Senior quarterback Trent Miller lets loose a pass during Friday night's inter-squad scrimmage, at the high school. The Dragons open the season, at home, this Friday against Blair at 7 p.m..

Fall sports teams begin seasons

by Mike Fischer

Sports Writer

FOOTBALL

Experience will be key for the Dragons this year. This season's team has 23 returning lettermen and 12 returning starters; nine on offense, seven on defense and two kickers. Second season Coach Chad Jepsen said, "this team has a lot of great chemistry and they want to be successful. It also helps that we have a number of players returning with experience." Even though there are many returning lettermen and starters, the team is still young.

"Many young players will have to develop early to prepare for district play," Jepsen said. Even though the team is young, there is still great strength on the team. Senior quarterback Trent Miller has great skill all around, with 18 rushes, 27 receptions and is the team's leading tackler. On the defensive side of the ball, Seniors Brandon Hubert and Dwight Jones led the team with 34 and 27 tackles, respectively, last season. On the offense, the Dragons have seniors Davis Hannibal, with 20 rushes last season, and Trent Miller, with 332 receiving yards.

"We will have pretty good skill positions, but lack depth and experience on the offensive line," Jepsen said. On special teams, the Dragons return senior Joey Timmerman, who averages 36 yards per punt, and junior Ross Labenz, who averages 11 yards per punt return. The Dragons had their inter-squad scrimmage last Friday, and this Friday the Dragons open the season at home against Blair, at 7 p.m.

The first two weeks put the Dragons against Blair and Lincoln Pius X. "Typically these teams are big and physical," said Jepsen. "They will both present their share of challenges. Our kids are excited and ready to play."

SOFTBALL

Entering his second year as Coach and leading a strong team of experienced players will give Coach Mike Moore and his Lady Dragons squad an edge this season. This year's Dragon softball team has seven returning starters. Coach Moore is anticipating an excellent and successful year. Last year's team finished just over .500 with a 17-15 record, a conference championship and a bid to the state competition.

This year's team will retain their starting pitcher, catcher, two girls in the outfield and three in the infield. Even with the retained experience, Coach Moore said that he will continue to work on his team's offense. Coach Moore is very optimistic about the season. "We will have a lot of depth this year. We are looking forward to a successful year," he said. Junior Bailey Hendrix returns to the mound, and leads a team of five pitchers for the Lady Dragons. Coach Moore believes his arsenal of pitchers will help increase the girls' chances in tournament play. The Lady Dragons will begin regular season play tomorrow at Blair, and will begin tournament play on Saturday, also at Blair. The ladies will play their home opener against Omaha Skutt on Thursday Sept. 4.

VOLLEYBALL

The Lady Dragon volleyball team looks much different this season. The team graduated five seniors and retained only two starters, but Head Coach Mike Brandon is very optimistic about this season. "[We] have a talented group of underclassmen who should be able to fill the void left by our departing seniors," said Coach Brandon. Last year meant the end of three-year-starter, setter Kaylie Heberly's spot on the team. She left a key setter position open.

"Losing our starting setter for the past three years will mean a big adjustment offensively for us," Coach Brandon said, "if our setters can get comfortable running the offense and our hitters get some chemistry with them, if should make this adjustment much smoother." Even though the team is young and has many spots to fill, the Lady Dragon's two returning starters bring back a lot of talent. Riley Haug leads the team defensively, as a returning sophomore who started as the leading defensive player last season. Jaclyn Sutton returns to her spot on offense, bringing 169 kills and 42 blocks from last year.

Looking at conference play, Brandon said every conference game is important. The EMC is really even and competition will be tight. Plattsmouth and Elkhorn both return most of their players from last year's teams. The ladies are looking at a tough schedule this fall; during regular match play, the Lady Dragons will travel to Omaha Westside and Omaha Mercy. Both games will be a big test for the team Coach Brandon said.

At the end of the regular season, the Lady Dragons will face last year's state champion Lincoln Pius X, at the Waverly triangular. Brandon said this will be a great indicator for where the team is for post-season play. The Lady Dragons will play their inter-squad scrimmage this Friday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. The season begins for them at the Platteview invite on Sept. 6, and their home opener is against Plattsmouth on Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. "We have a very competitive group who can get after it, and don't like giving up easy points," said Brandon, looking forward to a tough, yet successful season.

GOLF

A big change to the fall sports lineup is the retirement of girls golf Coach Gary Zessin. Mark Jones, a resource teacher at the middle school, will take control of this highly successful team. Coach Jones takes control of a team filled with talent. Returning seniors Kristen Goldenstein and Cari Hawk were both state contenders last season. Senior Tiffany Strilka also returns to the squad this year.

Coach Moore said, "The girls really enjoy playing the game, and are always wanting to improve." Last year's team finished with high marks. They won all seven of their duals and finished in the top three in invitationals, with a win at Plattsmouth, seconds at Gretna and Blair and thirds at Elkhorn and Bennington. The team also finished tenth at state last year, but were only seven strokes out of seventh place. With three seniors leading the team, and conference and district runner-up finishes from last season, the Lady Dragons look forward to another successful year.