Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

By: Justin Biegel
DONIPHAN-TRUMBULLCARDINALS
Four years ago, Doniphan-
Trumbull completed the
perfect season, going 13-0 and
winning its first ever football
championship. The Cardinals
head coach then was Brent
Breckner, the principal of the
school.
Following that championship,
Breckner took an assistant
coaching job and handed the
reigns over to Clint Head, who
in three seasons went 20-8
with two state tournament
appearances.
After a 7-2 finish and firstround
loss in the 2016 playoffs,
Head took the offensive
coordinator job at nearby
Hastings College and Breckner
once again steps in to lead
the Cardinals, where he’ll
have a plethora of talent from
last season’s C2 District 7
championship team. Breckner
admits, however, that there
will be some retooling
required.
“We will look to rebuild the
entire offensive line and have a
new starting quarterback,” he
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Cardinals
Class: C2
2016 Record: 7-3
Playoff Appearances: 9
Head Coach: Brent Breckner
Career Record: 36-24
Assistant Coach: Jordan Conner
said.
That quarterback will be
senior Bret Johnson, who will
transition from wide receiver,
where he hauled in nearly 40
receptions and eight scores as
a junior. A difficult transition
for some, Breckner believes
Johnson has what it takes.
“[He] is an all-state caliber
QB,” he said. “[He’s got a] very
strong arm with outstanding
instincts. His athleticism will
bring an added dimension to
the offense and he will be a
team leader.”
Johnson will also contribute as
a linebacker.
While there may be a new
quarterback under center, there
will be a familiar face leading
the receiving core. Logan
Schuldt will likely take over
the starting receiving role. The
senior caught just 10 passes for
a single score last season.
“[He’s an] outstanding blocker
and possession receiver with
excellent ball skills,” Breckner
said.
The learning curve won’t be as
difficult for Schuldt on defense,
where he’s expected to start at
defensive back. As a junior, he
averaged nearly three tackles
per game and finished the
year with 34. He is one of five
returners on defense. As a
unit, the Cardinals return their
entire secondary with most of
the linebacking core still intact.
2017 SCHEDULE
8/26 Sutton
9/2 @ North Platte St. Patrick’s
9/9 Hershey
9/16 @ Tekamah-Herman
9/23 @ Sandy Creek
9/30 Hastings St. Cecilia
10/7 @ Southern Valley
10/14 Gibbon
10/21 @ Wood River
Another name Breckner says
to keep an eye on is senior
tailback and safety Triston
Stephens. He’ll expect more
production on offense after
only getting 23 carries last
season.
Doniphan-Trumbull opens
the season at Sutton, whom
the Cardinals lost to last year
at home. Breckner admits the
schedule this fall will be much
more difficult than in years
past.
“We have a tough non-district
schedule,” he said. “But if
everything comes together, we
will be able to compete for a
district championship and a
shot at the playoffs.”
Key Players:
Bret Johnson (6’3” 175 lbs) Sr.
QB/LB
Logan Schudlt (6’3” 155 lbs) Sr.
WR/DB
Triston Stephens (6’0” 165 lbs)
Sr. RB/LB
3100 N OSBORNE DR. E • SUITE 104 • HASTINGS, NE
402.834.0704 • www.Teal-Boutique.com
www.facebook.com/Teal4You
Bring this ad in for 20% off any 1 regular priced item.
Expires 10/31/17
COVERING CENTRAL NEBRASKA BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE
WEEKNIGHTS AT 6 & 10 PM
BRANDON RECTOR • SPENCER SCHUBERT • CATHERINE SILVER • JUSTIN BIEGEL
70 2017 Prepzone Pigskin Preview www.1011now.com/prepzonepigskinpreview 71