Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

CLEARWATER-ORCHARDCYCLONES
By: Joe Musso
Last season, the Cyclones were
caught in a tailspin. Aside
from back-to-back wins in
weeks three and four there
were few bright spots for
Clearwater.
The Cyclones allowed 36
points per game while only
scoring 25.7. Both defensive
and offensive production
must improve for the Class
D1 squad − a task head coach
Jeff Shabram is confident his
players are ready to tackle.
“We return a lot of players
who played a great deal as
youngsters in 2016,” Shabram
said. “If these kids continue to
work and improve they should
be fun to watch this season.”
The Cyclones will return nine
starters on both sides of the
ball.
One of the youngsters
Shabram is talking about is
junior linebacker Jacob Long.
During his sophomore season,
Long racked up 79 tackles and
4.5 sacks to go along with two
forced fumbles.
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Cyclones
Class: D1
2016 Record: 2-7
Playoff Appearances: 8
Head Coach: Jeff Shabram
Career Record: 65-72
Assistant Coach: Dan Roeber
Shabram calls Long, “a tough
linebacker who has a nose for
the ball carrier.”
But if you’re looking for
big time experience on
the Cyclones roster, look
no further than Creston
Bertschinger. Bertschinger is
entering his senior season with
Clearwater and has lettered on
varsity each of the previous
three.
“Creston is the leader of our
team both statistically and
emotionally,” Shabram said
of his workhorse. “He’s a big
play waiting to happen on
offense, defense, or special
teams.”
The two-way talent is a
productive ball carrier as
well as a force on defense.
Bertschinger ranked second on
the roster last season with 84
tackles and led his team with
1,185 all-purpose yards and 10
touchdowns.
Despite their 2-7 finish, the
Cyclones made their eighth
playoff appearance in the last
nine years. But their season
came to an abrupt end in the
first round of the playoffs at
the hands of Class D1 runnerup
Guardian Angels Central
Catholic.
Heading into his 16th season
as head coach of the Cyclones,
Shabram is aware of the past
but refuses to let the team’s
recent shortcomings temper
his excitement.
2017 SCHEDULE
8/31 St. Mary’s
9/8 @ Neligh-Oakdale
9/15 @ Elgin Public/Pope John
9/22 Ainsworth
9/29 @ Boyd County
10/6 Burwell
10/13 West Holt
10/19 @ CWCE
“They are a hungry group of
players,” Shabram said. “We
have some hard working kids
on this team. Hopefully they
can experience a little success
this season.”
The Cyclones kick off the 2017
season at home against St.
Mary’s (O’Neill).
Key Players:
Creston Bertschinger (5’10”
160 lbs) Sr. RB/DB
Jacob Long (6’1” 180 lbs) Jr.
RB/LB
Andrew Steskal (5’10” 250 lbs)
Sr. OL
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