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Lincoln says look out for Tigers, Trojans this fall
CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — The warning went out from two former Cambridge all-staters during a sizzlin’ hot workout Monday last month:
“They (the Cambridge Trojans) are going to be good again,” Trojan alums Paxton Ross and Deryk Huxoll agreed. “They’re going to be big and physical.”
Writers from Nebraska’s ultimate football town apparently agree. They’ve named the Trojans and Dundy County-Stratton Tigers as two of 10 “teams to watch” entering Class D-1 football competition for 2020.
The 2019 state semifinalist DC-S Tigers (10-2 last year) are no surprise considering 11 starters return including senior running back Serbando Diaz.
Diaz has delivered 60 touchdowns during the past two seasons and more than 3,500 rushing yards.
The Lincoln Journal-Star also mentions senior Delton Haines (104 tackles last year) among its all-state candidates.
Yet no one should forget junior quarterback Quade Myers, who’s raced to another 45 rushing TDs along with 3,001 yards — not to mention nearly 20 TD passes.
Coach Mike Spargo’s Tigers made the 2018 quarterfinals, 2019 semifinals and obviously want to take that next step this fall.
Some might think the Trojans (10-1 last year) might step back after record-setting receiver Huxoll and “Heisman” quarterback Ross graduated FINALLY last month.
However, Lincoln pundits point to 6’5” new starting junior quarterback Quintin Shaner aiming for 6’6” classmate Dahlton Wood.
“Coach Rodney Yates says he (Shaner) is athletic, fast and has a strong arm,” the Journal-Star declared this week.
Plus the Trojans welcome back 16 total players who have started at least three varsity games.
Senior linebacker Ethan Sides likely returns from an early season-ending injury last year along with familiar Trojans Clayton Sayer, Cort Fiene, Cole Fiene, Kyle Borland, Domonic Godbey, Monty Farr and Zach McArthur among others.
“The Trojans once again look formidable,” was another Journal-Star comment.
The Trojans are set to kick off their season at Sutherland (9-1 last year) on Friday, Aug. 28.
DC-S Tigers actually debut one night earlier at home against defending Colorado state eight-man champ Sedgwick County (13-0) on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Reigning D-1 champ Osceola-High Plains remains another Journal-Star team to watch as well as last year’s area nemesis Burwell Longhorns.
Burwell knocked out both Cambridge and DC-S en route to the title game at Memorial Stadium.
Other anticipated top D-1 squads are Howells-Dodge, Cross County, Clarkson-Leigh, Elmwood-Murdock, Neligh-Oakdale, Tri County and Lourdes Central Catholic.