College football: Chadron State, UNK

Chadron State

squad features

area players

CHADRON -- Abel Hinojosa and Jake McDaniel, both of Chase County, are incoming freshman recruits for the 2006 Chadron State College football team.

The two join junior John Strand of Chase County and sophomore Jayce Dueland of McCook, who are returning starters.

Strand started on the offensive line and Dueland was the long snapper.

The Eagles roster includes area players Strand and Dueland, Indianola's Mark Haag and McCook's Jeff Lyster and Richard Smock.

Bill O' Boyle will coach the team this season, with the first game slated for Sept. 2 in Bismark, N.D., against the University of Mary.

The Eagles play road games Sept. 9 and 16 at Montana State and Wayne State (Neb.).

Chadron's first home game is Sept. 23 against Colorado Mines.

Chadron hits the road again Sept. 30 at New Mexico Highlands.

Chadron hosts Western New Mexico Oct. 7 and plays at Fort Lewis Oct. 14.

The Eagles host state rival Nebraska-Kearney Oct. 21, play at Mesa State Oct. 28, host Western State Nov. 4 and play at Adams State Nov. 11.

Chadron posted a 4-6 record last year and returns nine defensive starters, 11 offensive starters and letterwinners.

UNK football

team looks

to defend

RMAC Crown

KEARNEY -- The 2006 University of Nebraska-Kearney football team will look to win a second straight conference championship this fall, something a Loper team hasn't done since the 1978 and 1979 seasons.

UNK, which went 9-3 in 2005 and won its first outright RMAC title, returns 13 starters and 23 additional letter winners off last year's playoff team.

Seventh-year head coach Darrell Morris must retool an offense that averaged 37 points and 444 yards per game last fall, plus replace a few standout defensive players.

"We challenged our team in winter conditioning, telling them its been a

long time since a team in the RMAC has won back--to-back (outright)

championships. Most of the time, us included, the defending champions have gone into the tank the next year."

A stout defense, which held every RMAC opponent under 28 points last season, returns first-team all-conference performers Paul Jimenez (Chino Calif.) and Sir Keevin Hardiman (Long Beach, Calif.). In addition, 20 other letter winners are back on defense.

UNK has always had an explosive offense so, despite the key losses, the Lopers should still score a bunch of points in 2006.

Returning starters include linemen Paul Dutmer (York) and receiver Tyler McNitt (Kearney).