Fall Sports 2012

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

D2 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Lady Bulldogs look for breakout season North Platte volleyball team brings lots of experience to the court

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

For the North Platte High School volleyball squad, 2012 could be a breakout year. With only two lost to graduation, coach Laura Miller has high hopes for her Lady Bulldogs.

“I am really excited with the fact that we have a bunch of returning seniors,” Miller said.

“We lost two good players from last year [Breezy Jahnke and Kenzie Michaels] but we have the rest of the crew coming back.

“We also have a lot of good depth coming into the program as well. So I’m really excited that we’re going to be competing every day in practice, as well as in our games for positions and for the W’s.”

Miller looks to improve on two areas of concern that have

seemed to plague the Lady Bulldogs, that finished with a 13-19 record in 2011.

“Traditionally the blocking and the defense haven’t necessarily been there for our teams lately so we’re really going to focus again on those two things,” said the coach. “Blocking is the first line of defense, so if we can at least get some touches, it gives our defense more of a chance to get the ball dug up.”

Work throughout the summer should return some benefits for a squad looking to provide consistency throughout the season.

“We did a lot this summer,” Miller said. “The unfortunate thing is I never had everybody in the same gym, or at camp, at the same time. That was unfortunate but we got a lot of touches on the ball and did a lot of improving from the beginning to the end of the summer.”

Miller also said she would go back to an offensive attack she experimented with a year ago.

“Throughout the summer we really worked hard on running a 6-2,” said Miller. “I’m looking forward to that with the depth that we have. We have a lot of hitters, so I’m going to look to utilize as many of those kids as I can.

“It should put up a bigger block for us defensively and hopefully we can do a little bit more specializing with running the 6-2. That should help us be a better, stronger team.”

Five seniors return from 2011 that will be expected to give the North Platte squad plenty of leadership.

“Anna [Allberry] is going to be our rock this year,” Miller said.

“She led in hitting efficiency last year and was just a few shy in leading us in kills, so we’re

going to look for her to lead our offense, attacking wise.

“Kylie [Wroot] is coming back.

This will be her third year on varsity and she’s done an excellent job on the right side for us.

“Jackie Paloucek got stronger and stronger throughout her junior year. I’m looking forward to her contributing this year as a senior and Allexis Menghini is a go-getter all the way around.

She’s athletic and going to be competing for a position.

“Abby Bradley will also be a senior we will look to for leadership.”

Miller said the girls have set some team goals and are focused to change recent patterns with several teams.

“The girls have already set goals to beat Ogallala, Kearney and Grand Island,” Miller said.

“Those seem to be three teams that we go up against and strug-

gle. Ogallala is always good.

Kearney has a new coach this year, and Grand Island is always solid as well. I think we should be able to compete really well with them.”

As always, the conference and district competition will be a priority for the Lady Bulldogs.

“Conference should be up for grabs,” said the coach. “It should be anybody’s tournament this year. That’s going to be a huge goal for us to come away as conference champs.

“And it is just awesome that if you finish in the top seven you can host a district. For us it would be just one more benefit not having to travel and obviously making some of those teams from the Eastern part of the state travel out here. It just gives us a little bit of an edge and would be so neat for us to host a district.”

North Platte builds with hard work Bulldogs football coach concerned with depth

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

Although the numbers might not be as high as North Platte High School football coach Bernie Madison would like, he still reflects a positive attitude toward the Bulldogs outlook for 2012.

“I think it is good,” said Madison of the practices to date. “The kids we have here are working hard.

“Our concern is, and has been since I have been here, is the depth and numbers we’re getting out.

But they’re working hard and trying to learn the system. The kids are really with us — I think.”

With summertime vacation gone, Madison said the work done by the athletes during the school break is very important.

“Some of them were in the weight room and went through conditioning,” the coach said. We went to some camps like everyone else does. And we had a pass league here at North Platte High with some other teams.

“If you’re not, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage right away.”

Madison’s spread offense will stay the same in 2012, but improving its execution will be important.

“We’re just trying to perfect the stuff we’re doing,” Madison said. “This is the third year into the actual system we’re using and with Dylan Mlady [at quarterback], it is coming along quite a ways.

“I think all our quarterbacks, Matt Shartz and Shane Mauch — they’re getting the progressions.

They’re starting to learn the actual progressions — why we’re doing them and reading their pre-snap coverage. Find where the grass is at, and we’re trying to hunt that grass.

On the other side of the ball, things might look a little different from recent years, as the Bulldogs plan to implement a 4-2 defense.

“We’re going to be a little more basic,” Madison said.

“We got hurt a couple

times with broken coverages last year and we had some speed concerns.

Hopefully what we’re doing — we’re doing correctly.

“Then flight to the football. I think our speed is going to be good for us.

“And the big guys up front. We’re tweaking that as far as being more aggressive.

“Hopefully with those three switches we can make things happen a little better.”

With 20 seniors leading the way, the Bulldogs should have plenty of leadership they haven’t had in the recent past.

“It’s been kind of nice,” said the fourth year Bulldog coach. “That’s the most seniors I have had since I’ve been here.

“We’re going to hang our hat on our leaders, and [Luke] Wright is definitely one of them — by example and as a positive, get’em ready to go, push the kids kind of guy.

“Drew Beyer has been outstanding, he’s full throttle all the time.

“Dylan is gathering the system as far as offense, and getting people lined up and getting the most of them.

“Just the whole senior group in general has been a nice breath of fresh air.”

With the Class A districts being assigned in a serpentine fashion, Madison said the competition will be stiff.

“District is going to be tough,” said Madison. “We will have Grand Island and Kearney. We had one or the other the last few years, but we have them both this year. “ North Star is solid as usual. Our district is just going to be pretty tough.

“Our opening game is with Norfolk at home. We have yet to beat them since I’ve been here.

“The first one is always big — the momentum, and to get a positive attitude with the kids. They’re a little happier in the hallways [after a win], so that’s going to be a big one.”

Good Luck All Area Teams

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

Matt Schartz (10) begins to throw as defenders Jobie Loving (42) and Austin Nesvara (83) rush him during North Platte’s annual scrimmage.

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

North Platte running back Jobie Loving (42) rushes as blocker Alek Morales (63) looks to block defender Colton Walker (74) during the Bulldogs annual scrimmage game last week.

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

D3

Juniors pace North Platte McGuire, Burrows lead cross country teams

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

North Platte cross country coach Dennis Fornander feels it will be important for both the boys and girls squads to develop a consistent, top seven to nine runners, and then develop the depth behind them. One thing Fornander won’t have to concern himself with in 2012, are the individuals he will rely on to lead their respective teams.

Juniors Wyatt McGuire and Libby Burrows each qualified for the state meet as individuals in 2011, and will be counted upon heavily this fall.

“Wyatt placed 12th as a freshman and had a rough year last year with some injuries,” said Fornander.

“But he came back by the end of the season and still got 12th again, which was quite an accomplishment considering what he had been through.

Telegraph file photo “He seems to be in good Wyatt McGuire, of North Platte,, was 12th in the State shape now, so we’re headCross Country Meet last fall, finishing in 16:37.4. ing into the season with

high hopes for him.”

Wyatt could have some company at state this year if the team’s misfortunes of a year ago can change around.

“We had a chance last year at districts to maybe qualify the whole team but we had a few things happen. A few injuries down the stretch that hurt us,” Fornander said. “But we have a strong group back with seniors Joe Godfrey, Ace Haws, and Marcus Miller, and junior Gilbert Seck and sophomore Christian Bradley. We have some younger kids that I think are going to step up and provide some leadership for us also.

Hopefully we’ll be a solid team.”

Summer time can be an excellent developing ground for a distance runner. Fornander has mixed reviews when it comes to the 20 boys on the team utilizing this time to the fullest.

“Some of the kids put in a lot of miles and did a good job,” the coach said.

“We maybe didn’t have quite the summer we needed to have, so we’ll see how that works out.

“We have a good enthusiastic young bunch and quite a few new freshmen.

Hopefully we’ll see some of those step up into positions for a spot.”

With just 15 girls checked out for cross country, Fornander hopes the beginning of the school year will help solve this problem.

“We’re still a little short on numbers, but a little better than last year,” said Fornander. “We have some good young girls that look like they’re going to contribute for us and we get back some of the ones that were injured last year.

Hopefully we’ll have some freshmen join us once school begins.

“The girls we have are a good bunch and they’re working hard.

There should be a lot of competition for spots.”

Along with Burrows providing some leadership, Fornander said sev-

eral others will be looked to for help.

“Ricki Drews is a returning senior and a letterman from last year.”

Fornander said. “She provides good leadership along with [fellow senior] Kathryn Schwartzkopf.

“Then a couple sophomores, Kalynn Stoner and Mariah Wilcox ran varsity last year. McKenna Miller, a junior, is one of our leaders on the team — so we have some solid girls there to build a team around.”

As the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs prepare for the meat of their season, Fornander said the competition will be as rugged as usual.

“Both our conference and our district are very tough, so team wise it’ll be tough clear through,” Fornander said. “We have kids that are going to compete well in those meets.

“As we go through the season we’ll just have to see how people improve and move forward, and look for some good things to happen.”

Lady Bulldogs return every player for 2012 North Platte ready for big year

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

There is excitement in the air out at the Dowhower Softball Complex. The North Platte Lady Bulldogs softball team has begun their practices with expectation of the upcoming 2012 season.

North Platte coach B.J. Songster returns all her players from a season ago, and is confident the Lady Bulldogs will have a successful season.

“We’re all pretty excited — we have everybody coming back,” Songster said. “So we’re confident and I think they want to come out, win, and try to take it to everybody.”

Many of the 26 girls on the team have been playing softball right up to the beginning of the high school season. North Platte hosted the 2012 Class A 16U Northern Nationals Fastpitch Softball Tournament that finished on Sunday, Aug. 5, in which three North Platte teams participated.

“Yes they have some game experience, but I guess that is kind of a concern of ours also,” said Songster.

“They all love softball, but they’ve been playing all summer up until the start of our season. Hopefully they still have the heart, desire and passion to keep going forward.

“I guess what is really exciting is we have all of our different softball groups coming together to represent North Platte. So hopefully that is a positive — it can work both ways.

“I think, them playing together and working together, is going to overcome them being burned out. Being the North Platte Lady Bulldogs is exciting for the girls rather than being three or four different teams.”

With all members returning from 2011, Songster will look toward senior leadership to direct her stillyoung team.

“We have four returning seniors,” said the coach.

“I’m pretty positive about them, but we’re still pretty young with 14 sophomores. We’re still in our building years, but they’re all very athletic, very dedicated, and they love softball. They’re out here ready to play ball.

“One of the biggest strengths is Ashten [Hernandez] returning as a senior pitcher,” Songster continued. “She’s been out there a couple years, with the expectations, and knowing she needs to set the tone of the game.

“That’s a very big strength.

“Sid [Standage], a senior third baseman, is just a great ballplayer and positive leader.

“We also have a lot of speedy girls in our lineup, from freshman to our seniors. Hopefully we can put some pressure on our opponents defenses.”

It was the year 2004, the last time the Lady Bulldogs made the trip to Omaha for the Nebraska State Softball Tournament. If Songster has anything to say about it, the Lady Bulldogs might be making plans for a return trip.

“I’m confident we should be the team everybody else is looking to beat in conference,” Songster said.

“We finished second to Kearney last year but I think we have the strongest team with everybody returning.

“I think they are just really hungry to come out and get those titles [conference and district].”

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

North Platte girls golf coach Jim Orcutt watches as members of the team practice putting at a recent practice at Iron Eagle Golf Course in North Platte.

Lady Bulldogs seeking balance Consistent play key for North Platte girls golf team

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

The North Platte Lady Bulldogs golf squad will look different from a year ago as they head into the 2012 season. Gone will be state medalist Karissa Moreland, and graduate Karli Montgomery. But head coach Jim Orcutt said they [Karissa and Karli] are heading on to bigger and better things, and his North Platte team might have to find other ways to be successful.

“Losing Karissa and Karli from last year to graduation will put a big dent in our squad this year,” Orcutt said. But the girls that were juniors last year [and seniors now] have worked pretty hard over the summer — most of them.

“So I would guess that our strength will lie in our balance this year. “We

may, or may not, have a low, low, low score like Karissa was able to provide, but we may have four decent scores at a particular invite. And I think that is where our strength is going to reside this year.”

Orcutt, beginning his 29th year of coaching in North Platte, said age and experience should be an advantage for his club.

Three seniors Orcutt will look to for leadership will be Jordyn Pearson, Tessa Burford and Jenae States.

“There are quite a few seniors on the team and they have had some experience over the last few years,” the coach said.

“They do not lack in tournament experience, at least at the high school level. Mentally, since some of the girls have had some experience with high school play, I think that should be a strong point for us.

They’re not going to go

around the greens. “Ball striking — consistency — and short game.”

The Lady Bulldogs began their season today at the Kearney Invitational.

With the entire field loaded with Class A competition, Orcutt knew the challenges it would provide. North Platte will host Lexington at Iron Eagle Golf Course on Tuesday and the North Platte Invitational at River’s Edge Golf Course on Saturday.

“There are nine teams in the Invite from Western Nebraska,” Orcutt said.

“McCook returns some very good players from last year and Gering does as well.

“So again we’re going to look for balanced scoring to help us out in the team race. I look for this team to get better and more confident with each meet.”

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into the meets intimidated, I hope anyway, because they have had that valuable experience.

“I kind of wish some of them would have played a little bit more in the summer — taking advantage of those months. But overall I’m pleased with the amount of participation in the summer golf program.”

Looking over the course of the entire season, the veteran coach has his sites set on things his team can improve on.

“I think the biggest thing we need to work on right now is consistency, both in striking the ball and scoring,” Orcutt said.

“But I think if we take care of the consistency of striking the ball, the scoring will take care of itself.

“And the short game. I always stress that because that’s where a player can save a lot of strokes from

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

D4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Lady Knights enjoy chemistry NPCC features many volleyball players from around the area

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph

Whitney Smith, one of four sophomores on North Platte Community College’s volleyball roster for the 2012 season, hits during a scrimmage at the college last week. The Lady Knights open the season hosting the Subway Invitational at NPCC today and Saturday.

As North Platte Community College volleyball coach Sally Thalken begins her 32nd year directing the Lady Knights, you can sense an air of optimism on campus.

Thalken returns only four sophomores from the 2011 team that finished 17-21, after two successive trips to the National Tournament in 2009-10.

But with nine incoming freshmen, Thalken has a good mixture of area athletes.

“Of the 12 kids we have, 11 of them are from western Nebraska, the panhandle, and just across the boarder into Colorado at Brush,” Thalken said. “These kids have a pretty good work ethic. They’ve stepped in here very excited and enthused about playing and they’re willing to put their toe on the line and work hard.”

Returning to the squad this season are sophomores Whitney Smith of Wallace, Mersades Klein from Mitchell, Ebonie Davis of Killeen, Texas and Brooke Henry from Loup City.

“We have four sophomores that we brought back. Some of them have considerable playing time and some of them have a little sketchy playing time,” Thalken said.

“They all knew they were going to have to work hard and they accepted that challenge.

“It’s going to be a different year for us just because we have so many girls that are pretty talented, and can play a couple different spots.

“It’s going to take us a little time for things to shake out. I don’t know if things will ever shake out because these kids are going to be battling every day in practice.

They can’t come to practice and afford to slack off any because somebody will be breathing down their neck.”

Besides having a set of twins on the team, (Sabrina and Sandrina Hallahan of Brush, Colo.), Thalken will have several girls whose parent or coach played in the system.

Other incoming freshmen include Shannon Liewer of Imperial, Maggie Burke from Brady, Nicole Houston of Mitchell, Ogallala’s Savannah Welsh, Jacee Kershaw of Culbertson and Laura Beckman of Julesburg, Colo.

“We have an interesting mix of kids,” Thalken said.

“Hopefully we have kids that take as much pride in North Platte Community College/Mid Plains Community College as some of their coaches had when they

played here — or their parents had when they played here.

“We just want to carry that tradition forward.

“Our kids talked this entire week about the chemistry that we have. How well we like one another and enjoy one another.

“I know it’s just the first week and sometimes kids are a little bit plastic at first, but that’s really a cool thing to hear from the kids. That you know you’re at least starting with pretty good chemistry.”

The Lady Knights won’t have long to prepare for their opening season matches. With such a young squad and girls who have never played together before, Thalken doesn’t have long to get her team match-ready.

“Some kids come in in better condition than the others. We try to do a little bit of conditioning, but it is so, so important at this level to concentrate on play,” Thalken said.

“High schools are completely different, four-year colleges are completely different. But at this level, it is so important to get kids on the floor and touching the ball. Becoming more familiar with one another on the floor — that is the critical thing, probably more important than conditioning right now. Especially when we have the Subway Tournament coming soon.”

The Lady Knights will begin their season today in the Subway Tournament at 4:30 p.m., and action continues at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Thalken welcomes the beginning of the season.

“We are excited and like our Subway Tournament,” the longtime coach said.

“It’s nice to not have to travel. It’s nice to start off our season with a lot of family and friends supporting us.

Five teams are joining the Lady Knights for the opening tourney.

“Williston State brings back a pretty seasoned team this year,” Thalken said.

“Eastern Wyoming — you just can never predict him.

