Team: Howells-Dodge
Mascot: Jaguars
Colors: Green, Black, Silver
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Mike Speirs (22nd season) (199-41 record)
2016 record: 7-3 (lost to Nebraska City Lourdes in Second Round of Playoffs)
Returning Starters: 6 offense 6 defense
Overview:
Howells-Dodge is expecting big things this year as the Jaguars return 6 starters on each side of the ball from last year's 7-3 playoff team. Head Coach Mike Speirs says three players return on the offensive line. "We've always kind of tried to build our teams in our offensive line, and that's nice we return three starters there in Ryan Macholan (6'2, 225 SR), starting at Center for his 3rd year. Lane Hegemann (6'3, 215 JR), will be starting at Guard. And then Kade Hegemann (5'11, 165), who's only a junior, but he's started since he was a freshman."
Speirs says the entire offensive backfield returns, including QB Dax VanLengen (6'2, 210 SR), Jordan Brichacek (5'11, 170 SR) at Fullback, and Dylan Horejsi (5'10, 175 JR) at Running Back.
Speirs adds the Jaguars returns all of their DB's, two defensive linemen, and one linebacker on defense.
This should be a monster year for Howells-Dodge. The Jaguars had a very good 2016 campaign, and quite honestly Howells-Dodge should be ready to rock and roll again.
You never want to get too ahead of yourself, but don't be surprised of the Jaguars are playing at Memorial Stadium come November.
Howells-Dodge has to be considered a legit favorite to make it to the Class D-1 title game, and win a state championship.
The Jaguars should be able to make a deep playoff run at the very least.
Expectations couldn't be any higher for Howells-Dodge. The Jaguars have to be humble and confident, but not over confident, about their chances of being a very good team this year.
Howells-Dodge has to work hard week in and week out, and do everything in their power to have a great season.
The sky is the limit for the Jaguars as far as I'm concerned. It could definitely be a banner year for the boys in Green, Silver, and Black.
It really could be Howells-Dodge's year. I truly believe that. This team is built to win, and built to win now. But again, the Jaguars have to remain humble.
Season Outlook:
Howells-Dodge begins the season on Friday, August 25th at home against East Butler. Speirs says his team will be challenged by the Tigers. "I really expect East Butler to be one of the top teams in D-1 this year. They return a ton of experience. They have some very talented kids. Their tight end/linebacker the Havlovic kid is probably as good as anybody in 8-man football. And then they couple him with their Quarterback, who last year we got lucky. He had been injured in 2015. So he'd come back, we played him first game back, after a year off, and maybe he was a little bit rusty. But he's a quality kid."
Speirs says East Butler returns all 8 starters from last year.
The Tigers figure to be a tough challenge as does Osmond, Neligh-Oakdale, Clarkson/Leigh, and Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family.
Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report feels the Jaguars can have an unbeaten regular season if they get past their opener with East Butler given all the talent and experience they bring back. "Howells-Dodge wins that I don't think they'll lose in the regular season. I think they just take it from there....they go 8-0. That's the way I see it. And there's a lot of experience on this team. There's a lot of good players at every level on the team. It isn't like they just got a good line and no backs. It isn't like they've got good linebackers but no secondary. They got good athletic strong kids at every level.
Jensen thinks Howells-Dodge will win at least a couple games in the playoffs.
We'll see what happens, but one thing is for sure...the Jaguars will be battle tested come playoff time assuming they make the playoffs.
I think Howells-Dodge has an opportunity to go undefeated in the regular season, but the Jaguars have to take things one game and one week at a time.
Howells-Dodge can't get too overconfident and cocky and too ahead of themselves.
The Jaguars have to be ready to work hard every day in practice, and in every game.
Howells-Dodge can't have anyone take a play off at any point in the season, although things like that do happen.
The Jaguars have to find a way to achieve the glory that great Howells and Dodge teams did in the past.
These are two very proud communities, and I'm sure it would mean a lot to both of them for Howells-Dodge to win a state championship this year.
The Howells Bobcats and Dodge Pirates had a ton of success from 2011 and before, but now it's time for the Howells-Dodge Jaguars to lay claim to fame, and have a great season that hopefully culminates in a state championship.
The schedule has it's challenges, but I look for Howells-Dodge to be a very tough team week in and week out.
I think you will see the Jaguars bring and play their best every week they take to the field, making it very difficult for teams to beat them.
Howells-Dodge was a very strong offensive team last year, and had some great defensive games. If the Jaguars can consistently turn in strong defensive performances this year though they should be in great shape to have an undefeated regular season and make a strong playoff push.
Howells-Dodge is in District D1-4 with Clarkson/Leigh, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Elgin Public/Pope John, and Neligh Oakdale.
Tough district, but the Jaguars have a really good chance of winning it, in my opinion.
2017 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Football Schedule:
08/25/17 East Butler
09/01/17 @ Osmond
09/08/17 @ Omaha Nation
09/22/17 Neligh-Oakdale
09/29/17 Elgin Public/Pope John
10/06/17 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
10/13/17 Homer
10/20/17 @ Clarkson/Leigh
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