Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

LINCOLN PIUS XTHUNDERBOLTS
By: TJ Eck
Ryan Kearney’s first year as
head coach for Lincoln Pius X
couldn’t have started better as
the Thunderbolts opened the
season with five straight wins in
2016. However, the second half
of the season produced opposite
results, as Pius lost its final four
regular season games before
falling in the first round of the
playoffs.
Kearney is now preparing for
year two on the sidelines at
Pius, and he now has last year’s
experiences to lean on as the
Thunderbolts look to bounce
back in 2017.
“It’s been a little bit smoother
(preparing for year two),”
Kearney said. “But the nerves
and losing a bit of sleep is
starting to come back.”
Kearney said one of the strengths
for the 2017 squad comes at
quarterback position. Three
players, who all saw time last
season, are expected to compete
for the starting job this fall.
Seniors Thomas Robertson (650
passing yds, 7 total TD) and Joe
Raun (391 passing yds, 6 total
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Thunderbolts
Class: A
2016 Record: 5-5
Playoff Appearances: 28
Head Coach: Ryan Kearney
Career Record: 5-5
Assistant Coaches: Mike Aldrich, Steve Andersen,
Jeff Aylward, Mike Aylward, Alex Adams,
Troy Charf, PJ Book, Jim Hansen, Alex Hain,
Nate Heimes, Derek Hartman, Steve Engstrom,
Tom Schneider, Cody Wallinger
TD), along with junior Austin
Jablonski (198 passing yds, 3
total TD), give the Thunderbolts
multiple options at QB. Whoever
wins the quarterback battle
is expected to have a talented
group of wide receivers to throw
the ball to. Senior Zach Kerkman
(6’2” 220 lbs) is an impact player
on the offensive line.
Pius is hoping for more
consistent play on offense this
fall. The Thunderbolts averaged
28 points per game in their five
wins last season, but just 13.2 in
the five losses.
Defensively, Pius leans on senior
linebacker Chris Cassidy. He
led the Thunderbolts with 47
total tackles and six tackles for
loss last fall. Joining him on the
second level of the defense are
fellow seniors Josh Andreasen
(41 total tackles, 5 TFL) and Joey
Pynes (27 total tackles). Only
four defensive starters return for
Pius, opening the door for new
players to step up and fill roles
in 2017.
Lincoln Pius X faces the
challenge of competing in Class
A with one of the smallest
enrollments in the class.
However, the Thunderbolts
proved last season that they can
play with some of the biggest
schools in the state. Kearney
and company again face a tough
schedule this fall that includes
city matchups against Lincoln
North Star (8/25), Lincoln High
(9/1), Lincoln Southeast (9/29),
and Lincoln East (10/13). The
Thunderbolts also travel to
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Lincoln North Star
9/1 @ Lincoln High
9/8 Millard South
9/15 Papillion-LaVista
9/22 @ Bellevue East
9/29 Lincoln Southeast
10/6 @ Grand Island
10/13 @ Lincoln East
10/20 Omaha North
Grand Island (10/6) and play
host to Omaha North (10/20) in
the regular season finale.
“Every team we play will
be tough to beat,” Kearney
said. “We will need to meet a
daily goal of improvement in
execution of fundamentals and
improved consistency.”
Key Players:
Chris Cassidy (6’1” 220 lbs) Sr.
RB/LB
Zach Kerkman (6’2” 220 lbs) Sr.
OL
Josh Andreasen (5’10” 185 lbs)
Sr. LB
The 21st Annual
HUSKERS HELPING THE HOMELESS
October 7, 2017 (prior to NU v Wisconsin Football game)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Hundreds of volunteers will be stationed downtown and throughout the city of Lincoln
before the game to accept monetary donations on behalf of Matt Talbot.
Volunteer opportunities are available October 5, 6, and 7th.
GREAT FOR FAMILIES, STUDENTS, GROUPS, OR INDIVIDUALS!
To join the team and be part of our best defense against hunger and homelessness visit mtko.org.
134 2017 Prepzone Pigskin Preview www.1011now.com/prepzonepigskinpreview 135