step up into roles for us.

RETURNING STARTERS: Tyler Aden, Jackson Graham, Patric Jobman, Dane Ehlers, Korey Ahlenstorf, Levi Walker, Dillon Gartner, Logan Sheets.

Ogallala NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1

HEAD COACH: Jeff McBride PLAYER TO WATCH: Michael Gill, John Jeffers, Garrett Folchert.

TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Ogallala will have to replace five starters on offense and defense from last year’s semi-final team. The four LB on defense and three WR on offense will be key positions for kids to step in.

Four out of five OL, QB, and RB, back will be a definite strength for the Indians. Ogallala is ready to improve on last year.

RETURNING STARTERS: Valentine NICKNAME: Badgers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Craig Schmeckpeper PLAYER TO WATCH: Marshall Miller – Marshall is exciting to watch in the open field. He has the ability to make a big play out of nothing.

TEAM STRENGTH: Our offensive and defensive lines are very experienced. We have depth at our skill posi-tions, and we are returning all 11 starters on defense.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth at offensive line.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Looking to be very competitive. With our experience we will be a much-improved team.

KEY GAME: Broken Bow and Gothenburg.

POSSOIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Jessi Owen, *Eric Arnold, *Ben Shelbourn, *Marshall Miller, *James Simmons, *Matt Harris, *Donald McCleary, *Kyle Bachelor, *Jake Wiltfang, *Cory Assarsson, *Trent Osnes, *Jess Shelbourne, *Marcus Nelson, Jade Sandoz.

Cambridge NICKNAME: Trojans CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: C2-9 HEAD COACH: Josh Graves PLAYER TO WATCH: Alec McCurdy-Hardest working kid on our team. He plays with great passion for the game and is our vocal leader.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience, speed, tradition.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth on offensive line.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We should be very competitive. Obviously North Platte St.Pat’s will provide us with a great challenge, as will improving Kearney Catholic and Hershey teams.

KEY GAME: North Platte St. Pat’s POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters): *Rayce Dauwen, *Ethan Long, Weston Rich, TJ Gregory, *Kalen Farr, *Isaac Johnson, *Zane Petersen, Ty Fischer, Jordan Volk, *Mike Shoff, *Trevor Fleischer, *Alec McCurdy, *Anthony Rodriguez, Jesse Alexander, Brock Shoff, Austin Rice, Jack Perdue.

Perkins County NICKNAME: Plainsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Chip Kay PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/TEAM WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Strong returning core of players, key replacements include Quinton Hite at quarterback. Offense must also replace two linemen, but three of top four receivers return. Defense is experienced, but we must find a playmaker at linebacker. Loss of kicker Jeremy Hagan will create some questions in the special teams’ area.

We will be tested with a quality non-district schedule and some very solid teams in our district. We will have good depth for a C-2 team. 24 players return from last year.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY GAME: RETURNING STARTERS: Quinton Hite, Christian Miyamot, Brody Prante, Taylor Boldt, Alex Johnston, Elliot Carlson, Justin Hatcher, Chad Fosbinder, Derek Brueggman, Vinny Ross.

Hershey NICKNAME: Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Ryan Smith PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Returning experience.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Overall team depth.

SEASON OUTLOOK: RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alex Brown, Ty Carter, Bryson Hellmuth, Jordan Hiatt, Dylan Larchick, Wes Layton, Ryan Louder, Jimmy Moore, Trevor Otzel, Brian Steffes, Aksel Wiseman, Parker Young, Logan Brown, Tyler Brown, Josh Connell, Dylan Johnson, Colton Marshall, Matt McGahan, Justine Rixstine, Tucker Hicks, Adam Steffes.

Chase County NICKNAME: Longhorns CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Dan Lenners PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Fair quickness.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Very little depth. Young, only four seniors.

KEY GAME: Perkins County, NP St. Pats toughest, Hershey.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Kale Gockley, Steven Fish, Dan Sullivan, Michael May, Justis Wallin, Justin German, Hunter Spady, Brady Mays, Spencer Hartman, Tyler Oxford, Jared Knobbe, Brian Bell, Adam Dickey, Callin Ledall, David Almanza.

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FOOTBALL CAPSULES Sutherland NICKNAME: Sailors CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Joe Kaup PLAYER TO WATCH: Tyler Jedlicki – Over the summer, Tyler took on a huge leadership role. With a new coach coming in, he took it upon himself to be the player that organized activities and got information to his team-mates. He will also be called upon to play numerous positions, many with limited practice working those spots.

TEAM STRENGTH: Attitude – Knowing full good and well what may lie ahead due to numbers on our squad, they still come every day ready to work and learn multiple positions. Unity – Due to squad size and who we have had available for practice during camp, they have become a tight knit group. They have been very posi-tive towards each other.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth and Numbers – Nineteen total on squad; three of which have yet to practice due to injuries. Size – We are a team lacking linemen types.

Experience – Many will be seeing their first real action, whether at their new position or playing, period.

SEASON OUTLOOK: For us, it’s about taking it week-by-week, game-by-game. As injuries come up, we’ll need to adjust our people according to give up our best chance to be successful.

KEY GAME: Chase County (Week 1) we just need to get past all the questions and concerns about what’s going to happen in regards to our season. We just need to get on the field and play. Our kids know there are question marks, but for them to get on the field will be a huge weight off their shoulders.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Tyler Fear, Austin Kelly, Tyler Jedlicki, Colin Fleecs, Chandler Tyan, Riley McConnell, Austin Lee, Zach Blake, Logan Baxter, Greg McKain, Ryan McConnell.

St. Pat’s NICKNAME: Irish CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-2 HEAD COACH: Kevin Dodson PLAYER TO WATCH: Andrew Vinton – Great leader and great work ethic. Has a passion for the game.

TEAM STRENGTH: Returning experience. Senior leadership.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Optimistic.

Forty-four boys out. Good numbers.

