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Patriot Football Looks For Success

August 24, 2020

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By: Morgan Bunner, freshman at Leigh High School

Ranked pre-season #1 in the Lincoln Journal Star and pre-season #4 in Huskerland Prep, the Clarkson-Leigh Patriot football team has grown immensely in skill, size, and number this past year, and they are excited to start their season. With the addition of the new freshman class, the team now has 34 players compared to last year’s 20.

The Patriots had a pre-season scrimmage on Saturday morning, August 15, and Head Coach Jim Clarkson was encouraged by what he saw.

 “The scrimmage went well,” Coach Clarkson said.  “We have a long way to go before we are ready to play a game, but we are looking forward to getting better every day.  The first game is against a really good opponent and should have an exciting atmosphere.”

Their first game could prove to be the biggest game of the regular season as they face off against the Cross County Cougars on August 28 at 7 pm in Leigh.Leading this year’s squad are seniors Lance Paprocki, Trevor Zulkoski, Tommy McEvoy, Austin Sayers, and Layne Krutz.

The juniors consist of Kanyon Held, Eli Hays, Cartel Hanel, Bryce Jurgensen, Cooper Vance, and Mitchel Beeson. Sophomores include Mason Whitmore, Kyle Kasik, Jase Indra, Drew Beeson, Dalton Zulkoski, Roque Tejeda, Jackson Koehn, and Kyle Holmberg. Rounding out the team are freshmen Ryan Brichacek, Jaden Stoklasa, Isaac Baumert, Joey Steffensmeier, Dylan Higby, Trey Steffensmeier, Jack Brabec, Garrett Stodola, Conner Jurgensen, Troy Graybill, Jordan Noonan, James Grotelueschen, Christian Hamernik, Nathan Bahns, and Andrew Rivera.

The Patriots are coached by Jim Clarkson and assisted by Bob McEvoy, Jeff Bachman, Brian Becker, Matt Murren, Jorge Gomez, and Eric Hays.

Picture of 2020 Patriot Football Team - Front Row (L to R): Carter Hanel, Drew Beeson, Kyle Kasik, Lance Paprocki, Eli Hays, Tommy McEvoy, Trevor Zulkoski, Kanyon Held; Second Row: Connor Jurgensen, Mason Whitmore, Austin Sayers, Mitchel Beeson, Nathan Bahns, Jace Indra, Bryce Jurgensen, James Grotelueschen, Dalton Zulkoski; Third Row: Isaac Baumert, Kyle Holmberg, Jackson Koehn, Jack Brabec, Cooper Vance, Troy Graybill, Andrew Rivera; Back Row: Ryan Brichacek, Jaden Stoklasa, Trey Steffensmeier, Christian Hamernik, Jordan Noonan, Garrett Stodola, Layne Krutz, Dylan Higby, Joey Steffensmeier, Samuel Pocasangre