Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

By: Josh Skluzacek
SOUTHERNRAIDERS
The Southern Raiders struggled
throughout the 2016 football
season. As the smallest school
in Class C1, the team - which is
really Southern/Lewiston - has
many obstacles to overcome, and
many of those same challenges
will need to be addressed this year
for the team to have a successful
campaign.
The team will still struggle with
depth and will need to have a few
players to have breakout seasons
for the team to get on track this
year. The one good thing the
Raiders did gain from last season
was experience. Through the ups
and downs of the challenging
season, many of the players will
have learned something that can
help them improve from last
season.
Coach Kane Hookstra will likely be
preaching that to his players, but
the good news for the coach and
the team is that 16 letterwinners
and seven seniors return to the
team for the upcoming season,
eight on offense and six on defense.
Of course, there are still many
challenges the team will face, but
the slight advantage of having an
experienced group should be able
to help Southern/Lewiston bounce
back this year.
Another key to the season, as is
the case for every team, is health.
Coach Hookstra says the team
has a chance to have a successful
season if they can avoid numerous
injuries. Of course, the coach also
knows a lot depends on how
successful the offseason for the
team is.
“It will take a lot of hard work
and dedication to get back on the
winning track,” Hookstra said. A
strong offseason combined with
the experience the team returns
gives plenty of hope for a bounce
back season this year.
With all of that said, the Raiders
still may need a breakout season
from a few players on the team to
really have a great turnaround.
Trevin Saathoff is one of the
candidates for a breakout season
for the team. The senior plays
receiver and defensive back for
the Raiders and can be a leader
through both his words and actions
on the field.
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Falls City
9/1 @ Auburn
9/8 Freeman
9/15 Johnson County Central
9/22 @ Raymond Central
9/29 Milford-Dorchester
10/6 @ Fairbury
10/13 Ashland-Greenwood
10/20 @ Lincoln Christian
Mention for All-District and All-
Conference awards, and recorded
38 solo tackles for the team last
season.
The 2017 season shapes up to
be another tough one for the
Southern/Lewiston Raiders,
but the experience and a strong
offseason should give Raiders’ fans
hope for the potential of a bounce
back year this season.
Key Players:
Trevin Saathoff (6’0” 160 lbs) Sr.
WR/DB
Dalton Trauernicht (5’10” 160 lbs)
Sr. WR/DB
Trenton Munstermann (6’2” 200
lbs) Sr. OL/DL
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Raiders
Class: C1
2016 Record: 1-8
Playoff Appearances: 7
Head Coach: Kane Hookstra
Career Record: 55-82
Assistant Coaches: Shane Saathoff,
John Creek and Devan Garcia
Junior quarterback and defensive
end Drake Adams is another
player to watch. In just three games
last season, Adams passed for 341
yards and 4 TDs. If he can complete
a higher percentage of passes, he
can be a threat for the Raiders.
Finally, sophomore Braden Klover,
a tight end and defensive end for
the team, will be a big player for
the Raiders. He was an Honorable
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