“They’re always going to be competitors and, JC, they’re D1 and International and you know you’re going to find great competition.

“Colby is the same, D1 and International and with McCook, Natalie has brought in some International kids and beefed up her roster.

“It’s going to be very competitive.

“Probably of all six teams, we are the least experienced, so it truly is going to be a measuring stick for us.”

New coach for Bulldogs Hall coaching boys tennis for North Platte

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

The North Platte boys tennis squad will be under new leadership for the 2012 season. Taking the helm for the Bulldogs will be Dale Hall, new to the tennis program, but certainly not new to the North Platte school system. Hall has directed the Bulldogs wrestling program since 2009.

With the departure of former coach John Lehmer, Hall is preparing his troops for the upcoming season.

“Actually we’re just working on fundamentals, working on serving, forehands, and backhands — just trying to get better at those,” Hall said. “We’re going to work as hard as we can and do the best we can.”

Hall will have the fortune of two returning senior varsity starters to help lead the Bulldogs tennis team. Both of whom Hall said should be good lead-

ers for the rest of the team to follow.

“Cameron [Bargell] has really been working hard,” Hall said. “He has been to all the practices and has a great attitude. Skill wise, I think he’s pretty solid.

“Michael [Odle] is another one that has varsity experience. It sounds like he has done quite a bit during the summer to improve his game, but I haven’t seen that yet because he has been out with an injury.”

If Hall does have a concern for the 2012 season, it might be the number of athletes that have reported for practice. At the time of this interview, 13 boys had signed up to play, but for various reasons Hall has yet to have them all at practice.

“Right now in our junior and senior class, we have some good numbers,” said Hall. “I think we have four or five seniors and six juniors. However, our freshmen and sophomore classes, we’re kind of light

on those numbers.

“Any freshman or sophomores that would be interested in going out — we would sure like to have them.

“The way we’re going to be able to build a program is by getting the underclassmen out as freshmen and sophomores and having them here for three or four years.”

Hall is looking forward to the season and he feels each meet will be a learning experience.

“I believe all of our competitions will be important throughout the season to help us find our strengths and weaknesses,” the coach said. “The Conference meet will be very important because it can help us set the tone for the State Tournament in Omaha.”

North Platte opens their season on Saturday at the Mark Obermeier / The North Platte Telegraph Papillion LaVista South Invitational and then travel to the Kearney Doubles Cameron Bargell returns a shot during tennis practice recently at Cody Park in North Platte. Bargell is one of several seniors on the tennis team this season.

Invitational on Sept. 1.

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Volleyball team not talking about 2011

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

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, o e e l Telegraph file photo e Anna O'Malley (75) and Mandy O'Malley (right) finshed the girls Class D State Cross g Country race in 12th and 13th respectively at the Kearney Country Club last fall.

e

D5

Lady Irish want to look to future

n

t .

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

The Lady Irish volleyball season had a successful 2011 campaign, right?

St. Pat’s finished the season 24-8 and advanced to the State Volleyball Tournament. Yet, this team with five returning starters remains hungry.

“We aren’t talking about it,” said Lady Irish head coach Shelly Byrn when asked about last season. “We have to get things ready to get through a tough season this year.”

What the Lady Irish aren’t discussing is reaching the state tournament and then not playing their best in a firstround loss. So, with 11 letter winners returning, including six seniors, it’s important to improve on last season, right?

“We’re not talking about it,” Byrn said. “We’ve set our goals and we know we have a strong schedule, which will be a challenge throughout the season.

“Plus, Hershey has dropped down to C2 and is in our sub-district. So, with all that, we aren’t worried about last year.”

The Lady Irish return Samantha Byrn, Bree Saner, Jenna Torres, Shelby Allberry, Kari Slattery, Brittany Lawrence and Natalie Mackley. St. Pat’s also has Brooke Boucher, who transferred from Maxwell to St. Pat’s for her senior season.

“Brooke was a setter for Maxwell and we have our setter, Kari, back,” Byrn

said. “So, we’re working them both at setter and also trying a few things.

“They might be on the court at the same time.”

The Lady Irish also have the trio of Sam Byrn, Lawrence and Allberry back. The three front-court players are ready to take the next step, especially Lawrence.

“Brittany has grown so much over the summer,” Byrn said of her 6-feet, 3inch middle hitter. “She played softball with us all summer [with the Jr. Belles] and it helped her mature being in so many tight softball games.

“She’s ready to take that next step for us.”

Byrn believes her tough schedule and conference matchups will get the Lady Irish ready for another deep postseason run.

“Conference is always tough,” the coach said. “Plus, we have a schedule that is full of tough opponents. Every game is tough competition.

“Our goals are the same. We want to improve each week, work on what we need to work on and make another postseason run.”

Just don’t ask how far or what the goals are for sure.

“We’re not talking about it,” she said.

“But the girls have a goal in mind, but they’re keeping it to themselves.”

St. Pat’s opens the season on Aug. 30 at Perkins County.

Unfinished business Lady Irish want state meet redemption

y . o By ROGER BLUHM y sports@nptelegraph.com

There is some unfinished business at St. Pat’s and it involves the cross country y team. . The Lady Irish qualified for the State Cross Country Meet a year ago and fell r short of where they wanted to as a team.

The goal for the squad, which returns - most of its runners from a season ago, is l to return to state and finish much higher. t “We have a little bit of a chip on the shoulder,” said St. Pat’s head coach Marie - Brosius. “We have some unfinished busit ness . p “We weren’t quite ready for the state meet. It’s a different race and we needed to prepare a little differently.” e To help the girls prepare, the Lady e Irish attended a summer camp at the University of Nebraska-Kearney where they got some instruction on how to prepare.

“We learned a lot,” Brosius said. “One of the things we learned was how not to run too fast early in the race because of nervous energy.”

The Lady Irish return core runners Maggie Vinton, Mandy O’Malley and Anna O’Malley. Joining them are return-

y

ers Jodecci Torrez, Julia Flores and Jamie Smith. St. Pat’s also added Lexi Allison, who ran distance races in track for St. Pat’s, but recently decided to run cross country this season.

“We have a strong girls’ team,” Brosius said. “It will be a fun season, but we want to get back to the state meet and have a better showing.”

On the boys’ side, Joe O’Malley returns for the Irish after qualifying for the state meet a year ago.

“I expect Joe to return to state this year,” Brosius said. “We also have Tyler Elsten, who has shown promise.

“I believe the boys will develop as the season moves ahead. I’m not sure how they will come together as a team, but I believe we can make strides and hopefully improve week to week.”

St. Pat’s begins the cross country season at the Cambridge Meet on Aug. 31.

“We’ll see where we are and what we need to get better,” Brosius said. “One of our challenges is to make sure we push ourselves.

“We don’t want to just run in a pack, which is easy to do. We want to push each other and ourselves to run as hard as we can each time we go out.”

Telegraph file photo

St. Pat’s front line player Shelby Allberry goes up for a block last season. Allberry is one of several Lady Irish players returning for 2012.

St. Pat’s looking to replace several offensive starters Coach excited about players, ready to open football season at Kimball in tough test

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Back-to-back deep runs in the playoffs. Check.

Watching a senior group that includes your quarterback, two running backs and top receiver graduate. Check.

Filling those holes and excited about a new year?

Check.

This is Kevin Dodson, who, despite watching seniors like Matthew Jensen, Thatcher Vap, Andrew Vinton and Sean Ryan graduate, is excited about another football sea-

son as head coach of the St. Pat’s Irish.

“It is exciting,” Dodson said. “We’ve got some good kids, who have waited their turn, and are ready to shine beginning Friday night at Kimball.”

Not only is Dodson replacing several members of back-to-back semifinal teams, he’s doing so against a team that qualified for the playoffs a year ago in Class C1.

“We haven’t looked at Kimball much,” Dodson admitted. “We’ve been worried about St. Pat’s and what St. Pat’s can do.

“We’ve been getting ourselves ready for this season and making sure everyone is on the same page.”

The Irish will have Sean Keenan taking over as quarterback.

“Sean’s exhibited great leadership,” Dodson said.

“He makes good decisions and has good speed.”

The running backs will rotate, with Brandon Niesen being the leader of a group of four that includes Matthew Buhrman, Collin Pieper and Chase Kimberling.

“We have four guys

there that are progressing,” Dodson said. “One guy, Niesen, has stepped up as the leader. He’s also our kicker and safety, so he won’t get off the field.”

Two guys Dodson is counting on this season are starting offensive tackles Joseph Clinch and Pedro Martinez.

“Those two guys, along with tight end Henry Aufdenkamp, will solidify and lead the offensive line,” Dodson said. “We will lean on them early until the new members of the line catch up to what we want to do.”

Defensively the Irish will strive to do what they’ve always done.

“We want 11 men at the ball,” Dodson said. “We always want 11 men at the ball each time.

“Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t have assignments to do, but we also want to be aggressive.”

St. Pat’s opens the season at Kimball today and has a schedule with new opponents this year. The Irish will host Bridgeport on Aug. 31 and will also play Wood River and Ravenna this season, dropping off Sutherland and

Morrill. St. Pat’s will finish the regular season by hosting rival Hershey on Oct. 18.

“We have some great seniors leading the way for us this year,” Dodson said. “We have guys eager to play, eager to get to that next step.

“That’s why each year is exciting. You have new kids who step up and become leaders.

“We will go out, play our hardest, do our best, get better each day and, when we make the playoffs, enjoy that icing on the cake.”

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D6 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Wallace wants to build on 2011 playoff berth Wildcats loaded for 2012 run

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Telegraph file photo

The 2011 Brady Lady Eagles celebrate a District title win last season, which put the team into the State Volleyball Tournament. The Lady Eagles are returning several players from last season and hope a repeat trip to the state meet will happen this season.

Brady eyes return to state Lady Eagles have plenty of volleyball experience

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

In three appearances at the Nebraska State High School Volleyball Tournament, the Brady Lady Eagles have a combined 4-3 record.

Their most recent trip to state was a year ago when they placed third, losing a tough 5-setter to eventual state champion Howells in the second round before rebounding to defeat Stuart in the third-place game.

Lady Eagles head coach Lynne Johnson thinks the state tournament experience and a host of returning veterans will lead to another successful season.

“Our experience at state last year was amazing for the girls,” Johnson said. “It will definitely help out in the confidence level and just being more relaxed in a big game.”

One athlete returning to help the Brady cause is junior Carissa Rayburn. The only question is — what position will she play?

“Carissa is one of the leaders on our team, along with all the seniors,” Johnson said. “She could possibly be our setter, but it is very difficult to give up her passing ability. So she will most likely stay at libero. She is a very hard worker and is open to do what ever job she needs to.”

Senior Dakota Terry is another Lady Eagle Johnson will lean heavily on during the season.

“Dakota, who played an outside hitter last year, will be taking on the right side for now,” the coach said. “She has played there in club ball and is doing a great job.”

Johnson will have the luxury of two returning middles in senior Molly Hannon and sophomore

Josie Palmer.

“They both had a lot of time last year,” Johnson said. “They shared the position part of the year and both started when [Megan] Polt was injured.”

Another strength for the Lady Eagles will be the outside hitting position, where they have junior Valerie Most returning along with the addition of Madison Elliot, a transfer from Maxwell. Elliot started for the Lady Wildcats in 2011.

“We have four to five other very capable people to fill spots and be great contributors this season,” Johnson said. “The girls are very excited for the season to get started and are expecting they should do well.

“It is a great group of kids, they have lots of fun and get along very well. Our experience will be a strength and they love to play.”

placing a very talented and experienced senior class,” Seamann said.

“Another challenge is like many small schools, the lack of depth on the front lines. Finding leaders will also be very important.

“Practices have been going very well, the kids have really stepped up their work ethic. “We have some young kids really stepping up and some new kids who have been pleasant surprises.”

Michael Neiman is a returning starter on both sides of the ball for the Eagles — someone Seamann will need as the season progresses.

Neiman averaged seven yards per carry a year ago with nine touchdowns and another three TDs receiving. He also collected 60 tackles with eight sacks on defense.

“Michael has brought to the table some much needed leadership this fall for our young and new running backs.” Seamann said. “He brings his lunch pail to practice everyday to work.”

Speed will be an Eagle asset, one Seamann will look to exploit.

“We plan on using some different packages to utilize the various individuals available to us that have speed,” the coach said. “We plan on insuring that they are all fresh and at full speed throughout the game.”

When all is said-and-done, the Eagles will have one goal in sight — a fourth straight trip to the playoffs.

“We are looking to continue our streak at making the playoffs,” said Seamann.

Does a taste of success drive a team to succeed again and again?

Wallace may be able to answer that question of everyone this season.

The Wildcats made the Class D2 playoffs a season ago, despite finishing the year with a 3-6 record.

This year, coach Gary Hager hopes his Wallace squad goes into the postseason with a winning record.

“We’d like to be 5-3 or 6-2 going into the playoffs this season,” Hager said. “We want to avoid those topseeded teams in the first round of the playoffs if we can.”

The Wildcats made the playoffs in 2011 despite playing a sophomore-dominated lineup. Now those players are juniors and Hager believes the taste of success will drive his troops to more success.

“We were young, but we tasted the playoffs,” Hager said.

“We are definitely a junior-dominated team, but that taste of the playoffs and the experience we got last year should help us succeed this year.”

The Wildcats return six starters on defense and five on offense.

The standout is Mark Jameson, an offensive and

defensive lineman.

“He has a fast motor and a great nose for the ball,” Hager said. “He is impossible to block one-on-one.”

The Wildcats open the season today by hosting South Platte, but will take on district opponents later in the season.

“We have a chance to start out right and build each week,” Hager said.

“It’s important, as tough as our district is, to become as good as we can before starting district play.”

Wallace believes Medicine Valley is once again the team to beat in the district, but also feels his team can challenge the Raiders.

“Medicine Valley lost a lot of seniors,” Hager said.

“Of course, they found a lot of success last season and that will make them want it even more now.”

Hager said his team’s biggest foe will be Paxton, a squad which made the D1 playoffs a year ago.

“We’ll get a true test of where we are and where we’re headed with Paxton,” Hager said. “They are by far the biggest, baddest team we’ll play this season.

“If we can play with them, we’ve got a shot to be a very good team this year. Let’s see if we can build on last season’s success.”

Strand replaces New coach takes over at Brady longtime ’Cats Former Wildcat now head coach for Eagles football head coach

By MARK OBERMEIER

sports@nptelegraph.com

A former Wildcat will be taking over the reigns as the head Brady Eagles football coach for 2012. After spending four years in the United States Marine Corp, then attending Black Hills State University where he was a two-time all-conference defensive end, Andy Seamann will now lead the Eagles. Before coming to Brady as the assistant football coach and activities director in 2011, Seamann also coached linebackers at Wayne State College.

Seamann likes what he has seen during practice, but the Eagles will need to fill some holes due to graduation.

“The main challenge will be re-

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Few changes for Wallace

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

There is a change at the top for Wallace volleyball.

The Lady Wildcats have been coached for many a season by Kody Rhode.

However, Rhode stepped down as head coach to concentrate on his duties as athletic director and left the team in the hands of longtime assistant coach Elizabeth Strand.

“I’ve been the assistant coach, so it’s not like it’s a new voice,” Strand said.

“I’ve been here and worked with them for years, so it’s not a big change.”

But, there is change.

Strand has mixed things up at practice, doing different drills at different times.

“The girls are having fun and it’s enjoyable,” said Strand of the changes. “We’re on the right track as far as where we’re going.”

Unlike some Lady Wildcats squads of season past, this year’s team isn’t the biggest in the area. Wallace has several girls between 5 feet, 6 inches and 6-0.

“We don’t have that dominant middle hitter that we’ve had in the past,” Strand said. “We’re going to have to county on our defense to win games.

“Ideally, we’d like to be known for our defense.”

Starters returning for the Lady Wildcats include Katelyn Melton, Sara Hubbard, Chelsea Sowle and Anna Griffiths. Strand said some members of the team worked over the summer to improve and that every starting position was up for grabs.

“We have competition for all of the starting positions,” Strand said. “We have to find some leadership. There are a few girls willing to take the role, so it will work out, but we need leaders.”

After an 11-11 season a year ago, the Lady Wildcats would like to get back to the level they had a few seasons ago when they went to the state tournament.

“This team is capable of playing at a high level,” Strand said. “We’ll just have to work through some changes as the season progresses.”

Strand, whose team begins the season on Aug. 30 at Wauneta-Palisade, believes she’ll have a better gauge of her team on Sept.

4 when Wallace joins Hitchcock County at Perkins County for a triangular.

“We’ll see where we’re at,” Strand said. “That’s a tough triangular early in the season.”

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

D7

Sutherland builds depth in cross country Sailors have more runners

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

A Sutherland player bumps the ball during the District final match last season. The Lady Sailors lost four seniors to graduation after last season, but head coach Valerie Kershner believes there are enough returning players to perhaps get Sutherland to a third straight State Volleyball Tournament.

Lady Sailors hope to keep rolling Despite losing 4 seniors, Sutherland eyes return to state event

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

The Sutherland Lady Sailors have made two successive trips to the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament, both resulting in first round losses. ExeterMilligan downed the Lady Sailors in 2010 and BDS defeated Sutherland a year ago in four hard-fought sets, 25-23, 25-27, 20-25 and 22-25. Sutherland ended the year with a stellar 2112 record.

