Staff writer
After a disappointing season in 2014, the Bluebirds will try to regroup around a core of returning letter winners.
Chase Flaming, Josh Schmidt, Luke Unruh, Trevor Beisel, Matt Regier, Jordan Schmucker, Miguel Guerrero, Kenny Hammond, Jordan Griffin, and Dakota Nolte return with hopes of reversing last year’s 1-8 record.
Sixteen players reported for football, and the Bluebirds will not lack for size or experience.
Unruh and Nolte easily tip the scales above 200 pounds and will stabilize the line of scrimmage.
Flaming returns at quarterback. Schmidt, Guerrero, and Beisel carried the ball last year and anchored the defensive backfield.
Regier, Griffin, Hammond, and Schmucker will play defense, and may be targets on offense for passes downfield.
What is going to be different for the 2015 season?
“We will have new leadership and a good attitude,” Unruh said. “This team is a group of friends.”
“We are going to improve our skills as the season progresses,” added Beisel.
Although the schedule is the same as a year ago, the Goessel bunch knows that other teams lost a lot of seniors from last season.
A year ago, the Bluebirds won one game, but two games were lost by just two points apiece.
“Our goals this year are to fix weaknesses and improve skills, and the wins will take care of themselves,” Griffin said.
The Bluebirds begin the season at home Sept. 4 against Peabody-Burns.