Howells-Dodge hopes for big season

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, Silver

Class: D-1

Head Coach: Mike Speirs (19th season) (203-45 career record)

2014 record: 6-4 (lost to Guardian Angels Central Catholic in Second Round of Playoffs)

Returning Starters: 4 offense 5 defense

Overview:

The Howells-Dodge Jaguars are gearing up for what they hope is another successful season in 2015.

Howells-Dodge has some guys to replace, but the Jaguars return a number of talented players that should help them be competitive once again this season.

Senior Quarterback Tyler Polacek returns as does Senior Tight End Mitchell Prusa. The offensive line is bolstered by Senior Center Mitchell Brester and Senior Guard Darren Hegemann.

Howells-Dodge also welcomes back Senior Running Back Luke Renter, who was out all of last season with a knee injury. Renter should definitely help the Jaguars' run game be productive this season.

Howells-Dodge should be fairly solid on defense this year with the return of five starters. Polacek returns at Defensive Back as does Jordon Brichacek and Gavin Hayes. Brester and Prusa return on the Defensive Line for the Jaguars. Renter is a returning starter from two years ago and should bolster Howells-Dodge's Defense.

The Jaguars lost four seniors from last year's squad, but return a big senior class this season.

Howells-Dodge will have to find a couple of players to step up and play linebacker, but I would suspect there are a number of fine candidates to step up and do so.

This should be a big year for the Jaguars. I'm expecting big things out of Howells-Dodge this year. It will be interesting to see how dominant this team can be. Guardian Angels Central Catholic appears to be the toughest team on the Jaguars' schedule, but Howells-Dodge also has difficult games against Clarkson/Leigh, Creighton, and Fullerton. Bloomfield could also be somewhat of a difficult challenge for the Jaguars.

Things won't come easy for Howells-Dodge this season, but I look for senior leadership to play a big role in the Jaguars' success.

Season Outlook:

Howells-Dodge hopes 2015 is even more successful than 2014 was. It's going to take a lot of hard work for the Jaguars to get where they want, but Howells-Dodge is definitely more than capable of being dominant this season.

Head Coach Mike Speirs says kids have to develop. "Our level of success will depend on how hard we worked in the offseason and how quickly we have kids step up to replace departed starters. We will need some untested kids to fill some big roles for us as we look to improve this year."

I look for Renter to play a big role in the success of Howells-Dodge this season. The Jaguars had a perfect regular season two years ago, and I'm sure he was a big reason why.

Speirs feels his team can be good this season. "I feel we had a good summer and we are excited to get started. I believe if we have kids step up we can be competitive this year."

Howells-Dodge opens up at home with Cross County, a team the Jaguars should be able to handle. Howells-Dodge then has tough back-to-back road games at Bloomfield and Guardian Angels Central Catholic.

We will find out a lot about this team in the early season. Guardian Angels Central Catholic is no doubt a favorite to win state this year, but don't be surprised if the Jaguars give the Bluejays a run for their money. Howells-Dodge is a tough team, and I expect them to play hard nosed, tough, physical football this upcoming season.

Fullerton and Clarkson/Leigh will be tough district opponents, but the good news is the Jaguars get those two teams at home. Howells-Dodge has a tough schedule, but I suspect the Jaguars will step up and play well this season.

I think 6-2 or 5-3 is what Howells-Dodge is looking at this season. I think the Jaguars definitely have what it takes to go 7-1 or maybe even 8-0, but Howells-Dodge has a difficult schedule.

The Jaguars have to come out of the gate early and play well. Howells-Dodge will be tested early and often this year, and teams will no doubt be gunning for them.

Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Fullerton, Clarkson/Leigh, Creighton, and Bloomfield are all quality opponents. The Jaguars definitely have their work cut out for them.

All in all, I look for Howells-Dodge to get to the playoffs once again and do some damage. How far the Jaguars advance is going to depend a lot on match ups, but if Howells-Dodge gets hot at the right time they are capable of beating anyone.

Expect the Jaguars to find their way this season, and make the communities of Howells and Dodge proud.

Mike Speirs' District D1-6 Predictions:

Clarkson/Leigh, Fullerton, Nebraska Christian; Humphrey/LHF


2015 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Football Schedule:

09/04/15	Cross County	D1
09/12/15	@ Bloomfield	D1
09/18/15	@ Guardian Angels Central Catholic	D1
09/25/15	Clarkson/Leigh	D1
10/02/15	@ Nebraska Christian	D1
10/09/15	Creighton	D1
10/16/15	Fullerton	D1
10/23/15	@ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family	D1