Bancroft-Rosalie looks to continue winning tradition

Team: Bancroft-Rosalie

Mascot: Panthers

Colors: Dark Blue and Silver

Class: D-2

Head Coach: Kyle Elsasser (2nd season)

2014 record: 5-4 (lost to Randolph in first round of playoffs)

Returning Starters: 2 offense 2 defense


Overview:

The Bancroft-Rosalie Panthers hope to continue their past success as they look to reach the postseason for the 12th consecutive year.

Sophomore running back Jacob Zuhlke (5'9, 160), who rushed for 158 yards with one score last season, figures to be one of the focal points of Bancroft-Rosalie's offense this season. Senior Mario Aldrich (5'8, 160) is also expected to help shoulder some of the load.

Sophomore Trent Gatewood (5'8, 150) is favored to get the starting nod at quarterback. He will be throwing to all-district senior tight end Dayne Wortman (6'1, 200), who caught 13 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns a season ago, and junior tight end Aaron Ras (6'1, 180).

The offensive line figures to be one of the strengths of this team as returning senior Austin Bruning (5'10, 190) and returning junior Jacob Cole (5'8, 220) look to lead up front. Junior Ethan Nelson (5'10, 170) and sophomore Kenyan Lovejoy (5'11, 180) are also expected to see playing time on the offensive line.

Defensively, the Panthers are led at linebacker by Zuhlke. Aldrich, Ras, and Gatewood will patrol the secondary while the defensive line will be anchored by Cole (46 tackles), Wortman (40 tackles), Bruning, Nelson, and Lovejoy.

The strength of this team should be its offensive and defensive lines. Bancroft Rosalie is young at quarterback and running back so it will be interesting to see how quickly those players develop. The two tight ends should help out quite a bit in the passing game.

There's not a lot of returning experience for this Panther squad, but look for Bancroft-Rosalie to still be good.

This program has built a winning tradition, and I look for this Panthers' team to live up to the expectations that have been founded by past teams.

Bancroft-Rosalie took care of business against most of the teams they were expected to beat last year, but slipped up in the regular season against Lyons-Decatur Northeast.

The Panthers have to commit themselves to hard work each week, and must be dedicated to playing the game the right way.

It's going to take a total team effort from Bancroft-Rosalie to win week in and week out. The Panthers are going to get teams' best shot every week.

Bancroft-Rosalie definitely appears to have the players and tools in place to be successful. I think it's just simply a matter of going out there and making it happen.

Look for the Panthers to be a strong playoff contender once again in 2015.


Season Outlook:

The Bancroft-Rosalie Panthers have a chance to be good again this season.

Bancroft-Rosalie has tough games against Randolph and Wynot, but there's no reason to think this team can't go 6-2.

The Panthers will be challenged each week, but I look for Bancroft-Rosalie to meet each challenge.

The Panthers were an absolute juggernaut on offense last year, scoring 106 points in the regular season finale against Allen. The problem was the defense was inconsistent. Bancroft-Rosalie's defense definitely let them down in some games last year.

That's why it's important for the Panthers to become more consistent defensively. Defense is the key to winning games and championships. Bancroft-Rosalie can score all the points they want, but if they can't stop anybody they're going to struggle some.

The Panthers are more than capable of being consistent on defense, it's just a matter of going out there and making it happen.

Bancroft-Rosalie has a chance to be good this year, and it all starts with their defense.

The Panthers will have to be ready to go right away as they play Osceola and Randolph to open up the season.

Bancroft-Rosalie can't afford early mistakes or they could prove to be costly.

It may take some time for the Panthers to get everyone on the same page and everyone playing at an elite level, but it will come eventually.

I look for Bancroft-Rosalie to get better as the season progresses. I think you could see the Panthers playing their best football at the end of the season.

I look for Bancroft-Rosalie to make a strong push to win District D2-1. Wynot is probably favored to win the district, but if the Panthers can knock off the Blue Devils they could be district champs.

Bancroft-Rosalie should do enough to make the playoffs for a 12th straight season. I would be very surprised if the Panthers are left out of the postseason.


2015 Bancroft-Rosalie Panthers Football Schedule:

09/04/15	Osceola	D2
09/11/15	@ Randolph	D2
09/18/15	@ Osmond	D2
09/25/15	Lyons-Decatur Northeast	D2
10/02/15	Winside	D2
10/09/15	@ Emerson-Hubbard	D2
10/16/15	Wynot	D2
10/22/15	@ Allen	D2