With the loss of four seniors, head coach Valerie Kershner is looking to put another competitive team on the court.

“We are returning several players with varsity experience and will be an aggressive and powerful team,” Kershner said. “We have a lot of athletic players who are able to play various positions so we are excited to find our best fit.”

Leading the Lady Sailors charges this year

will be 6-foot middle hitter Sam Kennedy. Kennedy led Sutherland into the state tournament with a team leading 273 kills in 2011 and also contributed 70 blocks “Sam is a great player who will make a big impact both offensively and defensively,” the coach said.

“She will definitely bring a spark to the team that will be nicely complemented by our other hitters, primarily Jalyne Schuster and Kelsey Dillenburg.

“We will be looking to Sam for her positive leadership both on and off the court. The exciting thing is that Sam has yet to reach her peak.”

Schuster was second to Kennedy with 183 regular season kills a year ago and Joli Hopping led the team in assists with 505.

“Jalyne is a great athlete and competitor who is a pleasure to watch and coach,” said Kershner.

“She brings a lot of aggressiveness and power to the outside position. We look for Jalyne to play an even bigger role this year as she continues to improve and grow as a player.

“Joli is an experienced setter who has great ball sense and sees the court well. Joli can be trusted to make smart choices on the court and put the ball in the right position for our hitters. She is also a great hustler and never gives up on the ball.”

Dillenburg finished the 2011 regular season third in kills with 95.

Kershner is happy with the Lady Sailors state tournament appearance the previous two years, but said her team has visions of more.

“It’s always a great accomplishment to qualify for the state tournament and is definitely something to be proud of as we strive for a three-peat appearance,” Kershner said.

“However, our girls will

not be satisfied with just an appearance at state this year. We are a motivated and driven team that is looking to have success in Grand Island.”

Although Sutherland’s pupil numbers places them in a D1 classification, their extremely difficult schedule may just prepare them for a run at state in 2012.

“We play a tough schedule consisting mostly of schools in larger classifications, although we play some tough smaller schools too,” said Kershner. “We look at every match for what it is — another opportunity to play our best and improve as a team.

“We have been able to keep our focus throughout the season in previous years and managed to peak at the right times. We will need to continue to do that again this year as we look to do some damage at the state tournament.”

Sailors drop to 8-man football Sutherland to field team with plenty of freshmen playing

By MARK OBERMEIER sports@nptelegraph.com

Two things, for sure, will look different for the Sutherland football squad as they take the field this season. One, the playing field will be smaller than the past, and two, there will be fewer athletes on that field. The Sailors will be moving to 8-man football in 2012, and head coach Joe Kaup said the biggest challenge they face will have nothing to do with fewer players on the field.

“Our biggest challenge is having a team made up of 50 percent freshmen,” said Kaup. “They all will have to make significant contributions for us to make it through the season.

“A big advantage of moving down [a class] is I will likely only have to start three or four freshmen, instead of five or six

if we were playing 11-man.

“Unfortunately for them, our freshmen don’t have the opportunity to play, develop and learn like freshmen. They are forced into much bigger roles due to our depth and team make-up.

“I’ve been preaching to them since last December that they better develop really short memories. Getting trucked by bigger, older athletes, mistakes are going to happen so they better learn to move on to the next play really quick.”

With the loss of their top three defensive backs and wide receivers to graduation, Kaup said his athletes are aware of how challenging the year will be.

“The kids know this is going to be a rebuilding year to say the least,” the coach said. “That being said, they are definitely for the move [to 8-man].”

One athlete Kaup will rely on to lead his young troops in the upcoming season will be junior wide receiver and defensive back Collin Fleecs.

“Collin’s biggest asset to the team is his work ethic,” Kaup said. “He’s a quiet captain and all his leading is by example. He always works hard and always does the right thing.

He’s not the ‘Rah Rah’ type of guy.

“Collin is the only returnee at wide receiver, so he will need to step up due to our other skill guys being so young. He needs to become our primary target.”

With such a young squad set to begin their first season in a new league, Kaup said there are far greater things he will need from his veterans than statistics on the field.

“Given that our one senior hasn’t played fullback

before, our three captains Lucas [French], Collin and Zach [Blake], and our returning quarterback Tyler [Fear] had better be doing some teaching to the young kids,” Kaup said.

“They better also do a great job of picking them up when they are down, because that is going to happen when they get smacked in the mouth by really good junior and senior players.

“The other major thing would be to remember that when they were freshmen, they weren’t in a position to be forced into such big roles. They had older guys ahead of them and they could learn and fill in as a role-player.

“That will be important when the young mistakes come out and they want to jump all over them. That’s when we’ll find out truly what kind of captains and leaders they are.”

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The Sutherland cross country squad will have more depth as they head into the 2012 high school season. There will be eight boys and three girls running the roads, pastures, and golf courses of Lincoln County.

Fourth-year head coach Jessica Saner heads into the upcoming season with optimism.

“We have a larger group of kids running this year than we have had in the past few years, with a lot of upperclassmen,” Saner said. “They have all been working hard in practice to motivate each other to run hard.

“I like the competition that has developed this year due to a few new runners. They are all going to push hard to be the best at practice and meets every day.

“I expect to bring home several medals after our first meet in Cambridge. This will only motivate the runners to work harder to improve their times for the rest of the season.”

As the season progresses, Saner will look to a junior and a sophomore to lead her team — both of which Saner said put forth a lot of effort during the summer months.

Junior Jayson Rezek is back for the boys squad, while Josie Burke, a sophomore, will be expected to head up the girls team.

“Jayson placed high in several meets last year,” Saner said. “He is a hard worker and was a good runner this summer.

“Josie has been working very hard this summer and had a good track season this past spring, so I am expecting a lot from her in cross country.”

Other returning starters for the Sailors are Tucker Binegar, Alex Parker and Michael Hafer for the boys.

The girls do not have any varsity starters returning.

Work during the summer months should help the Sailors and Lady Sailors meet their goals.

“I had about five kids that ran pretty consistently all summer,” the coach said. “We had organized meeting times where kids were encouraged to run together and we had a pretty good turnout most of the time. Josie and Jayson really took charge of the summer runs and helped decide workouts and lead the other runners.”

Saner is encouraged with her teams work ethic, with several weeks of practice in the books.

“The first week of practice was so nice with the cool weather. The kids were working really hard and that has carried over into the hotter weather of this week.

“They all understand they will most likely be running meets on days like this and keep pushing themselves even when their bodies are hurting. They have started the year with a lot of heart and dedication.”

And what does Saner hope to see during the early season competitions?

“Since we have several new runners, we are really looking forward to our first meet so they can get a better idea of what cross country is all about,” Saner said. “Once they get into a race situation they will get up at the front of the pack and fight to stay there the whole race.”

SOFTBALL CAPSULES

North Platte Class A NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: BJ Songster PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: All starter returning/team speed TEAM WEAKNESS POSSIBLE STARTERS: Pitchers – Ashten Hernandez, Kaite Franzen, Jenny Keck; 1st base – Kaite Franzen, Hernandez; 2nd base – Cheyenne Craghead, Selena Parra; 3rd base – Sydney Standage; Shortstop – Sally Hengen; catcher – Mackenzie Wiseman; outfield – Hannah Hays, Rachel Kosmacek, Christina Yoshida, Karli Flanders.

Class B Lexington NICKNAME: Minutemaids CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Chris Mroczek PLAYER TO WATCH: Halle Gyderson – IF; Halle has been a three year starter and provides great team leadership through her actions and work ethic. Her goals are high for this team and she is the glue that keeps everyone levelheaded.

TEAM STRENGTH: Great senior leadership. Overall team speed. Return five starters.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Play a competitive schedule. How fast some girls step up and compete for open positions SEASON OUTLOOK: The girls had a great summer and worked extremely hard in the weight room. We have the type of group that can put pressure on teams defensively with our team speed. Expectations are high and the girls have set very good goals for the season.

KEY GAME: McCook – District opponent. Holdrege and Gothenburg – rivalry.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Pitchers – Aly Leger, Katelin Schultzer; 1st base – Mackenzie McKeone; 2nd base – Molly Woockman; 3rd base – Aly Leger, Katelin Schultze, Tracy Reynoso; short stop – Halle Gydesen; catcher – Leesa Gierhan, Tracy Reynoso; right field – Skylar Speer; Center Field – Casey Schuger, Mackenzie McKeone; Left Field _ Tracy Reynoso, Aly Leger

Class C Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Roger Neujahr PLAYER TO WATCH: Shay Wear – 2b/OF – She provides a lot of leadership for us; her summer experience with the Belles has helped her become a better player.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience TEAM WEAKNESS: Need more pitching.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Try to improve our pitching, offense, and defense as the season progresses.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Amanda Barkmeier – Pitcher; Emily Franzen – First Base; Shay Wear – Second Base; Taylor Wolf – Third Base; Hanna Wolf – Shortstop; Brit Munster – Catcher

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D8 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

Class A North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Bernie Madison PLAYER TO WATCH: Luke Wright – DE/OT. Very technically sound, strong, and football savvy!

TEAM STRENGTH: O-Line, bigger than we have been. Senior leadership is very important.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be better. The kids are working hard and getting better everyday.

KEY GAME: Getting that first game is big. Then every game after that.

POSSIBLE STARTERS:

Class B McCook NICKNAME: Bison CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Jeff Gross PLAYER TO WATCH: Jake Schlager – Jake suffered a season ending injury and has battled back and is ready for his senior campaign.

TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: McCook returns 11 player with starting experience, 6 of which started both ways. 9 starters return on the defensive side of the ball. 9 starters return o the offensive side of the ball. This should be a very experienced and well-rounded version of bison football.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jake Schlager, Javier Beltran, Vince Lyons, Colton Sis, Cade Hiatt, Gavin Harsh, Kolton Stone, Trevor Matson, Trent Bruntz, Ian Pearson, Austin Cherry, Zayne Gillen, Cody Wudtke, Jacob Reimann, Bryce Lyons, Peyton Stagmeyer, Mitch Collicott, Matt Collicott, Trevor Gleason, Manny Rodriguez, Kyle Stewart, Colton McConnell, Seth Koetter and Clayton Skolout.

Class C-1 Broken Bow NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C-1 HEAD COACH: Mike Garner PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/TEAM WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be young again this year, but a lot of our incoming juniors will be returning starters. We really struggled with injuries last year, but the up side of that is that a lot of kids got starting experienced; we didn’t start the same line-up two weeks in a row last fall. We are able to keep kid’s attitudes up and we have a great group of seniors that we are hoping will lead us back into the play-offs. Last fall was the only the third time in the last 12 years that we haven’t mad the play-offs. We have a new district, but we are still playing some of the old Southwest conference schools like Ogallala, Gothenburg, and Cozad, so we are excited about our new schedule as well KEY GAME: RETURNING STARTERS: OL/DE/K – Tanner Johnson; WR/EB – Hunter Campbell; RB/DL – Nate Evans; RB/LB – Chad Christensen; RB/LB Jordan Anderson.

Chase County NICKNAME: Longhorns CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Dan Lenners PLAYER TO WATCH: Kale Gockley – QB/DB – A leader!

TEAM STRENGTH: Work well together.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth SEASON OUTLOOK: Optimistic KEY GAME: Chadron, Cozad, Gothenburg, Kearney Catholic and Minden. All new schools on schedule this year. We haven’t played any of these schools in the last two years.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Kale Gockley – QB/DB; Dan Sullivan – RB/CB; Michael May – RB/SS; Justin German – FB/LB; Justin Wallin – FB/LB; Hunter Spady – WR; Spencer Hartman – OT; Brian Bell – OG/DE; Callin Ledall – C/DE; Isaac Sorenson – LB; David Almanza – P; David Alanza – K. Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1-9 HEAD COACH: Ron Bubak PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/TEAM WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We are still a somewhat young Football team but I think we will also be very athletic with excellent speed. We are an experienced squad, as many Sophomores & Juniors played a lot of Varsity Football last season, as well as good depth.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We feel our schedule will be challenging throughout the season especially our opening game with 2011 Class B Semi-Finalist Hastings Adam Central. I believe we can be very competitive this season and I feel we can improve on our 4-5 records last season.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: SB/LB – Clay Trejo; SE/CB – Nate Bubak; SB/LB – Colin Wetovick; RB/CB – Jake Paulson; FB/SS – Jacob Rush; FB/LB – Alex Boryca; C/LB – Tanner Evertson; OT/DT – Simon Rangel; OT/DT – Jacob Stallbaumer; SE/SS – Ty Werner; TE/DE – Rhett Montgomery; TE/DE – Blaine Petersen Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1-9 HEAD COACH: Craig Haake PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Swedes will be very inexperienced coming off a quarterfinal run in the playoffs last year. Return only two starters on offense and three on defense. Injuries last year forced some younger players into varsity rolesnow they will have to step up again into leadership and starting roles. We will have a little more speed than last year but need to replace complete starting offensive and defensive line. Competition for those spots will drive the team.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Logan Sheets – RB/LB; Logan Koehler – TE; Blake Ristine – DB; Trent Long – DB. Ogallala NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Jeff McBride PLAYER TO WATCH: Pat Knott – Leader with a chance to be dominant TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: This group will be the youngest team I have ever put on the field. With a great of- season and kids ready to step up it could make for a good year. We are ready to defend the district championship. This should be and exciting year with two new opponents in the regular season.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Pat Knott – RB/LB; Dylan Folchert – WR/S; Luke Tinnon – LB; Brady Cleveland – LB; Jose Garcia – K Valentine NICKNAME: Badgers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Craig Schemeckpeper PLAYER TO WATCH: Trent Osnes – FB/MLB – Led C1 in tackles last season. Two-time all-district (C1-9). Great leader. Honorable mention All-State.

TEAM STRENGTH: Our skill positions are talented. Special teams, kicker and punter.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth in the line and replacing LB and DB’s.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We will have some youth and inexperienced players, but we feel that our core positions from last year are solid. Baring and injuries, we feel we should have a solid team.

KEY GAME: Broken Bow POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jessie Owen – QB/K; Kolton Brown – RB/CB/P; Trent Osnes – FB/LB; Dillon Eklund – WR/SS; Marcus Nelson – WR/LB; Taylor Monroe – TE/LB; Anthony Fasthorse – TE; Matt Kluender – OT/DE; Gunner Hitchcock – OT; Jake Fulton – OG/DE; Donald McCleary – OG/LB; Cory Assarsson C/DE; Tristan Eklund – LB; Jacob Hand - CB Class C-2 Perkins County NICKNAME: Plaimsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C2 HEAD COACH: Chip Kay PLAYER TO WATCH: Vinny Ross – will be a key factor on the offensive and defensive lines.

TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Good mix of returning skill players and lineman on offense. Defensively we return solid core of defensive lineman and outside linebackers. Roster will be heavy with juniors and seniors.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Alex Johnston - RB/LB; Elliot Carlson - RB/LB (Will move to QB this season); Tyrone Summers – OL; Vinny Ross – OL/DL; Blake Poppe - DL

Class A North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Dennis Fornander PLAYER TO WATCH: Boys: Wyatt McGuire; Girls: Libby Burrows – Returning state qualifiers. Wyatt placed 12th both as a freshman and sophomore.

TEAM STRENGTH: Junior and Senior leadership.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Need to develop a consistent top 7-9 runners in varsity and develop depth behind them.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Boys should be a solid team and the girls should be much deeper than last year.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: BOYS: Christian Bradley, Joe Godfrey, Ace Haws, Charlie Hokanson, Wyatt McGuire, Gilbert Seck.

GIRLS: Libby Burrows, Rikki Drews, McKenna Miller, Deion Oliver, Kathryn

▼

St. Pat’s NICKNAME: Irish CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C2 HEAD COACH: Kevin Dodson PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Strong senior class with talented underclassmen TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth SEASON OUTLOOK: Hope to be competitive by season end. Need to develop depth and stay injury free.

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FOOTBALL CAPSULES

KEY GAME: All of them POSSIBLE STARTERS: QB – Sean Keenan, Alex Harms; RB – Brandon Niesen, Matthew Buhrman, Colin Pieper; FB – Chase Kimberling; WR – Adam Pasquinelly, Drew McClellen; TE – Henry Aufenkamp, Mark Mayfield, Zach Mendenhall; OT – Joseph Clinch, Pedro Martinez; OG – Thomas Campbell, Joel Melton; C – Seth Lynes; DE – Alex Harms, Mark Mayfield, Zach Mendenhall, Joel Melton; LB – Henry Aufenkamp, Mathew Buhram, Adam Pasquinelly, Chase Kimberling; CB Sean Keenan, Drew McClellen; FS – Brandon Niesen; Punter – Joseph Clinch; Kicker – Brandon Niesen.

Class D-1 Maxwell NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Ryan Jones PLAYER TO WATCH: Dylan Gage – OL/LB – Great leader. Anchors our offensive line.

Smart linebacker on defense, has a nose for the ball.

TEAM STRENGTH: 7 returning starters on defense. Return our interior linemen on offense, experienced up front.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Breaking in a new QB and a new offense.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We should be tough and physical but will lack team speed. Very coachable group that should improve as the season continues.

