Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

CROSS COUNTYCOUGARS
By: Joe Musso
Every single team across the
country has to deal with roster
turnover, it’s one of the realities of
coaching high school sports. But
not every team has to deal with
a full coaching staff change. This
season, Cross County football will
be dealing with both.
The Cougars welcome Hayden
DeLano as their new head coach.
This will be a new venture for
DeLano, as this is his first head
coaching job at the high school
level.
“First of all, with the staff
transition this offseason, it is
essential that we get a proper
install and everybody on the same
page,” Delano said. “After that it
takes some buy in and hard work
in the weight room, camps and
early fall practices.”
As for roster turnover, the newly
appointed Cougars coaching staff
will be tasked with navigating a
major roster overhaul.
“We lost a lot of starters to
graduation,” DeLano said.
“Anytime you lose kids in bulk,
you’re going to go through some
major changes getting ready for
next season. But the kids coming
up to the program have taken
this challenge head on and are
preparing to fill new roles this
season.”
Cross County is coming off of
a successful 2016 season. The
Cougars went 6-4 and earned a
birth to their third consecutive
Class C2 state playoffs.
While DeLano is happy with
his team’s ability to adjust, there
might be some growing pains
along the way. The Cougars will
run a pistol spread offense and
a 4-2 defense, schemes that may
take some time to implement.
And in times of transition, the
majority of the responsibility
usually falls on the quarterback.
But Grant Hollinger is no stranger
to the pressure. The 6-foot-1 junior
has been starting for the Cougars
since his freshman year. Last
season, Hollinger threw for 654
yards and five touchdowns.
“The kids have been really
focused and determined to learn
their new roles for the upcoming
season,” DeLano said. “I’ve seen a
competitive nature in everything
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Lutheran High Northeast
9/1 @ St. Paul
9/8 Stanton
9/15 @ Arcadia-Loup City
9/22 Twin River
9/29 Sutton
10/6 @ Fillmore Central
10/13 Centennial
10/20 @ Shelby-Rising City
that they do. It doesn’t matter if it
is lifting weights, film study, chalk
talk or seven-on-seven, these
guys have a lot of grit. Whatever
they lack in age and experience
they make up for with being
high-character guys with a lot of
competitive spirit.”
The Cougars will put that spirit
to the test when they open the
season on Aug. 25th against
Lutheran-Northeast.
Key players:
Grant Hollinger (6’1” 160 lbs) Jr.
QB/DB
Colton Beebe (5’10” 165 lbs) Sr.
WR/DB
Kalin Gabriel (5’11” 175 lbs) Sr.
WR/DB
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Cougars
Class: C2
2016 Record:6-4
Playoff Appearances: 10
Head Coach: Hayden DeLano
Career Record: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Mitch Boshart,
Matt Carroll, Dan Conway
605.366.3332 • 402.362.9083
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