Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

By: TJ Eck
DAVID CITYSCOUTS
David City is hoping a return to
its past will help the team have
success in the present and future.
Cortney Couch takes over the
program in 2017 in his second
stint as the Scouts’ head coach.
Couch led David City to a 34-31
record during seven seasons at
the helm from 2005-2011. Couch
says he is “extremely excited” to
be back in the role of head coach.
However, Couch and the Scouts
have their work cut out for them
in 2017. David City is coming
off a 1-8 season in 2016, and
the program has won only five
games total since the start of the
2014 season.
“Playing winning football will
be the key for us,” Couch said.
“We must develop some winning
habits.”
The Scouts should have the
benefit of an experienced group
returning this fall. David City
brings back 19 letterwinners and
eight starters on both sides of the
ball.
Junior Will Danielson (476 pass
yards, 3 total TD in 2016) is
back to quarterback the Scouts
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Scouts
Class: C1
2016 Record: 1-8
Playoff Appearances: 13
Head Coach: Cortney Couch
Career Record: 34-31
Assistant Coaches: Cole Carraher,
Travis Worm, Tyler Brester
after starting as a freshman and
sophomore. Couch expects to
use Danielson in a pro-style,
drop-back passing role in 2017.
Senior fullback Colin
Vandenberg (5’11” 180 lbs)
and sophomore running back
Clayton Denker (5’8” 160 lbs)
could see significant time in the
backfield. The top two passcatchers
from 2016 have moved
on, which creates opportunities
for new players to step up in
2017. Junior tight ends Nick Ruth
(6’0” 170 lbs) and Luis Salazar
(5’11” 165 lbs) return with
starting experience.
The offensive line could be an
area of strength for the Scouts in
2017. Four players with starting
experience are back in senior
tackle Matt Eilers (6’2” 220 lbs),
senior guard Riley Kirby (5’11”
170 lbs), junior center Trent
Theewen (5’11” 210 lbs), and
junior guard Colby Hopkins
(5’11” 220 lbs).
Defense was an area of concern
for the Scouts in 2016, as the
squad surrendered over 44
points per game last fall. David
City is hoping another year of
experience will help the unit
improve this season. Vandenberg
is back at linebacker after
registering 64 total tackles, four
tackles for loss, and two sacks in
2016.
Eilers (45 total tackles, 1 sack),
Kirby (43 total tackles, 1 sack),
and Theewen are expected to
anchor the defensive line. Three
starters return in the secondary
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Fairbury
9/1 Douglas County West
9/8 @ Milford-Dorchester
9/15 Wayne
9/22 @ Wahoo
9/29 @ Aquinas Catholic
10/5 Bishop Neumann
10/13 @ Conestoga
10/20 North Bend Central
with Salazar (10 total tackles, 1
INT) and Justin White (30 total
tackles, 1 INT) at the cornerback
position. Danielson (17 total
tackles) is back to play safety.
Couch is looking to turn around
a program that has fallen on
hard times in recent years, but
he’s had success in the past
which can provide optimism for
the future.
“We’ve got a lot to learn,” Couch
said. “We will have to be very
engaged and attentive when
installing offense and defense.”
David City’s only state title came
in 1971 and it will be tough for
the Scouts to add another this
season. But with an experienced
group of players back in the fold,
Couch has what he needs to
begin a program rebuild.
Key Players:
Matt Eilers (6’2” 220 lbs) Sr. OL/
DL
Will Danielson (5’11” 165 lbs) Jr.
QB/S
Colin Vandenberg (5’11” 180 lbs)
Sr. FB/LB
219 E Street
David City, NE
Complete Automotive Repair
Bryon Hartman
402-367-5034
BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH CARE CENTER
Providing Athletic Training Services to the
student athletes of David City High School
THE NEXT
GREAT MOWER
402-367-1200 • www.bchccnet.org
372 South 9th Street • David City, NE 68632
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402.367.3695 - VALPARAISO - DAVID CITY, NE