Team: North Bend Central
Mascot: Tigers
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-2
Head Coach: Ryan Stieren (4th season) (12-14 record)
2018 record: 6-4 (lost to Wilber-Clatonia in 1st round of playoffs)
Returning Starters: 4 on offense and 5 on defense
Overview:
The North Bend Central Football Team returns 4 starters on offense and 5 on defense. One of those starters is star Quarterback Austin Endorf, and 4th year Head Coach Ryan Stieren says he would like to see Endorf cut down on his turnovers.
"Just talking to him kind of our goal is to get our interceptions down. If we can keep that in single digits I think we'll be more powerful offensively this year than we were a year ago."
Endorf finished with over 2,600 yards passing and threw 29 touchdowns last season.
Stieren says Endorf is the complete QB. "The best Quarterbacks perform well under pressure and that is what makes Austin special at the QB position. I truly believe he is right at the top when it comes to QB's in the state of Nebraska. He checks all the boxes -- great competitor, leader, strong work ethic, excellent awareness, mobile in the pocket, solid arm strength, etc. All of our experience around him will make him even better this season. I believe he is primed to have a special season and lead us to places that we haven't been."
Other returning offensive starters include Gavin Peterson (6'0, 215 SR C/LB), Cody Pospisil (6'1, 205 SR (WR/LB), and Cole Johnson (5'10, 210 SR (OL/DL).
Stieren says Peterson is a hard nosed football player. "He is an outstanding leader and has improved greatly every year in our program. This kid is your classic bloody your nose type of player and will help our defense to be greatly improved this next season. Last season, he was our leading tackler despite being a focal point for opposing offenses."
Defensively, the Tigers bring back Peterson, Pospisil, Johnson, Ethan Mullally (5'8, 180 JR RB/DB), and Breckin Peters (6'0, 205 JR (TE/LB).
Stieren says Mullally is the complete back. "Rushed for over 400 yards in 5 games (missed 5 games because of injury) as a sophomore while splitting reps with a senior running back who has graduated. Also caught 9 passes for 192 yards a couple TDs. He will be a home run hitter and has a great chance at being our school's first 1000 yard rusher in a long time. Ethan is very quick with really good vision as a running back. He also is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield which fits our offense well. His playmaking ability is not limited to offense, when he was healthy he was also an outstanding playmaker on defense, he had 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and an interception in only 5 games."
He adds Pospisil is going to be tough on both sides of the ball. "He was our second leading receiver last season and with our leading receiver (John Emanuel) having graduated, he will put up huge numbers. Might be an all-state caliber receiver. He will be a very tough matchup because of his size, mobility, and ball skills. Defensively, he started every game and played almost every snap. Again, his size and strength will make him one of our best defenders."
Others likely to play include Cody Prohaska (6'0, 165 SR WR/DB), Austin Taylor (6'1, 190 JR WR/DB), Landon Krenzer (6'3, 250 JR (OL/DL), Jace Owen (6'1, 255 JR (OL/DL), Hunter Johnston (5'8, 190 JR OL/DL), Ian Virka (5'11, 170 SO (RB/DB), Peyton Mitties (6'0, 190 JR OL/LB), Brodey Johnson (5'10, 165 SO QB/DB), Jarrett Poessnecker (5'9, 160 JR K), Demarius Bosveld (5'11, 195 JR), Gage Dunn (6'3, 200 JR TE/LB), and Allan Orellana (5'9, 160 JR WR/CB).
North Bend Central lost John Emanuel, Joe Howser, Zach Ortmeier, Jacob Ray, Cole Kluthe, Sam Buckingham, Rolenc, Trevor Nelson, Zander Ziettlow, Jeremy Doernemann, and Daden Farrens to graduation.
Season Outlook:
North Bend Central lost a good nucleus of kids to graduation, but returns a lot of kids with experience.
Stieren says his team will have good depth this year, but there are question marks up front. "Last season we played a lot of kids so even though we don't have a lot of returning starters, we return a lot of kids that were in the offensive and defensive rotations. We are fortunate to return an all-state caliber QB. We are further along in our development of players as our weight room numbers are at an all-time high so hopefully that translates to a lot of confidence and allows us to play at a higher level. Experience in some spots is the big question mark. We need about 5 guys to step up on the offensive line to build depth and help our 2 returning starters at those spots. Additionally, there are a couple of other guys that were young last year that have the ability to become outstanding players but they must mature and play with a confident aggressive mindset."
North Bend Central opens up the season at Johnson County Central on August 30th. Stieren says it won't be easy going down there and coming away with a win.
"I mean it's an over two-hour drive, and that's never easy to overcome that in a bus. Those yellow school buses they're not always climate controlled, and so yeah we're definitely going to have our hands full, and if we can limit their big plays, I think we gave up a lot of long runs last year to them. I think we'll have success if we can do that."
The Tigers won last year's game in North Bend, 56-34.
Stieren says Centennial, Aquinas, and Shelby-Rising City will all be tough in the district.
Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report thinks the Tigers could have a similar season this year to what they had in 2018.
"I could see a scenario maybe like last year where they absolutely beat the teams you think they're going to beat. Might not beat some of the teams that you think they won't or shouldn't. But again this is a team that's probably going to need to steal a win somewhere if they're going to make the playoffs."
Logan View/Scribner-Snyder will be tough the second week of the season, and GICC will be tough at home, and Centennial and Aquinas will be tough games back-to-back, but the good news is the Tigers get the Monarchs and Shelby-Rising City at home.
I think North Bend Central finds a way to beat Shelby-Rising City and wins at least 6 games to get back to the playoffs.
I feel a 7-2 record is very possible for this team as well.
Aquinas and Centennial will be tough as Aquinas is always good and Centennial won state last year and got a 1,000 yard running back transfer from Seward so they appear like they will simply reload, which is what the Monarchs do every year.
I think having a solid run game will be important to having balance and complimenting Endorf's arm.
Nonetheless, it should be another fun and special season for the Orange, Black, and White in 2019.
2019 North Bend Central Football Schedule:
08/30/19 @ Johnson County Central
09/06/19 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
09/13/19 @ Stanton
09/20/19 Grand Island Central Catholic
09/27/19 @ Twin River
10/04/19 @ Centennial
10/11/19 Aquinas Catholic
10/18/19 Shelby-Rising City
10/25/19 @ David City
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