Team: West Point-Beemer
Mascot: Cadets
Colors: Red and White
Class: C-1
Head Coach: Troy Schlueter (3rd season) (13-7 record)
2017 record: 9-2 (lost to Pierce in State Quarterfinals)
Returning Starters: 4 offense 6 defense
Overview:
West Point-Beemer looks to have another big season after turning a bunch of heads and going 9-2 with a State Quarterfinal appearance last season.
Back for the Cadets this year are seniors Ben Vander Griend (6'0, WR/DB), Kade Hughes (6'0, 170 RB/DB), Blake Anderson (6'4, 215 QB/DL), Gage Vance (5'11, 185 RB/DB), and Kirby Hughes (5'11, 175 RB/DB) as well as junior Jesus Ramirez (6'4, 195 OL/DL).
Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report gives Blake Anderson high praise. “And I’ve been beating the drum for that kid for two years now. I think he’s an exceptional talent. There are a handful of kids that could be used the way Blake is. And that is playing so many different positions, and being exceptional at all of them. But at West Point-Beemer they actually do use the kid like that. And he’s an All-Stater in my book. He was last year. And again I think he’s one of the very best players in Class C-1.”
Jensen looks for the Cadets to win somewhere around 6 games this season and compete for another playoff spot.
Another player likely to see the field for West Point-Beemer this season is senior Ethan Mayes (6'5, 275 OL/DL).
Big losses from last year include Hunter Pilakowski, Cole Hughes, Greg Johnson, and Chase and Austin Streeter.
3rd year Head Coach Troy Schlueter says Blake Anderson is a very versatile player. "Blake made huge plays all year long last year, and excelled at six different positions we put him at. Team leader and somebody other teams scheme away from."
Schlueter adds Kade Hughes has a motor that never stops. "Explosive athlete that is tough to handle in the open field on offense, and a big hitter on defense."
Schlueter says the Cadets went to Columbus for a camp this summer. "This year we played 7 on 7 over at Columbus Lakeview, and that helped us out quite a bit. They run a pretty good show down there, they've got a lot of space. So that was good. Got some good competition. Lakeview and Columbus High, and a couple other guys that were down there."
Schlueter says the team also went to a full contact team camp at Concordia in Seward, and played against Platteview and a Texas School.
The team is looking to reach new heights. "We're looking to reach a new level of play. But honestly that's what we're going for. If we're looking to reach a level of play it doesn't matter who we play. We won't have a letdown against a team that may not be as talented as us. And we won't freak out going into a game that's somebody's more talented than us. We want a level of play to increase every time we hit the field. And we feel like if we do that we're teaching them a pretty good life lesson," Schlueter said."
The Cadets lost a lot from last year there's no doubt about it.
I don't think anyone saw the results of last year coming for West Point-Beemer though.
It will be interesting to see how the Cadets handle success.
West Point-Beemer has to stay grounded and humble, and must work hard at all times.
If the Cadets can do those things then they should have a chance to be pretty salty again this year despite a tough schedule.
I'm really curious to see how West Point-Beemer does this year.
Lots of improvement was shown from year 1 to year 2 under Coach Schlueter, and I don't see any reason why there can't be more improvement in 2018.
Season Outlook:
West Point-Beemer hopes to have another good season, but it doesn't figure to be easy.
The Cadets have non-district games against Boys Town, Wahoo, and Columbus Scotus, all on the road, in addition to District Games with Pierce, Boone Central/Newman Grove, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.
West Point-Beemer hung with and beat the big boys last year though so I don't see why they can't do that again this year.
Schlueter likes the mix of his team. "Excited to return multiple playmakers from last year, and add some athletic young talent to make up a competitive team."
The Cadets host Arlington next Friday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.
Schlueter says his team has to be ready to bring the hammer against the Eagles. "To have success against them I mean it starts with you have to be willing to play physical. You have to be willing to hit. And I feel like we've got the guys that are willing to do that. And I guess we'll find out when they show up on Friday."
West Point-Beemer blasted Arlington 39-8 on the road in last season's opener.
Schlueter says the goal is to keep getting better. "We want to improve every week. We feel like one of the keys to being successful at anything is having a mindset of growth. So we're looking to start out with a very high level of play, start out with a very physical level of play. And then we feel like if we can increase that every week we're going to be competitive every game."
Kickoff between the Cadets and Eagles will be at 7:00 p.m.
I really like West Point-Beemer's chances of beating Arlington again.
Road games at Boys Town, Columbus Scotus, Wahoo, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder appear to be very tough on paper, but the Cadets get Boone Central/Newman Grove and Pierce at home.
I think we will really find out how good West Point-Beemer is this season.
The Cadets are going up against teams who have won and been to state championships.
This is good for the program, and I think West Point-Beemer has a shot to be very competitive and win some big games again this season.
The Cadets have to be physical, play mistake free football, limit turnovers and penalties, and hit hard.
West Point-Beemer has to be physically and mentally tough as well, especially against some of the teams they are playing.
2018 West Point-Beemer Cadets Football Schedule:
08/24/18 Arlington
08/31/18 @ Boys Town
09/07/18 @ Columbus Scotus
09/14/18 Douglas County West
09/21/18 @ Wahoo
09/28/18 Boone Central/Newman Grove
10/05/18 @ Wayne -
10/12/18 Pierce
10/19/18 @ Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
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