Team: North Bend Central
Mascot: Tigers
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-1
Head Coach: Ryan Stieren (5th season) (21-16 record)
2019 record: 9-2 (lost to BRLD in State Quarterfinals)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense and 7 on defense
Overview:
There's reason for optimism once again at North Bend Central as the Tigers bring back a host of players from last year's team that went 9-2 and reached the State Quarterfinals before losing to BRLD in an absolute thriller of a shootout we had for you on 107.9 the Bull.
Gone is QB Austin Endforf, but back for 5th year Head Coach Ryan Stieren is one of the best players in Class C-1 in Breckin Peters (6'0, 205 SR WR/MLB), Ethan Mullaly (5'8, 180 SR RB/FS), an All-District Player who broke school records, Ian Virka (6'3, 205 JR TE/MLB), Landon Krenzer (6'4, 270 SR OL/DL), Jace Owen (6'0, 285 SR OL/DL), Austin Taylor (6'1, 185 SR WR OLB), Peyton Mitties (6'0, 215 SR OL/MLB), and Allan Orellana (5'6, 160 SR WR/DB).
Other starters/those likely to play include Jarrett Poessnecker (5'9, 170 SR K), Hunter Johnston (5'9, 190 SR OL/DL), Trevor Ortmeier (6'1, 175 JR QB/OLB), Brodey Johnson (6'1, 180 JR QB/DB), Colin Rhynalds (5'11, 165 JR WR/DB), Kellen Beaver (5'7, 190 JR OL/DL), Demarius Bosveld (6'0, 210 SR OL/DL), and Kyler Hellbusch (6'1, 190 FR QB/DB).
Coach Stieren says Peters is a great player. "He is built to be an explosive athlete and has an aggressive mindset. He is also someone who prepares himself extremely well throughout each week. Offensively, every team has to have a plan for him and defensively he is a destroyer. Very high level player."
Stieren says Mullaly is a game breaker. "Ethan has the ability to break off big plays when things are not blocked up very well. His vision and balance make him a special player - we call him the Class C version of Barry Sanders. He broke our school record for rushing yards last season and should break his own record this season while also establishing the school career rushing record."
Stieren adds Virka keeps on growing. "Played outstanding on the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore last season. Offensively, we will be moving him from Running Back to a Tight End spot because he is getting so big and it puts one of our best players in the game. He is growing so fast that the Height and Weight listed."
Stieren says the team adjusted and adapted to things accordingly in the offseason. "Our offseason was very different because of all the precautions but we look at all this extra stuff that we are doing to keep kids safe as an advantage. If we can do all the right things and minimize the Virus from getting into our program, then we will be better off. I am a big believer in having our kids lift weights as a team but that got taken away from us due to limiting the number of athletes being allowed in the weight room during the summer. We worked with all our programs across the board so our boy athletes were not able to lift together and create that intense atmosphere like we have been able to in the past. But, we made the most of it and now I feel like we are pretty far along."
I think North Bend Central can be very good once again this year as long as the season isn't altered or cancelled cause of the pandemic.
Season Outlook:
The North Bend Central Tigers look for more big things in 2020 after the breakout season they had last year.
Stieren says the team has experience and talent, especially up front. "I believe we have a chance to be really solid this season. We have a lot of experience back with 12 seniors projected to be on the roster and we have 3 or 4 highly talented players that not a lot of teams have. Furthermore, our offensive/defensive lines will be as good as we have had since I have been here. The one area that people on the outside might see as a weakness is our QB position but I feel that we have 2 or 3 guys that are fighting for the starting spot and they are really good players. I believe that whoever is our Quarterback will operate at a high level."
I think when you look at North Bend Central's Schedule they could be anywhere from 5-4 to 7-2.
I feel like the Tigers have a chance to be very good once again this year, and make the playoffs.
Jumping from C-2 to C-1 is a challenge, but I feel like North Bend Central is ready for that challenge.
Stieren says he is very happy with the NSAA's decision to move forward with Fall Sports. "I really like the NSAA's approach to this situation. Allowing each school/health department to determine whether or not it is safe to play is huge because there are a lot of school districts or regions that are not very affected by the Virus so why penalize those kids. Knock on wood, but right now in our school district we are in really good shape. Obviously that can change in a hurry but we are taking every precaution possible."
Stieren adds the team is ecstatic to be able to play this year after spring sports were cancelled last year. "We are extremely thrilled for our seniors because this is something that you never get back and for them to have this experience is priceless. It takes on a new perspective because our kids now that any game on our schedule can be taken away so I feel a sense of urgency in our kids to really enjoy everyday."
As long as the Tigers stay the course and keep working hard throughout the season and stay healthy, and the pandemic doesn't interfere with things, there's no reason to think that North Bend Central won't be a playoff team once again this year.
North Bend Central opens up the season on August 28th at home against Fort Calhoun.
2020 North Bend Central Tigers Football Schedule:
08/28/20 Fort Calhoun
09/04/20 @ Arlington
09/11/20 @ Pierce
09/18/20 Boys Town
09/25/20 Schuyler
10/02/20 @ Columbus Scotus
10/09/20 Columbus Lakeview
10/16/20 @ West Point-Beemer
10/23/20 @ Battle Creek
No comments:
Post a Comment