Winnebago looking to build off last year's campaign

Team: Winnebago

Mascot: Indians

Colors: Blue and White

Class: D-1

Head Coach: Adam James (11th season) (26-62 record)

2018 record: 3-5

Returning Starters: 5

Overview:

The Winnebago Football Team must replace some key players from last year's 3-5 team. 11th year Head coach Adam James.

"Yeah we have to replace our Quarterback and our wide receiver this year. We do have a senior stepping into that Quarterback role in Jeriah Greyowl (6'0, 140 SR QB/DB). He's been playing wide receiver for us the last 3 years as we're replacing T.J. Frenchman, who was our good quarterback that we have had starting for the last three years. Our running back Tyrese Gorrin we're replacing him with a sophomore, Javon Price (6'1, 160 SO RB/DE). Big kid that's stepping in the role and taking it to himself this summer to learn the plays and be ready for that position."

James says the Indians have a pretty heavy senior class this year which they haven't had in the past as 7 seniors are out for the team this year with 6 starting.

He looks for senior leadership to lead the team this season.

Winnebago graduated a big lineman last year in Prosper Gilpin. James says the Indians still have a few kids on the line with size.

"Yeah we do, we have a young kid, Lucian DeCora. He'll be stepping into the center position, kicking Ricky Suarez (5'9, 245 JR) out to that guard position, which Prosper was there last year. Ricky this summer worked his butt off to drop about 30 pounds and put about 20 pounds of muscle on. So kid has really transformed into a good looking football player. We also have a senior stepping in too, he's been playing tight end/running back for us in the past, but he's going to play the other guard position, and it's Marcus Harlan."

The Indians return 5 starters on both sides of the ball, and have 29 kids out for the team this year, according to Coach James.

Returning starters not already mentioned include Robbie Lovejoy (5'10, 215 SR OL/LB), JT Bass (6'2, 190 SO TE/DE), Lourde Kearnes (5'11, 145 SR WR/DB), and Ed Payer (6'1, 160 SR WR/DB).

Winnebago said goodbye to Frenchman, Gilpin, Gorrin, Raul Loera, Jamisen Wolfleader, Tobias Thomas, Joseph Huerta, Sam Farmer, Javier Nunez, Ricky Wolfe, B.J. Proctor, and Eric Caramony last year.

I think the Indians can be good again this year. Some really good players to replace for sure, but a lot of promising players coming up it sounds like.

I feel there are a lot of playmakers on the team who can do great things for this team. I think only time will tell how good they can be.

Season Outlook:

Winnebago hosts Pender in Friday's Season Opener. James says his team needs a repeat of last year to come out on top again.

"Yeah we need to get those turnovers like we did last year. I think we forced 6 turnovers last year, which really helped put our offense into gear. Our defense stepped up pretty big."

The Indians defeated the Pendragons 50-14 in Pender last year, and knocked off the Pendragons 60-42 at home the year before for their first win of the season.

Winnebago certainly has had Pender's number the past couple of years, but the Pendragons return a good core group of players as well.

Pender is also now coached by former Husker Offensive Lineman Cody Volk so you don't really know what to expect from the Pendragons per se.

The Indians just have to come out and play their game and play fearless though.

Winnebago's games were a lot closer and more competitive last year than in years past I thought, and I look for the Indians to continue to take steps in the right direction this season.

Of course Winnebago is ineligible for the playoffs being they opt down to play 8-man football.

There's still a lot to play for though in terms of pride and everything if you are the Indians though.

Winnebago has to come out and play a complete smashmouth like game against the Pendragons on Friday.

The Indians have to try and get in Pender's heads too.

I'm not suggesting trash talk, but it happens and I'm sure there will be plenty of jawing back and forth in this one.

Winnebago has to go out there and give it their all for four quarters.

Play hard for 48 minutes and find a way to win.

Winnebago has GACC, Wakefield, Lutheran High Northeast, and Wisner-Pilger later on this season, but I could see the Indians competing against those teams and finishing .500 this year.

I think a 4-4 record is a realistic and attainable goal for Winnebago for sure.

I think finishing better than last year would be another big step in the right direction for this program.

2019 Winnebago Indians Football Roster:

Numbers	Name	GRADE	HT	WT	POS
1	Jason Free	10	6'0	140	WR
2	Jarius Bass	11	6'2	170	TE
3	Destin Vargas	9	5'10	130	RB/WR
4	Javon Price	10	6'0	155	RB
5	Jeriah Greyowl	12	5'10"	145	QB/WR
7	Marcus Harlan	12	5'10"	160	RB
9	Logan Suarez	10	5'7"	140	QB/WR
11	Lourde Kearnes	12	5'10"	145	WR
12	Asaias Bernie	11	5'10"	135	QB/WR
13	Ladanian Free	9	5'5	115	WR
20	MJ Kennedy	11	5'10	150	RB
21	Robbie Lovejoy	12	5'9"	170	RB
22	Randy DeCora	9	5'6	120	WR
23	Elijah Vargas	11	5'8"	165	RB
31	Mario Suniga	10	5'10	155	WR
36	Zaiden Bernie	10	5'8	140	RB
38	Lucian DeCora	10	6'0"	185	OL/TE
50	Carlos Vargas	10	6'2"	220	OL
51	Darion Earth	11	5'10	245	OL
54	Ronald Painter	12	6'2"	260	OL
62	Elias Blue	9	5'8	160	OL
65	Zeriah George	11	5'8	165	OL
66	Ricky Suarez	12	5'9"	185	OL
68	RJ Urbanec	11	5'10	220	OL
74	Ethan Ireland	9	5'10	245	OL
78	Tierre Walker	9	6'1	260	OL
80	Edward Payer	12	6'2"	165	WR
81	Anthony Earth	9	5'10	160	TE
85	Jarius Harlan	10	6'3	175	TE
Head Coach: Adam James
Assistant Coaches: Dusty Welsh, Adam Tranmer, VJ Wolfleader
Junior High Coaches: Barry Bonneau, Treivan Bear, William Faeth
Managers: Antrell Harlan, Oscar Earth, Jared Doxey,

2019 Winnebago Indians Football Schedule:

08/30/19 Pender
09/06/19 Lutheran High Northeast
09/13/19 @ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
09/27/19 @ Homer
10/04/19 Wisner-Pilger
10/11/19 @ Omaha Nation
10/18/19 Wakefield
10/25/19 @ Guardian Angels Central Catholic