HOWELLS – Behind a dominant run sport, Howells-Dodge rolled into final season’s Eight Man-2 semifinal in opposition to Wynot. However the Jaguars fell brief ultimately, dropping 22-14.
Returning all-stater Dylan Brichacek nonetheless remembers falling in need of the championship.
“Whenever you take a loss and it burns in your thoughts for the subsequent yr till you get to see them once more,” the senior stated. “That’s what actually performs a task in the way you play.”
Going into the 2023 playoffs, Hunter Luther, a junior and all-stater final yr, stated Howells-Dodge was perceived as an underdog, which gave the Jaguars further motivation to make a deep run. And the staff is maintaining that underdog mentality this season.
“These different guys are at all times going to be wanting down on you,” Luther stated. “So that you can come on the market and simply hit them more durable then they get a realization that they are not at all times the highest canine.”
Offensively, Howells-Dodge depends closely on the legs of Luther and Brichacek. Luther ran for 1,827 yards and 27 touchdowns on 267 makes an attempt. Brichacek adopted behind with 516 yards on 99 carries and reached the endzone 9 occasions.
The duo’s speeding assault will attempt to keep its dominance, however it should accomplish that behind a new-look offensive line as 4 of final season’s starters graduated.
The pair play each side of the ball, with Brichacek main the staff in tackles with 105 with 5 for loss. Luther compiled 55 tackles.
Coach Mike Speirs stated that the 2 are nice for the Jaguars’ run sport as a result of they at all times give most effort, whether or not carrying the ball or appearing as a lead blocker.
“Simply having them again there,” Speirs stated. “Can set the tone for the entire staff.”
It’s exhausting for Speirs to pick one second that stands out as considered one of his favorites teaching them. Nevertheless, he added that seeing them give their greatest effort in each sport and observe is what he enjoys essentially the most.
“They’re each actually hard-working younger males,” Speirs stated. “The coachability is so excessive on each of them, that’s type of what makes it straightforward to teach them.”
For Brichacek and Luther, their fondest soccer reminiscences have come from beating rival faculties. Brichacek, a senior, cherished beating Dundy County-Stratton two years in a row and final yr’s win meant much more coming within the playoffs.
Dundy County entered the sport with a 10-0 document and led 14-0 earlier than Howells-Dodge stormed again to win 36-28.
Luther’s favourite reminiscence was when the Jaguars beat Ainsworth. He has family and friends who reside within the metropolis.
For Brichacek and Luther, the purpose this season is to comply with within the footsteps of previous Howells-Dodge groups and win a state title.
“All the things,” Brichacek stated. “It’s what you dream about.”
Luther’s at all times wished to win a championship to point out the village of Howells — inhabitants of 550 — they’ve what it takes to seek out success on the soccer subject.
“We do not have to be the most important staff or the quickest,” Luther stated. “We are able to simply work more durable than everybody else and nonetheless get there.”
Video games to Watch:
Lawrence-Nelson at Howells-Dodge, Aug. 30: A brand new matchup between groups steeped in custom.
Riverside at Central Valley, Aug. 30: Riverside’s first sport on this class is in opposition to the Cougars, who’re coming off a 10-1 season.
Sandhills/Thedford at Ainsworth, Sept. 6: Early likelihood for the Bulldogs to point out there’s soccer life with out Carter Nelson.
BDS at Falls Metropolis Sacred Coronary heart, Sept. 6: The schedule for Sacred Coronary heart is among the many stiffest within the class.
Humphrey Archangels at Wynot, Sept. 13: Wynot beat the then-Flyers 34-12 within the 2023 quarterfinal.
Kenesaw at Axtell, Sept. 27: Axtell’s 12-8 win at Kenesaw contributed to the Blue Devils’ first dropping document since 2009.
Riverside at Howells-Dodge, Oct. 4: May very well be for the district title.
Howells-Dodge at Humphrey Archangels, Oct. 18: Or this may very well be for the district title.
Returning All-Staters:
Kyle Cox, Sandhills/Thedford, QB-DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.: Returning all-state captain ran for two,903 yards.
Hunter Luther, Howells-Dodge, RB-DB, 6-1, 195, Jr.: Jaguar workhorse ran for 1,867 yards on 267 carries.
Grady Kelly, Central Valley, RB-LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.: Was a 2,000-yard rusher, 100-tackler for a 10-1 staff.
Extra to observe
Gage Hedstrom, O’Neill St. Mary’s, QB-LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.: Again-to-back 1,000-yard seasons passing.
Caden Zutavern, Sandhills/Thedford, OL-DL, 6-2, 230, Sr.: Greatest place is at defensive finish.
Zaden Wolf, Central Valley, QB-FS, 6-11, 185, Sr.: Fourth-year starter stays at security and switches to QB.
