Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

NORRISTITANS
By: Joe Musso
The Norris Titans are coming
off of a solid 2016 season.
Coach Jim Jacobsen led the
Titans to the Class B playoffs
for the fourth time in his seven
years with the program.
His expectation for 2017: more
of the same.
Norris will return four players
on offense and five on defense,
and in terms of their attack you
can expect a run-first offense.
Last season, Norris rushed for
an astronomical 324 yards per
game.
Just as in years past, the success
for the program will rely upon
underclassmen stepping up
into key roles.
“As with every season we will
need to find young men to
step up and fill key spots on
the offensive line,” Jacobsen
said. “We look for this team
to be tough and have great
leadership. Our ability to play
great defense early will be a
key to the season. Expectations
and attitudes are high for a
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Titans
Class: B
2016 Record: 8-3
Playoff Appearances: 9
Head Coach: Jim Jacobsen
Career Record: 36-35
Assistant Coaches: Gary DeBoer
and Jack Guggenmos
very good year at Norris.”
That defense Jacobsen speaks
of recorded 16 sacks and seven
interceptions in 2016 while only
allowing 16 points per game.
Senior defensive end Bryce
Stai will lead the way for the
Titan defense. Stai wracked up
51 tackles, six sacks and three
pass deflections as a junior.
Jacobsen touts Stai as a toughas-nails
athlete with a great
understanding of how the game
is played.
But anyone who watched
Norris football last season
knows that the main attraction
wears No. 9 on the offensive
side of the ball.
Senior all-state running back
Austin Schultz has the ability
to turn a three-yard loss into a
highlight-reel touchdown every
time he touches the ball.
Last season, Schultz averaged
just shy of 150 yards per game
on his way to 1,643 yards and
23 touchdowns. Schultz broke
100 yards rushing in every
game but one last season.
“He’s the best we have ever
coached,” Jacobsen said. “He’s
tough to tackle, he always finds
positive yardage, and he’s
elusive. Austin is one of the
very best we have ever seen.”
On top of his game-breaking
ability at running back, Schultz
will return kicks and punts,
play defensive back and punt
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Gretna
9/1 @ Plattsmouth
9/8 @ Seward
9/15 Columbus
9/22 @ Platteview
9/29 @ Nebraska City
10/6 Crete
10/13 @ Waverly
10/20 Beatrice
for the Titans.
Schultz is also the reigning
Gatorade Nebraska High
School Baseball Player of the
Year.
“We have been very impressed
with how many of our players
were involved in winter and
spring sports,” Jacobsen said.
“The 2017 edition of Norris
football will be very athletic at
the skilled positions. And we
will look for this dedication
to continue throughout the
summer of ‘17.”
The Titans will kick off their
season on Aug. 25 at home
versus Gretna.
Key Players:
Austin Schultz (5’10” 190 lbs)
Sr. RB/DB/PR/KOR/P
Bryce Stai (6’3” 230 lbs) Sr. DE/
TE
Gus Woeppel (6’3” 290 lbs) Sr.
C
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