KEY GAME: Brady! Tough non-district opponents in Arapahoe & Elm Creek. District favorites are Hemingford & Paxton. Two new opponents with new 8-man teams, Sutherland & Morrill.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Taylor McKeeman - QB/P; Drew Riggs – QB/FS; Jaylon Sturdivant – RB/DE; Jordan Biere – RB; Brandon Groseth – FB/DE; Tanner Vedder – FB; Brandon Fletcher – TE/LB/K; Wyatt Strickland – TE/LB; Dylan Gage – OG/LB; Jared Cox – OG; Charley Kesterson – OG; Jeremiah Keith – C; Marcus Miller – C; Lane Miller – DE/DL; Brady Rosenblad – DE/DL; Ethan Lunkwitz – LB. Paxton NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Mike Morland PLAYER TO WATCH: Kyle Storer – OT/DT – Kyle is healthy this year. He is moving great.

Want to see if he can dominate a game 6’4”, 260lbs TEAM STRENGTH: Experience and good depth TEAM WEAKNESS: QB and TE’s lost to graduation, we believe we have kids that can step I and contribute significally.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We want to compete each and every game to our potential. New District does not know much about opponents.

KEY GAME: Hayes Center last game of the year. Year in and year out they are in the playoffs. Want to see if we belong.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Carrick Perlinger - QB/LB, Zach Blackwell – QB/SS, Tyler Schimonitz – RB, Zach Morland – FB/LB/P/K, Jack Bobbitt – TE, Cam O’Conner – TE, Kyle Storer – OG/DE. Merritt O’Conner – OG/DE, Drake Luedke – C, Austin Wheeler – DE, Alec Fox – DE, Colby Quinn – DE, Zach Blackwell – SS South Loup NICKNAME: Bobcats CONFERENCE: LVC CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Andy Schwarz PLAYER TO WATCH: Garret Dockweiler – Great work ethic, four-year starter.

TEAM STRENGTH: We have good speed and good skill players.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth SEASON OUTLOOK: We hope to be competitive with the teams we play.

KEY GAME: Every game is tough and presents a unique challenge.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Brady Weinman – QB/DB; Garret Dockweiler – OL/LB; Levi Loper – OL/LB; Eamon Schwarz – QB/LB; Derek Hildebrant – RB/DB; Haden Geiser – RB/DB; Kyle Pierce - OL/LB; Kaden Ellis – OL/DL; Carson Badgley – OL; Taylor Hyde – OL/DL; Charlie Blowers – OL/DL; Colter Glendy – RB/DB Sutherland NICKNAME: Sailors CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Joe Kaup PLAYER TO WATCH: Collin Fleecs - WR/DB – After losing the other three DB/WR’s to graduation, Collin is the only returners at the WR. He will need to step up due to our other skill guys being so young. He needs to become our primary target.

TEAM STRENGTH: Two experienced linemen, at returning QB. TEAM WEAKNESS: We are very young and inexperienced (8 of 17 freshman). Depth.

Back-up QB development. Staying healthy.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Being so young and having a few upperclassmen that didn’t play last year, our goal is first and foremost to be competitive. Gaining experience and developing the young guys for the future is a necessity.

KEY MEET: Dropping down from 11-man to 8-man creates a unique experience for us.

Each game is a first time opponent that we don’t know much about.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Tyler Fear – QB/SS/P; Collin Fleecs – WR/CB; Lucas French – OG/DE/K; Zach Blake – OG/DE Class D-2 Anselmo-Merna NICKNAME: Coyotes CONFERENCE: LVC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Matt McGinn PLAYER TO WATCH: Trey Gilligan – FB/DB – Grey is a great leader, a hard working kid, and a senior the young kids look up to.

TEAM STRENGTH: We have good leadership from our seniors, and a group of young kids ready to step up to the challenge.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth SEASON OUTLOOK: We are looking forward to a great season. The kids are excited as song as we stay healthy.

KEY GAME: All of our games are key for us this year, POSSIBLE STARTERS: Dusty Chandler – QB/SS/P; Trent Geiser – RB/CB; Trey Gilligan – FB/CB/K; Kylen Thompson – WR/DE; Tyler McGown – TE/LB; Jake Wells – OG/DE; Tyler Chandler – OG/DE; Clinton Fales – C; Justin Wells - DE Brady NICKNAME: Eagles CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D-2 HEAD COACH: Andy Seaman PLAYER TO WATCH: Michael Neiman LB/RB – Michael is a returning starter on both sides of the ball. Averaged over 7-yards per carry last year with 9 touchdowns. Also had 3 touchdowns receiving. Had 60 tackles and 8 sacks on defense.

TEAM STRENGTH: Our strength’s are in the backfield, we return our starting OB and LB. We also have great depth at the skill positions with various players having great speed.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We are looking to continue our streak at making the playoffs KEY GAME: Maxwell – Rivalry; Bertrand – toughest opponent; Med. Valley – District rival and tough opponent POSSIBLE STARTERS: QB – Zach Mann; RB/FB – Michael Neiman; OG - Datton Simants; C – Matt Litzenberger; LB – Michael Neiman; SS – Zach Mann Elwood NICKNAME: Pirates CONFERENCE: Fort Kearney CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Kevin Mahlberg PLAYER TO WATCH: Spencer Gydesen – B/LB –362 yards rushing, 13 sec. 115yrds, three year starter, 97 tackles, second team all-district.

TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be young with eleven sophomores out. Will be faster because we could not get slower. Only returnees, three starters but letter winners returning are going to be good players. Have decent size and hope a few players add some weight to them. Will be switching some player’s positions so we can get our best athletes on the field. I believe we are going to be a good football team.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Spencer Gydesen – B/LB, Aaron Weismann – QB/C, Branden Grafton – LB, Jacob Schmeeckle

Hitchcock County.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Tristan Johnson – QB/SS; Seth Gohl – RB/LB/P; Austin Meyers – TE/CB/K; Kasey Schwenk – FB/DE; Branson Rawlings – TE/CB; Erick Rodriguez – OG/DT; Taylor Walker – OG/DE; Morgan Harouff – C/DT

Hershey NICKNAME: Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C2 HEAD COACH: Ryan Smith PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Players focus on improvement each day. Very competitive practices.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Developing depth and overall lack of starting experience.

SEASON OUTLOOK: If we stay healthy, we could be a very solid football team KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS:

Hitchcock County NICKNAME: Falcons CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Clark Benne PLAYER TO WATCH: Tanner Bauer – The team has leaned on him for leadership.

TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Last year HCHS played 6-man and lost in the state championship game to Arthur. We are working at making the transition form 6-man to 8-man and don’t feel we will know how we are doing until we play some games.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Anna Fischer, Darbe Dodson, Brittney Esslinger; MH – Abby Werkmeister, Brooke Moore; SETTERS – Tess Whitman

Medicine Valley NICKNAME: Raiders CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Scott Johnson PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We have a good core of seniors returning that should be a solid foundation for our team. It will be very important for our underclassmen to fill key roles. Hopefully the success from last years season can help us with confidence at the start of the season and try to build on that.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Riley Garey – QB/S; Lucas Gleisberg – REC/CB; Rulon Taylor – OL/LB; Brendan Johnsen – OL; Keith Towne - DE

Mullen NICKNAME: Broncos CONFERENCE: LVC/Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Mike Brown PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: To improve each week and stay healthy.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Riley Rice, Matt Furrow, Josh Vinton, Tye Spies, Kory Phillips, Waylon Carpenter, Dalton Zimmerman, Hunter Spurlin, Bailey McMillin, Garrett Cox, Michael Stichke, Britt McIntosh, and Adam Starr.

SMC NICKNAME: Cyclones CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Bill Cranston PLAYER TO WATCH: Levi Peterson – Levi provides both leadership and experience to our team.

TEAM STRENGTH: Speed and senior leadership. New system and staff.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Youth at many areas on both sides of the ball.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Vast improvement is expected with a new coaching staff and new attitude. Senior leadership is key to the success of the cyclones in 2012.

KEY GAME: First game of the season at Overton.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Austin Starr – QB/R; Trevor Hanna – RB/LB; Levi Peterson – FB/LB/P/K; Luke Walz – TE/DE; Ross Johnson – TE/DE/K; Clancey Barnum – OG; Tanner Donohoe – OG; Clay Seifer – C/DE; Ty Waits – C; Ross Johnson – DE; Issac Ascheryl – DE; Mitch Linn – DE; Colt Lewis – DE; Logan Paben – CB; Jesse Paxton – CB; Mason Amweg – R;

South Platte NICKNAME: Blue Knights CONFERENCE: MAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Ken Bartels PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Switching to 8-man will be and adjustment, but I feel our kids will be better suited for 8-man, as we will have some size and decent speed. We will be working hard to end a two-year losing streak!

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Tyson Campbell – G, Sky Waychoff – E, Blake Odenbaugh – B, Andre Plaser – G, Laine Waterman – C, Kris Kopetzky, B

Wallace NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Gary Hager PLAYER TO WATCH: Mark Jameson – OT/DT – Three-year starter. Has a fast motor and great nose for the ball. Impossible to block one-on-one TEAM STRENGTH: Experience, six starters return on defense and five on offense.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth in the backfield.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Should be able to play with anyone on our schedule. Try to make a strong push towards the playoffs.

KEY GAME: Medicine Valley POSSIBLE STARTERS: John Marquardt – QB/CB; Landon Swedberg – RB/CB; Taylor Doell – TE/SS; Mark Jameson – OG/DE; Shane Anders – DE; Kody Funk - FS

Six-man Arthur County NICKNAME: Wolves CONFERENCE: Western CLASSIFICATION: 6-man HEAD COACH: Joe Kupper PLAYER TO WATCH: Logan Lewis – E/DE – Logan is our only senior this year and will have to carry much of the leadership roll. Logan was 2nd team all-state DE last year.

TEAM STRENGTH: We have a fast and athletic group of players this year who react well and can cover the field quickly. Our kids work very hard and always have great attitudes about the game.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We are young this year and somewhat inexperienced. We will make some mistakes early in the season and will need to improve.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I believe that our young kids will learn and develop quickly. The junior’s and sophomores have gained some good experience last year. I look for us to be very competitive again this year.

KEY GAME: Hyannis vs. Arthur is a rivalry game that is always played very tough. We know they will come at us and the game very well could set the tone for the rest of our season. The most important game is always the next one though, so we are not looking past Maywood to anyone else.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Gunner Walker – QB/LB; Seth Compton – RB/SS; Austin Helmer – FB/LB; Logan Lewis – E/DE; Lane Vasa – E/DE; Walter Carr – C/NG; Ben Miles – C/NG.

Eustis-Farnam NICKNAME: Knights CONFERENCE: FKC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Paul Pistulka PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: The knights come off a difficult season having finished 1-7. However, only losing two heavily contributing seniors mean there is a lot of game experience on this team. This will prove to be a positive for our team.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Tyler Green – TE/DE; William Jack – OL/DE; Hunter Ringenberg – RB/LB; Jordan Wetovick – QB/DB; Dustin Koch – DE/TE; Garhett Nielsen – OL/DE; Aaron Hueftle – RB/DB; Collin Thompson – RB/DL; Chris Werth – RB/DB; Austin Boller – OL/DL; Marcus Wilcox – OL/DL; Mitch Rieker – TE/LB; Tanner Redenbaug – RB/LB.

Hyannis NICKNAME: Longhorns CONFERENCE: Western CLASSIFICATION: 6-man HEAD COACH: Chris Kraus PLAYER TO WATCH: Travis Hoover – Was our main player last season.

TEAM STRENGTH: We should be a little better suited for the six-man game. We will have a little better team speed.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Lack of experience will be a factor early on. There is always the matter of injuries to key personnel.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Even though we will be inexperienced, I feel we will improve on last years season.

KEY GAME: Arthur is still the team to beat. New 6-man teams bring in some very good talent. Sioux County and Minatare both have some very talented players. I feel every game will be tough for us.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Travis Hoover – QB/FS; Austin Anthony - QB/FS; Cody Clark – QB/FS; Payden Ayer – RB/LB; Gabe Haney – RB/LB; Ty Grimes – FB/DE; Jeremy Davis – WR/CB; Triston Nielson – WR/CB; Zachary Ash – WR/CB; Dave Saforik – TE/DE; Tanner Holthus – TE/DE; Wyatt Rowe – TE/DE; Joe Hebbert OG/NG; Blake Johnson – OG/NG; Emmitt Hoover – C/NG

Hayes Center NICKNAME: Cardinals CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Dusty Gaston PLAYER TO WATCH: Seth Gohl – RB/LB/P – Seth is a junior and has been a starter since his freshman year. He is a leader on and off the field.

TEAM STRENGTH: We have young athletes that are ready to step up and be contributors.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Replacing eight seniors we are a very young team.

SEASON OUTLOOK: With a new coach and young players we are going to have to work hard but I expect good things out of this team.

KEY GAME: District games against Wallace, Brady, Medicine Valley and new comers

Maywood NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: Western CLASSIFICATION: 6-man HEAD COACH: Charles Jones PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be a young team with only five returning letter winners. There will be some young kids that will have to grow up in a hurry and play right away. We have a good core of kids returning that have varsity experience, we need to find some depth and role players to fill the void of losing six seniors.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Aaron Doxon - WR/DB; Justin Strobel – DL/E; Jacob Dibbern – QB/DB; Dalton Littell – E/LB; Austin Phillips – WR/E

CROSS COUNTRY CAPSULES

Schwartzkof, and Mariah Wilcox.

Class B Lexington NICKNAME: Minutemen & Minutemaids CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Sam Jilka PLAYER TO WATCH: BOYS: Daniel Nguyen – senior leadership. John Mark Shields – young talent. GIRLS: Odaliz Santoyo – Leadership, quality athlete. Venessa Ambriz – quality athlete.

TEAM STRENGTH: BOYS: Larger team numbers, enthusiasm to improve. GIRLS: All girls return from last year’s team that got third at state. Venessa Ambriz (3rdrd) and Odaliz Santoyo (class b champion) return.

TEAM WEAKNESS: BOYS: Young, inexperienced – We’ll rely heavily on freshman to help our team. GIRLS: We need a stronger performance out of our third and fourth runners.

SEASON OUTLOOK: BOYS: It will be a

rebuilding process, gaining experience early in the season. We need younger kids to step up. GIRLS: Exciting opportunities but we have to be willing to work hard. Each year is new, we can’t focus on last years results but establish a new drive and enthusiasm for what we will achieve this year.

KEY GAME: Districts and State.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Class C Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Dustin Favinger PLAYER TO WATCH: BOYS – Garrit Geiger, returning state qualifier, Andres Pelayo, all conference runners, Jesus Estrada, all conference runners. GIRLS – Riley Sigler, state qualifier, Sandra Pelayo, state qualifier, Samantha Carlson, state placer, Elizabeth Vazquez, state qualifier, Janice Garcia, all conference runner.

TEAM STRENGTH: The boys will benefit by having a trio of potential state medalists up front with the ability to pack run and score well in competitive meets. The girls have qualified their team for the state meet the past two years and will draw upon that experience of success to be competitive once again. Our top four girls will be medal contenders in nearly every meet we enter.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: The boys and

girls are looking to repeat their performances of both winning our conference meet again this year. The girls have the potential to qualify as a team for the third consecutive year while the boys are geared up to earn their first team birth to the state meet. Both teams have the potential to be very competitive and score well by pack running.

KEY MEET: POSSIBLE STARTERS:

medalists. GIRLS – Kelsey Crymble – Ninth last year.

TEAM STRENGTH: Good senior leadership.

TEAM WEAKNESS: BOYS - Lack of depth, only 10 boys out. GIRLS – eight last years at state. Everyone returns.

SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY GAME: UNK POSSIBLE STARTERS:

Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Steve Reeves PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY MEET: POSSIBLE STARTERS: BOYS – Aaron Collins, Alex Spencer, Seth Eggleston; GIRLS – Morgan Kowalewski, Carlie Stevens, Abbie Mazour, Holly Hudson, Amanda Kowalewski

Class D Cambridge NICKNAME: Trojans CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Janice Howell PLAYER TO WATCH: Kiel Howell – Kiel missed qualifying for state by 6/10 of a second last year and has a fire for finishing his senior year with success.

TEAM STRENGTH: The two we have out are very dedicated.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We don’t have a full team and need more underclassmen to step in and build the team up.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I think we’ll do well. Our runners are seniors. They know the ropes and can compete well.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Kiel Howell, Seth Cope.

Ogallala NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Shane Fruit PLAYER TO WATCH: BOYS – Dillon McKeag, Derek Rosas – Both should be state medalists. Both are two time state

GOOD LUCK LONGHORNS!!

Eustis-Farnam/Medicine Valley NICKNAME: Knights

CONFERENCE: RPAC/FKC CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Barry Mraz PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: The E-F/MV Cross Country team is looking to continue and build-on the success of last year’s cross country season.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: BOYS: Tanner Mickelson, Connor Russell, Rodger Farr, Tate Hodson. GIRLS – Bryn Bellamy, Katie Jack, Savannah Willis, Pam Felix.

Hershey NICKNAME: Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Jessica Rasby PLAYER TO WATCH: Aliesha Dethlefs TEAM STRENGTH: Hard working TEAM WEAKNESS: We are young, not in terms of class, but we only have one senior and one freshman that have ever run cross-country SEASON OUTLOOK: We have five girls, so we will look to make personal goals and achieve them with each meet.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS:

Please see CROSS, Page D9

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Class C1 Broken Bow NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Ashley Warren PLAYER TO WATCH: Kelsie Myers – setter – she is always working even when she is tired, or no one is watching.