KEY GAME: Bayard, Cambridge, Kearney Catholic, Hershey, Chase County, Sutherland, Dundy County, Morrill – They are all going to be tough.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Matthew Jensen, *Andrew Vinton, *Thatcher Vap, *Sean Ryan, *Jared Arensdorf, Brian Honerman, *Henry Aufdenkamp, *Rhett Nordquist, Pedro Martinez, *Barrett Pieper, *Dominic Pasquinelly, *Joseph Clinch, *Sean Keenan, *Mitchel Ferguson.

Maxwell NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Ryan Jones PLAYER TO WATCH: Connor Norton – Three-year varsity starter and good leader. Runs hard, has a good nose for the ball.

TEAM STRENGTH: Depth. Overall numbers are outstanding. Team unity and leadership are great.

Have a group of hard workers.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Team speed.

Not real fast this year. Will have to make up with great techniques and angles.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We don’t have a lot of returning starters but we have a lot of returners who played a lot last year. Could surprise some teams if we continue to improve.

KEY GAME: Brady will be a tough opener. (non-district). South Loup and Garden County look to be the top two teams in our district.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Drew Solie, Justin Falcon, Drew Riggs, *Connor Norton, Wyatt Strickland, Ben Sukraw, *David Knapp, Devin Grandberry, Brandon Groseth, Brady Rosenglad, Dylan Gage, Lane Miller, Jared Cox, Brandon Fletcher.

South Loup NICKNAME: Bobcats CONFERENCE: LVC CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Andy Schwarz PLAYER TO WATCH: Zane Ellis – He is a great leader and an exceptional talent.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience.

We return some quality players from last years’ team.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth. We need to develop some depth on the offensive line.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We hope to be competitive with the teams we face on the schedule.

KEY GAME: Every game is important and all are treated as the toughest team we have played to date.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Aaron Stryker, Eamon Schwarz, *Zane Ellis, *Haden Geiser, Colter Glendy, Kyle Potter, Kyle Pierce, Taylor Linegar, Levi Loper, *Drew Bowers, *Clint Schneringer, Justin Mousel, Charlie Blowers, *Garret Dockweiler.

Sandhills/Thedford NICKNAME: Knights CONFERENCE: Loup Valley/Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Joseph Frecks

PLAYER TO WATCH: Dillon Simonson – He is very strong and aggressive. A great leader who leads by exam-ple.

TEAM STRENGTH: Line and senior leadership.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We are inexperienced in the backfield.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Should be very competitive in our district.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Brady Marten, *Dillon Simonson, Chance Giles, *Tyler Lee, *Tanner Drews, Gary Payne, *Ben Pickering.

Paxton NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Mike Morland PLAYER TO WATCH: Garrett Schimonitz – Very quick, two-year starter; knows offense very well, good arm. Last year 650 yards rushing, 350 yards passing. He needs to step up and be a leader.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience.

Six starters back on offense, seven on defense. Were able to develop some depth last year due to injury.

Good numbers out; approximately 22.

TEAM WEAKNESS: The mindset to win consistently. Last two years, were 4 and 4. Need to compete each and every week.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Positive.

We need to get over the 500 mark.

It is time to find the will to win.

KEY GAME: Wallace. First game of the year. We would like to get off to a quick start. They beat us by the 35 rule last year. Time to see if we improved.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters): *Garrett Schimonitz, Tyler Schimonitz, *Zach Morland, *Jordan Holzfester, *Devin Hicks, *Merritt O’Conner, *Kyle Storer, Drake Luedke, Justin Neilson, *Austin Wheeler.

SMC NICKNAME: Cyclones CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Mark McClanahan PLAYER TO WATCH: Levi Peterson-Levi is a strong football player and has a good work ethic on and off the field.

TEAM STRENGTH: We have good team leadership and good team speed.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We are a young team.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We are looking to make a huge improvement over last year’s record.

KEY GAME: We are focusing on each game equally.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (Being my first year in SMC, I am still evaluating the players.)

Anselmo-Merna NICKNAME: Coyotes CONFERENCE: Loup Valley CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Matt McGinn PLAYER TO WATCH: Joseph Christen – Great leader, hard worker, just a great person.

TEAM STRENGTH: Great attitude, hard working.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Experience.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Play one game at a time and have fun.

Wallace NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Gary Hager and Joe Hesse PLAYER TO WATCH: Landon Swedberg – Landon is very smart with the ball and has explosive breakaway speed.

TEAM STRENGTH: Good combination of size and speed with great senior leadership.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Inexperience at running back and linebacker.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I feel like with the returning starters and senior leadership we should be in the running at the end for the district championship.

KEY GAME: Hayes Center and Brady.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Landon Swedberg, *Ethan Scott, *Eric Koop, *Taylor Doell, Dustin Fosbinder, *Mark Jameson, *Tanner McCoy, *Hunter Franzen, Josh Grauerholz, John Marquandt.

Brady NICKNAME: Eagles CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Bob Frederickson PLAYER TO WATCH: Ryan Porter – Two-year starter. Has improved speed and strength. All-District as a jun-ior.

TEAM STRENGTH: Sixteen returners and from a team that went 8-2. Offensive line that averages 260 pounds and 6’3” (all run well).

Six returners on defense.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Three new starters on offense.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We went 82 last year and look to improve on that with 16 returners. We expect to compete well this year.

KEY GAME: Rivalry game: Maxwell week 1; Toughest game: Medicine Valley in week 5; Key Conference game: Hayes Center in week 8.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) Zach Mann, *Sawyer Burke, *Michael Neiman, *Tyler Kleinow, *Ty Grasz, Cole Viter, *Ryan Porter, *Tyler Egenberger, Dalton Simants, Matt Litzenberg, Levi Widick, *Lincoln Blede.

Mullen NICKNAME: Broncos CONFERENCE: Loup Valley/Sandhills

CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Mike Brown SEASON OUTLOOK: To have a successful season, we will need to improve each game and stay healthy.

