2013 Class C-1 football preview

Cozad's Jake Paulsen

This class has always been a highly competitive class in football as well as basketball. In the past, it always seems like Norfolk Catholic and Pierce are the kingpins. When Adams Central dropped down from Class B they certainly moved up to that level and now Arnie Johnson has Boone Central/NG up there in that august company. As I said, sweet class.

....and what we shall see in 2013:

*Norfolk Catholic - It all starts and ends with head coach Jeff Bellar. Difficult to top what this man has done at Norfolk Catholic. Since 1991, Bellar has reached the championship game 12 times and has guided the Knights to 8 state titles including the past three. Catholic returns only 5 starters from a year ago, three on offense. Sounds thin but remember this a Jeff Bellar team. 1000 yard rusher Jackson Love is one of those 3 on offense and is a superb "yards after contact" runner. We'll see if Bellar goes with a sophomore at QB (Matt Miller) or senior Zach Pospisil, who has looked good according some reports. They're sure touting the Norfolk high transfer Keegan Ehlers, who has excellent speed at wide-out and DB. The line, experienced or not, will have lots of big fellas.

*Pierce - Another one of Nebraska high school's finest coaches is at the helm for the Bluejays. Hard to beat Mark Brahmer folks. Pierce will also have to replace some very fine departed seniors, but do have a dandy, experienced QB returning in Lane Rohrich. Pierce loves to run the ball, but Rohrich still threw for nearly a thousand yards in 2012 (917). If I'm Rohrich, I would be very happy that all-state junior lineman Charles Kruger is in the trenches. Kruger may very well be a D-1 recruit before it's all over. Circle Oct 18th on your calendar. Pierce gets Catholic at home. The Bluejays return about the same number as NC, so Brahmer will no doubt work some more magic. You just almost expect these two to meet again in the playoffs.

*Boone Central/Newman Grove - Welcome to the top tier of C-1, Cardinals. Boone made it all the way to the championship game in 2012 and just may have enough firepower to get there again. The Cardinals lost a tremendous talent in QB Tanner Mazour, but another Mazour (Wyatt) just might take the steering wheel this time around and he's a good one. One of the talented wide receivers is back, Derek Gentrup. Gentrup is great at creating spaces and hauled in 35 passes for 515 yards a year ago. The line looks pretty solid too. Arnie Johnson looks like he has almost everybody in school out for football. Big numbers and huge interest up there in Albion. The addition of a proud Newman Grove proud program doesn't hurt either. Cardinals face Norfolk Catholic and Pierce in successive weeks (Sept 6 and 13).

* Adams Central - The Patriots don't back down to anybody. They didn't in Class B and have not in C-1. Coach Bill Carlin might be the finest offensive wizard in C-1 and is certainly is one of the best in all Nebraska HS football at making halftime adjustments. Fundamentally, Adams Central is outstanding year in and year out, especially in the line. There haven't been too many years AC didn't feature a 1000 yard rushing back. In 2013 rough, tough Buzz Niederklein will replace the fantastic Jake Fowler. Niederklein nearly ran for a thousand yards in a back-up a year ago. Only 158 yards short. The Patriots return about the same number of starters as Norfolk Catholic, Pierce, and Boone Central/NG. Going to come down to coaching and injuries. Don't forget about that very fine Lathan Smidt in that AC line either.

*Columbus Lakeview - Hey, it's time for Lakeview to make that deep playoff run. Super quarterback Jake Shadley is a senior, has every passing record I know of and has two years starting experience. That's scary. The Vikings have one of the best sprinters in the state in the backfield in Mark Jarecke and also possess an outstanding, senior laden offensive line. This team will score in bunches and might short out some scoreboards, but it's the defensive side of the ball Kurt Frenzen wants to shore up. Lakeview will find out right away how good they are travelling to Norfolk Catholic next Thursday. How good is Jake Shadley? You have to be my age to think this, but Shadley reminds me of another Viking quarterback.....Fran Tarkenton. That's a high compliment Jake. Dad will remember.

*Gothenburg - Lots of fans seem to forget about the Swedes, but Gothenburg is usually right there when the playoffs are approaching the quarter finals. Matter of fact, 3 of the last 5 seasons Gothenburg has reached that 3rd round. Craig Haake knows how to coach football and his teams always seem to improve as the season progresses. What makes me like the Swedes in 2013 is the fact they return most of their defense. This bunch knows how to shut things down (see Cozad/playoffs last year). Sure like a couple of D-lineman in 6-1, 235 pound Adam Speck, and gigantic 6-9, 260 pound Tanner Borchardt, who is only a junior. If it comes down to a field goal to win one, the Swedes might have an all-state man in Trent Long. He connected on 6 field goals last year.

*Lincoln Christian - Oh boy, does this team have some skilled players! Besides, any team that would request 2-a-days during school even though Matt Farup didn't schedule them is unique. Start with QB Logan Powers (1,744 passing), RB/LB Ben Plambeck (1,280 rushing) and a pair of superb wide receivers, Leighton Chicoine (680 yds) and Jared Bubak (333 yds) and you've got something. This team beat Lakeview in the playoffs a year ago and nearly got Wahoo in the 2nd round (yea, I know about the first half). Just 2 years ago Christian was C-2 and gave kingpin Aquinas all it wanted in the semis. One thing going against the Crusaders is depth although they do have 38 out this season. I like this team.

*Cozad - The Haymakers, by far, have the most experience returning in this class. How's 20 out of 22 grab you? Yes, they do have a new coach, but these kids had Brian Cargill as a freshman coach and love to play for this guy. The table is set for Jake Paulsen to become Cozad's 5th 2000 yard rusher. Nobody has speed like Paulsen, who will have excellent blocking this fall. QB Nate Bubak is set to start for the 3rd year and Colin Wetovick is a pretty salty runner himself. Sure like that Jacob Rush on defense and his linebacking buds Tanner Evertson, Alex Boryca, and Wetovick might be one of the best units around. This is the time for the Haymakers and they can put C-1 on immediate notice by beating Adams Central in the opener Thursday, Sept. 5th in Cozad.

......and some other others who are very capable:

*Kearney Catholic - Another school that knows how to play the game. 1000 yard runner Thomas Connely, a fine athlete, will take over the quarterbacking duties. Tough district.

*Wahoo - No Tyler Kavan but the Warrior line is so good I might even be able to gain a yard or two running behind them. This crew will be difficult to score on. Great FB tradition.

*Wahoo Neumann - One promise. They will NOT be 3-6 in 2013. The Cavs will also have an excellent line, especially on offense.

*GICC - Pretty good sized line. No Riley Shoemaker, but former 1000 yard man Charlie Shoemaker (Cambridge/'92) is a nice coach. A win over Adams Central or Boone Central would shoot this team to another level.

......up and coming:

*Syracuse - 8 starters on each side of the ball might get the Rockets back to where they once were. Rick Nordhues is a fine coach.

......still have some firepower left:

*Wilber-Clatonia - As long as there is a Zlab, the Wolverines will be dangerous. Gave Adams Central fits a year ago. Oh yea, it's Carter Zlab. Lots of speed.