She is a good leader and will help us be successful.

TEAM STRENGTH: Good leadership. Work Hard.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Consistency and finish games SEASON OUTLOOK: We have a lot of girls coming back that played last year and five great senior leaders. We will continue to build a strong team with these girls. They have a lot of potential and I’m excited for the year.

KEY GAME: All conference games are key and any district match.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH- Halie Jones Chase County NICKNAME: Longhorns CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Jodie Schuller PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Team chemistry TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Going to work hard and have some fun, great bunch of kids.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Kristen Jussel, Makeena Ketter; MH – Paige Spady, Mindy Castle; SETTERS – Bethany Sorensen; LIBERO – Morgan Fisher.

Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Darrel Francieserito PLAYER TO WATCH: Molly Thramer – OH – Started as a sophomore and Junior.

TEAM STRENGTH: Five Seniors TEAM WEAKNESS: Ball handling. Haven’t won many games last 2 years.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Hoping to get some confidence early before going into a real tough schedule. Improving from game to game.

KEY GAME: Gothenburg POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Molly Thramer, Morgan Altwine, Kendra Finnell, Payden Knudsen; MH – Haley Montgomery, Shelby Ferrell, Haley Montgomery; Setters – Sara Weber, Molly Cornelius; Lebero – Amanda German.

Gothenburg NICKNAME: Swedes CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Mary Clark PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Gothenburg will be a competitive team; they have a good core of returning starters.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jacey Wiggins – RS; Maddy Costerllo Setnior – DS; Regan Geiken – MH; Taylor Mroczek –OS; Aryn Meisinger – OS/S; Tiani Reeves – M; Ogallala NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Steve Morgan PLAYER TO WATCH: Kendall Schroer – MH – Excellent middle hitter and blocker. Team player and handles pressure well TEAM STRENGTH: experience and balance TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Positive, Ogallala volleyball should be competitive if we simply play as a team.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Morgan Reed, Jess Palovcek; MH – Kendall Schroer, Sidney Mell; SETTERS – Brooke Robertson; LIBERO – Carley Kay Class C2 Hershey NICKNAME: Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C2 HEAD COACH: Amy Beyer PLAYER TO WATCH: Anna Allberry – OH, Returning kills 214, leading attack percentage, 200, 181 digs, serve average 2.04 leader.

TEAM STRENGTH: We will return experience and some athleticism.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Ball handling and blocking (size), communication and unity SEASON OUTLOOK: We have the tools to be a competitive team, but we will need to commit to daily improvement and some kids will need to step up to fill key spots.

KEY GAME: St. Pat’s will be solid POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Daynlee Miller, Megan Hiatt, Jonna Young, Brooke Munsen; MH – Maddie Seamann, Brooke Munsen; Setter – Jenna Young St. Pat’s NICKNAME: Irish CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C2 HEAD COACH: Shelly Byrn PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: 11 returning letter winners, 5 returning starters and 6 seniors.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: Have a very competitive schedule with a group of kids that have some unfinished business.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Samantha Byrn, Bree Saner, Natalie Mackley and Jenna Torres. MH – Shelby Allberry, Brittany Lawrence. SETTERS – Kari Slattery, Brook Boucher.

Perkins County NICKNAME: Plainsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C2 HEAD COACH: Penny Hite SEASON OUTLOOK: We will be young and inexperienced this year losing six seniors last year. We will look to the senior leadership from Shania Metcalf, Michi Prante (returning starters) as well as Jessie Woodmancy to lead this team. Other Letter winners that will be seeing varsity time this year will be juniors: Courtney McClenahan, and Carlie Waitley. We are very optimistic with the newcomers this year and look forward to what they will bring to the team.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Shania Metcalf – MH; Michi Prante – L; Jessie Woodmancy – OH/S; Courtney McClenahan – OH/S; Carlie Waitley – OH. Class D1 Cambridge NICKNAME: Trojans CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Katie Van Westen PLAYER TO WATCH: Jordin Wasson – Began starting last year and has steadily improved. She plays with a very positive attitude and a strong competitive attitude. Incredible jumper who will provide us with a strong block and attack

CROSS from Page D8

Maxwell NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Jared Meinheit PLAYER TO WATCH: GIRLS – Brook Orr – Brooke had a really good season last year.

I look for her to continue that this year. BOYS – Jon Assels – Jon was a first year crosscountry runner last year. He is back and has shown a lot of enthusiasm and improvement.

TEAM STRENGTH: Team has a solid work ethic. They have continued to meet expectations, and still have room to grow. We don’t have numbers, but they push each other.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We don’t have a lot of numbers, varies from year to year. This year we have three runners, numbers help in being competitive in practice.

SEASON OUTLOOK: The first meet of the year is always a hurdle. Lots of nerves going into it. If things continue I see lots of

this year TEAM STRENGTH: Very positive and are showing a strong drive to win. We have a little more height than typical, so hope to be strong blockers. Quick defensively.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Serve receive is always a concern, tough I think we are becoming more consistent. We are a little inexperienced. A couple of major positions will be by players with little prior experience, so hopefully we can come out confident.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Excited for the season – attitudes are positive, work ethic is high. We had a very young starting lineup last year, so hope to benefit from our young returners. This group is ready for some wins and are very capable of doing well. We will be quick and hopefully scrappy, so I think we will be surprising a few teams this year.

KEY GAME: Obviously, districts will be important for us, as the teams will match up well. But, I think conference will tell us a lot about our team with a lot of competitive teams.

Hopefully, we can use it to propel us into the last part of the season.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jordin Wasson, Rachelle Carpenter, Emily Whipple, Sloan Johnson, Kadee Long, Mikayla Kent, Taylor Cross, Breanna Eubanks.

Elwood NICKNAME: Pirates CONFERENCE: FKC CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Condina Schutz PLAYER TO WATCH: Rachel Mahlberg – OH – Fouryear starter, great leader, works very hard in off-season.

Leader in all stats, first team FKC TEAM STRENGTH: We will return all of our starters from last year. Most being 2,3 and 4-year starters.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We need our teammates/players to push each other harder so we will all get better.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I look for us to be very competitive with the experience we will bring back this year.

KEY GAME: I look for Overton and Axtell to be our tougher competition.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Rachel Mahlberg, Desirai Grassmeyer; MB – Ryan Fiene, Anna Eggers; SETTERS – Sheridan Banzhaf, Lexie Remmenga; LIEBRO – Sarah Rahjes Maxwell NICKNAME: Ladycats CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Lori Mau PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Work ethic and attitude! The girls really get along and work as a team.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Experience SEASON OUTLOOK: We are excited to see how we do.

With hard work, good attitudes and the desire to be the best we can, I look for tons of improvements throughout the season.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: I am unsure of any starters at this point and we are not focused on individual achievements or glory, but in team cohesiveness and unity for success this season.

Paxton NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Jody Rhodes PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Fundamentally sound. Passing.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Blocking.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Sutherland is our biggest rival and has a great team, as does St. Pat’s KEY GAME: Sutherland is our biggest rival and has a great team as does St. Pat’s POSSIBLE STARTERS: Bailee Schow, Stephanie Hornyak, Gabby Perlinger, Mary Vasquez – OH, Brekkan Martinowsky, Austin Hackney – MH, Taylor Holzfaster – Setter.

SMC NICKNAME: Cyclones CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Kami Florea PLAYER TO WATCH: Middle Blockers – Torie Opela and Sammy Riedel – These girls bring a lot of leadership to the table. They also have a lot of experience.

TEAM STRENGTH: Depth – we have a lot of girls out and a strong young group coming up.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We are lacking experienced girls at our setter’s position.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I look forward to this season. We should be very competitive and hopefully our younger girls will break out of their shells.

KEY GAME: Strong conference with Mullen, Sandhills/Thedford and Brady.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Alyssia Johnson, Savannah Donohoe, Ashley Starr; MH – Torie Opela, Sammy Riedel; SETTERS – Kayla Klosen, Kandace Ward.

Sutherland NICKNAME: Sailors CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D1 HEAD COACH: Valerie Kershner PLAYER TO WATCH: Sam Kennedy – MB, 6’ middle who will make a big impact offensively and defensively.

TEAM STRENGTH: Several player with varsity experience returning, good leadership from our seniors, we will be an aggressive and powerful team in many areas.

TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH-Jalyne Schuster – 5’8” Junior – will bring a lot of athleticism and aggressiveness to the outside position, MH - Kelsey Dillenburg – 5’10” Junior, S - Joli Hopping – 5’4” Senior – experienced setter who makes smart choices and will be a team leader, L – Kaley Stokey – 5’0” Sophomore – athletic player who will hustle to the ball and will be a play maker.

Class D2 Anselmo-Merna NICKNAME: Coyotes CONFERENCE: LVC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Kindle Arnold PLAYER TO WATCH: Janae Hostick – S/RS – Athletic ability both as setter and a hitter. All around player and excellent leadership.

TEAM STRENGTH/WEEKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Tough season as far a conference teams. We didn’t lose any starters last year though so the girls know what kind of competition they are up against.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Hannah Kirkpatrick, Victoria Downey, Mackenzie Myers, Kassie Russell; MH – Katie Kirkpatrick, Heather Davis; SETTERS – Janae Hostick, Megan Max; LIBERO – Elise Crouch.

Arthur County NICKNAME: Wolves CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Heather Kramer PLAYER TO WATCH: Taylor Vasa – MH – Taylor has the attitude to take her anywhere she wants to go. She has put in the hours in the weight room this summer and we expect great things from her in the coming years.

TEAM STRENGTH: Five returning starters.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Throwing freshman immediately into varsity action.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Looking to improve on our record from last year, and compete at a higher level than ever before.

KEY MEET: We always look forward to playing Hyannis.

They will have a strong team this year. With that being our second game of the season, we will soon see how we can match up with tough teams POSSIBLE STARTERS: Kenzie Walker – S/OH; Charmane Macomber – S; Taylor Vasa – MH, Emily Vinton – S/OH; Morgan Peterson – MH. Brady NICKNAME: Eagles CONFERENCE: Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Lynne Johnson PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK:

growth over course of the season. We have to stay positive and hope to beak by SPVA and Districts.

KEY GAME: McCook, SPVA and Districts POSSIBLE STARTERS: Brooke Orr, Jon Assels, and D’Laince Otoseth.

Maywood NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Thompson Herman PLAYER TO WATCH: GIRLS: Justine Stone, BOYS: Quinton Phillips – both have state meet experience TEAM STRENGTH: 1. Experience. 2. Familiarity with coach, routines TEAM WEAKNESS: 1. Toughness. 2.

New training system/how will it impact the runners?

SEASON OUTLOOK: Very small team so injuries could be devastating… must avoid injuries, must avoid illness…work ethic is good, but toughness to handle the hard workouts must improve.

KEY GAME: Districts POSSIBLE STARTERS: BOYS: Quinton Phillips, GIRLS: Justine Stone, Sanna Erverastnag

We are working to replace right side, which is coming along really well. We are pretty deep and have a lot of options.

Carissa Rayburn will stay at libero for now, as she is a phenomenal passer. Have lots of experience coming back and should do well.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Anna Fischer, Darbe Dodson, Brittney Esslinger; MH – Abby Werkmeister, Brooke Moore; SETTERS – Tess Whitman Eustis-Farnam NICKNAME: Knights CONFERENCE: FKC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: JoHanna Utterback & Corrine Muenchau PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: With five returning starters, six returning letter winners, and two enthusiastic coaches, the Laky Knights volleyball team has high expectation this season. The team worked hard in the off-season by attending open gym. lifting weights and attending camps. Corrine Muenchau joins JoHanna Utterback as co-coaches of the team. Together, they have ten years of coaching experience between them. Alex Pleschourt and Preston Rieker will be key players and leaders for the team again this year. Anyone on the team is capable of playing any position at any moment. This has created enthusiasm and healthy competition amongst the team. The team looks to be very competitive throughout the season.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Brittany Wolf, Melanie Johnson; MH – Preston Rieker; SETTER – Alex Pleschourt, Kain Jones, Melissa Johnson.

Maywood NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Janice Arent PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: Young, willing to learn.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Young, lack of experience.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We will get better as the season progresses and we get more experience.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Anna Fischer, Darbe Dodson, Brittney Esslinger; MH – Abby Werkmeister, Brooke Moore; SETTERS – Tess Whitman Medicine Valley NICKNAME: Raiders CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Teresa Ruppert PLAYER TO WATCH: Taylor Sandoe – High VB IQ, can play any position, is a good athlete.

TEAM STRENGTH: Experience, all starters return, played together a long time.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Depth, height SEASON OUTLOOK: Very positive.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Taylor Sandoe, Starla Henderson; MH – Sierra Schmidt, Grayce Jorgensen; SETTERS – Shaylee Schroeder, Kylee Heinzle; LIBERO – Regan Garey Mullen NICKNAME: Broncos CONFERENCE: LVC/Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Belinda Coble PLAYER TO WATCH: All of them, we will be a very dynamic team this year with everyone on the court contributing. Madison Tomlinson received Honorable Mention AllState last year.

TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY GAME: In LVC, Twin Loup and Sandhills/Thedford.

In SHC, Brady and Sandhills/Thedford.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Madison Tomlinson, Rachel Hoesing, Amber Wright, Mikayla Daniels, Clara Vinton, Cassidy Daly, Hailey Storer, Jessica Lovitt and Haley Gracey.

Hayes Center NICKNAME: Cardinals CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Rachel Peter PLAYER TO WATCH: Whitney Rosno – OH – She brings a very spirited, intense, fun attitude to the court. Last year she started as a freshman and led the team in nearly every category.

TEAM STRENGTH: Competitive attitude. The team brings intensity and a fire to win every single day.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Young and inexperienced. Only returning three letter winners and starters form last year.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We’ll have some bumps along the way with our youth but once we figure things out and gain some confidence I think we should be very successful and fun to watch. I’m excited to see what this team can become KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH – Whitney Rosno, Kerbie Large; MH – Colby Cox, Megan Christner; SETTER - Sarah Cox, Andrea Wach; LIBERO – Taylor Cooper, Kaitlin Howard Sandhills-Thedford NICKNAME: Knights CONFERENCE: LVC & Sandhills CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Katie Hoblyn PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: We lost three seniors last year and with that a lot of leadership. This will create the opportunity for younger kids to step up and fill those roles. We will focus on playing as a team and persistence. The key to a good season is to remain injury free.

KEY MEET: POSSIBLE STARTERS: RH – Taylor Marten, Shaina Simonson; MH – Chantelle Milleson, Jacy Spencer, Kelsey Higgins; SETTER – Kaitlin Marten, Frankie Sierks; LIBERO – Sarah Miles Wallace NICKNAME: Wildcats CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D2 HEAD COACH: Elizabeth Strand PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: These girls work well together and are excited for the upcoming season. Some of them really worked over the summer to improve. We have some returning starters and we’ll have competition for all of the starting positions.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We have to find our leadership – I think there are a few girls willing to take the role of leaders so it will work out just fine. Every year is a new group of girls, so getting used to each other will be a part of our development too.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We hope to show improvement throughout the season. This team is capable of playing at a high level; we just have to work through some changes as the season goes, which is the same as every other team.

KEY GAME: RPAC is always tough. Perkins County Triangular (Perkins County, Hitchcock County and Wallace) will let us see where we’re at- its Sept. 4.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: OH - Katelyn Melton, Sara Hubbard, Rachel Marquardt, And Abby Rohde. MH – Chelsea Sowle, Christina Daniels, SETTERS – Anna Griffiths, Alex Lundvall. LIBERO – Mickayla Sheets

Paxton NICKNAME: Tigers CONFERENCE: RPAC CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Dale Schroeder PLAYER TO WATCH: BOYS - Garrett Perlinger – Garrett placed at state last year.

GIRLS – Mary Vasquez – Mary is in her first year as a senior.

TEAM STRENGTH: BOYS – Good numbers and experience. GIRLS – Good kids who want to run.

TEAM WEAKNESS: none SEASON OUTLOOK: BOYS – Hope to continue where we left off last season.

GIRLS – small in numbers, big in heart.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: BOYS – Tayler Cassell, Connor Merrill, and Garrett Perlinger. GIRLS – Brandi Kumm Perkins County NICKNAME: Plainsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Paula Wurst PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS/SEASON OUTLOOK: Last year, our girls team

finished 10th at state. We have four of our girls returning from that team. Newcomers Melissa Price and Emily Kemling should add depth to this already talented group. The boys have a lot of experience. Seniors Brendon Barry and Mark Hanson have come into the season in excellent shape, providing strong senior leadership.

KEY MEET: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Brendon Barry, Mark Hanson Jessi Hoffert, Jake Sexson, Robert Engel, Courtney Lyon, Dalton McCormick, Mariah Curtis, Kendra Hoffert.

Sutherland NICKNAME: Sailors CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: D HEAD COACH: Jessica Saner PLAYER TO WATCH: BOYS: Jayson Rezek- Placed high in several meets last year. Hard worker. Good runner this summer.

GIRLS: Josie Burke – Has been working very hard this summer. Had a good track season this past spring, so expecting a lot from her in Cross Country.

▼

VOLLEYBALL CAPSULES

Class A North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Laura Miller PLAYER TO WATCH: Anna Allberry – OH, Returning kills 214, leading attack percentage, 200, 181 digs, serve average 2.04 leader.

