The Sailors come in to 2020 with just three seniors, but plenty of experience on the field
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - The Sutherland Sailors finished 2019 with a perfect 8-0 record in the regular season, won their first round playoff game against North Central, but lost in their second round game to Arcadia-Loup City.
The Sailors experienced success through talent and hard work, and the success they saw last year gave them valuable experience to bring into this season.
“[Last year] taught us that when you work hard, it really pays off in the end. So, we’re going to work hard again this year, and try to do it again,” said senior tight end/cornerback Jaron Cooper.
“I’d never been a part of a team that works so hard as last year. We’re hoping to continue that this year, just give everything we got,” said senior fullback/defensive lineman Carter Snyder.
Four two-way starters graduated last year, and with just three seniors on this year’s team, the Sailors will rely on their juniors to play a big role.
“They’ve done a good job with that so far, and we believe if you give a great effort and have a good attitude, that things will fall into place,” said head coach Brendan Geier.
Luckily for the Sailors, having the lead late in every game last season allowed them to give their backup players play time, and those players can use that experience to contribute this year.
“With that turnover, we’re going to need some younger guys to step up,” Geier said. “Fortunately, we have some younger kids that have played quite a bit, and are able and are looking to step into those roles.”
“The younger players this year have the chance to be able to step up and come up to the plate, and they have a lot of playing time coming into the season,” said senior tight end/safety Ty Monie.
Monie said a strength of this year’s Sailor team will be the speed of the players. For blockers, like Snyder, their goal is is to to get their ball carriers as much room to run as they can.
“[I’ll be] trying to get out in front, get my guys a block, just give them as big a hole as I can get them,” Snyder said.
The Sailors open their season at home, hosting Cambridge on Aug. 28. Geier believes the team will be ready for the start of the season.
“Fortunately for us, the kids were chomping at the bit, and that’s carried over from the summer into the first couple weeks of practice,” Geier said.
Sailors 2020 season
8/28 Cambridge
9/04 @ Garden County
9/11 Hi-Line
9/18 @ Kimball
9/25 Hemingford
10/02 @ Elm Creek
10/09 @ Perkins County
10/15 Bayard
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