Team: Pender
Mascot: Pendragons
Colors: Red and White
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Andy Welsh (2nd season)
2015 record: 6-3 (lost to Neligh-Oakdale in first round of playoffs)
Returning Starters: 5 offense 5 defense
Overview:
After turning things around in 2015, the Pender Pendragons are back for more in 2016 as they hope to be good again.
Senior QB Dylan Roth (6'0, 170) returns for Pender as does Senior James Bensen (5'10, 195),
Roth threw for 714 yards and 9 TD's a season ago while Bensen rushed for 830 yards and 11 TD's, and caught 18 passes for 310 yards and 4 TD's.
Junior Tyler Nelson (5'10, 170) joins Roth and Bensen in the offensive backfield after rushing for over 500 yards last season.
Sophomore Jaydon Jump (5'11, 175) and Jared Tyrell (5'6, 145) also help make up the skill positions.
On the offensive line, seniors Leland Bowder (5'11, 175) and Brayden Bensen (5'11, 220) return. Junior Layne Hesse (6'0, 185) and junior Jesse Thompson (5'11, 210) will also compete for spots up front.
Bensen, Bowder, and Brady Oliver return as linebackers, with Jump expected to see time at the position as well.
Roth and Tyrell help make up the secondary with Jump potentially seeing playing time in the defensive backfield also.
Hesse and Thompson are expected to see playing time on the defensive line.
I don't think there's any doubt the Pendragons can be good again this year.
Pender turned their program around last year, and I look for the Pendragons to have another good season this year.
Lorenzo Duenas and Devin Soll are obviously big losses, but Pender still has the horses to compete with anyone they play and have another really good season, in my opinion.
Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report says he was impressed with the Pendragons' passion and excitement when he was up there.
"The thing that got me was just the enthusiasm. The enthusiasm in the program. Kids were excited, they were working hard. And especially at the high school level that's a lot of winning right there."
Pender will need to continue to work hard throughout this season to be good. The Pendragons can't be complacent and satisfied with what they did last year. Pender has to remain hungry, and want more.
Season Outlook:
A challenging schedule awaits Pender, but the Pendragons figure to find success on the gridiron again this year despite the fact the schedule is tough.
Pender opens up the season next Friday at home against Clarkson/Leigh before taking on CWCE (Chambers/Wheeler Central/Ewing) to start the month of September.
The Pendragons have a bye week before playing Wakefield at home and taking on Homer on the road.
Pender battles Winnebago at home the following week before their rematch with Neligh-Oakdale on the road.
The Pendragons conclude the home portion of their schedule against Omaha Nation before wrapping up the regular season at Guardian Angels Central Catholic.
Pender's toughest games appear to be at CWCE, Neligh-Oakdale, and GACC.
I could see the Pendragons losing all three of those games, but something tells me Pender finds a way to win at least one of them.
I look for the Pendragons to finish 6-2 again and perhaps host a playoff game.
A win in of those three road games I listed above would be a huge confidence boost heading into the playoffs, should Pender make it that far.
I think the Pendragons could be out to prove they can play with anyone, and want to take the next step and become an elite team.
It's hard to envision Pender going 8-0 in the regular season, but anything can happen.
The Pendragons have to go into every game believing they can win. Pender has to play to win, and not not to lose.
Roth, Bensen, and Nelson need to have big seasons offensively if this team is to be good again. The Pendragons also need to remain injury free and have good line play.
Pender has to find ways to slow down teams' ground games, and must be solid in the tackling department.
Winning the turnover battle every game is also going to be critical to the Pendragons' success, in my opinion.
One way or another, it should be another season to remember for Pender.
2016 Pender Pendragons Football Schedule:
08/26/16 Clarkson/Leigh
09/02/16 @ CWCE
09/16/16 Wakefield
09/23/16 @ Homer
09/30/16 Winnebago
10/07/16 @ Neligh-Oakdale
10/14/16 Omaha Nation
10/21/16 @ Guardian Angels Central Catholic
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