Contributing writer
“We won’t have any 250 pounders on the team, but we have quickness, and that will make us competitive,” said Trey Schmidt, senior quarterback on the 2012 Goessel High School football team.
Nineteen players reported for eight-man football for first-year head coach Garrett Hiebert this fall.
“We have a completely different schedule this year, this schedule fits us better,” senior Nic Buller said.
“We are in the first year of the two-year classification for football districts and will not have to face some of the largest schools in eight man football,” Hiebert said.
Goessel has been moved into the smaller school Division II for eight-man football.
Buller will play both ways and will be a force in the defensive backfield and at offensive end. Cain Smith, a senior, will be expected to make his presence felt in the line. Schmidt is expected to lead the team from the quarterback position as well as in the defensive backfield. Shane Goerzen, although small, will spark the special teams and be a running back for the Bluebirds.
“We will not be a small team overall since we have several guys in the 180- to 200-pound range. We have six guys back with a lot of experience and that will anchor the team,” Hiebert said.
The Bluebirds will need to have younger players fill roles as they compete for varsity spots on this year’s team. GHS ended last season with a 1-8 record.
“We executed well for the whole game in our win at Canton-Galva last year,” Goerzen said.
“We need to realize not to take any plays off and we should do well,” Schmidt said.
Goessel will begin the season with an away game at Centre on Aug. 31 and will host Canton-Galva on Sept 7. District games this year will be with Southern Cloud, Burrton, Tescott, Chase, White City, and Hope. Hiebert is assisted by Joe Biggs.