POSSIBLE STARTERS:

Medicine Valley NICKNAME: Raiders CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Scott Johnsen PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We have very capable players returning but the key will be whether they can adapt to their new role as a starter rather than a reserve/role player.

The goal is to improve over last year’s playoff qualifying team by winning in the playoffs.

RETURNING STARTERS: Hunter Timmons, Colton Aspenleiter, Josh Leas, Shawn Welch, Lucas Gleisberg, Riley Garey.

Hayes Center NICKNAME: Cardinals CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Ron Howard PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: We only graduated three players last year.

This year the nucleus of the team will be our senior players. We also have very talented underclassmen that will be big contributors as well.

We will be-lieve we have a good combination of experience, size and speed.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Lack of depth.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We should be very competitive within our district and feel we have the potential to be in a top position at the end of the regular season.

Arthur County NICKNAME: Wolves CONFERENCE: Six-Man CLASSIFICATION: Six-Man HEAD COACH: Scott Trimble PLAYER TO WATCH: Jordan Trimble-Play making quarterback, coming off a missed 2010 season from a bro-ken neck in a car accident.

TEAM STRENGTH: Great seniors, good speed across the board.

Smart players who play with discipline.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Smaller in both size and low numbers.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Expect to have a chance to win every game.

If we avoid injuries, we can be very success-ful.

KEY GAME: Hitchcock County on September 16.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters): Jordan Trimble, *Brad Vasa, Seth Cumpton, *Hayes Rose, Logan Lewis, *Hunter Walker, Wil Lage.

South Platte NICKNAME: Blue Knights CONFERENCE: MAC CLASSIFICATION: Six-Man HEAD COACH: John York PLAYER TO WATCH: Terryl Peterman – Rushed for 1800+ yards last year.

TEAM STRENGTH: Offensive and defensive lines. Experienced quarterback and running backs.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Overall team speed.

SEASON OUTLOOK: If our defense improves we should be successful.

KEY GAME: Arthur County.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Tim Hill, *Kris Kopetzky, *Terryl Peterman, *Austin Candy, *Andre Palser, *Seth Waterman, *Tyson Campbell, *Dakota Osmera, *Sky Waychoff, *Blake Odenbaugh, *Marlon Bongalon.

Maywood NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: Six-Man CLASSIFICATION: Six-Man HEAD COACH: Charles Jones PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Experience.

Five returning starters on both sides of the ball.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Size.

SEASON OUTLOOK: If we can stay injury free we can be competitive.

KEY GAME: Hitchcock County on 09/09/11. They are the best team on our schedule with a lot of talent.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Steffan Peterson, Jacob Dibbern, Brandon Doxon, *Todd Hansen, *Aaron Doxon, *Will Moore, *Spencer Dickinson, *Justin Strobel.

Hyannis NICKNAME: Longhorns CONFERENCE: Six-Man West Division CLASSIFICATION: Six-Man HEAD COACH: Chris Kraus PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Good numbers out. Good, positive attitudes going into the season. Good work ethic with the players. Good overall size.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Not blessed with a lot of speed. Lack of experience in some positions.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Hope to be competitive in our games.

KEY GAME: I think our key game is out first game. All our opponents are tough.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Travis Hoover, Cody Clarke, Colton Hoover, Payden Ayer, Ty Grimes, Jeremy Davis, *JT Monahan, William Wonacoff, Tanner Holthus, Gunnar Johnson, Dave Safarik, Tris-ton Nielson, *Tyler Nielson, Blake Johnson, Joe Hebbert.

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

G I R L’ S G O L F C A P U L E S

North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Jim Orcutt PLAYER TO WATCH: Karissa Moreland – She is consistent, determined to do well on each shot.

TEAM STRENGTH: Team depth, good attitude. They want to improve.

TEAM WEAKNESS: 1. Lack of confidence at times, but we are working on that. 2.

Putting.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We hope to be much improved over last season.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: Karli Montgomery, Karissa Moreland, Tessa Burford, Erin Green, Jordyn Pearson, Jenae States, Kaylee Payne. All of these have played varsity at times.

McCook NICKNAME: Bison CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Randy Ryser PLAYER TO WATCH: Kaylee Samway, Megan Vitrovsky – Our best players.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience and dedication to the game of golf.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We could have a chance to win any tournament we enter.

KEY MEET: District B-4.

Got to play well to get to the state tourney.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*returning starters) *Megan Vitrovsky, *Kaylee Samway, *Megan Rokusek, *Taylor Han-sen, Breanna Redl.

Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Stan Mackowski PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Looking to be competitive with returning lettermen.

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Ronelle Jackson, Samantha Schneider, Hannah Gilg.

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Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Kressy Ristine and Tara Foster PLAYER TO WATCH: Heidi Teahon – Heidi is a team leader and displays good work ethic when it comes to golf. She always brings a positive attitude to practice and strives to be good at golf.

Taylour Marshall is a freshman this year and will be playing at the varsity level.

She has impressed us with

her determination to be a great golfer and her low rounds show it.

TEAM STRENGTH: Great leadership; work ethic is great from all of the girls; positive attitude.

TEAM WEAKNESS: The girls need to continue working on their short game which consists of chipping and putting.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We hope to be much improved over last season.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*returning starters) *Saraid Baca, Crystal Moore, *Tiffani Maurer, *Kristin Bartlett, *Heidi Teahon, *Courtney Brown, *Sidney Sell, Taylour Marshall, McKinley Harm.

Hershey NICKNAME: Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C-5 HEAD COACH: Teresa Rotert PLAYER TO WATCH: Joanna Mackley – She only started golf as a junior but in just one year she showed huge improvement and was only a couple strokes out of qualifying for state last fall.

TEAM STRENGTH: Returning players are showing great improvement.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Inexperience at varsity level.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Preseason has showed good progress and desire by golfers to do well. Should be a fun season as girls improve.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*returning starters) *Joanna Mackley, Christina Slinde, Kristy Cullan, Samantha Miller, Ashlie Walters.

