Talking Sports: With baseball over, football on horizon

The local baseball season is over. The Sidney nine of American Legion baseball had a decent season, but ultimately their youth caught up with them.

Earlier this week, Ogallala was crowned the Class B, Area 7 district champion. As I watched the champs play during the district tournament, it struck me how many names I remembered from a couple of years ago. Two seasons ago, Ogallala wasn't nearly as good as it is now. Certainly, it was no match for the district champions of 2013 – Sidney. I think Ogallala of two years ago may very well be like Sidney now. A little young at present, but watch out in the future.

After the final out of the seniors season, head coach Ray Witt said he's optimistic about the future, but he'll need to find someone to fill that "Lano" spot. He was referring to Lane Harvey – Sidney's best player and a team leader to boot. No doubt Sidney Red Raiders head football coach Chris Koozer and head basketball coach Erik Kohl have asked themselves how they're going to fill that Lano spot too.

But that's the way it is with high school sports – and college too. Players come and players go. We remember the best of them and wonder how they can ever be replaced. But they will be – for better or worse. There is always that freshmen class and the level to which the returners have improved and grown – and that's always a bit of a mystery.

But baseball season – that was yesterday. The time for football season is nigh upon us.

Football practice in Nebraska officially begins on Monday with a week of conditioning. In Peetz, the Bulldogs open camp on Aug. 17. For local football fans, this is the time of year when hope springs eternal. While three programs in the Sun-Telegraph coverage area reached the playoffs last fall, there are no guarantees for a repeat.

The Red Raiders reached the Class B playoffs for the second straight season in 2014 after struggling for most of two decades. Sidney not only losses its quarterback Harvey, but also a past 1,000-yard rusher in Chance Anglin. Lost, too, is another speedy runner in Michael Muggli. Off the defense are Brian Rolls, Garrett Deer, Jake Sager, Kevin Jurgensen and Kane Taylor – and gone with them are more than 200 tackles.

The Peetz Bulldogs were just two points away from reaching the state title game. Like Sidney, they will be searching for their new quarterback. But it's not just their speedy and athletic quarterback Bradey Holtz that the 'Dogs lose. Gone also is top receiver – from a yards gained perspective – Casey Barrett.

Gone from both the offensive and defensive lines are the Roelle twins, Garrett and Brian. Losing just four players may not seem like a lot. But in six-man football that's a big chunk of a small roster.

The Potter-Dix Coyotes football team reached the playoffs in 2014, too. The Coyotes join a large club of those looking for a new passer. Cameron Purcell has graduated after throwing for better than 1,300 yards and totaling nearly 300 yards rushing and receiving.

Jake Johnson graduated, too, and takes his 108 tackles with him. Cooper Hicks brought down – or helped to bring down – 142 enemy ball carriers. Zac Gotfrey was a solid player on both sides of the ball, but he left with the rest of the Class of 2015. Add in the loss of Sammie Gingerich and you're saying goodbye to hundreds of tackles.

The Leyton Warriors managed just one win in 2014 after being a playoff team the year prior. Though they struggled last season, losing top rushers Jared Westman and James Rushman will only add to their challenges in 2015. Rushman was also the teams top receiver. Off the defense, Cody McKay was far and away the leading tackler with 102.

Creek Valley has struggled for a few years now, but its prospects can't be helped with the departure of Dane McConnell. He accounted for more than half the teams rushing yards. The good news for the Storm is that it was a very young team in 2014. McConnell was the only senior on the roster and there were just two juniors. Try winning football games with that much youth.

Well, this wasn't so much about evaluating the area football teams. It was more a salute to those players that will not be back this season. I'm sure I've spoken to most of the players mentioned above – and all were always helpful to me when I had questions to ask. So farewell Class of 2015. Best of luck for your future, and thanks for all the memories.

As for the 2015 season, stay tuned for the Sun-Telegraph's Fall Sports Preview coming next month.