Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

AQUINAS CATHOLICMONARCHS
By: Joe Musso
Aquinas Catholic will look
to build off of a solid 2016
campaign when they take the
field this season. We know
what to expect by now from
the Monarchs, as head coach
Ron Mimick enters his 28th
season at the helm.
“Our initial strength will
be our run quickness. We
hope to have a good running
attack with an athletic, quick
backfield running with an
ability to throw,” Mimick said.
“If we can develop a great
attitude and work habits we
could play into November.”
While other schools adjust
to a pass-first offensive
attack, the Monarchs will rely
on their signature wing-T
approach.
Last season, Aquinas went
8-2, losing in the second
round of the Class C1 playoffs
to eventual champion O’Neil.
Their only regular season loss
came to runner up Bishop
Neumann.
TEAM FACTS
Head Team Coach: Name: Shawn Monarchs Mulligan
Career Class: C1 Record: 7-11
Assistant 2016 Record: Coaches: 8-2
Class: Playoff C-1 Appearances: 25
Team Head Name: Coach: Patriots Ron Mimick
Career Record: 282-109
Assistant Coach: Tony Smith
However, in 2017, the learning
curve shouldn’t be all that
steep. The Monarchs return
nine starters on both the
offensive and defensive sides
of the ball. Two-way starter
Kyle Ruth will anchor both
the defensive and offensive
lines. Last season, Ruth was
named to the all-conference,
all-district, and all-state
teams.
Quarterback and free safety
Gavin Reach will lead the
Aquinas option offense. Reach
was voted all-conference and
all-district in 2016.
Last year, senior stand out
Lane Napier took the lion’s
share of the carries for the
Monarchs. With Napier out
of the picture, Coach Mimick
will rely on up-and-coming
talent to pick up the slack.
“We can be a good team again
if we avoid injuries, like all
teams, and develop the skill
kids,” Mimick said.
On the defensive side of the
ball, the Monarchs will look
to their skilled edge rushers in
a base 3-5 package. Ruth and
Nate Uhrmacher will serve as
the bookends on the defensive
line. Last season, the stingy
Aquinas defense only
allowed 10 points per game
and recorded three shutout
performances. Opposing
2017 SCHEDULE
8/24 Raymond Central
9/1 @ Pierce
9/8 Grand Island Central Catholic
9/15 @ Columbus Scotus
9/22 @ Bishop Neumann
9/29 David City
10/6 North Bend Central
10/13 @ Wahoo
offenses only eclipsed the
20-point mark twice the entire
year.
Having won four state
championships in the past
six seasons, the Monarchs
will look to return to their
dominant form in 2017.
Aquinas was bumped to Class
C1 last year after claiming
its fourth title in Class C2. In
turn, last season was the first
time since 2010 that Coach
Mimick’s team did not reach
the championship game.
Mimick and the Monarchs
open the season on the road
versus Raymond Central.
Key Players:
Kyle Ruth (6’2” 225lbs) Sr. C/
DE
Nate Uhrmacher (6’1” 220lbs)
Sr. OG/DE
Gavin Reach (5’11” 150) Sr.
QB/FS
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David City, NE
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402-367-5034
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402.367.3695 - VALPARAISO - DAVID CITY, NE
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Providing Athletic Training Services to the
student athletes of Aquinas High School
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