Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

TRI COUNTYTROJANS
By: TJ Eck
Playing in the postseason is
becoming a common occurrence
for Tri County. After earning
a spot in the Class D1 playoffs
in 2016, the Trojans have now
played past the regular season
seven times since 2008. The 2017
version of Tri County football
has the pieces in place to make a
return to the postseason in 2017.
“I think we have some tough
kids that enjoy playing physical
football,” said head coach Brett
Scheiding. “I love that culture,
even when we spread teams
out.”
The Trojans have weapons on
offense that should help Tri
County score consistently this
season. Junior quarterback
Creighton Niemeyer (473
passing yards, 133 rushing yds,
6 TD in 2016) is back to lead the
attack. Playing behind him in the
backfield is senior running back
Cooper Smith (618 rushing yds,
133 receiving yds, 16 TD) who
Scheiding describes as an “allstate
caliber” player. Senior tight
end Trevin Williams (15 rec, 213
yds, 2 TD) gives the Trojans an
experienced pass-catcher. Senior
guard Chase Barnts (6’4” 210 lbs)
anchors the offensive line.
Smith is a force for the Trojans on
defense. The middle linebacker
registered 106 total tackles
and 15.5 tackles for loss last
fall. Teams might have trouble
throwing the ball against
Tri County this season with
Williams (65 total tkls, 4 TFL,
2 INT) and Niemeyer (46 total
tkls) patrolling the secondary.
Tri County has holes to fill along
the defensive front, but seniors
Dylan Seibolt (6’0” 240 lbs) and
Peter Spilker (5’8” 150 lbs) along
with junior Benton Gustafson
(6’2” 280 lbs) have all played
along the defensive line.
Williams is a jack-of-all-trades
and is expected to serve as both
the punter and kicker for the
upcoming season.
While Tri County doesn’t return
a large number of starters, the
Trojans have a core group who
are impact players on both
sides of the ball led by Smith.
If Tri County can get solid
contributions from newcomers,
they could again be a playoff
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Superior
9/1 Thayer Central
9/8 @ BDS
9/15 High Plains Community
9/22 @ Lourdes Central Catholic
9/29 @ Cedar Bluffs
10/6 Johnson-Brock
10/19 Diller-Odell
team in 2017 and potentially
make a postseason run.
“We have some great, young and
athletic numbers coming and
they are excited to compete,”
said Scheiding. “I think guys
will really be looking to find
ways to step into roles we have
available.”
Key Players:
Cooper Smith (6’1” 195 lbs) Sr.
RB/LB
Creighton Niemeyer (6’2” 165
lbs) Jr. QB/DB
Trevin Williams (6’0” 180 lbs) Sr.
TE/DB
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402-683-2002
306 East Fillmore - DeWitt
OUR TEAM COVERING
YOUR TEAM ALL SEASON LONG
KEVIN SJUTS • SPORTS DIRECTOR
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Trojans
Class: D1
2016 Record: 6-4
Playoff Appearances: 18
Head Coach: Brett Scheiding
Career Record: 18-19
Assistant Coaches: Delva Smith,
Ray Brown, Anthony Drewes
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