TEAM STRENGTH: We only lost two players off of last year’s team. We have a lot of depth; will make for lots of competing for positions.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Blocking and Defense.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Girls are motivated wanting to beat Ogallala, Kearney and Grand Island! Should be Conference Champions! Want to host districts here in NP and go the State!!

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Anna Allberry – OH, Abby Bradly – MH, Allexis Menghini – MH, Allison Sawyer – setter, Kylie Wroot, R/O.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

D9

BOYS TENNIS CAPSULES

Class A North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Dale Hall PLAYER TO WATCH: Cameron Bargell and Michael Odle – Cameron and Michael are both returning varsity players and should be good leaders for the rest of the team to follow TEAM STRENGTH: We have some upper classmen with returning varsity experience. Good number of tennis players in out Junior/Senior classes and all should provide good competition during practices.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We need to get more 9th and 10th graders out to help with overall team depth SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY GAME: I believe all of our competitions will be important throughout the season to help us find our strengths and weaknesses. The conference meet is important because it came help us set the tone for the State Tournament in Omaha POSSIBLE STARTERS: Cameron Bargell, Michael Odle

Class B Lexington NICKNAME: Minutemen CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Ben Klein PLAYER TO WATCH: Brody Lauby, Justen Gutierrez – Saw moderate success last year. He has put in a lot of extra work over the summer.

TEAM STRENGTH: We return four starters and I expect them to be starters again this season. Also, this team, as a whole, is really a bunch of good hard workers.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Talent level. This is not the most gifted team I’ve coached, but as I stated they are hard workers. I think they will rise to the challenge.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Conservatively, I’d like to see us at .500. Optimistically I think we can win 3/4th’s of our duals. Invites, I’d like to see us finish in the top half of every meet.

KEY MEET: Obvious Conference is one of the toughest meets we go to all year. We see four class A schools that are always very good, POSSIBLE STARTERS: Justen Gutierrez, Brody Lauby, Coleman Evans, Elliot Magaire, Kevin Hua, Eduardo Teela.

McCook NICKNAME: Bison CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Matt Wiemers PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: We return four letter winners from last years team.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Developing doubles teams SEASON OUTLOOK: We have the talent and experience to be competitive. The players are optimistic about our upcoming season.

KEY GAME: Kearney – conference favorite. Elkhorn South – Favored to win state.

Skutt – Will also contend.

POSSIBLE STARTERS:

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▼

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

GIRLS GOLF CAPSULES

Girls Golf Class A North Platte NICKNAME: Bulldogs CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: A HEAD COACH: Jim Orcutt PLAYER TO WATCH: Jordyn Pearson – vastly improved over last season; Tessa Burford – also worked hard and improved; Jenae States – Tough competitor.

TEAM STRENGTH: 1. Depth 2. High School meet experience TEAM WEAKNESS: Who will be the players to establish themselves as a leader SEASON OUTLOOK: I look for this team to get better and more confident with each meet KEY MEET: NP Invite at River’s Edge and Districts at Lake Maloney POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jordyn Pearson, Tessa Burford, Jenae States, and Erin Green

Class B Broken Bow NICKNAME: Indians CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Amy Taylor and Sara Myers PLAYER TO WATCH: Kaleigh Page – Kaleigh is very excited and wants to dedicate herself to improving her game. We want to see her medal this year.

TEAM STRENGTH: We are very encouraging to each other as a team. Each player tries to support and assist others.

TEAM WEAKNESS: We do not have many players, so we need to make sure everyone is ready to play for each meet.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We are hoping to see some of our players medal and become more confident golfers.

KEY MEET: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jessica Littlejohn, Kaleigh Page, Jill Oatman, Alexzandria and Taya Klein.

Cozad NICKNAME: Haymakers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Stan Mackowski PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Hannah Gilg, Autym Malcom, Emily Ratkovec, Andrea Neil, Taza Weinmaster, Alyson Smock and Jordyn Worrell

Lexington NICKNAME: Minutemaids CONFERENCE: GNAC CLASSIFICATION: B HEAD COACH: Lauren Daberkow PLAYER TO WATCH: TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: SEASON OUTLOOK: We are starting this season with several girls returning from last year and have added some new players. The season starts off again with some tough courses, which most of the girls have not played. We will have to be patience and look for improvement as the season progreses. I think we will be competitive by districts, but we again are in a district with two of the top teams in the state.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Morgan McFadden, Chloe Gonzales, Sheridan Fieke, and Elena Virgilio

Class C Gothenburg NICKNAME: Lady Swedes CONFERENCE: SWC CLASSIFICATION: C1 HEAD COACH: Tara Foster PLAYER TO WATCH: Heidi Teahon – Heidi is an upcoming senior who possesses great leadership skill and portrays a positive attitude on the course. She had an outstanding performance at the district meet last year that led her to the State Tourney in Columbus.

TEAM STRENGTH: Great work ethic, very team oriented, always looking to improve their game.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Tough competition to come.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Hoping to take individuals to the state tourney, better yet making it as a team. Continue to work on our short game.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Senior – Heidi Teahon; Juniors – Courtney Brown, Kelsey Kuhlman, Sydney Sell; Sophomores – Taylour Marshall, McKinley Harm.

Hershey NICKNAME: Panthers CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Teresa Rotert PLAYER TO WATCH: Samantha Miller – Ashlie Walters: We will be looking to our two returning letter winners for leadership. However, all five of our varsity players will lend strength to the team. Newcomer Kelsey Sides is a great addition to the team, Courtney Laubner and Kaelyn Klaasmeyer have moved up from jr. varsity to round out our young, but enthusiastic team.

TEAM STRENGTH: TEAM WEAKNESS: No seniors, young, inexperienced but four new players that are also working hard to learn and improve.

SEASON OUTLOOK: I believe we will steadily improve, with hopes of doing well at meets and possibly qualify some for state.

KEY GAME: POSSIBLE STARTERS: Samantha Miller, Ashlie Walters.

Mullen NICKNAME: Broncos CONFERENCE: LVC & SHC CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Kyle Hoyt PLAYER TO WATCH: Jayna Egle – Has the capability to shoot in the low 80’s.

TEAM STRENGTH: Positive Outlook TEAM WEAKNESS: Low numbers.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Improvement week to week.

KEY GAME: District meet in Ogallala

Please see GOLF, Page D11

Good Luck to All Area Schools

Please see CROSS, Page D11

GOOD LUCK SAILORS!!

BRULE, GRANT, ELSIE, WALLACE, SUTHERLAND, ROSCOE

800-308-6096

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

D10 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Cross country makes return at Hershey Lady Panthers field girls team

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Telegraph file photo

Hershey’s Daynlee Miller digs a ball during a volleyball game at Hershey last season. Miller is one of several seniors for the Lady Panthers this season.

Making a major move Lady Panthers drop to C2 for volleyball this season

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

That last two seasons for Hershey’s volleyball team has ended with a sub-district loss to Ogallala.

That won’t be the case this season, but it still won’t be an easy road for the Lady Panthers.

Hershey drops from C1 to C2 for volleyball this season. The drop means no more Lady Indians in the sub-district.

“We just couldn’t get past Ogallala,” said Lady Panthers head coach Amy Beyer. “At this point, I’m not sure it wasn’t as much mental as anything else.

“They have so much tradition, it might be good getting away from them.”

Instead, the Lady Panthers will have Perkins County and St. Pat’s as sub-district foes this season.

“We get away from Ogallala, but there are two tough programs waiting for us,” Beyer said. “I’ve always

believed if you’re going to reach the state tournament, you should earn it.

“If we get there, we will earn it.”

Hershey returns four starters this season from a 16-11 team a year ago. Despite the experience, Beyer believes her team will have to make some adjustments and grow throughout the season.

“The biggest hole we have to fill is a ball handler,” the coach said.

“We have to do better with passing and setting as we lost that to graduation.

“We have several girls that can hit for us, but we need some primary passers.”

The Lady Panthers return Daynlee Miller, Maegan Hiatt, Jenna Young and Brooke Munson as outside hitters and Maddie Seamann as a middle hitter.

Young will see work as a setter this season after being the team’s libero last year.

“Plus, we have Brooke Freder-

ick,” Beyer said. “Although coming back from her leg injury, she’s out for a little while. She played softball all summer, but in the two weeks of volleyball practice, it’s the first jumping she’s done and I think it’s made her a little sore.”

As Beyer’s squad adjusts to new roles and learns new skills, it will take patience on everyone’s part to improve.

“We’re not going to be great off the bat,” Beyer said. “A lot of teams had great summers and are ready to go.

“The difference is, we have a tremendous amount of room for improvement. We have to have our seniors step up and take leadership roles and we have to have girls willing to adapt. But we can get better and we have so much room for growth.”

Hershey opens the volleyball season at the Lexington Invite on Sept.

1.

Unexpected benefits Injuries last season has Hershey loaded with experience

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

The worst-case scenario hit Hershey football last season. The Panthers struggled through a 5-4 season with a ton of injuries that brought a team many thought was ready for a postseason run, down to earth.

Fortunately for the Panthers the other side of that coin is that many of the players who are stepping in this season have experience from last year to fall back on.

“I guess in the heat of the moment, I didn’t realize,” said Hershey head coach Ryan Smith. “But, with the injuries we had, we used a lot of kids last season that we didn’t think would be ready until this season.

“So, one thing that surprised me

is the depth we have. We only have 33 kids out for football, but a lot of them have experience after last year.”

In other words, last year hurt, but there is a silver lining.

“Despite losing some really good seniors,” Smith said, “we have good experience up front and we got some guys developed nicely.”

The Panthers will have new players in the backfield.

“I’m pretty comfortable with Tyler Brown and Josh Margritz and Gaige Marshall,” Smith said.

“They came through and played well last year and in fall practice.”

One of the biggest changes for the Panthers is the schedule. No longer is Sutherland on the schedule as the Sailors have dropped to D1 this season.

“It’s a little strange not having

them on the schedule,” Smith said.

“We’ve got a schedule where we have five non-district games to start the season and finish with our three district rivals.”

Those district rivals are Dundy County-Stratton, St. Pat’s and Cambridge.

“It’s nice that the district games are at the end of the season,” Smith said.

“We get to work on our team, work on getting better before we tackle districts.

“If we’re going to advance, we’re going to earn it. Thankfully we have experience and depth that, without the injuries last year, we wouldn’t have.”

Hershey opens the season on Aug. 31 at Kimball. The Panthers first home game of the season will be Sept. 14 against Perkins County.

All preps! One site! All the time!

There was some doubt when school opened at Hershey.

The doubt surrounded the school’s cross country season. At first there were three girls planning to run, but the school wanted a full team of five girls or, like last season, it would cancel the season.

“I’m not sure how it all happened, but we have five girls,” said Lady Panthers’ head coach Jessica Rasby. “I guess some of these girls really wanted a season this year.”

Aliesha Dethlefs appears to be the leader of the team — and perhaps in recruiting.

“Aliesha really wanted to run this year as a senior,” said Rasby. “She ran as a sophomore and she didn’t want the season cancelled like last year, so she might have something to do with the other girls running.”

The other four members of the team are Krystay Schufeldt, Ariel Clemens, Jessica Hicks and Laurel Huebner. Clemens and Hicks are seniors, Schufeldt is a junior and Huebner is a freshman.

“Laurel is the only other runner with experience,” Rasby said. “She ran for the team as a seventh grader two years ago.”

Rasby said despite her team’s lack of experience, she’s been pleased with them in practice.

“Honestly, I’ve been surprised and happy with their dedication,” the coach said. “They get along really well and they are hard working.

“I don’t think we’ll have any problem through the season.”

Instead of setting team goals, Rasby said the focus of the squad will be in setting personal bests each week and trying to get stronger as the year progresses.

“These girls all get along and push each other at practice,” Rasby said. “I’m sure they will lift each other up and support one another at each meet, so we will strive to get better each meet.”

The Lady Panthers start the season on Aug. 31 at the Cambridge Meet.

“We’ll see where we are,” Rasby said. “From there, we’ll just keep running and trying to get better.

“The girls get along great. I’m sure it will be a fun season.”

Hershey girls golf needs time to grow, mature Lady Panthers feature young players just learning the links

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Youth brings hope. Youth brings enthusiasm. Youth also means learning as you go.

Hence, the challenge to Hershey girls golf coach Teresa Rotert who has no seniors on a golf team filled with youth.

“We won’t start with a lot of razzle dazzle,” Rotert said.

“We will look to show steady improvement and hope we improve each time we go out.”

The Lady Panthers are led by Samantha Miller and Ashlie Walters, two returning letter winners. They will be joined on varsity by Kelsey Sides, Courtney Laubner and Kaelyn Klaasmeyer.

“We’re young and the girls will have to be steady,” Rotert said. “If we have problems, we’ll just go back to basics and work on their games.

“These girls are all hard working and I don’t see too much of a problem.”

While the team has been enthusiastic at practice and get along with each other, Rotert knows youth can also bring frustration.

“I don’t think it will be a problem, but these are teenage girls,” the coach said. “So, if we get frustrated, we will go back to basics, working on things we know we can trust and work through it.”

Rotert believes the fact the girls all get along will make the season fun.

“If they all show steady improvement and have fun, it makes for a better season,” the coach said. “We will strive to get better each time out and hopefully get a couple of girls at least into the state meet.”

One change for the Lady Panthers involves the postseason. Hershey has been moved east for this year’s Class C District Tournament, playing at Wild Horse Golf Course in Gothenburg after playing in Ogallala the past few seasons.

“Ogallala moved down to Class C, so they put them in that district,” Rotert said. “It’s a change and our new district has some good golf programs like Kearney Catholic and Minden.

“But, instead of worrying about it, we just need to focus on our games and things will work out. It’s going to be a fun season with these girls.”

Hershey opens the season today at McCook. The Lady Panthers will host Perkins County on Sept. 4 and host the Hershey Invite on Sept. 25.

GOOD LUCK INDIANS!!

Good Luck Area Sports Teams 411 S. Dewey • North Platte

534-4800

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

D11

’Cats runners are few, but getting better Three out for cross country

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Telegraph file photo

Two Maxwell defenders take down a Brady ball carrier in the annual contest between the two arch-rivals last season.

The two schools will once again play each other to open the season. Brady is at Maxwell today.

Wildcats plan ground and pound

In sports, sometimes its not the size of the team, but the size of the team’s heart.

Maxwell enters the cross country season with three runners, two boys and a girl. Despite not having large numbers, cross country head coach Jarod Meinheit believes his squad will have a good year.

“We’ve never had big numbers,” Meinheit said of the program. “Numbers breed competition, so my biggest concern is that these three all push each other.”

Brooke Orr returns as the Lady Wildcats’ lone entry this season.

“Brooke had a really good season last year,” Meinheit said. “I look for her to continue that this year.”

On the boys side, Jon Assels returns and D’Lainee Groseth joins.

“Jon was a first-year runner last year,” Meinheit said.

“He’s pretty dedicated and has set goals for this season.

“He’s matured and works to push himself and the others in practice.”

The team, and the coach, held several fund raisers over the summer to help offset the cost of the cross country program. Despite the small numbers, Meinheit said his team is getting stronger.

“This group has a solid work ethic,” the coach said.

“They have met expectations and continue to have room to grow and improve.”

Maxwell begins the season on Aug. 30 at the Cozad Invite.

“The first meet of the year is always a hurdle,” Meinheit said.

“There are lots of nerves going into it.

“If things continue as practice has, I see lots of growth over the year.

“We have to stay positive and hope to peak by the SPVA and district meets.”

Returning linemen have Maxwell going back to power game

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Maxwell made a deep run in the postseason a few years ago by running the ball with a “ground and pound” offense. The Wildcats are going back to that offense in 2012.

With three returning offensive linemen, the Wildcats will use that experience up front to become a power running attack once more.

“It fits what we have returning,” said Maxwell head coach Ryan Jones.

“We have some big guys up front and, with a new quarterback, it seemed to fit even better.

“Our strength is our offensive line. We’re going to practice ball control and run it right at you.”

One of those returning starters on the offensive line is Dylan Gage, who also plays linebacker on defense.

“Dylan is a great leader,” Jones said. “He anchors our offensive line and he’s a smart linebacker with a nose for the ball.”

According to Jones, Drew Riggs won a fall practice battle with Taylor McKeeman to become quarterback for the Wildcats.

“Riggs won a close battle,” Jones said. “Taylor

will play quite a bit and for us to be successful, both will need to play well for us.”

Jaylon Sturdivant, Jordan Biere and Brandon Groseth will be in the backfield for the Wildcats.

Groseth will be the fullback.

“Jaylon is a strong running back,” Jones said.

“He’s really good and uses good technique.”

Defensively the Wildcats return seven starters.

“We should be pretty good defensively,” Jones said. “We’re going to be tested all season long, but we should get better each and every week.”

The Wildcats have a

tough schedule ahead of them. Maxwell opens the season today hosting archrival Brady before playing Arapahoe, Elm Creek, Paxton, Sutherland, Morrill, SMC and Hemingford.

“We have a very tough non-district schedule,” Jones said. “We have our work cut out for us this season.

“But, this is the way you should schedule your program. If we expect to be in the playoffs every year, and I believe we’re at that point right now, then you need a tough schedule.

“It may not produce a perfect record, but it will make your team playoff ready.”

