Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

SANDY CREEKCOUGARS
By: Kevin Sjuts
For a program looking to
rebuild, its not ideal to face
the reigning state champs in
week one. But for Sandy Creek,
there’s a different perspective.
The Cougars get the first
opportunity to end Wilber-
Clatonia’s 29-game regular
season winning streak, which
they will try to accomplish
on August 25th. Sandy Creek
knows the match-up will
be challenging, especially
considering the Cougars’ recent
struggles. The 2017 squad,
however, is full of optimism
with starters returning at 15
different positions.
Sandy Creek has a solid core
back from last season’s 1-8
team. Running backs Nick
Slater and Bailey Zimmerman
lead the Cougar offense after
combining for 639 rushing
yards. Regardless of the ball
carrier, Sandy Creek’s ground
game hinges on the success of
the offensive line. The unit is
the strength of the team with
starters returning at all five
spots. Senior Hunter Rempe
(5’10” 270 lbs) is the best of the
group. Rempe has started every
year since his freshman season.
“We have an experienced
offensive line,” Sandy Creek
head coach Jeremy Borer said.
“They are the key to allowing us
to break in new skill players.”
Other returning starters up front
include Ty Schweer, Ryan Haack
(5’7” 185 lbs), Colt Rademacher
(5’10” 190 lbs), and Austin
Wilson (5’9” 200 lbs).
Sandy Creek hopes to increase
its offensive production after
averaging 10 points in 2016.
Borer believes sophomores
Connor Crumbliss and Wyatt
Mach could be nice additions to
the varsity team. The Cougars
must also find a new starting
quarterback after losing Nick
Bailey to graduation. The
departed QB threw 147 of Sandy
Creek’s 150 passes last season.
Defensively, Sandy Creek’s
focus is stopping the run. The
Cougars struggled in that area
in 2016, allowing opponents
to rush for an average of 300
yards. To their credit, Sandy
Creek faced some of Class C2’s
most talented running attacks,
including Wilber-Clatonia.
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Wilber-Clatonia
9/1 @ Fillmore Central
9/8 Arcadia-Loup City
9/15 Sutton
9/22 @ Doniphan-Trumbull
9/29 Gibbon
10/6 @ Hastings St. Cecilia
10/13 @ Wood River
10/20 Southern Valley
times over their past 22 games.
Borer is entering his first season
as Sandy Creek’s head coach.
He also takes over the school’s
tradition-rich girls basketball
program after legendary coach
Russ Ninemire announced his
retirement.
“We want to build Sandy Creek
football back to a respectable,
winning program,” Borer said.
Key Players:
Hunter Rempe (5’10” 270 lbs) Sr.
OL/DL
Ryan Haack (5’7” 185 lbs) Sr.
OL/LB
Colt Rademacher (5’10” 190 lbs)
Sr. OL/DL
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Good Luck to the
Sandy Creek Cougars!
OUR TEAM COVERING
YOUR TEAM ALL SEASON LONG
KEVIN SJUTS • SPORTS DIRECTOR
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Cougars
Class: C2
2016 Record: 1-8
Playoff Appearances: 7
Head Coach: Jeremy Borer
Career Record: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Matt Whitten,
Chris Hollister, Ryan Bauer
Haack, who plays linebacker, is
the team’s top returning tackler.
Rempe can also be a force along
the defensive line. Together,
Haack and Rempe combined for
102 tackles last season.
Sandy Creek is hoping 2017
can be the start of the school’s
resurgence in football. The
Cougars have won just four
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