Team: Tekamah-Herman
Mascot: Tigers
Colors: Purple and Vegas Gold
Class: C-2
Head Coach: Graig McElmuray (5th season) (4-32 record)
2018 record: 2-7
Returning Starters: 6 offense 5 defense
Overview:
The Tekamah-Herman Football Team went 2-7 last year, beating then defending state champion Yutan towards the end of the season. 5th year Head Coach Graig McElmuray says the kids put in quite a bit of work this summer.
"Our summer weightlifting program was pretty good. We had quite a few kids partake in that. We had quite a few kids with well over 20 days. I'd say about 15-20 kids that all had at least 20 days if not more."
McElmuray says the Tigers have 37 kids out for the team this year.
The Tigers return 6 starters on offense and 5 on defense.
Returning offensive starters include Wilson Anderson (5'10, 170 SO OL), Clay Beaumont (6'0, 175 SR QB), Lucas Birdsong (6'1, 240 JR OL/DL), Cole Freidel (5'10, 150 JR WR/DB), Brock Rogers (6'2, 170 WR/DB), and Luke Wakehouse (5'11, 195 SR FB/LB).
Returners on defense include Birdsong, Wakehouse, Garrison Potadle (5'11, 175 JR FB/LB), Chauncey Rogers (5'10 SR DL), and Kasey Snyder (5'9, 175 SR LB).
Others likely to play include Cole Bottger (5'8, 130 JR WR/DB), Kody Bitter (5'9, 155 SO FB/LB), Lukus Braniff (SO OL/DL), Dylan Chatt (5'6, JR WR/DB), Jordan Derra (5'10, 130 SR WR/DB), Logan Hopkins (5'8, 135 JR WR/DB), Eldridge Jensen (6'0, 160 JR QB/LB), Eli Lingle (6'2, 300 JR OL/DL), Kaleb Quick (5'10, 150 SO WR/LB), and Dawson Schram (6'0, 175 SO OL/DL).
McElmuray says Potadle is a great tackler while Freidel has great speed and Wakehouse great speed and power.
Wakehouse rushed for 500 yards in 6 games last year, according to McElmuray.
Tekamah-Herman said goodbye to last year's seniors in Mark Stark, Tristan Metzger, Brandon Schram, Tyler Petersen, Cody Elliot, Braden Ball, Gage Drummond, Jacob Jensen, Alex Skinner, Cody Arnold, Cameron Douglas, Alex Camp, Derek Conety, Kegan Tilmon, Dillon Myre, and Fox Redman.
I look for the Tigers to do well this year.
I feel this will be McElmuray's best team yet, and felt the program really made a lot of strides last year.
There's a lot of work to do over the course of the season for the team to be successful, but there's no doubt these kids are dedicated to succeeding and playing well week in and week out.
Tekamah-Herman has to believe they can win every time they take to the field and improve as much as possible over the course of the season.
Games were closer and more competitive for the Tigers last year, and I think things will be even more competitive and close this year.
Tekamah-Herman just has to let things go though, and not dwell on mistakes and let it affect their play the rest of the game.
Season Outlook:
Tekamah-Herman kicks off the season at Ponca on August 30th. McElmuray says he would like to see his team play a complete game up there this year.
"Well I think it's important that we go up there and play well. I think it's important that we go up there and do everything the right way. Think it's important for us to go up there and have a good game. Last year we let them have 4 easy touchdowns on us last year. They really only scored one touchdown that we didn't just kind of give to them as far as our feeling goes. And so as we look at that we played 3 quarters of really good football against Ponca last year, and we're ready to step up and play good football again against them."
The Indians won last year's game in Tekamah, 36-8.
Ponca is a great team, and going up there and winning is no small task.
With that said, I think the Tigers are well equipped to go up there and find a way to compete if not win.
I think the game will be close and competitive at the very least, if not a Tekamah-Herman win.
McElmuray has this preseason assessment of his team. "We will be improved again this year. Strong run game. Lost four offensive line starters to graduation."
McElmuray adds it's going to be a fun year!
Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report looks for the Tigers to turn some heads this year.
"It just feels like Tekamah-Herman's got a chance to score some points. And if you can score some points it gives you a chance to compete at a higher level. And again will they be a playoff team? That seems unlikely. But I think it's a team that's going to be much improved. And that is one program that I could see beating somebody that they quote on quote weren't supposed to."
I think there's an opportunity for quite a few wins this year for the Tigers.
I think Tekamah-Herman has the potential to have a winning season.
I don't know if the Tigers will make the playoffs as Jensen eluded to, but I think the team will be even more improved from last year.
Tekamah-Herman is a team and a program on the rise, there's no doubt about it, and this year should be a solid one for the Purple and Gold.
I'm very excited to see what the Tigers can do this season.
2019 Tekamah-Herman Tigers Football Schedule:
08/30/19 @ Ponca
09/06/19 Stanton
09/13/19 @ Twin River
09/20/19 @ Conestoga
09/27/19 Oakland-Craig
10/04/19 @ BRLD
10/11/19 Yutan
10/18/19 Louisville
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