Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

By: Joe Musso
SHELBY-RISING CITYHUSKIES
Head Coach Kevin Kopecky is
entering his third season at the
helm for the Huskies and his
28th season as a head coach.
Although his coaching roots date
back to the 80’s, Kopecky has
implemented a new-wave no
huddle offense during his time at
Shelby-Rising City.
Last season, the Huskies limped
to a 3-6 record in Class C2, and
Kopecky is well aware of the
uphill battle the Huskies face in
2017.
“We have a very tough schedule
and we lack size and experience,”
Kopecky said. “Our defense must
improve a lot and our offensive
line must continue to get better.”
The schedule Kopecky mentioned
features five state playoff
qualifiers and a week four match
up with the defending class C2
champion Wilber-Clatonia. It
will be a challenge for a team of
relative newcomers. The Huskies
graduated 13 of 22 starters from
last season.
According to Kopecky, the
Shelby-Rising City defense
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Huskies
Class: C2
2016 Record: 3-6
Playoff Appearances: 2
Head Coach: Kevin Kopecky
Assistant Coaches: Eric Lindsley,
Todd Pinneo, Jonathon Riggs,
Jessie Truksa
does have plenty of room for
improvement. The Huskies
surrendered 29 points per game
while only averaging 26 as an
offense.
The brunt of the responsibility
will fall on the shoulders of senior
linebacker Brenden Johnston.
Johnston is one of only three
seniors on the Husky roster. The
two way stand-out earned alldistrict
honors in both his junior
and sophomore seasons.
“Brendan is a very good
linebacker,” Kopecky said. “He
also started at offensive tackle as
a Junior and despite his size and
lack of experience, he did a solid
job. He’ll also serve as a team
captain for the 2017 season.”
Fellow senior Lincoln
Schoenrock will be featured in
the Husky offense. Schoenrock
rushed 50 times for 269 yards
and seven touchdowns in a
limited role last season. Look for
the 5-foot-9 running back and
special teams threat to see an
increased roll in 2017. Kopecky
hopes to utilize Schoenrock’s
top-end speed. The senior
back broke the 100-meter and
200-meter school records during
last spring’s track season.
“It will take a lot of hard work for
us to have any success.” Kopecky
said. “We’ll be young, small and
lack experience.”
The Huskies start the season on
the road versus Twin River. They
have not been to the state playoffs
since 1999.
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Twin River
9/1 Hartington Cedar Catholic
9/8 Lutheran High Northeast
9/15 @ Wilber-Clatonia
9/22 @ Sutton
9/29 Fillmore Central
10/6 @ Centennial
10/13 Centura
10/20 Cross County
Key Players:
Brenden Johnston (6’1” 190 lbs)
Sr. OT/LB
Lincoln Schoenrock (5’9” 165 lbs)
Sr. RB/DB
Austin Coffin (5’10” 150 lbs) Jr.
WR/CB
CENTRAL NEBRASKA’S
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
LEADER
BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH CARE CENTER
402-367-1200 • www.bchccnet.org
372 South 9th Street • David City, NE 68632
“Helping people to achieve and
maintain good health”
WEEKNIGHTS AT 6 & 10 PM
BRANDON RECTOR • SPENCER SCHUBERT • CATHERINE SILVER • JUSTIN BIEGEL
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