The seven seniors that graduated last spring took with them close to 100 starts over the past three seasons and now NCHS has many new faces all over the field. Nine freshmen and a handful of new upperclassmen have boosted Head Coach Ryan Nelson’s squad enough that a few JV games are in the works. Chris Skeen returns for his sixth season with the Tigers while Mark Kupke joins the coaching staff. Seniors Dani Kant and Ali McElroy return for their third year as managers and soph Camdon Fitzwater joins the sidelines. 

“I think a lot of the guys believe that we were just a lightning delay away from the playoffs last season,” said Nelson. Coach Nelson is referring to the regular season finale in Yoder as Southeast took a late third quarter lead before a 40 minute delay. NCHS had been moving the ball successfully and then Traylin Bruegger’s career ended with a broken collarbone. All the momentum swung back to the home team and Lusk missed the playoffs for the third straight year. “We’ve got ten back that played a lot, and they know that we’re right there.”

Senior Teagan Tschacher (SE/DB) has been the vocal leader early in camp, and is joined by classmates Jacob Miller (OL/DL), Alaryn Craggs (E/DB) and Declan Jensen (E/DB). Miller is expected to help anchor the lines after starting last season while Craggs is looking to find a spot in the backfield. Jensen didn’t play last fall but has been away in boot camp and will likely be in shape upon his return. Getting into football shape will be another matter according to Nelson. 

The junior class is led by All State FB/LB Damien Molzahn, All Conference TB/LB James Stone and new quarterback Wyatt Stauffer. Stauffer took the snaps last year at the scrimmage and a pair of regular season games, but will be counted on to direct a faster offense this year.

Sophs Ryan Bruegger (TE/DE), Jasper Caldera (OL/DL) and Drake Lamp (TB/S) started every game last year. While Caldera and Bruegger quietly gained experience and honorable mentions, it was Lamp that erupted for 858 rushing yards and an All State spot. As this trio improves, so do the Tigers. Aric Eaton (QB/SE/DB) is expected to play a bigger role this season.

The incoming freshman are the deepest in years and have players that will contribute right away. This is the first group of Peewee Tigers to get to high school. How they react to varsity speed will go a long ways towards Lusk’s success.

“We’ll face four teams that run the spread offense, so we’ve been working on seven on seven drills,” added Nelson. “But we’re not going to do that, we’re going to be physical…because that’s what we do.”

The 95th year of Tiger Football gets underway Sat. at the zero week scrimmage in Yoder. The regular season opener is against Upton-Sundance Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Gibson Field at Fullmer Stadium.