Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

CRETECARDINALS
By: Joe Musso
The Crete Cardinals are coming
off of their second straight 3-6
season, a rare departure from a
dominant 20-year stretch. If the
Cardinals plan on getting back to
their winning ways this year they
will have to lean on their depth of
experience.
“I am very excited to see how our
young men compete this upcoming
season,” said second year head
coach Reed Manstedt. “We will
return five starters on each side of
the ball.”
While the experience is there,
Manstedt will be tasked with
the ever-important job of filling
a quarterback vacancy. Last
year’s field general Rhett Harms
accounted for nearly half of the
Cardinals total yards in 2016.
“Anytime you are breaking in
a new quarterback it has its
challenges,” Manstedt said. “But
with the return of most of our wide
receivers, I am hoping that helps
with the early development and
confidence of our QB.”
Sophomore Zach Fye will
most likely fill the vacancy at
quarterback. Fye saw his first
action under center last season
as a freshman in week nine when
Harms was kept out with an ankle
injury.
The Cardinal offense will often
defer to the talents of two-way
standout Jonah Weyand. Last
season Weyand racked up 715 allpurpose
yards on the offensive side
of the ball, while tallying a teamleading
80 tackles and six sacks at
linebacker. The two-time First Team
All-District selection will look to
carry the load in 2017.
“Jonah is just a great football
player, he has a great nose for the
ball and doesn’t miss tackles,”
Manstedt said. “I really believe
that Jonah has a chance to be one
of the better all-around players
this year in Class B, particularly at
linebacker.”
Last season the Cardinal offense
stayed close to a 50-50 run pass
breakdown, but with inexperience
at the quarterback position Crete
could look to control the tempo
with a bolstered running attack.
According to coach Manstedt, their
success will be determined in the
trenches.
“The strength of this year’s team
will be in our athleticism. We will
be very young at certain positions,
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 @ Seward
9/1 Gretna
9/8 @ Omaha Skutt Catholic
9/15 @ Plattsmouth
9/22 Elkhorn
9/29 Aurora
10/6 @ Norris
10/13 @ Beatrice
10/20 Waverly
but if we can get our offensive
and defensive lines to develop we
should be competitive.”
Manstedt and the Cardinals will
look to return to playoff form after
missing the postseason last year
for just the third time in the last 18
seasons.
Key Players:
Jonah Weyand (5’11” 190 lbs) Sr.
RB/LB
Zach Muff (5’11” 155 lbs) Sr. WR/
DB
Klay Uher (6’4” 210 lbs) Sr. WR/LB
237 WEST 13TH
CRETE, NE
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TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Cardinals
Class: B
2016 Record: 3-6
Playoff Appearances: 22
Head Coach: Reed Manstedt
Career Record: 6-12
Assistant Coach: Terry Van Horn
BRUCE, TOM & SPIKE
SAY GOOD LUCK!
CRETE CARDINALS,
SEWARD BLUE JAYS AND
WILBER-CLATONIA WOLVERINES
125 E 11TH ST. • CRETE, NE 68333 • 402.826.2104
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