Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

LINCOLN NORTHEASTROCKETS
By: Kevin Sjuts
A scouting report of Lincoln
Northeast centered around Talon
Little, Tivon Phillips, and Caden
Highsmith in 2016. Now, opposing
coaches will have new names to
fill in while evaluating the Rockets.
Lincoln Northeast is seeking
replacements for its three most
productive offensive players, who
all graduated following last season.
“A lot of guys are going to be
pressed into varsity service as
sophomores,” head coach Bump
Christensen said. “(They) will
have to grow up fast and gel as a
team. We are extremely young.”
Phillips was a 1,000-yard rusher
during his senior season, while
Little completed 58 percent of his
passes. Highsmith, a three-year
starter, holds the school record for
receptions in a season. Those three
departures, along with several
other starters, could change the
outlook for the Rockets this season.
Lincoln Northeast is coming off a
2-7 campaign that included wins
over Fremont and Omaha Benson.
Both the Tigers and Bunnies remain
on the LNE schedule as district
opponents. The Rockets hope to
end a two-year winless streak
against city competition. LNE faces
Lincoln Southeast, Lincoln North
Star and Lincoln East this fall.
Christensen expects the Knights
and Spartans to be among the best
teams in the capitol city this year.
Regardless of the schedule, Lincoln
Northeast hopes to improve
defensively after allowing 42 points
per game in 2016. The Rockets
return three starters on that side
of the ball, including Ayden Koss-
Marshall. The 6-foot, 195-pound
middle linebacker’s 62 stops last
season ranked second on the
team. Lincoln Northeast’s other
defensive playmakers figure to be
Korbin Amen (5’11” 160 lbs) and
Tobin Vocasek (6’2” 170 lbs). LNE’s
defensive scheme could have some
new wrinkles after coordinator
Tim Dvorak left to become the
head coach at Grand Island Central
Catholic during the off-season.
The offensive playcalling remains
the same, and moving the football
has rarely been an issue under
Christensen. In 2016, Lincoln
Northeast’s balanced attack
averaged 343 yards. The fifthyear
head coach must decide on a
new starting quarterback during
preseason practice. Sophomore
Shadon Shannon is battling
junior Hahler Groth for the No. 1
quarterback job.
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Lincoln Southeast
9/1 @ Lincoln North Star
9/7 Omaha Benson
9/15 @ Kearney
9/21 @ Lincoln East
9/28 Fremont
10/6 Millard North
10/13 @ Papillion-LaVista
10/20 @ Creighton Preparatory School
Emanuel will likely anchor the
offensive line from the center
position. Despite the unit’s youth,
the Rockets should have good size
up front.
In Lincoln Northeast’s spread
offense, there is a need for skilled,
athletic playmakers. Christensen
is especially looking at wideouts
Kaleb Merrill (5’9” 160 lbs), Grant
LeMay (6’ 180 lbs), and Jakobi
Rose (6’1” 175 lbs) to contribute.
As for the running back position,
Christensen describes sophomore
Nick Halleen a “fast, hard-nosed
runner.”
With Lincoln Northeast’s new
wave of talent, there is an increased
level of curiosity and excitement
for the upcoming season.
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Rockets
Class: A
2016 Record: 2-7
Playoff Appearances: 17
Head Coach: Bump Christensen
Career Record: 10-25
Assistant Coaches: Dion Gaston,
Javonta Boyd, Donald Defrand and
Buch Rausch
Not only will the Rockets have a
first-year starting quarterback, but
the offensive line will be mostly
inexperienced, too. Senior Brett
Sewart (6’ 225 lbs) is the only
returning starter at the position.
Youngsters expected to contribute
include Anthony Gomez (5’10”
250 lbs), Nate Karr (6’2” 275
lbs), Mason West (6’2” 270 lbs),
and Orion Emanuel (6’ 270 lbs).
“There is a high amount of
enthusiasm on the team,”
Christensen said. “The kids have
put in a lot of work and they are
ready to put it out on the field.”
Key Players:
Korbin Amen (5’11” 160 lbs) Sr. DB
Kole Connick (6’1” 190 lbs) Sr. TE
Ayden Koss-Marshall (6’ 195 lbs)
Sr. MLB
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