HOWELLS – Behind a dominant run sport, Howells-Dodge rolled into final season’s Eight Man-2 semifinal in opposition to Wynot. However the Jaguars fell brief ultimately, dropping 22-14.
Returning all-stater Dylan Brichacek nonetheless remembers falling in need of the championship.
“Whenever you take a loss and it burns in your thoughts for the subsequent yr till you get to see them once more,” the senior stated. “That’s what actually performs a task in the way you play.”
Going into the 2023 playoffs, Hunter Luther, a junior and all-stater final yr, stated Howells-Dodge was perceived as an underdog, which gave the Jaguars further motivation to make a deep run. And the staff is maintaining that underdog mentality this season.
“These different guys are at all times going to be wanting down on you,” Luther stated. “So that you can come on the market and simply hit them more durable then they get a realization that they are not at all times the highest canine.”
Offensively, Howells-Dodge depends closely on the legs of Luther and Brichacek. Luther ran for 1,827 yards and 27 touchdowns on 267 makes an attempt. Brichacek adopted behind with 516 yards on 99 carries and reached the endzone 9 occasions.
The duo’s speeding assault will attempt to keep its dominance, however it should accomplish that behind a new-look offensive line as 4 of final season’s starters graduated.
The pair play each side of the ball, with Brichacek main the staff in tackles with 105 with 5 for loss. Luther compiled 55 tackles.
Coach Mike Speirs stated that the 2 are nice for the Jaguars’ run sport as a result of they at all times give most effort, whether or not carrying the ball or appearing as a lead blocker.
“Simply having them again there,” Speirs stated. “Can set the tone for the entire staff.”
It’s exhausting for Speirs to pick one second that stands out as considered one of his favorites teaching them. Nevertheless, he added that seeing them give their greatest effort in each sport and observe is what he enjoys essentially the most.
“They’re each actually hard-working younger males,” Speirs stated. “The coachability is so excessive on each of them, that’s type of what makes it straightforward to teach them.”
For Brichacek and Luther, their fondest soccer reminiscences have come from beating rival faculties. Brichacek, a senior, cherished beating Dundy County-Stratton two years in a row and final yr’s win meant much more coming within the playoffs.
Dundy County entered the sport with a 10-0 document and led 14-0 earlier than Howells-Dodge stormed again to win 36-28.
Luther’s favourite reminiscence was when the Jaguars beat Ainsworth. He has family and friends who reside within the metropolis.
For Brichacek and Luther, the purpose this season is to comply with within the footsteps of previous Howells-Dodge groups and win a state title.
“All the things,” Brichacek stated. “It’s what you dream about.”
Luther’s at all times wished to win a championship to point out the village of Howells — inhabitants of 550 — they’ve what it takes to seek out success on the soccer subject.
“We do not have to be the most important staff or the quickest,” Luther stated. “We are able to simply work more durable than everybody else and nonetheless get there.”
Video games to Watch:
Lawrence-Nelson at Howells-Dodge, Aug. 30: A brand new matchup between groups steeped in custom.
Riverside at Central Valley, Aug. 30: Riverside’s first sport on this class is in opposition to the Cougars, who’re coming off a 10-1 season.
Sandhills/Thedford at Ainsworth, Sept. 6: Early likelihood for the Bulldogs to point out there’s soccer life with out Carter Nelson.
BDS at Falls Metropolis Sacred Coronary heart, Sept. 6: The schedule for Sacred Coronary heart is among the many stiffest within the class.
Humphrey Archangels at Wynot, Sept. 13: Wynot beat the then-Flyers 34-12 within the 2023 quarterfinal.
Kenesaw at Axtell, Sept. 27: Axtell’s 12-8 win at Kenesaw contributed to the Blue Devils’ first dropping document since 2009.
Riverside at Howells-Dodge, Oct. 4: May very well be for the district title.
Howells-Dodge at Humphrey Archangels, Oct. 18: Or this may very well be for the district title.
Returning All-Staters:
Kyle Cox, Sandhills/Thedford, QB-DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.: Returning all-state captain ran for two,903 yards.
Hunter Luther, Howells-Dodge, RB-DB, 6-1, 195, Jr.: Jaguar workhorse ran for 1,867 yards on 267 carries.
Grady Kelly, Central Valley, RB-LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.: Was a 2,000-yard rusher, 100-tackler for a 10-1 staff.
Extra to observe
Gage Hedstrom, O’Neill St. Mary’s, QB-LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.: Again-to-back 1,000-yard seasons passing.
Caden Zutavern, Sandhills/Thedford, OL-DL, 6-2, 230, Sr.: Greatest place is at defensive finish.
Zaden Wolf, Central Valley, QB-FS, 6-11, 185, Sr.: Fourth-year starter stays at security and switches to QB.
