Staff writer
The Bluebird football team will be led by new coaches this season as they prepare for the 2011 season. Tyler Schroeder helped with Goessel football for several years, but will step into the head coaching position for this season. “We don’t have a lot of bodies, but those guys that are out for football want to be here,” said Coach Schroeder. Sixteen players have reported for practice, which seems like a small number for an eight-man team.
The Bluebirds have four players weighing over 185 to bolster the blocking. Expected to give leadership in the trenches are seniors Joe Campbell and Peter Voth along with juniors Alex Schmidt and Bruce Benjamin. Drake Sterk is expected to excel as a linebacker and on offense the leadership will come from quarterback Trey Schmidt and receiver Nic Buller.
“A key for us,” said Schroeder, “is that the younger players will fill roles. It will be tough for us if our eight returning letter-winners have to play offense and defense the whole game. But these guys have been serious in the weight room and at summer football camp.”
Goessel ended last season with a record of 3-6, going 2-4 in a tough district. This year the Bluebirds are again in a seven-team district. Little River and Central Plains are expected to rank high in the state standings and the Peabody team is expected to be tough as usual. Goessel begins the season with an away game at Wakefield on Sept. 2 with their first home game the following Friday with Hope.