Football season opens here Friday
Plainsmen Head Football Coach Tanner Collins likes what he’s seen so far this preseason in preparation for this week’s season opener.
The Plainsmen will get to test their readiness Friday night against Maxwell on Haenfler Field.
The 30-member team had a full contact scrimmage last Friday. Obviously, there’s things they need to clean up, Collins said, but overall, he was pleased with what he saw.
Looking to improve on 4-4
Last season, the Plainsmen finished 4-4 when Collins was expecting better. Injuries proved to be a factor in that record.
Collins said this year’s team should be a playoff contender. The district winner automatically qualifies for the playoffs. Other teams in the Plainsmen’s district include Sutherland, Kimball, Bayard and Hemingford.
This year’s team includes eight seniors who have lots of varsity experience after being thrown into the fire as freshmen.
He noted most played varsity as freshmen, due to low numbers in the program three years ago.
The rest of the squad includes five juniors, six sophomores and 11 freshmen.
There are six jayvee games this year which will get the younger kids some experience along with seeing what it takes to win at the varsity level.
He expects some of the younger members to contribute on special teams early in the season after a good summer in the weight room.
Senior strong
Collins will be looking to his seniors to fill roles on both offense and defense.
His front line, comprised of the Meyer twins, center Austin and guard Ashton, and Huntin Taylor will average 260 lbs.
Hayden Foster will be at tight end and Jeb Kohl at the other receiver position.
In the backfield, Triston Hite will be a four-year starter at quarterback.
He’ll be joined by a rotating trio of backs including senior Erik Snyder, junior Ethan Sihm and sophomore Nolan Foster.
Defensively, the Meyers, Taylor and Juan Perez will rotate into the front line with the Foster boys at the ends.
Sihm, Kohl, Snyder and Shawn Lyon will see action at linebacker with Hite and Tony Lyon as the deep backs.
Hite will also handle the kicking duties on kickoffs, field goals and punting.
Kickoff for Friday’s game here is set for 6 p.m. MT.
A tailgate will preceed the game beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Players on this year’s Plainsmen team include:
Seniors—Hayden Foster, Triston Hite, Jeb Kohl, Shawn Lyon, Ashton Meyer, Austin Meyer, Erik Snyder, Huntin Taylor.
Juniors—Eli Busick, Casey Hanson, Tony Lyon, Ethan Sihm, Casey Uehling.
Sophomores—Trevor Cornelius, Nolan Foster, Will Long, Juan Perez, Henry Taylor, Mason Toner.
Freshmen—Oscar Boldt, Issiah Dunn, Eli Gaston, Maddox Lee, Zeke Lee, Landon Noyes, Ryder Potts, Dawson Tjaden, Brecken Uehling, Colson Uehling, Jackson Wykert.