Broken Bow NICKNAME: Lady Indians CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C-4 HEAD COACH: Sara Myers/Amy Taylor PLAYER TO WATCH: Shanea Jones and Kaleigh Page – These players are experienced and they will take lead-ership roles along with Jessica Littlejohn.

TEAM STRENGTH: Our team is very willing to help each other. Over half our team is made up of new players. They are helping each other learn and they support each other.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We graduated three seniors last year and we have just three experienced golfers. It is a rebuilding year.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We are excited to see our leaders go out and try to medal this year. The team members are excited to get started with the season and we plan to enjoy the game.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*re-

Perkins County NICKNAME: Plainsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Troy Kemling LEADERSHIP ROLE: It is great to have Janet Kuskie back after being in Finland for Rotary Exchange her junior year. She will have to step up this year, giving the other girls encouragement and direction.

TEAM STRENGTH: Return four letter winners, the girls get along well with each other, competition for varsity.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Short game still not where it needs to be.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We have a young team again this year; three sophomore letter winners return with a year of varsity experience along with Janet Kuskie, who is playing again after a year of being away in Finland for foreign exchange. I was concerned how the younger girls would accept Janet’s leadership (since they have not played together), but they have meshed well. I have seen Janet really improve these past two weeks of practice after taking a golf sabbatical.

She has the ability to compete each meet for a medal position. I have also been encouraged with Carra Johnson’s recent play. Time will tell how Carra responds to actual competi-tion. We need some early success, setting new PR’s or earning a top ten medal for the girls to get some con-fidence and believe they can compete with other schools.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Janet Kuskie, Carra Johnson, Capri Meyer, Shania Stickley.

Mullen NICKNAME: Broncos CONFERENCE: Loup Valley/Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Kyle Hoyt PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Numbers and inexperience will be out toughest challenges this year. To be successful, our team has to work hard throughput the course of the season to keep improving.

Our goals this season are to improve from tournament to tournament, and to become more consistent.

RETURNING STARTERS AND LETTERWINNERS: Kally Wilson.

S O FT B A L L C A P S U L E S

North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: BJ Songster PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Very athletic, competitive and good work ethic.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Young.

SEASON OUTLOOK: POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) Ashten Hernandez, Aspen Smith, Bryanna Schode, Kaite Franzen, Nicole Zolinski, Jenny Keck, Cheyenne Craghead, Mikenzi Wiseman, *Sydney Standage, Sally Hengen, Aura Adkisson, Johnee Little, Rachel Kosmacek, Christina Yoshida.

Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Scott Foster PLAYER TO WATCH: Brook Thornton – Steady good player for years now. Set to be a leader.

TEAM STRENGTH: Competitiveness, effort, defense.

TEAM WEAKNESS: New pitching, uncertain offense.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I think we can have a good year. Might even approach 20 wins again.

KEY GAME: Gothenburg, McCook, Lexington.

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turning starters) *Shanea Jones, *Jessica Littlejohn, Anne Marie Garner, *Kaleigh Page, Abby Bristol, Jill Oatman, Alexandria Fielder.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Kylee Griffis, Stephanie Finnegan, Karlye Liebrandt, Kaylea Reyes, *Brook Thornton, Skylar Howell, *Chianne Trejo, Jessy Williams, Ashley Keim, Courtney Geiger, Emily Reyes.

Lexington NICKNAME: Minutemaids CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Cory Spotanski PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: This team is hungry for a strong season.

RETURNING STARTERS: Sally Homan, Madi McKeone, Terri Ansbach, Lindsie Woolley, Halle Gydesen, Molly Woockman, Tracy Reynoso, Katelin Schultz, Mackenzie McKeone.

Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Roger Neujahr TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Need to shore up middle “D” Develop more pitching.

RETURNING VARSITY STARTERS: Payton Prall, Shay Wear, Brit Munster, Amanda Barkmeier, Hanne Wolf.

B OY ’ S T E N N I S C A P U L E S

North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: John Lehmer PLAYER TO WATCH: Jake Berglund – Jake is the team leader and is focused on improving his results from last year. Jake is determined to have a strong finish to his high school career.

TEAM STRENGTH: Consistency and team chemistry will be our strengths this season.

Our guys have a great rapport with one another this season and we have many players who can keep the ball in play all day long.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Our weakness is that we have no big hitters or standout players.

We will not have many easy wins. All or our matches will be hard fought and will hinge on a few crucial points.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I expect a successful season because our players are such good competitors. Our lack of standout players will cost us a few matches, but I fully expect us to have a winning record.

KEY MEET: Conference should be our key tournament. I don’t believe we will have the weapons to be a seri-ous factor at the state

tournament but I expect us to be right in the mix for a conference title.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*returning starters) *Jake Berglund, *Cameron Bargell, * Michael Odle, Skyler Golter, Mitchell Twidwell, Charly Halligan, Alex Edwards.

McCook NICKNAME: Bison CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Matt Wiemers PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: We return four varsity letter winners from last year’s team, so the cupboard is not bare. Need to find players to step up and fill two spots on varsity.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Will need to work on doubles team. Singles will be OK, but need players to fill some open spots.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Only three home meets, so we will be road warriors. Should be a fun, competitive year with great kids to work with.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*returning starters) *Conner Palic, *Cody Jankovits, *Tristan Thomas, *Drew Bredvick.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

VB from Page D9

CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Katie VanWesten PLAYER TO WATCH: Breezy Huxoll – Passing and defense will be a key factor for us this year and Breezy will be our leader in that area. She is a strong and consistent force for our team.

TEAM STRENGTH: We will have some depth this season. We have a number of girls that will be competing for positions, which is giving us the opportunity to try a lot of different options.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We have very little experience returning this season. But, this has opened the door for a lot of competition for the starting positions.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be facing a lot of strong competition this season, but look forward to giving the girls the chance to rise to the occasion. With our large number of girls this year, we hope to find the right combination early on and be competitive throughout the season. Being inexperienced, the girls will grow and get better each game and hopefully be our best the last stretch of the season.

