Team: Pender
Mascot: Pendragons
Colors: Red and White
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Andy Welsh (3rd season)
2016 record: 4-5 (lost to Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family in first round of playoffs)
Returning Starters: 5 offense 4 defense
Overview:
Pender looks to reach the postseason again this year after going 4-5 and appearing in the playoffs last season. Head Coach Andy Welsh's team brings back 5 starters on offense. "Returning starters on the offensive side we're going to return, our quarterback will be, he was a starting receiver last year, Brady Oliver (5'10, 170 SR). So there's one returning starter. Tyler Nelson (5'10, 175 SR) was the starting running back...he'll be receiver now. Jared Tyrell (5'9, 160 SR)...one of the starting running backs. Lane Heese (6'1, 185 SR) the starting lineman. Jesse Thompson (5'10, 220 SR) the starting lineman. We just had to move a couple guys around to a couple new spots, but return those five starters."
Welsh says junior Jaydon Jump (5'11, 185) will come in on the line, Korbin Hardenbrook (5'9, 165 SO) will start at running back, and Sam Mailoux will start as well.
There are 20 kids out for this year's team with 8 of them seniors, according to Welsh.
I fully expect the Pendragons to put a good, competitive product on the field this season. Pender is veteran laden with almost half their team made up of seniors so that should result in good things for the Pendragons.
Pender has had good seasons the last two years, and I don't see why the Pendragons can't and won't be good again.
Pender has to continue to work hard throughout the season though. The Pendragons can never be complacent with where they are as a team.
Pender has to keep grinding and fighting until the final whistle of every practice and game, and must continually improve, get better, and give it their all until there is no more football left to play.
The Pendragons return a good amount of kids from last year and should go on to have a fine season.
Obviously losing James Bensen and Dylan Roth, among others, hurts Pender, but the Pendragons should still be a solid bunch.
I look for Pender to be a tough out this year, and give people fits. I think the Pendragons will be a very solid team, and a threat to do something in the playoffs.
All in all, I look for Pender to play good, consistent football week in and week out, and give themselves a chance to win every game they play this season.
Season Outlook:
Pender and Clarkson/Leigh meet on the gridiron in both teams' season opener for the second year in a row. Welsh says it figures to be an intriguing game. "The thing we just don't really know what we're going to get from them. Last year (Bradley) Bunner was still healthy when they played us, and everything ran through him. And they still got some good players. They got some good athletes. They're always coached really well. So it'll be a tough game. It'll just be one of those games where we both hope we're prepared, and can adjust to whatever the other team throws at them. And see who can outlast the other, and hopefully we play a little more defense than we did last year."
The Patriots took last year's contest 58-50 in a high scoring affair in Pender.
I think this year's game will definitely be different in terms of how many points are scored, but the Pendragons have their work cut out for them in this game, especially with the game being at Clarkson/Leigh.
This is a big game for both teams, and one I'm sure Pender wants very badly.
Games against Chambers/Wheeler Central/Ewing, Wakefield, GACC, and Neligh-Oakdale don't figure to be easy either, but I think the Pendragons can step up and win some of these contests.
I look for Pender to go somewhere between 4-4 and 6-2.
Beating CWCE and GACC will be very difficult, same with Neligh-Oakdale, but I think all the other contests are very likely wins for the Pendragons, and Pender could definitely defeat the Warriors.
Wakefield is never easy because it is a rivalry game so don't expect the Pendragons to have an easy time against the Trojans either.
With all this said, this is Pender's chance to do something. The Pendragons have had some nice success the last two years, now it's time to take that next step and do something in the postseason all while making memories that will last a lifetime.
Perhaps Pender can get to the playoffs and win a game or two this year.
I think the Pendragons may have to at least go 6-2 to host a first round playoff game this year though.
Pender played Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family tough in the playoffs last year, and I'm sure the Pendragons would like another shot at a home playoff game.
We'll have to wait and see where the chips fall for Pender this year, but the Pendragons should expect to have another playoff like type season with a lot of success.
I would say worst case scenario Pender finishes 3-5, but I don't see that happening.
I look for the Pendragons to be good and a force to be reckoned with this season.
2017 Pender Pendragons Football Schedule:
08/25/17 @ Clarkson/Leigh
09/01/17 CWCE
09/15/17 @ Wakefield
09/22/17 Homer
09/29/17 @ Winnebago
10/06/17 Neligh-Oakdale
10/13/17 @ Omaha Nation
10/20/17 Guardian Angels Central Catholic
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