'Younger Players Need to Step-Up' For Defending Champs

After finishing s the C-2 Runners-up the past two seasons, the 2008 Blue Hill Bobcats finally broke through with the school's first state title. They opened the 2008 season with a loss to the tradition rich Trojas of Cambridge High, before proceeding to win 12 straight, including a 14-0 shut out over Fremont Bergan in the state finals. Fourth year head coach Scott Porter, who has a 36-3 record at the helm of the Bobcats, will once again construct his team around a strong defense. Last season, they held their opponents scoreless in five of their 13 games while allowing only 138 yards per game of total offense. "We have the chance to be successful again this year," Porter said. "However, our success will depend on some of our younger players stepping-up and filling in holes created by graduation. Our team unity will also be a big factor in our success." Three all-state players must be replaced in lineman Keith Faimon, Trent Ockinga and linebacker Cody Karr, who was the Lincoln Journal Star's Defensive Player of the Year. Only fivee players return with starting experience, however, many of the younger player's earned playing time during the Bobcat's state title run. The returning starters are Riley Bonifas (6' 1", 195, RB/ILB, Sr.), Chad Hastings (6' 0", 175, QB/DB, Sr.), Thomas Ostdiek (5' 10", 160, WR/DB, Sr.), Nathan Faimon (5' 11", 170, OT/DE, Sr.), Jared Krueger (5' 11", 170, OT/DE, Jr.). Bonifas earned all-district honors from his defensive end position an Hastings was an all-state defensive back. Last season Bonifas recorded 56 tackles and Hastings picked off 6 passes. Both are on Central Nebraska Prep's Top Rated Returning Prep Football Players list. Ostdiek, the teams reception leader from a year ago, Faimon and Krueger, all earned honorable mention all-district status for their efforts in 2008. Other key returners are Kurt Burken (C/DT, Sr.), Taylor Premer (WR/DB, Sr.), Riley Hall (G/DT, Sr.), Brandon Ferris (OT/DT, Sr.), Jon Mohlman (G/DT, Sr.), Philip Berger (WR/DB, Sr.), Matt Thramer (G/DT, Jr.), Ben Kort (T/LB, Jr.), Kelley Faimon (RB/LB, Jr.), Brock Kumke (WR/DB, Jr.), Josh Norris (T/DT, Jr.), and Derek Poe (QB/DB, Jr.). Sophomores looking to make a splash with the varsity are; Blake Bunner, Trenton Jordening, Trent Kohmetscher, Brian Kohmetscher, Eli Van Boening, Jereimah Krueger, Cody Goelter, Charlie Himmelberg, Nathan Hilligas, Shane Faimon and Tyler Auten. The Bobcats have a tough slate this fall as six of their eight regular season opponents made last year's playoffs. Porter expects Thayer Central to be the biggest threat from preventing Blue Hill from winning their fourth straight district championship. The Bobcats who will be looking to avenge their only loss of 2008 open their season at home on September 4th against the Cambridge Trojans. The Bobcats have posted an impressive 45-5 record and played in three state championship games in the past four years. Reprinted from Central Nebraska Prep, Fall 2009 Edition.