KEY MATCH: Hitchcock County – they will be one of our toughest opponents and we will face them at least twice in the regular season.

They are also in our sub-district.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) Tori Garcia, Jordin Wasson, Brandi Smith, * Brooke Juhl, Robyn Mustion, Torey Fleischer, Kadee Long, Rachelle Carpenter, Sloan Johnson, *Breezy Huxoll.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Victoria Downey, Mack Myers, Katie Kirkpatrick, Hannah Kirkpatrick, *Janae Hostick, Kassie Russell, *Elise Crouch.

Paxton NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Jody Rhodes PLAYER TO WATCH: Brekkan Martinosky – Led our team in kills and blocks last season.

TEAM STRENGTH: Defense, experience.

TEAM WEAKNESS: For us to know and the opponent to find out.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Very excited to see the girls play.

They have a lot of potential.

KEY MATCH: With the wild card system, every match is key.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) Taylor Hahn, *Carli Holz, *Bailee Schow, Stephanie Hornyak, *Brekkan Martinosky, Taylor Holzfaster, Austin Hackney, *Kailen Bricker.

South Loup NICKNAME: Bobcats CONFERENCE: Loup Valley Conference CLASSIFICATION: D-1 HEAD COACH: Emily Hudson PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: POSSIBLE STARTERS:

Sandhills-Thedford NICKNAME: Knights CONFERENCE: Loup Valley and Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Katie Hoblyn PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: Anselmo-Merna SEASON OUTLOOK: The NICKNAME: Coyotes focus of this year is to play CONFERENCE: Loup Val- as a team. With three senley iors (Michaela Miles, Kadi CLASSIFICATION: D-1 McFadden, Shelby Saner) HEAD COACH: Sue Seda starting for the last two PLAYER TO WATCH: years, they have developed Janae Hostick – Janae had a a strong team bond and I exdevastating knee injury dur- pect them to be great leading basketball season. After ers for the Knights. With this sur-gery and PT, her hard experience, we look for big work puts her as my setter in improvements from last year. a 5-1 offense. Smart team KEY MATCH: leader.

RETURNING LETTERWINTEAM STRENGTH: The NERS: Michaela Miles, Kadi team has worked hard this McFadden, Shelby Saner, summer and brings in a lot Melanie Cadwallader, Taylor of enthusiasm.

Marten, Chantelle Milleson, TEAM WEAKNESS: We Kaitlin Marten, Sarah Miles, don’t have much height and Jacy Spencer. only two returning starters.

SEASON OUTLOOK: This Brady is a building year after losing NICKNAME: Eagles five starters to graduation CONFERENCE: Sandhills and having only three other CLASSIFICATION: D-2 letter winners.

HEAD COACH: Lynne KEY MATCH: Opening Johnson match is a triangular against PLAYER TO WATCH: MagAnsley and Sargent; two of gie Burke and Courtney the toughest teams in our Widick – Maggie has great con-ference. hands, great knowledge of

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

D11

the game and a four-year starter. Courtney is a leftie and really quick.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Should do really well. Lost one middle and one part time outside hitter.

KEY MATCH: Maxwell, Wallace, Mullen.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Dakota Terry, Brittney Christopherson, Molly Hannon, Val Most, Megan Polt, Josie Palmer, Courtney Widick, Carissa Rayburn, Maggie Burke Wallace NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: Republican Plains CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Kory Rohde PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Character, desire, height, ability.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Experience.

KEY MATCH: Rivalry – Paxton. Brady will be good.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We hope to keep improving as the season goes on and be playing our best at districts.

Maywood NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Janice Arent PLAYER TO WATCH: Liz Snider – second team allconference and a good allaround player.

TEAM STRENGTH: Returning experience TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Catharina Foster, *Hailee Moore, *Anna Fischer, *Dotti Dodson, *Liz Snider, Abby Werkmeister, *Tess Whitman, Shelby Johnson.

Medicine Valley NICKNAME: Raiders CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Teresa Ruppert PLAYER TO WATCH: Taylor Sandoe – She is a strong all around player.

TEAM STRENGTH: We return a great deal of varsity experience despite our youth.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We are still going to be young and small (height).

SEASON OUTLOOK: We are optimistic and excited about a new season.

KEY MATCH: We have many tough opponents: Brady, Hitchcock County, Paxton.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: (*returning starters) *Regan Garey, Grayce Jorgenson, *Kylee Heinzle, *Sierra Schmidt, *Starla Henderson, *Taylor Sandoe, *Shaylee Schroeder.

C R O SS C O U N T R Y C A P S U L E S

North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Dennis Fornander PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Accomplishments last year – Second place GNAC, Second place Districts, Fourth Place state.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Goal: Reconsolidate a boys’ team. Build a girls team.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Wyatt McGuire, Ben Montgomery, Mateo Wilcox, Natalie Poppe, Rikki Drews, Kodie Fourtner, Taylor Hansen, Janelle Osteen.

Lexington NICKNAME: Girls: Minutemaids Boys: Minutemen CONFERENCE: GNAC

CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Sam Jilka PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Girls – Young squad and in need of depth. We need to find a quality third/fourth run-ner. We will rely on Odaliz Santoyo and Vanessa Ambriz, who both had outstanding track seasons, to lead the team. Odaliz had a good summer training program and is running strong now.

Goal for the girls is to qualify as a team for state. Boys – Mix of experience and youth.

The Minutemen aid to improve on last year’s third place finish at state. Mauricio Calmo, Franklin Ibarra and Jalen Grant will help lead the team. Jalen had an outstanding finish in his track season and has had a

Please see CC, Page D12

GOOD LUCK AREA TEAMS!

