Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

By: Austin Miller
HOLDREGEDUSTERS
In game of inches, razor-thin
margins were the difference
between a winning and losing
record for the Holdrege Dusters
in 2016.
Last season, the Dusters finished
with a 2-7 record, but three
of those losses came by five
or fewer points, including a
one-point loss to Grand Island
Northwest.
Going into his 19th season as
head coach, Jason Hale is hoping
another year of experience for
his returning starters and the
number of incoming players on
the roster can push the Dusters
over the top.
“We feel like we can be a factor
in the district race after getting
some much needed experience
for some of our athletes early in
the year,” Hale said.
This season the Dusters return
six starters on offense and five on
defense, including two-way star
Bronson Titus. Titus is coming
off an all-state performance last
season and will anchor both the
offensive and defensive lines.
While his size might not seem
imposing, Titus is one of the
team’s hardest workers, which
has transformed him into a great
run blocker and a hard-to-block
defender.
While Titus will be opening up
the running lanes, it’ll be up to
senior running backs Alex Wells
and Prestin Melroy to make the
most of them. Wells is coming
off a 1,000 yard rushing season,
while also finding the end zone
13 times. Wells just missed out
on an all-state selection, instead
being named as an honorable
mention.
As for Melroy, he’ll certainly see
his rushing attempts increase
this season. However, it’s his
play-making at the linebacker
position that the Dusters will
rely heavily on. Last season,
Melroy was all over the field,
picking off two passes, recording
91 total tackles and tallying nine
tackles for a loss.
The trio of Titus, Wells and
Melroy, to go along with eight
other seniors, gives the Dusters
plenty of experience this season,
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Gothenburg
9/1 @ Scottsbluff
9/8 Alliance
9/15 @ York
9/22 @ Sidney
9/29 Northwest
10/6 @ Lexington
10/13 @ McCook
10/20 Hastings
but their schedule will be tough.
Hale will have his hands full
week-to-week as Holdrege
will play seven teams that had
winning records last season.
With a schedule that tough, the
Dusters will have to make every
possession count if they’re going
to compete at the top of the
district and finish above .500.
Key Players:
Bronson Titus (5’11” 255 lbs) Sr.
OL/DL
Alex Wells (5’10” 165 lbs) Sr. RB/
DB
Prestin Melroy (6’0” 185 lbs) Sr.
RB/LB
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Dusters
Class: B
2016 Record: 2-7
Playoff Appearances: 7
Head Coach: Jason Hale
Career Record: 109-110
OUR TEAM COVERING YOUR TEAM ALL SEASON LONG
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