Team: Wisner-Pilger
Mascot: Gators
Colors: Green and White
Class: C-2
Head Coach: A.J. Burki (1st season)
2016 record: 1-8
Returning Starters: N/A
Overview:
The Wisner-Pilger Football team is coming off a 1-8 season, but has a new Head Coach in A.J. Burki. Burki says his squad is ahead of the eight ball when it comes to practicing and transitioning. "We are putting in a new system offensively and defensively. And really luckily we went to camp right before we got going with the season and so we've kind of been able to keep the ball rolling. The boys have done a great job picking up on everything we've put in thus far. And so I feel like we're a little bit ahead of schedule from where I kind of expected us to be I guess on our first day. And so that's a great start to our season where we can get the ball rolling that well."
Burki says the Gators will run a 4-4 defense, and a pro set offense with a tight end and two backs, as well as a three back set once in a while.
Keegan Ruskamp is switching from wide receiver to quarterback. "Keegan Ruskamp has actually been our backup quarterback the last two years, which was when I came to Wisner. And the whole time he has played wide receiver cause we've needed somebody to give us another look and depth at that position. And so to be honest he's kind of been a natural quarterback for us from day one. And so even though we've got a new guy back there and we lost Cooper (Von Seggern) we've got somebody that's played the position so we don't feel too nervous in having a new guy there just for the sole fact that he's been playing quarterback as far as I know all four years of high school in some regard," Burki said.
Junior Jayden Raabe will be back to anchor the offensive and defensive lines after getting injured last season.
Mason Dimon will play Center and Dylan Uhing will play Guard. Colby Heller and Jacob Borgelt are expected to play defense for Wisner-Pilger.
Trenton Liermann is also expected to see playing time for the Gators.
I think Wisner-Pilger can be competitive and better last season, but the schedule is still very difficult.
With that said, I think the Gators would of had a much better season last year had they not been so banged up.
Wisner-Pilger went out with a bang against Tekamah-Herman to end last season, and I look for that win to carry over and help the Gators this season.
The biggest thing is winning the battle of the trenches, in my opinion. Wisner-Pilger has to be physical up front, and has to get off blocks and tackle well to have a good season.
Equally important is taking care of the ball and limiting penalties while forcing turnovers.
The Gators also have to be ready to bounce back and respond when hit with adversity. Wisner-Pilger can't just give up and fold when someone like Oakland-Craig goes up 7-0 or 14-0.
The biggest things for the Gators this season are laying a foundation and playing competitive football, in my opinion.
If Wisner-Pilger can be in ball games and not be out of contests by halftime then the season should be much more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Season Outlook:
Wisner-Pilger plays four teams that made the playoffs in Class C-2 last season, including defending C2-3 District Champion Oakland-Craig. Burki says teams have to be at their best every week in high school football. "The biggest thing I think is football is kind of that interesting entity in high school sports where game one is just as important as game eight unlike, and I might be speaking incorrectly, but unlike all of the other seasons. If you're not perfect at the beginning it's okay because come district tournament time that's when you need to peak...that's when you need to hit your stride. And so what our district does for us in football is it's a tough district. I mean there's no games where you can look past anybody. You're going to have to week-to-week compete at your very best."
Burki adds the key defensively to competing with and beating the tough teams on their schedule is holding teams to as few points as possible, which involves not giving up big plays and forcing teams to drive the length of the field. And offensively the key is controlling the ball and lengthening time of possession.
I look for Wisner-Pilger to be more competitive against teams like BRLD and Logan View, and maybe knock off the Wolverines.
There are five very tough games on the schedule those being Crofton, Stanton, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Oakland-Craig, and Fremont Bergan.
The Gators' best chance at wins figure to come against West Point-Beemer and Tekamah-Herman.
I think Wisner-Pilger is looking at something like 2-7 or 3-6, but being more competitive in their losses if they lose any games.
I think the Gators can be a good team, I just don't think they're going to become good overnight.
It takes time to develop and build a program, and I think if Wisner-Pilger can win more games than they did last year then that's a positive step in the right direction.
It's important for the Gators to play with confidence against the big boys, and don't get so down on themselves after falling behind if that's the case, in my opinion.
Wisner-Pilger is capable of becoming a good football program....kids just have to buy into what Burki is teaching them. And so far it sounds like that's what kids are doing.
The Gators open up the season at home against defending C-2 Runner-Up Crofton on Friday, August 25th.
2017 Wisner-Pilger Gators Football Schedule:
08/25/17 Crofton
09/01/17 @ Stanton
09/08/17 @ West Point-Beemer
09/15/17 Hartington Cedar Catholic
09/22/17 Archbishop Bergan
09/29/17 @ Oakland-Craig
10/06/17 BRLD
10/13/17 Logan View
10/20/17 @ Tekamah-Herman
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