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW ▼

D12 FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

8/26/11 High School Football Lincoln High at North Platte Gering at Lexington McCook at Scottsbluff Broken Bow at St. Paul Ogallala at Cozad Gothenburg at Ord Sutherland at Chase County Southern Valley at Hershey St. Pat’s at Bayard Potter-Dix at Wallace Arthur County at Arcadia 9/02/11 High School Football Columbus at North Platte Northwest at Lexington Aurora at McCook Chamberlain, SD at Valentine Ord at Broken Bow Cozad at Centura Minden at Gothenburg Cambridge at Oberlin, KS Chase County at Wray, CO Dundy County-Stratton at Perkins County Hershey at Bridgeport Elwood at Eustis-Farnam Brady at Maxwell Sandhills/Thedford at North Central Ansley at South Loup Anselmo-Merna at Loup City Creek Valley at Sargent SMC at Hayes Center Bertrand at Medicine Valley Mullen at Leyton Wallace at Paxton Cheylin, KS at Wauneta-Palisade Minatare at Hitchcock County Arthur County at South Platte Sioux County at Hyannis Maywood at NLS-Elba 9/09/11 High School Football North Platte at Papillion-LaVista Lexington at Scottsbluff McCook at Alliance Gibbon at Cozad Sidney at Ogallala Valentine at O’Neill Southern Valley at Cambridge St. Pat’s at Kearney Catholic Sutherland at Bayard Elwood at Medicine Valley Maxwell at Southwest Sandhills/Thedford at Mullen South Loup at Anselmo-Merna Brady at SMC Creek Valley at Julesburg, CO (Sedgwick County) Eustis-Farnam at Alma Hayes Center at Paxton Potter-Dix at Wauneta-Palisade Hyannis at Greeley/Wolbach Arthur County at Cedar Rapids Hitchcock County at Maywood 9/16/11 High School Football North Platte at Grand Island Lexington at Sydney McCook at Gering Ogallala at Broken Bow Kimball at Gothenburg Valentine at Winner, SD Kearney Catholic at Cambridge

CC

Chase County at St. Pat’s Morrill at Hershey Perkins County at Sutherland Bertrand at Elwood Elm Creek at Maxwell Wallace at Sandhills/Thedford Burwell at South Loup Paxton at Anselmo-Merna Banner County at Brady Garden County at Creek Valley Arapahoe at Eustis-Farnam Southwest at Hayes Center Medicine Valley at SMC Mullen at Hemmingford Wauneta-Palisade at Haxton, CO Hitchcock County at Arthur County Sioux County at South Platte Maywood at Arcadia 9/23/11 High School Football Lincoln Southwest at North Platte Alliance at Lexington Northwest at McCook Broken Bow at Chadron Ainsworth at Cozad Gothenburg at Valentine Gordon-Rushville at Ogallala Cambridge at Perkins County Morrill at Chase County Dundy County-Stratton at Sutherland St. Pat’s at Hershey Overton at Elwood Maxwell at Garden County Crawford at Sandhills/Thedford Hemmingford at South Loup Anselmo-Merna at Sargent Eustis-Farnam at Brady Hay Springs at Creek Valley Hayes Center at Wauneta-Palisade Medicine Valley at Wallace Cody-Kilgore at Mullen Banner County at Paxton SMC at Stuart St. Edward at Arthur County South Platte at Hitchcock County Cedar Rapids at Hyannis Greeley/Wolbach at Maywood High School Volleyball Crawford at Sandhills/Thedford Eustis-Farnam at Brady Medicine Valley at Wallace Cody-Kilgore at Mullen St. Edward at Arthur County Hayes Center at Wauneta-Palisade High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Hastings High School Cross Country Broken Bow at Ord College Volleyball NPCC at Johnson Co. CC Invite 5-7 p.m.

9/29/11 High School Football Sargent at SMC 9/30/11 High School Football Lincoln North Star at North Platte Lexington at Seward Sidney at McCook Broken Bow at Ainsworth Cozad at Gothenburg Kimball at Ogallala Gordon-Rushville at Valentine Cambridge at Dundy County-Stratton Hershey at Chase County

CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Brynn Jobman and Alex Hull from Page D11 PLAYER TO WATCH: Patrick Wright and Cody Dierking. great summer training proPatrick has been very sucgram. He will help lead the cessful in his cross country team at the start of the season. We need some younger career as well as Cody. Both qualified for state last year as kids to step up to fill the rewell as winning all conference maining spots in varsity. and all-state honors.

Three quality freshmen are TEAM STRENGTH: Boys – entering and running well.

We have a lot of upper classRETURNING LETTERWINmen as well as two strong NERS: Girls – Vanessa Amseniors returning. Girls – We briz, Odaliz Santoyo, Daisy have a younger girls’ team, Lopez; Boys – Mauricio Calbut these girls are hard workmo, Franklin Ibarra, Jalen ers and great at pushing one Grant, Bryan Zepeda. another.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Cozad SEASON OUTLOOK: With NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: Southwest strong runners returning, this season will be a great one.

CLASSIFICATION: C We want to compete hard and HEAD COACH: Dustin work at winning conference Favinger PLAYER TO WATCH: Garrit and qualifying for state.

KEY MEET: Districts will be Geiger and Allie Buesing.

Garrit and Allie are team lead- key for us especially after just ers with regards to leading by missing out on qualifying for state last year. example. Both have worked RETURNING STARTERS: hard over the summer logging miles and give our teams their Perkins County cohesive na-tures.

NICKNAME: Plainsmen TEAM STRENGTH: Boys CONFERENCE: SPVA will have a strong top three.

