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Bison won't take Cards for granted in Homecoming game
McCOOK, Neb. — Crete’s 0-3 record with two shutout defeats doesn’t mean the McCook Bison are expecting an all-game Homecoming party Friday night.
The Bison (2-1 record) are hungry to regain momentum following a 20-7 loss at Waverly last week.
Plus coach Joe Vetrovsky always sees the “good side” of any opponent on his team’s schedule. He offered these comments about the Cardinals entering Weiland Field for this 7 p.m. contest:
“Crete hasn’t had the start to their season that they were hoping for, but they have improved each and every game.
Throw the records out when it is a McCook vs. Crete matchup. Great history and tradition between both schools with some very memorable match-ups over the years. They are definitely led by their QB Nick Wendt who runs their “option game” well and has explosive play capabilities.
Their favorite target in the passing game is No. 1 Kenson Spence who has a solid stature at 6’3 195.
Our defense will need to be very disciplined in our “option assignments” if we expect to slow down their offense.
They are led on defense by inside linebacker and returning starter No. 57 Mason Snider who seems to make about every tackle for them.
Crete plays an aggressive style of defense and likes to bring blitz and pressure. The Cardinals will look to cause havoc to our offense. We need to be sound in picking up the different looks.”
Wendt showed his speed with a 70-yard touchdown run against Beatrice two weeks ago.
Senior 205-pounder Ryan Placzek and junior Enrique Hernandez at 201 will handle most of the running back duties.
Crete features probably the smallest O-line by weight. Junior tackle Zackery Connell tips the scale at 230 while other starters are listed 190, 210, 195 and 225.
Connell and 190-pound end Julian Mendez are two returning defensive line starters.
For McCook, senior Alex Landry makes a start at wide receiver with junior Miles Pollmann recovering from a recent hand injury.
Projected McCook starters
McCook’s projected varsity football starters when the 0-3 Crete Cardinals arrive to play Homecoming at Weiland Field Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
2024 McCOOK BISON
Captains: Quentin Terry, Ethan Schmidt, Davien Hanson and Tristan Campbell.
Offense
| Pos | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
| WR 20 | Alex Landry 5-10 145 Sr. | ||||
| WR 22 | Ethan Schmidt | 5-11 | 165 | Sr. | |
| WR | 7 | Tripp Raile | 6-2 | 165 | So. |
TE 45 Gabe Roberts 6-1 205 Jr.
| LT 64 | Simon Garcia | 6-0 | 205 | Jr. | |
| LG | 68 | Quentin Terry | 6-1 | 215 | Sr. |
| C | 55 | Trey Tiller | 6-1 | 215 | Jr. |
| RG | 62 | Davien Hanson | 6-5 | 215 | Sr. |
| RT | 73 | Beckett Heskett | 6-1 | 230 Sr. | RB 25 Tristan Campbell 5-10 155 Jr. |
| QB | 9 | Trenton Raile | 6-2 | 155 | Jr. |
Defense
| Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | |
| DL | 68 | Quentin Terry | 6-1 | 215 | Sr. | DL 78 Eidos Klein 6-3 295 Jr. |
| DL | 57 | Spencer Steinbeck | 6-4 | 315 | Jr. |
DL 88 Andrew Pochop 6-4 210 Sr.
LB 45 Gabe Roberts 6-1 205 Jr.
LB 44 Kalen McCorkle 6-0 170 Jr.
| LB 62 | Davien Hanson | 6-5 | 215 | Sr. | |
| LB | 21 | Oliver Corbett | 6-7 | 190 | Jr. |
| DB 22 Ethan Schmidt | 5-11 165 Sr. |
DB 8 Ty Junker 6-0 160 So.
| DB 7 | Tripp Raile 6-2 | 165 | So. | ||
| DB | 25 | Tristan Campbell | 5-10 | 155 | Jr. |
Special Teams
| Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | |||
| KO/FG/PAT 17 | Gunner Kaps | 6-1 | 140 | So. P 12 | Davien Hanson | 6-5 | 215 | Sr. |
Holder 7 Tripp Raile 6-2 165 Jr.
| Snapper 45 Gabe Roberts | 6-1 | 205 | Jr. | |
| Returner | 22 Ethan Schmidt | 5-11 | 165 | Sr. |
Returner 25 Tristan Campbell 5-10 155 Jr.
The seasons so far:
McCOOK (3-0)
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Aug. 30 | At Beatrice (1-2) | W 56-6 |
| Sept. 6 | Aurora (0-2) W 33-14 | |
| Sept. 13 | At Waverly (1-2) L 7-20 |
Friday CRETE (0-3) 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 At Gering (3-0) 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 Hastings (1-2) 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 Ogallala (1-2) 6 p.m.
Oct. 18 At Scottsbluff (3-0) 8 p.m.
Oct. 25 Lexington (0-3) 7 p.m.
CRETE (0-3)
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Aug. 30 | At Platteview (3-0) L 0-14 | |
| Sept. 6 | Beatrice (1-2) | L 20-26 (OT) |
Sept. 13 Scottsbluff (3-0) L 0-48
Friday At MCCOOK (2-1) 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 At York (2-1) 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 Ralston (1-2) 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 Lincoln Northwest (0-3) 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 At Grand Island Northwest (1-2) 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 Seward (3-0) 7 p.m.
Schedule notes: Last Friday was rough for both McCook and most Bison opponents. Only rivals Gering and Scottsbluff prevailed with both teams now 3-0. Scottsbluff has outscored its first three foes, 143-12, though Crete, Lincoln Northwest and Grand Island Northwest are a combined 1-8 so far this season. Gering goes to 1-2 Ogallala Friday with McCook visiting the Bulldogs Sept. 27.