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Gazette football previews - Week 2
It’s starting to feel like football season, isn’t it? The afternoons still cling to the last part of summer, but with September beginning Friday, the Huskers starting Saturday and Labor Day on Monday, we’re kicking right along.
One thing to note about this week’s schedule: Leyton has forfeited its game at Wauneta-Palisade. The Warriors started the season with only 13 players and key injuries in last week’s loss to Hitchcock County have put them in a difficult spot from a competitive standpoint, according to head coach Glen Lipska.
Finally, my son officially turns one month old today. To celebrate, I asked him for his input on this week’s games. To determine a winner, I said each team and chose based on his facial reactions and grunts. His picks are listed.
Broken Bow (0-1) at Chase County (0-1)
2016 result: Chase County won 16-0
Beau’s pick: Chase County
Comments: Both teams look to bounce back from a narrow opening-week losses. Chase County rallied in the second half but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 19-13 loss at Cozad, while Broken Bow lost at Ord 8-6 on a missed extra point.
Senior running back Tycen Marten led the Indians in last week’s loss with 111 yards rushing and the team’s lone score. He and the Broken Bow offensive line will be put to the test again this week with Chase County’s stout and experienced defensive front. Quarterback Grayson Garey threw two interceptions against Ord and will have to deal with ball hawking free safety Caleb Weiss.
Based on last week’s results, this one looks to be a low-scoring, slug-it-out affair.
Decatur Community, Kan. (0-0) at Cambridge (0-1)
2016 result: Cambridge won 66-28
Beau’s pick: Cambridge
Comments: Cambridge opened with one of the toughest matchups in Class D1, as the Trojans fell to Perkins County 48-26. They return to Furnas County for their home-opener against Decatur Community, Kan.
The Red Devils begin their season Friday and head coach Joe Dreher is expecting his team to surpass last year’s 2-6 record thanks to the return of six starters. Running backs Kel Grafel and Drew Juenemann will be key pieces to the Decatur Community offense.
After allowing 411 yards rushing in last week’s loss to Perkins County, Cambridge will be coming out with a point to prove.
Hershey (0-1) at Southern Valley (0-1)
2016 result: Hershey won 38-8
Beau’s pick: Southern Valley
Comments: These two combined to score one touchdown last week, so points will be at a premium Friday night in Oxford. Hershey lost 8-6 to Gibbon, while Southern Valley was shut out 18-0 by Bridgeport.
The Eagles showed some flashes in last week’s loss, especially with Spencer Brown under center. The senior signal caller offers vital experience for an offense that featured three freshmen at skill positions in Week 1.
The Panthers will feature a running back tandem of Easton Clark and Mckade Smith. Clark led Hershey last week with 122 yards (90 rushing and 32 receiving), while Smith added 59 on the ground. Those two accounted for 181 of Hershey’s 202 yards of total offense.
Med Valley (1-0) at Sutherland (0-1)
2016 result: Med Valley won 48-18
Beau’s pick: Med Valley
Comments: How about the Med Valley defense last week? Pitching a shutout is one thing, but allowing under 20 yards of offense would make even Charlie McBride blush. Can they follow that up with another strong showing at Sutherland on Friday? Offensively, it should be all systems go for the Raiders’ run-based attack.
Sutherland proved it can move the ball in a 36-22 loss at Southwest, but the Sailors couldn’t keep the Roughriders from making big plays. If the hosts want to spring the upset, they’ll need to start with limiting Med Valley’s playmakers when they have the ball.
Rawlins County, Kan. (0-0) at Hitchcock County (1-0)
2016 result: Rawlins County won 50-0
Beau’s pick: Hitchcock County
Comments: A young Hitchcock County squad got the program its first win in nearly two years with last week’s come-from-behind victory at Leyton. How do the Falcons look this Friday against a playoff-caliber team?
Rawlins County, Kan., is coming off a 7-2 year that saw the Buffs lose to two state semifinalists, including runner-up St. Francis, in Kansas’ largest eight-man football class. The Buffs return a number of key starters, including dual-threat quarterback Maverick Green, and will play a punishing ground-and-pound game that has made them one of northwest Kansas’ best programs.
Southwest (1-0) at Overton (1-0)
2016 result: Sutherland won 48-26
Beau’s pick: Southwest
Comments: Southwest found plenty of big plays against Sutherland last week, but it will face a stiffer test with a trip to Overton. The Eagles limited Franklin to 70 yards of total offense in a 60-13 win in Week 1.
Southwest’s schedule ramps up after this game, with its next four contests being Perkins County, Dundy County-Stratton, Medicine Valley and Cambridge. A win on Friday would help send the Roughriders into that stretch with some added confidence.
Heartland Lutheran (1-0) at Maywood-Hayes Center (0-0)
2016 result: Heartland Lutheran won 71-0
Beau’s pick: Maywood-Hayes Center
Comments: It’s a new season and a new look for Maywood-Hayes Center. Joe Spangler takes over head coaching duties and will look to help his young Wolves build on last year’s 1-7 record.
Spangler has listed running back Wesley Wach as one to watch this season. The 5-foot-8 senior is one of two returning two-way starters, with Keegan Dibbern being the other. Paul White and Kyle Fackler are the other returning offensive starters, while daniel Doyle started as a freshman last year on defense.
Heartland Lutheran put up plenty of stats in last week’s 80-6 victory over Santee. Quarterback Ivan Messersmith, HL’s lone senior, led the way with three touchdowns (two running, one passing) and forced three turnovers on defense.
MHC will be tasked with trying to stop the Hornets’ big-play attack, which had HL ahead of Santee 42-0 midway through the first quarter of last week’s game.
@gabegauthier1