Wisner-Pilger hoping to turn the corner this season

Team: Wisner-Pilger

Mascot: Gators

Colors: Green and White

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Brent Bauer (8th season) (22-35 career record)

2014 record: 3-6

Returning Starters: 4 offense 5 defense

Overview:

The Wisner-Pilger Gators hope to be much improved from a season ago when they started 0-3 and ended the season 3-6.

Like last year, Wisner-Pilger hopes to get better as the season progresses.

The Gators return four starters on offense and five on defense. They include Lucas Troyer (OG/DT 6-4, 240 SR), Mason Rabe (RB/LB 165 SR) Nathan Hatterman (OT/DE 6-4 210 JR), Cobe Porter (LB/RB 5-9, 175 JR), and Cooper Von Seggern (QB/S 6-2 170 JR).

Wisner-Pilger appears to have some good experience returning on the offensive and defensive lines as well as the skill positions.

Newcomers include Hunter Waterman (WR/DB 5-10, 145 SO), Korrell Koehlmoos (WR/DB 5-10, 145 SO), Travis Keyes (C/DT 5-11, 280 JR), Adrian Cardenas (OG/LB 5-10, 190 SR), Ryan McBride (RB/LB 5-8,150 JR), Gunner Labenze (RB/LB) 5-10, 160 SO, Gage Reicken (LB / G 6-0, 200 JR).

The Gators appear to have a strong Junior class mixed in with some freshmen and seniors.

It's time for Wisner-Pilger to start winning. It appears the Gators have the players in place to do so, and I expect big things from Wisner-Pilger this year.

The Gators don't have the easiest schedule, but a 4-5, 5-4, or perhaps a 6-3 season is very doable.

Wisner-Pilger has to play together as a team, and can't be scared of anyone. The Gators have to play with no fear of their opponents whatsoever. Wisner-Pilger has to go into every game expecting to win. If the Gators go into every game expecting to win, they will be in a better position to come out on top than if they go into each game just hoping to win.

Coaches, parents, and fans should expect a competitive team this season. I'm not saying Wisner-Pilger is going to go out there and go 9-0 and win the state championship, but I think the Gators have what it takes to be in every game they play in.

I don't think there's a team on the schedule Wisner-Pilger can't compete with.

The key is playing well throughout the season. The Gators struggled at the beginning of last year, but rebounded to go 3-3 after an 0-3 start. If Wisner-Pilger can get out of the gate better this year, it could make a difference in their entire season.

The Gators have to force turnovers, and take care of the ball. Those are very important things for Wisner-Pilger this year. The Gators have to win the turnover battle.

Season Outlook:

Wisner-Pilger hopes to improve upon last year's 3-6 campaign.

The Gators certainly appear to have the pieces in place to turn the corner, but a lot depends on how well Wisner-Pilger executes in each game, and how badly they want to be a winning team.

Head Coach Brent Bauer says this year has the potential to be good. "We are in the process of developing some very talented young skill guys. If we can put together a consistent offensive and defensive line we think we can be competitive in all of our games this fall. We need to build off of the leadership foundation from our seniors last year."

Losing senior leadership certainly hurts, but I feel like there's a lot of talent across the board for the Gators.

A lot of their players are Juniors, but there are some Seniors and Sophomores that should help.

I really feel like Wisner-Pilger has a chance to turn some heads this season, and be a force to be reckoned with.

The Gators open up the season with Tekamah-Herman, a very beatable team.

Wisner-Pilger has tough back-to-back road games at Lutheran High Northeast and Battle Creek after that, but the rest of the schedule sets up nicely.

The Gators have a tough game at home with Stanton, which is very winnable, as are the rest of their games.

I would be surprised if Wisner-Pilger does worse than 4-5 this season.

I really feel like the Gators have the potential to be a 5-4 or even a 6-3 team. A 6-3 record might even be good enough to make the playoffs.

The whole team has to believe in each other the entire season. The Gators can't back down from anyone, and must be ready to play each week.

Wisner-Pilger can't afford to dig themselves big holes in games, and can't afford to fall behind early.

The Gators are certainly capable of coming from behind, but the more Wisner-Pilger plays with the lead or is within striking distance, the better off they will be.

The Gators have to like their chances of having success this season.

Brent Bauer's C2-4 District Predictions:

1. Oakland Craig
2. Wisner Pilger   
3. Stanton       
4. Ponca       
5. Homer       
6. Laurel Concord


2015 Wisner-Pilger Gators Football Schedule:

08/28/15	Tekamah-Herman	C2
09/04/15	@ Lutheran High Northeast	C2
09/11/15	@ Battle Creek	C2
09/18/15	Logan View	C2
09/25/15	Stanton	C2
10/02/15	@ Homer	C2
10/09/15	Ponca	C2
10/16/15	@ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge	C2
10/23/15	@ Oakland-Craig	C2