Lady ’Cats working on team unity Young, inexperienced team trying to come together for season

By ROGER BLUHM sports@nptelegraph.com

Back in the early 1970s the Miami Dolphins won back-to-back Super Bowls with the No-Name defense.

The concept was that a bunch of no-name players banded together to become a great defense, a great team. Maxwell volleyball coach Lori Mau is hoping that approach can be used to build a winning squad for the Lady Wildcats.

“We have a lot of new girls and we don’t have a lot of experience,” Mau said. “So, rather than highlight any players, we’re taking the approach that we are one team.

“It’s us, not I.” For Mau, this means several things.

“It doesn’t matter who is playing,” the coach said. “We have jobs to do, things that have to be done and we all are accountable.

“We’ve lost several players and we have to regroup together and improve throughout the season.”

Mau is taking the Lady Wildcats back to basics.

“We are using a lot of fundamentals,” the coach said. “We work to get better and better. We’re going to get losses, but most kids, if they work extremely hard, will improve, have fun and enjoy themselves.

“We want to work hard and improve day by day, game by game.”

Mau said her team is young and inexperienced, but coming together as one unit, one team.

“It’s what we have to do,” the

coach said. “We have to get them to band together as one unit and work as a unit to get better each day.

“As high school coaches, you coach whatever players are there each year. We have a group of girls who are fun, who are learning and who want to be here in Maxwell. We need to get better each and every practice, every game, every week.

We will take small steps.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. We have one senior on the team. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We’ll take some lumps early, but we want to be a team no one wants to face at the end of the season and peak at districts.”

Maxwell opens the season at Brady on Aug. 30.

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GOLF from Page D9 POSSIBLE STARTERS: Jayna Egle and Aubrea Kruse

Perkins County NICKNAME: Plainsmen CONFERENCE: SPVA CLASSIFICATION: C HEAD COACH: Troy Kemling PLAYER TO WATCH: Carra Johnson – She provides leadership to the team and is willing to help out the younger players. Carra has an optimistic attitude.

TEAM STRENGTH: Varsity experience, coachable girls, encourages and support each other.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Lack of summer preparation. The girls didn’t play this summer like I had hoped they would. We also have more competition for varsity positions this year. I hope the girls decide to rise to the challenge and focus on improving their game everyday.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We have some tough teams in our district that we will see to open up the season at Bayard. Whatever the gap is at Bayard, between us and Chadron, Dundy County, and Ogallala. Our goal is to close the gap by the end of the season. Our younger players are going to challenge for a varsity spot, which should only make us better.

KEY GAME: Ogallala Meet. We will have districts there later. It will show the ladies how far we have improved and how fare we still have to go.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Carra Johnson, Shania Stickley, Hailey Sletten, Capri Meyer, and Amanda Reichert

Valentine NICKNAME: Badgers CONFERENCE: Southwest CLASSIFICATION: HEAD COACH: Devin Muirhead PLAYER TO WATCH: Caitlyn Burgess – She never gives up. She always gives her best for the team.

TEAM STRENGTH: We learned to grow close as a team, which helps us to be relaxed because we know we have our teammates behind us.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Having a solid fifth person that has experience and confidence to do well for the team.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We’re going to go out and be as strong or close to strong as our team was last year.

KEY GAME: Districts. We are in a different district so we are going to have to prepare to different schools.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Shawna Wheeler, Michelle Running, and Caitlyn Burgess.

CROSS from Page D9

TEAM STRENGTH: Good leader’s for boys and girls.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Have a lot of new runners this year, so with that come inexperience.

SEASON OUTLOOK: We have higher numbers than we have had in the past and I see several athletes competing very well by the end of the season for both the boys and girls.

KEY GAME: Conference – SPVA and District meets.

POSSIBLE STARTERS: BOYS: Jayson Rezek, Greg McKain, Chandler Tyan, Tucker Binegar, Alex Parker, Michael Hafer. GIRLS: Josie Burke, Kaylynn Lantis, Alexis Scott.

Coaches: Please call in your scores. We can be reached at (308) 532-6000, at sports@nptelegraph.com or by fax to (308) 532-9268.

Good Luck

All Area Teams!

Shirley Kissinger GRI, SFR

530-1391 532-1810 www.kissingerhomes.com

An independently owned and operated firm.

810 S. Dewey North Platte, NE

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW ▼

D12 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

8/24/12 High School Football Norfolk at North Platte Lexington at Scottsbluff McCook at Aurora Gothenburg at Ogallala Cambridge at Bayard St. Pat’s at Kimball Anselmo-Merna at South Loup Brady at Maxwell Paxton at Hayes Center SMC at Overton Southwest at Hitchcock County South Platte at Wallace Sandhills/Thedford at Stuart Arthur County at Maywood Cody-Kilgore at Wauneta-Palisade High School Girls Golf Kearney Invite (North Platte) High School Boys Tennis McCook at (Kearney Catholic, Kearney) College Volleyball NPCC Subway Invite (Eastern Wyoming, Williston State, Colby, McCook, Northeastern) 8/25/12 High School Softball LPS Tournament in Lincoln (North Platte) Holdrege Invite (Cozad, McCook) Lexington Invite (Gothenburg) High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Papillion South Invite McCook Invite (McCook) College Volleyball NPCC Subway Invite (Eastern Wyoming, Williston State, Colby, McCook, Northeastern) 8/28/12 High School Softball Lexington at North Platte Cozad at McCook Chase County at Holyoke, Co. High School Girls Golf Lexington at North Platte Broken Bow at Minden Triangular Cozad at Kearney Catholic 8/29/12 College Volleyball NPCC at Hastings JV 8/30/12 High School Volleyball Sidney Tri (North Platte, Ogallala, Sidney) St. Pat’s at Perkins County Minden at Lexington Hastings at McCook Broken Bow at Gothenburg Cozad at Southern Valley Ainsworth Tri (Valentine, Ainsworth, Winner, S.D.) Cambridge Tri (Cambridge, Alma, Bertrand) Elwood Tri (Elwood, Wilcox-Hildreth, SEM) Dundy County-Stratton Tri (Hitchcock County, DCS, Arapahoe) Maxwell at Brady Paxton at Sutherland Hyannis Tri (SMC, Hyannis, Cody-Kilgore) South Loup at Mullen Twin Loup Tri (Anselmo-Merna, Twin Loup, Ansley-Litchfield) Axtell Tri (Eustis-Farnam, Axtell, Elm Creek) Maywood Tri (Maywood, Rawlins County, Kans., Southwest) South Platte at Sedgwick County Wallace at Wauneta-Palisade Chase County at Haxtun, Co. Hay Springs at Arthur County High School Softball North Platte at Kearney (Lincoln High/Lincoln East) Cozad Tri (Minden, Adams Central) Lexington at Gothenburg Southern Valley at Chase County McCook at Holdrege High School Cross Country Cozad Invite (North Platte JV, Cozad, Gothenburg, Maxwell) Perkins County at Goodland, KS High School Girls Golf Broken Bow at GICC Invite High School Boys Tennis McCook at Hastings 8/31/12 High School Football North Platte at Lincoln Pius X Lexington at York Scottsbluff at McCook Ogallala at Broken Bow Valentine at Chamberlain, S.D. Chase County at Gordon-Rushville Cozad at Adams Central Gothenburg at Mitchell Cambridge at Oberlin, Kan. Hershey at Kimball Bridgeport at St. Pat’s Perkins County at Dundy County-Stratton South Loup at Burwell Maxwell at Arapahoe Overton at Sutherland Medicine Valley at Elwood Hayes Center at Eustis-Farnam Bertrand at Brady Hitchcock County at Cheylin, Kan. Wallace at Creek Valley Twin Loup at Mullen North Central at Sandhills/Thedford South Platte at Leyton Hyannis at Arthur County Maywood at Sioux County Wauneta-Palisade at Minatare High School Volleyball Medicine Valley at Elwood Garden County at Paxton Hyannis at Arthur County Hayes Center at Eustis-Farnam) Maywood at Sioux County Medicine Valley at Elwood North Central at Sandhills/Thedford Wauneta-Palisade at Minatare Maxwell at Arapahoe Beatrice Invite (Ogallala) Twin Loup at Mullen High School Girls Golf North Platte Invite (Gothenburg, Cozad) High School Girls Softball Perry, Okla. At Chase County High School Cross Country North Platte at Cheyenne Mt. Stampede, Colorado Springs Co. Cambridge Invite (Eustis-Farnam/Medicine Valley, St. Pat’s) College Volleyball NPCC at Colby Tourney 9/01/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Lincoln SW Quad (Lincoln North Star, Lincoln SW) Lexington Invite (Lexington, McCook, Cozad, Hershey, Broken Bow, Chase County) Minden Invite (Valentine) Hay Springs at Arthur County Beatrice Invite (Ogallala) High School Softball McCook Invite (North Platte, McCook, Cozad, Gothenburg) High School Boys Tennis Kearney Invite (North Platte) College Volleyball NPCC at Colby Tourney 9/04/12 High School Volleyball St. Pat’s Tri (Cambridge, St. Pat’s, DCS) Gothenburg Tri (Gothenburg, Sutherland, Southwest) O’Neill Tri (Valentine, O’Neill, West Holt) Perkins County Tri (Perkins County, Wallace, Hitchcock County) Brady Tri (Paxton, Brady, SMC) Anselmo-Merna Tri (Anselmo-Merna, Ansley-Litchfield, Pleasanton) Arthur County at Creek Valley Cody-Kilgore at North Central Cheylin-Brewster Tri (Hayes Center, Cheylin-Brewster, Wallace County) Hyannis Tri (Hyannis, Sandhills/Thedford, Mullen) Arapahoe Tri (Maywood, Arapahoe, Loomis) Chase County at Wray, Co. High School Softball Grand Island at North Platte Hastings Tri (Cozad, Hastings, Aurora) McCook at Lexington High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Capital City Invite High School Cross Country

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

Lexington Invite (Gothenburg, Lexington) High School Girls Golf Broken Bow at Centura Quad Cozad Tri 9/5/12 College Volleyball NPCC at McCook 9/06/12 High School Football Sutherland at Southwest High School Volleyball Aurora at North Platte Broken Bow Tri (St. Pat’s, Cozad, Broken Bow) Holdrege at McCook Overton at Cambridge Bertrand at Elwood Maywood at Maxwell South Loup at Sandhills/Thedford Sutherland at Sidney Wauneta-Palisade at St. Francis, Kans.

High School Softball Lincoln Southeast at North Platte High School Girls Golf North Platte at McCook Broken Bow Invite (Gothenburg) High School Cross Country Chase County Invite (St. Pat’s, Perkins County) 9/07/12 High School Football Lincoln East at North Platte Gering at Lexington Northwest at McCook Broken Bow at Gothenburg Gordon-Rushville at Valentine Sidney at Chase County Mitchell at Cozad Gibbon at Ogallala Kimball at Cambridge Hershey at Southern Valley Bayard at St. Pat’s Holyoke, Colo. at Perkins County Overton at South Loup Elm Creek at Maxwell Paxton at Wallace Mullen at SMC Sandhills/Thedford at Anselmo-Merna Hayes Center at Elwood Eustis-Farnam at Medicine Valley Amherst at Brady Hitchcock County at South Platte Arthur County at Cody-Kilgore Wauneta-Palisade at Hyannis Minatare at Maywood High School Volleyball Paxton at Wallace Mullen at SMC Arthur County at Cody-Kilgore Amherst at Brady Eustis-Farnam at Medicine Valley Minatare at Maywood Holyoke, Colo. at Perkins County High School Softball Scottsbluff Invite (Gothenburg) High School Girls Golf Lexington Invite (North Platte, Lexington, Gothenburg, Broken Bow, Cozad) High School Cross Country Kearney Invite (North Platte) Broken Bow Invite (EustisFarnam/Medicine Valley) High School Boys Tennis Scottsbluff/Alliance at North Platte McCook at York Invite 9/08/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Gering Tri (Alliance, Gering) GICC Invite (Lexington) Southwest Conference at Ogallala (Cozad, Ogallala, Gothenburg, Valentine, Broken Bow) Elm Creek Tournament (Hershey, Elm Creek, Cambridge) Loomis Tournament (Elwood, Loomis, Eustis-Farnam, Maxwell) Hitchcock County Invite (Hitchcock County, Hayes Center, Wauneta-Palisade) Seven Valleys Tournament at Callaway (South Loup, Anselmo-Merna, Brady, Sandhills/Thedford, Medicine Valley) Garden County Round Robin Tournament (South Platte) High School Softball Cozad Invite (Lexington) Scottsbluff Invite (Gothenburg) High School Cross Country North Platte at Cheyenne MTN Stampede at Colo. Springs Lexington at Lincoln Pius Broken Bow Invite (Gothenburg) High School Boys Tennis North Platte Invite College Softball NPCC at McCook 9/10/12 High School Boys Tennis McCook at (Kearney Catholic, GICC) High School Cross Country Alma Invite (Eustis-Farnam/Med Valley 9/11/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Ogallala Gothenburg at St. Pat’s Cozad Tri (Cozad, Alma, Arapahoe) Elwood at Cambridge Hitchcock County at Maywood Leyton at Paxton SMC Tri (SMC, Hyannis, Sandhills/Thedford) South Loup Tri (South Loup, Medicine Valley, Brady) Arthur County Tri (Arthur County, Garden County, Mullen) Eustis-Farnam Tri (Eustis-Farnam, Amherst, SEM) Hayes Center Tri (Hayes Center, Wallace, DCS) South Platte at Banner County Wauneta-Palisade at Southwest Elm Creek at Maxwell Holyoke, Co. at Chase County High School Softball North Platte at Kearney Lexington at Cozad Hastings at McCook Chase County at Gering High School Girls Golf Gothenburg Invite (North Platte, Gothenburg, Broken Bow, Cozad) High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Kearney Lexington at McCook College Volleyball NPCC at Northeastern Co. 9/13/12 High School Volleyball St. Pat’s Tri (Ainsworth, Ogallala, St. Pat’s) Lexington Tri (Lexington, Broken Bow, Ravenna) McCook at Phillipsburg, Kans.

Chase County at Wauneta-Palisade Bennett County of Martin, S.D. at Valentine South Platte Tri (Perkins County, South Platte, Paxton) Loomis Tri (Elwood, Loomis, Axtell) Hitchcock County at Maywood SEM at South Loup Spalding/Spalding Academy at Anselmo-Merna High School Softball Cozad at Northwest St. Paul at Lexington Holdrege at Gothenburg High School Girls Golf Hastings Invite (North Platte, Broken Bow) High School Cross Country McCook Invite (North Platte, McCook, St. Pat’s, Perkins County) Lexington at Central City Fillmore Central Invite (Gothenburg) College Volleyball Central CC at NPCC 9/14/12 High School Football North Platte at Bellevue East Lexington at Northwest McCook at Gering Cozad at Broken Bow Winner, S.D. at Valentine Chase County at Chadron Ogallala at Kearney Catholic Southern Valley at Cambridge Perkins County at Hershey St. Pat’s at Ravenna South Loup at Elm Creek Leyton at Maxwell SMC at Sandhills/Thedford Arapahoe at Sutherland

