Nebraska City revving up for the 2019 football season

NEBRASKA CITY - Nebraska City High School will continue a unique tradition at their five home football games this fall.

For the second-straight year, the Pioneer Booster Club is inviting motorcycle riders to meet on the west side of the school (between the building and stadium entrance) for every home game and rev their engines as players enter the field from the locker room.

Head Coach Dan Hempel, who is beginning his third season with the Pioneers, says it's a good way to start their home games and "the players really enjoy it."

"You got this laser-like focus and you're so introverted in the pregame, and then it kind of messes with your senses...in a good way. Where it kind of just lets you let it all out and kind of gets you going."

Motorcycles are asked to line up at 6:30 p.m. Motors will rev at 6:55 p.m.

Nebraska City finished their first season in Class C1 with a 4-5 record last year and missed the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season.

They'll have to replace their starting quarterback, Bryce Levy. The 2019 graduate broke several school records and threw for 1,737 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His top target last season was his cousin, Tyler Levy. Tyler, also a school-record holder, caught 45 passes for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago. Both players are now playing college football. Bryce is at Midland University, while Tyler is attending Briar Cliff. 

Jordan Williams, Eli Southard, Jaren Johansen and Alfredo Valquier will each be asked to step into leadership roles. They were announced as the team captains on Monday.

"We have a really good amount of leadership in our program, which is strange for a team that doesn't have a ton of experience," Hempel said. "A lot of these guys, like Jordan Williams (who transferred back to Nebraska City from Kearney), have come in and bought in what we preached in our opening meeting of our team camp on July 17." 

Hempel preached to his team on what it'll take to become a great football team and, from what he's seen, the players have shown they're up for the challenge. He's proud of the way the kids have been taking care of things off-the-field, such as homework and other distractions. 

The Pioneers open the season at home vs. Schuyler on Friday.

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