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HARTINGTON — One would think losing a three-year starter at quarterback, his favorite receiver and an all-state lineman would keep 24-year Cedar Catholic head coach, Chad Cattau, up late at night, wondering what his team’s fortunes will be this fall.
Although the nature of the job can make a person somewhat restless, Cattau is confident this season’s group of Trojans will be just fine.
“I believe we will be very competitive if we can stay healthy in all areas,” Cattau said. “We will have some great competition at all positions for playing time so that will force our kids to compete the entire off-season and preseason for playing time.”
Returning on offense is 1,000-yard rusher and all-district performer, Breiton Whitmire to pace the Cedar Catholic ground game and a couple of more-than-quality lineman to blast open holes for Whitmire in Jared Rutar, Graham Potts and Will Steffen.
“Breiton came on last year for us as an excellent ball carrier and corner,” said Cattau of Whitmire. “We will need the same from him this season. He has excellent lateral quickness to make people miss and as a corner he does a really good job of locking down receivers.”
Rutar and Potts were all-district honorable-mention in 2024 and Cattau called Steffen “all-state” caliber. Potts will most likely be the starting tight end on offense and all three will be instrumental in the success of the Trojan defensive front.
“Will has great strength and athleticism for a lineman,” Cattau said. “He is explosive off the ball and does a great job using his hands and quick feet.”
Another player earning special mention from the coach was Brady Hochstein.
“Brady is a tough nosed player that seems to be able to find the ball for us when we are on defense,” the coach said. “He has great strength and instincts which really helps separate him as a player. He also has become a really good blocker as a fullback and a threat as a ball carrier as well.”
In all, 20 returning letter winners return to help the coach sleep this fall.
Seniors, Booker Hochstein, Whitmire, Mason Baller, Quinn Hochstein, Potts, Brady Hochstein, Langston Christensen, Sam Wiebelhaus and Rutar will post their legacy to the program in their final season on the gridiron.
Juniors, Bodie Hochstein, Maverick Heine, Hunter Bensen, Steffen, Easton Hochstein, Haiden Thoene and Mason Thoene will see plenty of action on the field.
Sophomores, Micah Cattau, Grady Haberer, Jake Hoebelheinrich and Teyton Dendinger will also be in the mix.
“We will have some really good depth in a lot of areas and will need some young kids to continue to develop. Especially in the offensive and defensive lines,” Cattau said. “We have our kickers and punter back from last year so I expect special teams to be solid as well.”
Cattau’s son, Micah was the Class C-2 All-State punter last season.
“We are looking for Micah to build on his success from last season,” said his dad. “He is also a threat for us on offense so he will compete for reps again this year. On defense we will most likely use him in multiple spots on the field because of his skillset.”
One aspect that could possibly keep the coach up on a Thursday night or two, would be the Cedar Catholic schedule.
The Trojans open with Boone Central at Russ Hochstein Field on Aug. 29 then travel to Wayne to take on the Blue Devils on Sept. 5.
Another road game follows with a trip down Highway 77 to take on Archbishop Bergan on Sept. 12 then a Homecoming date with Tekamah-Herman on Sept. 19.
A home game with West Point-Beemer closes out the month of September. Cedar Catholic will travel to Battle Creek on Oct. 3, host Ponca on Oct. 10 and host Oakland-Craig on Oct. 17. The Trojans end the regular season with their annual bash with Norfolk Catholic, this one in Norfolk on Oct. 24.