CLASSIFICATION: C-1 The girls’ top eight will be as HEAD COACH: Paula Wurst strong as they were a year PLAYER TO WATCH: ago when they placed fifth as TEAM STRENGTH: Girls’ a team at state. team finished 14th at the state TEAM WEAKNESS: Boys meet last year, led by 6th will need to find a strong place finisher Ashley Kemfourth runner to be competitive in our district. The princi- ling. Only one of the state squad graduated and we pal weakness of the girls will gained two capable freshmen be deciding who the top six are for the end of the season. to fill out the team. Our young boys’ team gained experience SEASON OUTLOOK: Boys in the 2010 season. will be about like they have TEAM WEAKNESS: been the last couple of years SEASON OUTLOOK: and should finish in the midRETURNING LETTERMEN: dle of the field for conference Ashley Kemling, Seth Burge, and district. The girls will be Brendon Barry, Mark Hanson, tough to beat in our conference, districts and are looking Jessi Hoffert, Jake Sexon, Rebecca Cornelius, Robert Ento compete for a state title.

KEY MEET: Our conference gel, Courtney Lyon, Dalton McCormick. meet is always tough and since all of our conference Eustis-Farnam teams are in the C-4 district, it NICKNAME: Knights should be a great precursor CONFERENCE: RPAC for districts.

CLASSIFICATION: D POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*reHEAD COACH: Elroy W. turning starters) *Dereck Pierce Rosas, *Garrit Geiger, *AnPLAYER TO WATCH: dres Pelayo, *Bernardo RevTEAM STRENGTH: elo, *Dillon Budd, *Jesus TEAM WEAKNESS: Estrada, *Abel Lopez.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Girls: Riley Sigler, *Jessica The girls’ cross country team Vazquez, *Allie Buesing, returns one state qualifier, *Samantha Carlson, *ElizaBryn Bellamy. Hope to be beth Vazquez, *Cydney competitive in Class D; howChristner, *Sandra Pelayo, ever most of our meets are *Claire Christner. against Class C and B schools throughout the seaOgallala son. The Knights go into the NICKNAME: Indians season with a high energy levCONFERENCE: SWC el and optimistic outlook, as CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Shane Fruit they look forward to the seaPLAYER TO WATCH: Dillon son. Season’s outcome will depend on the young runners McKeag, Kelsie Crymble (Fr.) and Harry Adams. Dillon was gaining experience early, third last year at state. Adams which will enable them to be was seventh last year at state. competitive come RPAC and TEAM STRENGTH: Positive district. Returning letter winners will need to step up as kids. this is a younger squad than TEAM WEAKNESS: Not as the last two years. Success of deep this year.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Boys: the team will depend on if We are in a very tough district. some of the athletes can avoid injuries. The squad is We will have to run well to looking to benefit from pack qualify. Girls: Should be running, as many of the indimuch improved. viduals will be running toPOSSIBLE STARTERS: gether. Pack running should be what makes this team Broken Bow strong. Squad numbers eight NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: SWC girls and look for the freshmen

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

2 0 1 1 FA L L F O O T B A L L C A L E N DA R Sutherland at St. Pat’s Elwood at Alma South Loup at Maxwell Sandhills/Thedford at Hemmingford Mullen at Anselmo-Merna Brady at Medicine Valley Creek Valley at Leyton Eustis-Farnam at Hayes Center Paxton at Hays Springs Wallace at Wauneta-Palisade Sioux County at Hitchcock County Arthur County at Minatare Maywood at Santee Perkins County at Bayard 10/06/11 High School Football Wauneta-Palisade at Brady 10/07/11 High School Football North Platte at Kearney McCook at Lexington Gothenburg at Broken Bow Valentine at Cozad Ogallala at Chadron St. Pat’s at Cambridge Chase County at Bridgeport Hershey at Sutherland Elm Creek at Elwood Maxwell at Hemmingford Sandhills/Thedford at Garden County Crawford at South Loup SMC at Anselmo-Merna Creek Valley at Potter-Dix Medicine Valley at Eustis-Farnam Hayes Center at Wallace Stuart at Mullen Leyton at Paxton Arthur County at Sioux County Hitchcock County at Hyannis Wheeler Central at Maywood Morrill at Perkins County High School Volleyball 10/13/11 High School Football Greeley/Wolbach at South Platte Loup County at Maywood 10/14/11 High School Football Norfolk at North Platte Lexington at Holdrege Adams Central at McCook Broken Bow at Valentine Cozad at Kimball Ainsworth at Gothenburg Ogallala at Mitchell Cambridge at Hershey Perkins County at Chase County Dundy County-Stratton at St. Pat’s Bridgeport at Sutherland Elwood at Arapahoe Maxwell at Sandhills/Thedford South Loup at Garden County Anselmo-Merna at Cody-Kilgore Wallace at Brady Paxton at Creek Valley Wauneta-Palisade at Eustis-Farnam Hayes Center at Medicine Valley SMC at Mullen Hyannis at Arthur County Cedar Rapids at Hitchcock County 10/20/11 High School Football Gothenburg at Ogallala

to be a difference maker by season’s end.

Boys: The boys’ cross country team will field a team of eight runners as there were two seniors, one sopho-more, and five freshmen reporting for cross country. Should be able to compete competitively as a team. Look for David Nutt and Jacob Brennemann to have a good year with help coming from Connor Russell and the other underclassmen.

All are looking forward to the upcoming season.

KEY MEET: RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Bryn Bellamy, McKenna Rieker, Alexa Chapman, Katie Jack, Savannah Willis.

David Nutt, Jacob Brennemann, Connor Russell.

Maxwell NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Jarod Meinhert PLAYER TO WATCH: Ashley Schaub and Zac Gregg. Ashley – Three-year veteran. Always displays a positive attitude. Has an excellent work ethic and leads by example.

Had a good season last year…look for her to improve.

Zac – only a sophomore. He has shown great strides this year. He will be a much more confident runner.

TEAM STRENGTH: With just a squad of six, the team has a good support system, continually challenging and pushing each other to get better.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Only one member who has been on the team for more than a year. Very young, experi-ence wise.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Look for them to grow as the season moves along. With more experience and hard work, it will make them better runners.

Not that the season will be without its ups and downs, but they are always challenged to persevere.

KEY MEET: SPVA Conference meet.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: (*returning starters) *Ashley Schaub, Alex Oberg, *Brooke Orr, D’Lainee Groseth, *Zac Gregg, Jon Assells.

