Team: Howells-Dodge
Mascot: Jaguars
Colors: Green, Black, Silver
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Mike Speirs (28th season) (241-59 record)
2019 record: 10-1 (lost to Osceola-High Plains in State Quarterfinals)
Returning Starters: 3 offense 3 defense
Mascot: Jaguars
Colors: Green, Black, Silver
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Mike Speirs (28th season) (241-59 record)
2019 record: 10-1 (lost to Osceola-High Plains in State Quarterfinals)
Returning Starters: 3 offense 3 defense
Overview:
The Howells-Dodge Football Team figures to rely on a young team to lead them to success this year.
Only 3 starters return on both sides of the ball for longtime Head Coach Mike Speirs, and on offense they are Jacob Tomcak (5'11, 165 QB SR), Levi Belina (5'11, 180 RB JR), RJ Bayer (6'1, 190 JR DE/TE) with Belina, Bayer, and Blake Sindelar (6'2,180 JR S) starting on the defensive side of the ball.
Tomcak if you recall stepped up big for the Jaguars last year, going 32-50 with 518 yards and 13 passing touchdowns. Belina was a beast in his own right, carrying the rock 177 times for 1,162 yards and 20 TD's to go along with 132 tackles. Bayer was a threat on offense as well as he had 11 receptions for 176 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to 102 tackles and 13 sacks last season.
Other starters/those likely to play include Aandy Dominguez (5,10, 185 SO OL/NG), Lance Brester (6'2, 165 SO DB/RB, Landen Pieper (6'1, 205 SR OL/DL), Aiden Meyer (6'2, 175 SO TE/DL), Jacob Hegemann (5'11, 180 JR OL/DL), Jestin Bayer (5'9, 175 SO RB/LB), Cole Grovijohn (5'10, 185 SO OL/DL), and Caleb Perrin (5'11, 150 TE/LB).
Coach Speirs comments on Belina. "Levi had 177 carries for 1162 yards and 20 TD's and was our main running back until an Injury in week 5. He is one of the most physical running backs we have had, and as he gains more carries and more experience, he will continue to get better. He has a chance to develop into one of the top LB's we have had in our program."
Speirs says Bayer is a very important part of the team. "11 receptions for 176 yards and 4 TD's. 102 total tackles and 13 sacks. R.J. became our best blocking TE throughout last season and understands the position as well as any TE we have had. As a DE, his quickness is a huge asset to him and he is a relentless player at the position. He is also our punter and kicker, making him one of the most valuable players on the field."
I fully expect the Jaguars to figure things out and find their way like they always do. Year in and year out Howells-Dodge faces offensive line challenges or there are question marks, yet they always find a way.
Of course this is all contingent upon the coronavirus pandemic not shutting things down.
Speirs says it took a lot more time to lift weight this summer. "One of the big differences in this offseason was in the weight room. With social distancing guidelines we needed a lot more lifting sessions than in the past. What was usually about 3 hours to get all the boys and girls through took closer to 6-7 hours."
Hopefully the Jaguars are able to play a full season and kids stay healthy and the pandemic doesn't affect things.
Season Outlook:
Howells-Dodge looks for another good and successful season this year.
The Jaguars are young, but you can bet they will still be good.
A challenging schedule awaits Howells-Dodge though, including a District that includes Clarkson/Leigh, GACC, Wisner-Pilger, Stanton, and Madison.
GACC and Wisner-Pilger were hit hard by graduation, but figure to still be tough. Same with Stanton, who comes down from C-2.
Clarkson/Leigh gets Tommy McEvoy back after he missed all of last year with a Torn ACL. The Bacon Bowl on October 16th on the Bull figures to be a great game.
Speirs says kids will have to step up and perform well if his team is to be successful this year. "We lack returning experience, especially in the offensive line. We must find 4 new starters up front, and we will be lacking size in that area. We will only have two seniors out for football so we will need some leadership to step up in our underclassmen. We feel good about the backfield as we return two starters there. We will have to rely on them to get our inexperienced players comfortable. Our schedule will be challenging with what will probably be the top two teams in our class on it. Our success will depend on how quickly our inexperienced players adjust and how our offensive line develops."
Howells-Dodge certainly needs a lot of kids to step up, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think Tomcak and Belina will help the offensive line come along with their running ability and with Tomcak's throwing ability, but someone has to step up on defense and be a leader on that side of the ball as well.
The Jaguars have to take the bull by the horns so to speak, and go out there and perform well.
Of course as I mentioned above, everything depends on COVID.
Speirs says everyone is ready to get back at it after missing the Spring. "I think everyone was ready to participate in sports again. Most high school kids who participate in sports are competitive so games this fall will give them that competition and fill that void that was left from last spring."
When asked about the NSAA's Decision to move forward with fall sports, Speirs had this to say. "I think everyone is ready for a little normalcy so being able to participate in fall sports will be a step in that direction."
I certainly hope we get a full season without any interruptions.
Howells-Dodge is scheduled to open up the season at home on August 28th against East Butler.
2020 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Football Schedule:
08/28/20 East Butler
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