West Point-Beemer hopes for success under new coach

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red and White

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Troy Schlueter (1st season)

2015 record: 2-7

Returning Starters: 5 offense 5 defense


Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Cadets are under new leadership as Troy Schlueter takes over for Nate Blankenship after spending last season as an assistant.

West Point-Beemer returns about half of last year's starters on offense and defense.

Returning offensive starters include Riley Berg (5'7, 130 SR), Kade Hughes (5'11, 145 SO), Dylan James (6'0, 145, SR RB), Austin Streeter (6'3, 180 JR OT), and Chase Streeter (6'4, 175 JR OT).

Berg returns on defense as does Cole Hughes (5'11, 120 JR). James, Austin Streeter, and Chase Streeter return at LB, DE, and DE, respectively.

The Cadets will be young this season, but have some experience, according to Head Coach Troy Schlueter. "Strengths are we have some young talent that got experience starting last year, and weaknesses are overall youth of the team."

West Point-Beemer may not be the most experienced team on the field every time they play, but you can bet the Cadets will work hard and give it their all day in and day out.

West Point-Beemer has to do the little things well in order to win games. The Cadets have to stay focused for four quarters every time they play.

West Point-Beemer will run a multiple base offense and a 4-3 base defense.

It's never easy to adjust to a new coach and a new system, but I look for the Cadets to be energized and rejuvenated. Sometimes a new coach can do that for a team and a program.


Season Outlook:

I think West Point-Beemer is very capable of having a solid season.

One of the biggest things though will be taking care of the teams they have more talent than. I thought the Cadets let a couple of games get away from them last year that led to the season they had.

West Point-Beemer has to become a more consistent football team, and learn how to win.

The Cadets' first two games are very winnable, After that, West Point-Beemer gets Wisner-Pilger on the road and Fort Calhoun at home.

If the Cadets can be 3-0 or 2-1 heading into the Fort Calhoun game, that should give them a realistic shot to beat the Pioneers.

A Thursday night date at O'Neill doesn't appear to be an easy task, but West Point-Beemer returns home for very winnable games against Madison and Wayne before back-to-back difficult road tests at Pierce and Norfolk Catholic.

As for a record, I think the Cadets are capable of going 6-3 or 5-4, and at worse I see them going 4-5 or 3-6.

It's not going to be easy for West Point-Beemer to make the playoffs, but if the Cadets can win the games they're supposed to, and pull an upset or two, they could find themselves in the playoff hunt at the end of the regular season.

I could definitely see the Pierce and Norfolk Catholic games being season defining games for West Point-Beemer.

To be the best you have to beat the best, and that is exactly what the Cadets will try and do this season.

2016 West Point-Beemer Cadets Football Schedule:

08/26/16 Arlington  C1

09/02/16 @ North Bend Central C1

09/09/16 @ Wisner-Pilger          C2

09/16/16 Fort Calhoun                C1

09/22/16 @ O'Neill C1

09/30/16 Madison C1

10/07/16 Wayne C1

10/14/16 @ Pierce C1

10/20/16 @ Norfolk Catholic  C1