Staff writer
Goessel football heads into the season with three key ingredients for success: Veteran players, speed, and a positive attitude.
“We are expecting great teamwork this season and a good year,” running back Trevor Beisel said.
The Bluebirds have seven of eight starters coming back from last year’s 3-6 season: quarterback Josh Schmidt, running backs and kick returners Miguel Guerrero and Beisel, tight end Jordan Griffin, lineman Kenny Hammond, tight end Drew Lindeman, and linebacker Carson Sterk. All of these players are expected to also contribute defensively.
Although the team lost a lot of size on the line to graduation, Hammond said off-season workout should help the Bluebirds compensate.
“We have worked in the weight room this summer and we should be faster and stronger off the line than last year,” he said.
The team recognizes that there are holes to fill, “but we are not inexperienced,” Schmidt said. “A lot of guys have two years of varsity experience.”
Speed in the backfield will also help the Bluebirds.
“With our strength, we should get a good push off the line and then our runners will be explosive in the holes,” Guerrero said.
Letter winner Zach Zogelman should get some carrries at running back, and Cameron Nolte will be expected to contribute as a lineman. Nathaniel Schmucker and Jayce Schmidt will see action in the defensive backfield.
“We improved greatly last season and I am excited to see what we can do,” said fifth-year coach Garrett Hiebert.
Goessel’s season begins Friday with a home game against Wakefield.