Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

By: TJ Eck
LINCOLN SOUTHEASTKNIGHTS
When the final seconds ticked off
the clock in Lincoln Southeast’s
season-ending loss to Lincoln
East in the first round of the
2016 Class A playoffs, players,
coaches, and fans were left
thinking: “What could have
been?” LSE is looking to bounce
back in 2017 after the Knights
went 8-1 in the regular season
last fall before surrendering a
21-0 halftime lead to the rival
Spartans in a 24-21 playoff loss.
The good news: LSE brings back
big-time players on both sides of
the ball. Senior quarterback Jack
Strong, who missed time last
season with an injury, will look
to lead the Knights’ offensive
attack. Meanwhile, senior
defensive tackle Bryson Williams
is a Division 1 recruit. While the
Knights return quality players,
quantity may be an issue. Only
six starters are back, including
just two on defense. Open spots
will provide younger players
with a chance to fill a void,
especially in the secondary and
at wide receiver.
“Younger players in our program
must be ready to step into
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Knights
Class: A
2016 Record: 8-2
Playoff Appearances: 29
Head Coach: Ryan Gottula
Career Record: 39-23
Assistant Coaches: Fred Thorne, Scott
Vampola, Andy Ryan, Justin Freitag, Jesse
Foster, Josh Severin, Troy Bergt, Dan
Dougherty, Montana Jones, Colin Clare
starting roles or provide depth
at those positions,” head coach
Ryan Gottula said.
Strong, who returned to play in
LSE’s playoff loss after missing
the final three games of the 2016
regular season, is a talented
passer at the QB position. He
threw for 991 yards and 10
touchdowns last season while
also adding 202 yards and
five TDs on the ground. When
Strong was injured, junior Jampe
Gergen stepped in and played
well, throwing for 655 yards
and 7 TDs. Gottula says both
Strong and Gergen will have a
role in the offense in 2017. While
the Knights have to replace a
number of skill position players,
LSE should have a strong
offensive line. Three starters are
back including Williams (6’3”
290 lbs) at the guard position,
senior center Riley Spicer (5’10”
245 lbs), and junior tackle Luis
Trujillo (6’2” 250 lbs).
The Lincoln Southeast defense
will have a new look in 2017.
Williams and senior linebacker
Calvin Kyker (40 total tackles
in 2016) are the only returning
starters. Replicating last year’s
performance when the Knights
allowed just 17.8 points per
game may be tough, but a
number of rising seniors are
ready to step into starting roles.
Lincoln Southeast has one of
the strongest traditions of any
high school football program
in Nebraska. The Knights have
won nine state titles, with the
most recent coming in 2011. But
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Lincoln Northeast
9/1 Lincoln Southwest
9/8 Lincoln East
9/15 @ Omaha North
9/22 Millard South
9/29 @ Lincoln Pius X
10/6 @ Bellevue East
10/12 Omaha South
10/19 Grand Island
LSE hasn’t won a playoff game
since 2012. The Knights have
the pieces in place to make a
postseason run in 2017 but a
number of players must step
into new roles and contribute
immediately.
“Our senior class is a group
that has experienced a great
deal of success the past few
years,” Gottula said. “They are
motivated to have a great year in
2017.”
Key Players:
Bryson Williams (6’3” 290 lbs) Sr.
OL/DL
Jack Strong (6’3” 200 lbs) Sr. QB
Calvin Kyker (6’0” 195 lbs) Sr. LB
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