Cozad at Broken Bow Sutherland at Cambridge Southwest at Elwood Brady at Hayes Center Eustis-Farnam at Wallace Medicine Valley at Wauneta-Palisade Mullen at Sargent Paxton at Potter-Dix Hyannis at Loup County 10/21/11 High School Football North Platte at Fremont Lexington at Adams Central McCook at Holdrege Cozad at Broken Bow Gothenburg at Ogallala Valentine at Ainsworth Bridgeport at Perkins County Chase County at Bayard Hershey at Dundy County-Stratton Morrill at St. Pat’s Crawford at Maxwell South Loup at Sandhills/Thedford Anselmo-Merna at Stuart Banner County at Creek Valley Cody-Kilgore at SMC Wheeler Central at Arthur County Hitchcock County at St. Edward Maywood at Minatare South Platte at Cedar Rapids 10/27/11 High School Football First Round Playoffs (C1, C2, D1, D2) 10/28/11 High School Football First Round Playoffs (A, B) 11/02/11 High School Football Second Round Playoffs (C1, C2, D1, D2) 11/04/11 High School Football Quarterfinals (A, B) High School Volleyball 11/08/11 High School Football Quarterfinals (C1, C2, D1, D2) 11/11/11 High School Football Semifinals (A, B) 11/14/11 High School Football Semifinals (D1, D2) 11/15/11 High School Football Semifinals (C1, C2) 11/21/11 High School Football Class D1 Final 10:15 a.m.

Class D2 Final 2:45 p.m.

Class B Final 7:15 p.m.

11/22/11 High School Football Class C1 Final 10:15 a.m.

Class C2 Final 2:45 p.m.

Class A Final 7:15 p.m.

CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Dale Schroeder PLAYER TO WATCH: Koby Archuletta – Koby was district champ and fifth at state last year. Victoria Tockey – Vicky is a freshman who shows promise to make it to state.

TEAM STRENGTH: Men – We are all back this season.

Fifth place at state last year and all the runners are back.

Lots of experience. Women – Good young runners.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Men – We hope to be very competitive as a team this season with all of our varsity run-ners back this year. Women – We don’t have enough for a team, but hope to excel as individuals.

KEY MEET: All of them POSSIBLE VARSITY: Dakota Bergen, Brandi Kumm, Victoria Tockey, Koby Archuletta, Lane Bergen, Tyler Cas-sell, Jay Dakota, Connor Merrill, Garrett Perlinger, Willie Welch.

St. Pat’s (Girls) NICKNAME: Irish CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Marie Brosius PLAYER TO WATCH: Mandy O’Malley and Maggie Vinton – Both placed at state last year.

TEAM STRENGTH: Leadership.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We look forward to striving for our best. Last year they had a taste of state, placing fourth overall in Class D. This year they want it more!

KEY MEET: Conference will be held in Grant. Girls won it last year. They also won districts.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: Jamie Smith, Anna O’Malley, Jodicci Torrez.

Sutherland NICKNAME: Sailors CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Jessica Saner PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: The kids work hard every day in practice and push each other.

They really have great attitudes and have a great time in Maywood practice and meets.

NICKNAME: Tigers TEAM WEAKNESS: Small CONFERENCE: RPAC girls team, only two so we CLASSIFICATION: D-2 won’t be able to score as a HEAD COACH: Thompson team. Young – one senior on Herman our team.

PLAYER TO WATCH: QuinSEASON OUTLOOK: I anton Phillips – Young man ticipate the runners improving (sophomore) who has some a lot throughout the season as potential if he can focus and they get more experi-ence. work each day.

They will work hard to push TEAM STRENGTH: themselves all season. I hope TEAM WEAKNESS: to have a strong boys’ team SEASON OUTLOOK: Jusby districts. All runners will tine Stone has health issues right now and may not run, so greatly improve their times from previous seasons as the other runners must step they are pushing themselves up and improve if we are going to have an enjoyable year. in practice every day.

KEY MEET: Looking to bring KEY MEET: District meet in home some medals at conferGrant is the key.

POSSIBLE VARSITY: Boys – ence and districts.

VARSITY: Boys – Matt MarQuinton Phillips, Tyler Bollish. tinez, Tucker Binegar, Alex Girls – Taylor Stone, Justine Parker, Jayson Rezak, Michael Stone.

Hafer, Nathaniel Maxcy. Girls – Emily Rongisch, Shelbi Paxton Burke.

NICKNAME: Tigers

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

Micah Lauber, who has been named North Platte’s starting quarterback, carries the ball in the annual North Platte scrimmage last week. North Platte opens the season today, hosting Lincoln High at 7 p.m. on Bauer Field at Memorial Stadium

GLORY from Page D9

their hard work is really going to pay off this season.”

With only one returning senior between the squads, Saner will rely heavily on Matt Martinez to lead the way.

“Matt is going to be a great senior leader for the team this year,” Saner said. “He always tries to have a positive attitude and encourages all of his teammates to do their best. He has developed into a very strong runner and I am looking forward to seeing what he will accomplish this season.

“I hope to have a strong boys team by districts.”

Other returning varsity runners for the boys are junior Tucker Binegar and sophomores and Rezek Jayson Michael Hafer. Junior Alex Parker and sophomore Nathaniel Maxcy round out the team.

The girl’s team is made up of just two girls, but both are juniors with varsity experience. Emily Rongisch and Shelbi Burke both return from 2010.

“We won’t figure into the team scoring with just two girls,” Saner said. “Burke is injured this season, but she is also a very important part of the team. Her enthusiasm and passion for running is contagious and she is a great motivator for the rest of her teammates.”

Saner anticipates the runners will improve a lot throughout the season as they get more experience.

“They will push themselves all season,” said Saner. “I really expect to see some good things from several of my athletes throughout the season and especially towards conference and districts.

“I hope to have a strong boys team by districts.”

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