Oakland-Craig looking for another big season

Team: Oakland-Craig

Mascot: Knights

Colors: Orange and White

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Joe Anderson

2014 record: 10-2 (lost in state semifinals to Hartington Cedar Catholic)

Returning Starters: 4 offense 5 defense


Overview:

The Oakland-Craig Knights look to continue last year's success with another big year this year.

Leading the way on offense will be senior quarterback Cole Mitchell, who threw for 600 yards and eight touchdowns in limited action last season.

Mitchell will be handing off to all-district player and Ansley-Litchfield transfer Hoss Smith (5'10, 190), in addition to senior Tommy Nelson (5'8, 140) and junior Ben Ward (5'8, 150).

Cody Mace (5'10, 170) figures to be Mitchell's primary target at wide receiver after hauling in seven passes for 125 yards a season ago. Mace's numbers would have been higher had he not filled in for Mitchell at quarterback while Mitchell was injured.

Other receivers include seniors Bob Gatewood (5'10, 160) and Cody Malette (5'6, 150), and sophomore Garrett Seagren (6'0, 160).

Lining up at tight end will be junior Zach Arens (6'1, 170).

The offensive line will include seniors Conner Thiele (6'2, 210), Neil Larsen (6'0, 240), and Reid Fuerhoff (5'11, 235) as well as juniors Josh Dixon (5'9, 170) and Isaiah Larson (6'0, 280). Senior Mitch Smith (5'9, 160) and sophomore Marcos Quintero (5'9, 190) will add depth to Oakland-Craig's offensive line.

Thiele (163 tackles, 2 sacks) is an all-state linebacker and will be joined by Nelson (50 tackles) and Dixon (19 tackles). Smith, Arens, and Mallette could all see playing time at the linebacker position as well.

Mace (2 INT) is no doubt the leader in the secondary, and will be in the defensive backfield with the likes of Mitchell and Gatewood.

Larsen, Larson, Quintero, and Fuerhoff figure to vie for playing time on the defensive line, which is believed to be inexperienced.

I look for the Knights to be a very solid team once again this season. Oakland-Craig has to be very optimistic about their chances of making another deep playoff run.

Sure, the Knights lost quite a bit of talent from last year, but don't underestimate this team. New players are capable of putting their stamp on this program and making a name for themselves.

Oakland-Craig has to remain hungry. The Knights can't be satisfied with what happened last season. Oakland-Craig has to want more.

The goal should be win the state championship, or at least get there. Neither may happen, but it's at least something to shoot for.

Don't be surprised if the Knights are knocking on the door come playoff time. I expect Oakland-Craig to be a tough out come the postseason.

The Knights have to be a tough, hard nosed football team this season. Oakland-Craig has to build on the success they had last year, and carry it into this year.


Season Outlook:

The Oakland-Craig Knights have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the 2015 season.

Oakland-Craig will have to be ready from the get go with the season opener at Archbishop Bergan followed by Battle Creek at home the following week.

The Knights have to do everything in their power to avoid an 0-2 start. I think Oakland-Craig could live with a 1-1 split the first two games of the season.

The rest of the schedule isn't exactly a cake walk.

Oakland-Craig has tough road games against Crofton and Stanton, in addition to a challenging home game with Wisner-Pilger to end the regular season.

I don't see the Knights doing worse than 6-3, but I definitely think Oakland-Craig is capable of going 7-2 or 8-1 again.

It will be extremely difficult to beat Archbishop Bergan, Battle Creek, and Stanton, but I think winning two out of the three is very possible, just like last year.

Oakland-Craig has done very well in recent years, and I look for this year to be no different.

Expectations have to be high, just like they have been in the past. These players have to meet coaches' demands and challenges each and every week. Excuses can't be made. The Knights have to go out there and get the job done every day at practice, and in games.

It should be a fun and successful season for Oakland-Craig. The Knights have plenty to be excited about this season.


2015 Oakland-Craig Knights Football Schedule:

08/28/15	@ Archbishop Bergan	C2
09/04/15	Battle Creek	C2
09/11/15	@ Tekamah-Herman	C2
09/18/15	@ Crofton	C2
09/25/15	Ponca	C2
10/02/15	@ Stanton	C2
10/09/15	@ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge	C2
10/16/15	Homer	C2
10/23/15	Wisner-Pilger	C2