In the Shadows of the Headlines - The Real Time Players.

Posted Monday, August 22, 2016, at 10:22 PM

York Dukes terrific RB/LB (#44), Alex Kowalski. No critics here, Alex knows he should have kept the ball high and tight.

It is time to salute those blue collar warriors who long for the Friday Night Lights and could care less if they make the headlines or not.

The crunching fullback who leads the way on a sweep, bowling over a defender without leaving his feet, then looking for one more to flatten.

These pure football men are content to just put the pads on and play as a team, a family and make the machine jell.

So now, we salute those young men, the players every coach in the state wishes he had to perform under those hallowed Friday Night Lights.

The Real Time Players.

Alex Kowalski-York - 6-1, 205, Sr.(FB/LB) - This guy is like having a Dick Butkus at linebacker who can also play fullback. No opponent wants to see Kowalski rolling around the end as a lead blocker. 772 yards rushing and an imposing figure as a LB. Tough cannot describe him.

Alex Bruner-Gretna - 5-11, 190, Sr. (FB/LB) - Comes from the same mold as Kowalski. Even more devastating from his LB slot, making an incredible 172 tackles a year ago. Every fast food joint in Gretna keeps 10 penny nails as a snack on hand for Bruner.

Jake Schlager-McCook - 6-2, 200, JR. (LB/QB) Good lord, 138 tackles as a sophomore, 14 for losses, and 5 sacks? It's nearly expected if your last name is Schlager at McCook. Big Jake will move to the quarterbacking slot for Jeff Gross this season. This dude is almost indestructible. Schlager's Dad, Russ is one of the top assistant coaches in the state. Former Culbertson Bear.

Jake Ruzicka-Wahoo - 6-3, 215, Sr. (TE/LB) - Probably the most physical player on the team at Wahoo. Ruzicka (Ru-zich-ka) snared 29 of those Noah Vedral aerials for 462 yards in 2015. Best you not meet Jake coming through the line carrying the pigskin.

Max Hofmaier-Omaha Gross - 6-1, 295, Sr. (OL/DL) - Prototype kid from that side South of town. Rough, blue collar player that can bench 325. Any other questions? Max's mom just routinely orders a side of beef a week for his meals.

Gabe Puczylowski-Omaha Roncalli - 5-11, 240, Sr. (OL/DL) - Hofmaier's counterpart on the north side of Omaha. Bulldozer of an O-lineman who just lives to pancake defenders. Tremendous spin move to get away from blockers and make a tackle from his DT position. I just love last names like his. Pure Polski baby!

Ethan Sherman-Crete - 5-11, 195, Sr. (FB/LB) - Crete just seems to manufacture fullback/linebackers like Sherman. Mean motor scooter who brings the wood every single time he meets the man carrying the football. 102 crunches last year, 6 of which were so violent they resulted in the ball ending up in Ethan's hands.....that would be called a fumble recovery.

Evan Welsh-Wahoo Neumann - 5-11, 245, JR. (OT/DT) - Coach Tim Turman wishes he had a line full of 245 pound Evan Welsh types. Personally, I think Welsh will develop into a dominant All-State lineman before the chubby gal sings. Maybe even this year. Noah Vedral loves guys like this.

Dalton Lurz-Gibbon - 6-2, 285, Sr. (OL/DL) - First of all, it's Mr. Lurz because I've seen the kid play. Squats over 400 pounds, yet can explode when the ball is snapped. Lurz is one of the reasons Mark McLaughlin will have Gibbon rolling again this fall. Just a friendly piece of advice.......please don't upset Mr. Lurz on the football field. Just sayin', as Bob Jensen would write.

Caleb Marlatt-Elmwood-Murdock - 6-5, 260, JR. (OL/DE) - This hulking figure made 74 tackles as a sophomore and 10 were behind the scrimmage line. Awful quick for a 260 pound lineman. Quick enough that he can get downfield on kickoffs and make the tackle shortly after the return man fields the ball.

Simon Otte-York - 6-2, 180, JR. (RB/LB) - Another reason York could win it all in 2016. Otte started at CB as a freshman for Glen Snodgrass and will get more carries at the RB position this fall. An All-State candidate at LB this season, Otte made 102 tackles a year ago and stripped the ball in the Norris game to preserve 10-7 victory in the 2015 season opener.

Garrett Snodgrass-York - 6-3, 200, Soph. (TE/MLB) - Coach's son? You bet he is and if you know Glen Snodgrass, it is a strong possibility this young man will be an All-State football and basketball player before his career is finished. If I'm not mistaken, Garrett quarterbacked the York freshman team and ran for over a 1000 yards while racking up some receiving yards and tackles for the varsity. Unlimited potential and a college prospect before the smoke clears.

Levi Kult-Yutan - 5-9, 170, Sr. (OG/NG) - Honestly, Levi Kult may be the toughest, pound for pound football player in Class C-2 football. How do you make 81 tackles from your nose guard position and have 42 of those solo stops? Kult also benches 285 pounds and his listed weight of 170 may be generous. What a player. 43-11 as a wrestler last winter too.

Stephen Hillis-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 6-1, 220, Sr. (OG/MLB) - How does 93 tackles and 77 of those solo stops grab you? If you like that, how about the fact this HCC product can run a 4.7 forty? Hillis is a shining star and a bonafide All-State candidate for an underrated football team that will make some noise this fall in C-2. That's a fact.

Justin Villars-Minden - 6-3, 255, Sr. (OT/DT) - The last time Minden won a football games was September 20th, 2013, but this Villars dude is a pretty nice player despite the misery this team has endured. Villars can bench 300, squat nearly 400 pounds and can run a 5 flat forty. The guy has quick feet from basketball, is super strong and does everything he possibly can get the Whippets a win. Here's hoping they can one in 2016.