Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

AXTELLWILDCATS
COVERING CENTRAL NEBRASKA BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE
By: Justin Biegel
Following a first-round exit in
the 2015 D2 playoffs, the Axtell
Wildcats struggled in their 2016
campaign, going winless on the
season. This year, the Wildcats
will be under the command
of first year head coach Dean
Marsh, who replaces Will
Wagner after three years with the
program.
“We need to learn how to
play as a unified team and not
eight individuals,” Marsh said.
“Mental toughness needs to
improve along with the ability
to trust our reads and our
teammates.”
The Wildcats were outscored last
year 425-200, giving up nearly 60
points per game. Axtell also had
to forfeit a game at the end of
September versus Shelton.
“Our kids have been moved
around a lot and given up a lot
of big plays,” Marsh said. “My
goal is to put them where they
help our team the most and
simplify things so they react
without having to think first.
Better blocking and tackling will
be our focus going into the fall.”
TEAM FACTS
Team Head Coach: Name: Wildcats Shawn Mulligan
Class: Career D2 Record: 7-11
2016 Assistant Record: Coaches: 0-8
Playoff Class: C-1 Appearances: 13
Head Team Coach: Name: Patriots Dean Marsh
Career Record: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Barney Olson,
Dan Schroer
When asked what he liked most
about this year’s team, Marsh
said, “I like that fact that our
kids seem to get along great off
the field. We have kids with size
and with speed. The athletes
are definitely there and it is up
to us coaches to put the pieces
together to make a competitive
team.”
A lot of that size and speed can
be seen in the senior class. The
Wildcats return 12 letterwinners,
six starters on offense and seven
on defense.
One of those key returning
starters is two-way player Jake
Marsh. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound
senior is expected to start under
center for the Wildcats and
in the secondary. As a junior,
Marsh averaged 13 yards per
completion at quarterback,
slinging for over 450 yards and
five touchdowns. He’s also not
afraid to use his legs, rushing
63 times for one score. On the
flip side, Marsh averaged over
five tackles a game on defense,
finishing the year with 38.
Marsh will have a lot of help
up front with fellow senior
A.J. Skaggs. Listed at 6-foot-
3, 285-pounds, Skaggs was
the Class D2 runner-up this
year at the state wrestling
championships in Omaha. His
big frame will be a force to
reckon with on the offensive and
defensive lines.
The Wildcats also expect major
contributions from tailback
Braden Gomez. With a slightly
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Arapahoe
9/1 @ Loomis
9/8 Pleasanton
9/15 BDS
9/22 @ Blue Hill
9/29 Shelton
10/13 @ Lawrence-Nelson
10/20 Giltner
smaller frame (5’8” 165 lbs),
Gomez is a shifty back who
can weave his way through
traffic. The senior came into the
spotlight his sophomore year,
averaging nine yards on just 11
carries. His numbers jumped the
following season, rushing for six
yards a carry and 307 yards with
four scores. He had one 100-yard
rushing performance. Gomez is
also projected to join Jake Marsh
in the secondary.
Axtell opens the season Aug. 25
at Arapahoe, where the Wildcats
lost by just six points a year ago.
“We don’t have any team on our
schedule that we can overlook,”
Marsh said. “I’ll stress to our
kids not to pick the wins and
losses before the season starts.
When November gets here, we
will know who the toughest
teams are. My goal is to be one of
them.”
Key Players:
Jake Marsh (6’1” 165 lbs) Sr. QB/
DB
A.J. Skaggs (6’3” 285 lbs) Sr. C/DL
Braiden Gomez (5’8” 165 lbs) Sr.
FB/DB
WEEKNIGHTS AT 6 & 10 PM
BRANDON RECTOR • SPENCER SCHUBERT • CATHERINE SILVER • JUSTIN BIEGEL
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