Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

LINCOLN NORTH STARNAVIGATORS
By: Joe Musso
The Navigators are coming off a less than
stellar 2016 season. North Star went 3-6
last year against an extremely difficult
Class A schedule.
A silver lining to the sub .500 season, the
Navigator roster was made up of plenty
of underclassmen. Coach Mark Waller
will return nine starters and a number
of key contributors for the 2017 season.
Coach Waller is entering his 15th season
as the ‘Gators head coach.
“We should be much better on both the
offensive and defensive lines,” Waller
said. “Our experience at the quarterback
position with Gavin (Leitschuck) is key. It
really all starts with our quarterback play.
We took our lumps there last year but
he’s grown immensely. We’ll also look to
establish depth.”
Last season, Leitschuck took the reigns at
QB for the Navigators as a sophomore.
Waller describes the now junior as a
natural leader with a big arm and the
toughness to stand in the pocket.
With the offense relying heavily on
their spread passing attack, North Star
has no shortage in targets for the junior
QB. 6-foot-4 senior wide receiver Matt
Alexander provides a rare combination of
size, speed, and ball skills.
Navigators’ offense. Housh is comfortable
both in a three-point stance or in the slot
and provides in-game experience as a
two-year starter.
The Navigators will look for increased
production on both sides of the football. In
2016 the ‘Gator defense surrendered 25.4
points per game while the offense only
averaged 21.5 points per game.
In addition, Waller hopes to take better
advantage of their home turf this season.
The ‘Gators only won once on their home
field in 2016.
“They completely understand that last
fall was the worst win-loss record we
had in a decade,” Waller said. “But
our expectations haven’t changed. We
expect to win a district title and get to the
playoffs. In order for that to happen we
need to get after it this summer, the kids
realize that.”
History has not been friendly to the
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Lincoln Pius X
9/1 Lincoln Northeast
9/8 @ Bellevue West
9/15 Norfolk
9/22 Omaha South
9/28 @ Omaha Northwest
10/6 Omaha Westside
10/13 @ Omaha Burke
10/20 Lincoln Southwest
Navigators. North Star has only been
to the state playoffs six times in school
history, most recently in 2015. Their lone
playoff victory came in 2008.
Key Players:
Gavyn Leitschuck (5’11” 180 lbs) Jr. QB
Matt Alexander (6’4” 180 lbs) Sr. WR
Tyric Scott (6’4” 210 lbs) Jr. DE/TE
“Matt has Division 1 talent and skill set,”
Waller said. “He has all the tools. He just
needs to put it all together and make some
strides mentally this summer.”
6-foot-3 senior tight end Jonah Housh
will provide another big body for the
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Gators
Class: A
2016 Record: 3-6
Playoff Appearances: 6
Head Coach: Mark Waller
Assistant Coach: Brian Lauck
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