Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic
Mascot: Bluejays
Colors: Blue and White
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Dave Ridder (17th season)
2018 record: 9-2 (Lost to Exeter-Milligan/Friend in State Quarterfinals)
Returning Starters: N/A
Overview:
The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Football Team returns quite a few players from last year's team that went 9-2 and reached the State Quarterfinals. Head Coach Dave Ridder says the Bluejays are led by their seniors.
"Well we've got a nice senior class coming back with a strong offensive line with Mitchell Peatrowsky, Blake Pojar, Casey Doernemann, and Aaron Disher. And then at running back we have Cash Meier and Noah Hass. Quarterback we have is Cody Steffen. Another tight end we have it's going to be between Ben Ulrich and Jaryn Smeal."
Ridder says his team also has a strong defense back too.
He adds sophomores Nate Niewohner and Cole Hutchinson could make an impact this year as well.
Last year's seniors lost to graduation were Jadyn Smeal, Jared Minnick, Dylan Duhsmann, Will Kreikemeier, Tyson Snodgrass, Jack Baumert, and Nate Yosten.
The Bluejays lost star running back Jared Minnick to graduation, but Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report says the Bluejays still have plenty of horses on the team.
"You've got a proven Quarterback with Cody Steffen. And the Doernemann kid I swear to God this is like his 11th or 12th year of high school football. But he's big and strong and has a great well earned reputation. They've got some other kids that can play, especially on the defensive side of the ball. And Guardian Angels...they're going to win their district, they're going to advance to the playoffs. I think that much you can pretty much count on."
Ridder expects Steffen, Hass, and Meier to shoulder more of the load this year in place of Minnick.
I think the Bluejays will be a more complete team this year in that they will rely on a few different guys to carry them as opposed to everything going through one player when they had Minnick.
Minnick was a great player, but I think having more depth and more options in the backfield will make GACC that much better and an even tougher team.
Losing someone the caliber and with the talent of Minnick is never easy to replace, but I feel Steffen, Hass, and Meier will step up and play their roles just fine.
I look for the Bluejays to find a way to win their District again this year and make the playoffs, perhaps undefeated.
Howells-Dodge, Wisner-Pilger, and Wakefield may have something to say about that, but GACC is a pretty safe bet when it comes to picking a champion or who you think is going to win something.
Season Outlook:
GACC opens up the season on August 30th at home against East Butler. Ridder doesn't expect things to be easy against the Tigers.
"They've always been a good Football program. They were a little bit down last year, but they comeback with a lot of returning players and kids so we expect them to be very talented and very good. And then we also have several tough contests down the road."
GACC hosts Howells-Dodge the following week in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull, and also has District Road Games at Wisner-Pilger and Wakefield.
Ridder says the key to beating the Gators and Trojans is running the ball well.
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Ridder adds stopping the run is also a key to making another deep playoff run, and I think the Bluejays can do just that again this season.
There are a lot of talented seniors and kids on this team as usual, and GACC should have another mighty and fine season.
The Bluejays are always good and tough, and barring any major injuries, I think you can count on GACC at least making the Quarterfinals once again this season.
The Bluejays have to execute on offense and play up to their potential on defense to be successful though.
Those games with the Jaguars, Gators, and Trojans will be major dog fights for sure, and Wakefield beat GACC last year so anything can certainly happen.
The Bluejays have to be ready to play physical, attacking, in your face football, and must be relentless with their play.
GACC has to hit hard and punish their opponents.
The Bluejays can't show any mercy to or let up against anyone at anytime.
GACC has to show teams why they are one of the best programs around, and blowout as many opponents as possible.
I think the Bluejays might have some close games this year, and feel that could help them in the playoffs if they're able to win their big and close games if they're close that is.
GACC has to practice well until the start of the season, and must be as prepared as possible for East Butler on the 30th.
2019 GACC Bluejays Football Schedule:
08/30/19 East Butler
09/06/19 Howells-Dodge
09/13/19 @ Omaha Brownell Talbot
09/27/19 @ Wisner-Pilger
10/04/19 Omaha Nation
10/11/19 @ Wakefield
10/18/19 @ Homer
10/25/19 Winnebago
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