Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

LINCOLN SOUTHWESTSILVERHAWKS
By: TJ Eck
Andrew Sherman’s first year as head
coach produced a playoff appearance
for the Silver Hawks in 2016. In turn,
Sherman and company are hoping
2017 yields even better results, as
Lincoln Southwest brings back an
experienced team. 28 players who
earned a letter are back in the fold
including 16 returning starters.
“We will have the most depth in
school history,” Sherman said.
“Platooning is a possibility.”
Offensively, the Silver Hawks are
looking for improved production in
2017 after averaging just 19.8 points
per game last fall. Senior Jakob
Ahlschwede (6’4” 180 lbs) is expected
to take over the quarterback position
after starting the final two games of
the 2016 campaign.
LSW could use a committee approach
in the backfield. Among those vying
for time at running back are seniors
Noah Kruger (5’11” 155 lbs), Jacob
Buckner (6’0” 160 lbs), and Anthony
Banderas (6’1” 205 lbs), along with
juniors Caden McCormack (6’2” 210
lbs) and Brett Lenners (6’3” 200 lbs).
Sherman said depth at the running
back position is “a good problem to
have.”
LSW returns a pair of starters at the
wide receiver position in seniors
Justin Holm (6’6” 180) and Cooper
Samway (6’1” 180 lbs). Senior
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Silverhawks
Class: A
2016 Record: 4-6
Playoff Appearances: 13
Head Coach: Andrew Sherman
Career Record: 4-6
Assistant Coaches: Brett Schuster, Grant Traynowicz,
Scott Bender, Adam Aschenbrenner, Doug
Ayars, Brad Devall, Terry Berks, Jeff Jochum, Troy
Kantor, Michael Roscoe, Christian Summers,
Kevin Schrad, Ashley Wimes, Aaron Finley
Cameron Pieper (6’4” 220) brings
size and experience to the tight end
position after starting in 2016.
The strength of the Silver Hawks
offensive attack may come from up
front. Four starters are back along the
offensive line in seniors Collin Shefke
(6’4” 260 lbs), Hayden Davis (5’11”
240 lbs), Jarrett Myers (5’10” 210 lbs),
and junior Taylor Boutmahavong (6’0”
200 lbs).
But if Lincoln Southwest makes it
back to the postseason in 2017, it
might be the Silver Hawk defense
that leads the way. Nine starters
are back from a group that allowed
seven points or less three times last
year while surrendering 23.4 points
per game in the regular season. The
defensive line is led by a pair of
seniors, as two-year starters Shefke
and Will Uebele (5’10” 220 lbs) both
return. Juniors Nick Leader (6’1”
185 lbs) and Lenners also bring back
starting experience up front. Banderas
and McCormack are expected to man
the linebacker spots in LSW’s 4-2-5
scheme.
Opposing offenses will be tasked
with throwing against an experienced
secondary as the Silver Hawks have
three returning starters on the back
end. Senior defensive backs Michael
Ayars (5’7” 160 lbs) and Jayce Conklin
(6’0” 170 lbs) have four years of
starting experience between them,
and fellow senior Cade Moeller (5’11”
160 lbs) also started at defensive back
in 2016.
Playing in the postseason is a regular
occurrence for Lincoln Southwest, as
the program has missed the playoffs
just once since 2003. However, LSW’s
last playoff win came in 2011. The
2017 Silver Hawks have the pieces
in place to end a five-game playoff
losing streak, but they will need to
show improvement on offense and
more consistency on defense. The
season opens on Aug. 16 against
2017 SCHEDULE
8/24 Papillion-LaVista
9/1 @ Lincoln Southeast
9/8 Millard West
9/15 @ Papillion-LaVista South
9/22 @ Omaha Bryan
9/29 North Platte
10/6 @ Omaha Central
10/13 Lincoln High
10/20 @ Lincoln North Star
Papillion-La Vista.
Key Players:
Anthony Banderas (6’1” 205 lbs) Sr.
RB/LB
Collin Shefke (6’4” 260 lbs) Sr. OL/DL
Caden McCormack (6’2” 210 lbs) Jr.
RB/LB
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