Plainsmen 22 deep this football season

After battling through a thin roster last season, Plainsmen Football Coach Jonathan Hunt fields a squad of 22 strong this season. 

He’s excited about the prospects for the Plainsmen this  D1 eight-man season. 

The bulk of the team’s experience comes from the sophomores, with eight returning from last year’s squad, along with a new transfer that brings experience. 

With numerous injuries and low numbers last season, many of those players as freshmen were forced into duty and got lots of varsity experience.

He also returns one senior and two juniors while adding five new upperclassman and six freshmen. 

Hunt said his players hit the weights hard this summer to prepare for the season.

After two weeks of practice, he likes the progress he’s seen. 

For the first few days, it was a matter of knocking off the rust before they settled in.

In a scrimmage, Hunt said he saw some really good things versus moments when they were inconsistent.

Despite still being a young squad overall, he said last year’s experience is already showing up in their practices. 

“Practices are at a faster speed this year,” he said. Speed of the game represents one of the biggest adjustments for younger players, he added. 

The upperclassmen additions bring previous football experience, which has helped them in preparations for the season. 

Hunt brings back his quarterback from last season, Triston Hite. He’s among those returning players who have stepped it up thus far, Hunt said,. 

Hite will have some size on the line to protect him in the pocket with sophomore brothers Ashton and Austin Meyer. 

Ashton comes in at 290 with Austin at 275. Hunt said that size will likely give the Plainsmen a bigger line than most teams in D1.

Season opener at DCS

The Plainsmen will put their preseason preparations to the test when they travel to Benkelman Friday to face Dundy County Stratton, a playoff quarterfinalist last year. 

Hunt said the Tigers return experience in key skill positions at quarterback and running back and will be a good team this year. 

Both teams will deal with first-game jitters, Hunt said, but he expects his kids will be ready to play hard. 

Hunt said their bread and butter will be to get behind the size on the line and move the ball. 

In addition, Hite proved himself as an effective passer last season.

Kickoff Friday is slated for 7 p.m. 

Hunt’s assistant coaches this season include Ryan Boldt, Shayne Hite and Tanner Collins.

Players on this year’s Plainsmen football team include:

Seniors: Trye Hickey, Deitrik Brueggeman, Matt McClung, Kyler Bullock.

Juniors: Bryder Hickey, Brandon Knoles.

Sophomores: Jeb Kohl, Triston Hite, Hunter Garner, Hayden Foster, Erik Snyder, Shawn Lyon, Ashton Meyer, Austin Meyer, Huntin Taylor, Blake Dolezal.

Freshman: Ethan Sihm, Storm Peterson, Kannon Palu, Casey Hanson, Eli Busick, Casey Uehling.