Good Luck Area Teams

Anselmo-Merna at Mullen Elwood at Alma Amherst at Eustis-Farnam Brady at SEM Southwest at Hayes Center Bertrand at Hitchcock County Medicine Valley at Axtell Wallace at Loomis Wauneta-Palisade at Arthur County Cody-Kilgore at Minatare Sioux County at Hyannis High School Volleyball North Platte at LPS Classic SMC at Sandhills/Thedford Anselmo-Merna at Mullen Wauneta-Palisade at Arthur County Brady at SEM Cody-Kilgore at Minatare High School Softball Chadron at Chase County High School Girls Golf Dawson County Invite (Gothenburg, Cozad) High School Cross Country Arapahoe Invite (Eustis-Farnam/Med Valley) College Volleyball NPCC at Northeastern 9/15/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Lincoln SE/SW Tournament NPCC Tournament (St. Pat’s, Hershey, Paxton, SMC, Eustis-Farnam, Maxwell) McCook Invite (McCook, Cambridge, Chase County) Bridgeport Tournament (Perkins County) Hemingford Tourney (Hyannis) Gering at Ogallala High School Softball North Platte Classic (North Platte, Lexington) Northwest Invite (Gothenburg) Hastings Invite (McCook) High School Boys Tennis McCook at Lexington Invite College Softball NPCC at Western Nebraska 9/17/12 High School Volleyball Maywood Invitational (Elwood, Maywood, Arthur County, South Platte) High School Softball Holdrege at Cozad High School Girls Golf Ogallala Invite (North Platte, Ogallala, Cozad) High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Papillion–LaVista Invite 9/18/12 High School Volleyball Kearney at North Platte St. Pat’s at SMC Cozad Tri (Lexington, Cozad, Ogallala) Hastings Tri (McCook, Hastings, Crete) Chase County at Sidney Gothenburg Tri (Gothenburg, Minden, Axtell) Sutherland Tri (Perkins County, Sutherland, Creek Valley) Southern Valley at Elwood Paxton Invite (Paxton, Wallace, Wauneta-Palisade) South Loup Tri (South Loup, AnselmoMerna, Elm Creek) Arthur County Tri (Arthur County, Hyannis, Mullen) Pleasanton Tri (Eustis-Farnam, Pleasanton, Wilcox-Hildreth) Maxwell at Medicine Valley Sioux County at Hyannis High School Softball McCook at North Platte Cozad at Chase County Lexington at Minden (Gothenburg) High School Boys Tennis North Platte at McCook High School Girls Golf Loup City at Broken Bow College Volleyball NPCC at Eastern Wyoming 9/20/12 High School Volleyball Broken Bow at Ravenna Cozad at Sutherland Ogallala at Perkins County Valentine at Burwell Hershey at Southwest Cambridge Tri (Cambridge, Hitchcock County, Arapahoe) Amherst Tri (Elwood, Amherst, Overton) Paxton at South Platte Wauneta-Palisade at Hayes Center Mullen at Sandhills/Thedford Chase County at St. Francis, KS (Dundy County-Stratton) High School Softball North Platte at Lexington Cozad at Scottsbluff (Gering) High School Girls Golf Gothenburg at North Platte High School Cross Country Grand Island Invite (North Platte) Dundy County Invite (St. Pat’s) Hershey at Cozad Perkins County at Ogallala High School Boys Tennis Holdrege at McCook College Volleyball NPCC at Southeast CC 9/21/12 High School Football Fremont at North Platte Alliance at Lexington Sidney at McCook Broken Bow at Valentine Chase County at Cozad Gothenburg at Minden Cambridge at Perkins County Bridgeport at Hershey Wood River at St. Pat’s South Loup at Loup City Maxwell at Paxton Morrill at SMC Sutherland at Hemingford SEM at Anselmo-Merna Elwood at Bertrand Eustis-Farnam at Loomis Brady at Medicine Valley Hayes Center at Wallace Mullen at Sandhills/Thedford Garden County at South Platte Maywood at Cody-Kilgore Hyannis at Minatare Sioux County at Wauneta-Palisade High School Volleyball Maywood at Cody-Kilgore Hayes Center at Wallace Hyannis at Minatare High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Hastings College Volleyball NPCC at Johnson Co. CC 9/22/12 High School Volleyball Sutherland Tournament (St. Pat’s, Sutherland, Broken Bow, Chase County) Northwest Invite (Lexington) Holdrege Invite (McCook, Holdrege) Hershey Invite (Hershey, Gothenburg) Brady Tournament (SMC, Brady, South Loup, Anselmo-Merna, Eustis-Farnam, Wauneta-Palisade, Maxwell) Ansley Tournament (Sandhills/Thedford) High School Softball Lincoln SE Tournament (North Platte, McCook) Crete Invite (Lexington) Gothenburg Invite High School Boys Tennis North Platte at Hastings Invite High School Cross Country Rim Rock Classic, Lawrence, KS (Lexington) Minden Invite (Gothenburg, Eustis-Farnam/Med Valley) High School Girls Golf Broken Bow at Holdrege Invite College Softball McCook at NPCC College Volleyball NPCC at Johnson Co. CC 9/24/12 High School Girls Golf North Platte at Kearney Holdrege Invite (Gothenburg, High School Cross Country UNK Invite (North Platte, Lexington, Gothenburg, Eustis Farnam/Med Valley, Perkins County)

9/25/12 High School Volleyball Lexington at North Platte Mullen at St. Pat’s McCook Tri (McCook, Cozad, Cambridge) Perkins County Tri (Chase County, Perkins County, Gothenburg) Valentine Tri (Valentine, Hyannis, North Central) Wauneta-Palisade at Hitchcock County Paxton Tri (Maxwell, Paxton, Hayes Center) Anselmo-Merna Tri (Anselmo-Merna, Sandhills/Thedford, Twin Loup) Wallace Tri (Brady, Wallace, Maywood) South Platte at Potter-Dix High School Softball Gothenburg at North Platte Cozad Tri (Centennial, Southern) High School Boys Tennis Lexington at North Platte High School Girls Golf Cozad Tri (Broken Bow, Gothenburg) 9/27/12 High School Football Hemingford at SMC High School Volleyball Holdrege at Broken Bow Hershey at Valentine Elm Creek Tri (Elwood, Elm Creek, Pleasanton) Medicine Valley Tri (Paxton, Medicine Valley, Arapahoe) Twin Loup Tri (South Loup, Twin Loup, Spalding/Spalding Academy) Garden County at Hyannis Chase County Tri (Maxwell, Chase County, Sutherland) High School Softball Cozad at Gothenburg Lexington at Hastings Holdrege Tri (Chase County, GICC/Doniphan-Trumbull) McCook at Kearney High School Cross Country Gothenburg Invite (Gothenburg, North Platte JV, Lexington, Eustis-Farnam/Med Valley, St. Pat’s) High School Girls Golf SWC at Gothenburg College Volleyball Hastings JV at NPCC 9/28/12 High School Football North Platte at Lincoln North Star Sidney at Lexington McCook at Alliance Broken Bow at St. Paul Valentine at Ord Mitchell at Chase County Cozad at Gothenburg Chadron at Ogallala Hershey at Bayard Ansley-Litchfield at South Loup Sutherland at Maxwell Paxton at Morrill Anselmo-Merna at Eustis-Farnam SEM at Elwood Wallace at Brady Medicine Valley at Hitchcock County Mullen at Hay Springs Sandhills/Thedford at Garden County South Platte at Creek Valley Arthur County at Sioux County Cody-Kilgore at Hyannis Maywood at Wauneta-Palisade High School Volleyball Twin Cities Tournament (Lexington, McCook) SEM at Elwood Ansley-Litchfield at South Loup Anselmo-Merna at Eustis-Farnam Arthur County at Sioux County Wallace at Brady Mullen at Hay Springs Twin Cities Tourney at Scottsbluff (Ogallala) High School Girls Golf GNAC (North Platte, Lexington, McCook) SWC at Gothenburg (Gothenburg, Cozad, Broken Bow) 9/29/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Columbus Invite Twin Cities Tournament (Lexington, McCook) Gothenburg Invite (Gothenburg, Perkins County) West Holt Tri (Valentine, West Holt, Battle Creek) Dundy County-Stratton Tournament (Hitchcock County, DCS, Hayes Center, Maywood, Medicine Valley) Four Corners Tournament at Thedford (SMC, Sandhills/Thedford) High School Softball GNAC at Scottsbluff (North Platte, Lexington, McCook) Cozad at Yutan-Mead Invite at Yutan High School Boys Tennis GNAC at Norfolk (North Platte, Lexington, McCook) 10/01/12 High School Girls Golf North Platte at Districts Gothenburg at Districts Broken Bow at Districts 10/02/12 High School Volleyball Ogallala at North Platte St. Pat’s Tri (Chase County, Southwest) Cozad at Hershey Cambridge at Southern Valley Hitchcock County at Rawlins County Quad Paxton at Dundy County-Stratton SMC at South Loup Anselmo-Merna at Arcadia-Loup City Arthur County at South Platte Medicine Valley Tri (Brady, Medicine Valley, Maywood) Centura Tri (Broken Bow, Centura, Hastings St. Cecilia) High School Softball Holdrege at Lexington High School Girls Golf North Platte at Districts High School Boys Tennis McCook at Scottsbluff/Alliance 10/3/12 College Volleyball McCook at NPCC 10/04/12 High School Football Southwest at Medicine Valley High School Volleyball St. Pat’s at Brady Gothenburg Tri (Lexington, Gothenburg, McCook) Broken Bow Tri (Broken Bow, Ogallala, Minden) Perkins County at Chase County Holdrege at Cozad Sutherland at Hershey Southwest at Cambridge Arapahoe at Elwood South Loup Tri (Maxwell, South Loup, Sandhills/Thedford) Overton Tri (Eustis-Farnam, Overton, Loomis) Wauneta-Palisade Tri (Maywood, Wauneta-Palisade, DCS) South Platte at Wallace High School Softball North Platte at Districts High School Boys Tennis McCook at North Platte High School Cross Country SPVA at Perkins County (St. Pat’s, Perkins County) SWC at Valentine (Gothenburg) RPAC at Alma (Eustis-Farnam/Med Valley) 10/05/12 High School Football Lincoln High at North Platte Lexington at Holdrege McCook at Hastings Ord at Broken Bow O’Neill at Valentine Gothenburg at Chase County Kearney Catholic at Cozad Ogallala at Mitchell St. Pat’s at Cambridge Dundy County-Stratton at Hershey Perkins County at Oberlin, Kan. Maxwell at Morrill Hemingford at Paxton SMC at Sutherland Bertrand at Anselmo-Merna Elwood at Loomis Eustis-Farnam at SEM

Brady at Hayes Center Hitchcock County at Wallace Garden County at Mullen Creek Valley at Sandhills/Thedford Potter-Dix at South Platte Minatare at Arthur County Sioux County at Cody-Kilgore Hyannis at Maywood High School Volleyball Hitchcock County at Wallace SMC at Sutherland Bertrand at Anselmo-Merna Minatare at Arthur County Brady at Hayes Center Hyannis at Maywood Potter-Dix at South Platte High School Softball North Platte at Districts High School Cross Country GNAC at Scottsbluff (North Platte, Lexington, McCook) College Volleyball Northeastern JC at NPCC 10/06/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Kearney (Lincoln SE/Lincoln NE) St. Pat’s Tri (Hershey, St. Pat’s, Maxwell) St. Francis Quad (Hayes Center) High School Cross Country GNAC, Scottsbluff (North Platte, Lexington) 10/7/12 College Volleyball NPCC at Doane College Quad 10/08/12 High School Volleyball Minden at Cozad Fort Kearny Tournament at SEM (Elwood, Eustis-Farnam) Arthur County at Brady Garden County Tri (Wallace, Garden County, Potter-Dix) High School Girls Golf Class A State at Norfolk Class C State at Columbus 10/09/12 High School Volleyball McCook at Southwest Valentine at Todd County, S.D. Dundy County-Stratton Tri (Hershey, Perkins County, DCS) Cambridge at Hitchcock County Paxton at Creek Valley Maywood at Sutherland Medicine Valley at Wauneta-Palisade Broken Bow at Ainsworth High School Girls Golf Class A State at Norfolk Class C State at Columbus 10/10/12 High School Softball State at TBA College Volleyball Southeast CC at NPCC 10/11/12 High School Volleyball McCook at North Platte SPVA Tournament at Imperial (St. Pat’s, Maxwell, Hershey, Sutherland, Chase County, Perkins County) Kearney at Lexington Southwest at Gothenburg Gordon-Rushville Tri (Valentine, Gordon-Rushville, Alliance) SMC at Hayes Center Loup Valley Tournament (South Loup, Anselmo-Merna, Sandhills/Thedford) Hyannis Tri (Arthur County, Hyannis, South Platte) Ainsworth Tri (Cody-Kilgore, Ainsworth, Stuart) Shelton at Broken Bow Arapahoe at Medicine Valley High School Softball State at TBA High School Cross Country North Platte at Districts, Pioneer Park, Lincoln Lexington at Districts, Ogallala High School Boys Tennis Class A State in Omaha (North Platte) Class B State in Lincoln (Lexington, McCook) 10/12/12 High School Football North Platte at Grand Island Hastings at Lexington Holdrege at McCook Broken Bow at O’Neill Valentine at Ainsworth Chase County at Kearney Catholic Cozad at Minden Ord at Gothenburg Gordon-Rushville at Ogallala Cambridge at Hershey St. Pat’s at Dundy County-Stratton Bayard at Perkins County South Loup at Palmer SMC at Maxwell Sutherland at Paxton Anselmo-Merna at Loomis Eustis-Farnam at Elwood Hayes Center at Hitchcock County Wallace at Medicine Valley Mullen at Creek Valley Sandhills/Thedford at South Platte Arthur County at St. Edward Cody-Kilgore at Walthill Hyannis at Santee Maywood at Silver Lake Wauneta-Palisade at Elba-North LoupScotia High School Volleyball Hayes Center at Hitchcock County Loup Valley Tournament (South Loup, Anselmo-Merna, Sandhills/Thedford) Wallace at Medicine Valley High School Softball State at TBA High School Boys Tennis Class A State in Omaha (North Platte) Class B State in Lincoln (Lexington, McCook) College Volleyball NPCC at Jimmy John Invite (Columbus) 10/13/12 High School Volleyball SPVA Tournament at Imperial (St. Pat’s, Maxwell, Hershey, Sutherland, Chase County, Perkins County) Scottsbluff Tri (McCook, Ogallala, Scottsbluff) Valentine Invite (Valentine, Cozad) Loup Valley Tournament (South Loup, Anselmo-Merna, Sandhills/Thedford) MAC Conference Tournament at PotterDix (South Platte) College Volleyball NPCC at Jimmy John Invite (Columbus) 10/15/12 High School Volleyball RPAC Tournament (Cambridge, Hitchcock County, Paxton, Hayes Center, Maywood, Wallace, Wauneta-Palisade, Medicine Valley) College Volleyball Eastern Wyoming at NPCC 10/16/12 High School Volleyball Sutherland at St. Pat’s Lexington at Holdrege Chase County at Hershey

Cozad at Hastings Broken Bow Invite (Gothenburg, Broken Bow, Valentine) Kimball at Perkins County Elwood at Maxwell RPAC Tournament (Cambridge, Hitchcock County, Paxton, Hayes Center, Maywood, Wallace, Wauneta-Palisade, Broken Bow, Medicine Valley) Sandhills Conference Tournament (SMC, Arthur County, Brady, Sandhills/Thedford) L Club Tournament at Litchfield (Anselmo-Merna, South Loup) 10/17/12 College Volleyball NPCC at Central CC

10/18/12 High School Football Hitchcock County at Brady Medicine Valley at Hayes Center South Platte at Mullen St. Edward at Maywood Kearney Catholic at Gothenburg Elwood at Anselmo-Merna High School Volleyball North Platte at Scottsbluff Norfolk Tri (Lexington, Norfolk, Hastings) Cambridge Tri (Cambridge, Kearney Catholic, Holdrege) Hitchcock County at Brady Sandhills Conference Tournament (SMC, Arthur County, Brady, Sandhills/Thedford) Medicine Valley at Hayes Center Creek Valley Tri (South Platte, Garden County, Creek Valley) College Volleyball Concordia JV at NPCC 10/19/12 High School Football Kearney at North Platte McCook at Lexington Ainsworth at Broken Bow Valentine at Chadron Minden at Chase County Ogallala at Cozad Kearney Catholic at Gothenburg Dundy County-Stratton at Cambridge Hershey at St. Pat’s Perkins County at Bridgeport Twin Loup at South Loup Hemingford at Maxwell Paxton at SMC Morrill at Sutherland Elwood at Anselmo-Merna Bertrand at Eustis-Farnam Walthill at Arthur County Santee at Cody-Kilgore Elkhorn Valley at Hyannis Silver Lake at Wauneta-Palisade High School Volleyball Walthill at Arthur County Twin Loup at South Loup High School Cross Country Class A State Class B State Class C State Class D State

10/20/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at Kearney Tri (Kearney, Grand Island) Southern Valley Tournament (St. Pat’s) Cozad Invite (Cozad, Gothenburg, Valentine, Perkins County, Cambridge) Axtell Tournament (Elwood, Axtell) Sandhills Conference Tournament (SMC, Arthur County, Brady, Sandhills/Thedford) Wood River Tourney (Broken Bow) Alliance Invite (Ogallala) 10/22/12 High School Volleyball Maxwell at Eustis-Farnam

10/23/12 High School Volleyball Grand Island at North Platte St. Pat’s at Paxton McCook at Chase County Kearney Catholic Tri (Broken Bow, Hershey, Kearney Catholic) Gothenburg at Cozad Cambridge Tri (Cambridge, Sutherland, Elm Creek) Eustis-Farnam at Elwood Maywood Tri (Hitchcock County, Maywood, Hayes Center) Bertrand at Maxwell SMC Tri (SMC, Cody-Kilgore, Arthur County) Anselmo-Merna Tri (South Loup, Anselmo-Merna, Mullen) Ansley-Litchfield Tri (Brady, Sandhills/Thedford, Ansley-Litchfield) Leyton Tournament (South Platte) Wauneta-Palisade at Wallace Ainsworth at Hyannis Dundy County-Stratton Tri (Southwest, Medicine Valley) 10/25/12 College Volleyball NJCAA Region IX at North Platte

10/26/12 High School Volleyball Ogallala Tri (Gothenburg, Ogallala, Valentine) Perkins County Tri (Perkins County, Bayard, Garden County) Little Wound Tri (Cody-Kilgore, Hay Springs, Little Wound) Broken Bow at Centura College Volleyball NJCAA Region IX at North Platte 10/27/12 High School Volleyball GNAC at Columbus (North Platte, Lexington, McCook) College Volleyball NJCAA Region IX at North Platte 10/31/12 High School Volleyball North Platte at District (TBA) 11/2/12 College Volleyball District G Playoff 11/3/12 College Volleyball District G Playoff 11/08/12 High School Volleyball State Tournament in Grand Island 11/09/12 High School Volleyball State Tournament in Grand Island 11/10/12 High School Volleyball State Tournament in Grand Island 11/15/12 College Volleyball NJCAA National 11/16/12 College Volleyball NJCAA National 11/17/12 College Volleyball NJCAA National

Shrake Body Shop, Inc. David Refior, Owner

102 W. Front St. North Platte, NE

308-532-1053 Fax 308-532-2283

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