Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

DILLER-ODELLGRIFFINS
By: Kevin Sjuts
Last season, quarterback Ryan
Arnold took over Diller-Odell’s
offense as a sophomore, and
proceeded to lead the Griffins
to the Class D1 playoffs. Arnold
completed 117 passes and threw
for eight touchdowns during
his first season as a starter.
Diller-Odell will lean on Arnold
again this fall, with the hopes of
reaching the postseason for the
fourth straight year.
Arnold is one of four returning
starters on offense for the
Griffins. Diller-Odell averaged
nearly 30 points in 2016, but
it must find a new full-time
running back this fall. The
front runner for the position
is Peyton Mohr. The versatile
senior (5’11” 175 lbs) can play
multiple positions and may
be the Griffins’ top offensive
weapon. Mohr must replace
the production of Christian
McCown and Dylan Wolbert,
who combined for 772 yards on
the ground last year.
Diller-Odell’s running backs,
like several other positions,
battled injuries during the 2016
campaign. Head coach Chris
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Griffins
Class: D1
2016 Record: 3-7
Playoff Appearances: 10
Head Coach: Chris Schluter
Schluter said the misfortune
allowed his underclassmen to
get valuable playing time. Many
of those players will now take
on leadership roles with the
Griffins.
“This group of seniors has had to
play a lot over the past years due
to injuries,” Schluter said. “It is
now their opportunity to take
over this team and put it on their
backs.”
The mounting injuries in 2016
resulted in a late-season slide
for Diller-Odell. The Griffins lost
their final four games, including
a 68-6 defeat at Creighton in the
first round of the playoffs.
Defensively, the Griffins had
several breakdowns late in the
year with multiple key players
sidelined. Diller-Odell allowed
184 points combined in its losses
to Lourdes Central Catholic, Tri
County, and Creighton. While
the memories of those games
sting, they serve as motivation
for the current squad.
“I believe this tight-knit group
is ready to leave their mark on
DOHS football,” Schluter said.
“The amount of playing time
they have had the past few
seasons should allow them to be
ready to play under the bright
lights on Friday.”
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 McCool Junction
9/8 Superior
9/15 @ Thayer Central
9/22 Johnson-Brock
9/29 @ Omaha Christian Academy
10/6 @ Friend
10/13 Lourdes Central Catholic
10/19 @ Tri County
Tyson Landenberger (5’10” 170
lbs), in particular, has benefitted
from extra playing time early
in his career. Landenberger had
a team-leading 91 tackles as a
junior. He’s an athletic, hardhitting
linebacker that will lead
the Griffins’ eight-man scheme.
Another defensive leader will
be senior Shane Sutton (6’3”
180 lbs). He had 62 tackles last
season, which ranked second on
the team.
Diller-Odell’s schedule begins
with back-to-back home games;
the Griffins host McCool
Junction on Aug. 25th for their
season opener.
Key Players:
Peyton Mohr (5’11” 175 lbs) Sr.
TE/LB
Ryan Arnold (5’10” 160 lbs) Jr.
QB/DB
Tyson Landenberger (5’10” 170
lbs) Sr. LB
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