Cedar football team looking to rebuild

HARTINGTON — Coming off yet another playoff season, Chad Cattau heads into 2020 with plenty of optimism despite the knowledge the campaign could come to a crashing halt if the COVID-19 pandemic decides to turn up the heat again.

Until then, Cattau has plenty of optimism about the new season.

Last year, the Trojans finished 5-5 and almost defeated eventual Class C2 state champion Oakland-Craig in the opening round of the playoffs, before falling victim to the Knights’ late rally.

Cedar will now move forward without a pair of 2019 All State players — Wayne State signees Rex Becker (OL/DL) and Jacob Keiser (RB/LB). Also gone are Eric Hoesing (FB/LB), Peyton Haahr (OL, DL), Ted Bengston (OL, Kicker), Nathan Potts (RB, S) and Ben Loecker (OL/DL).

Still, Cedar Catholic will get back on the gridiron with five starters back on both sides of the ball and plenty of depth with 41 athletes out this season.

Becker and Kaiser have left some big holes to fill.

“The biggest thing that we will need to replace and get better at is leadership. We had some very good leaders that graduated last year and so we need to teach our current team how to step into those roles,” he said. “We need both vocal and quiet leaders to help us win games.”

Cedar Catholic also will be pressed to rebuild play in the trenches as four starters on the offensive line have departed.

“I do feel we have some very qualitytype players that can fill those roles though, so I am excited about their development,” Cattau said. “We have some very good skill position kids returning for us on both sides of the ball. I think we have a lot of players that can catch the ball and do things in space to help us win games.”

The Trojans also return their starting quarterback (Tate Thoene) and Easton Becker, a part-time starter at running back last year.

Defensively, the Trojans have some playmakers and the hope is to create more turnovers than in recent years.

“That will be an emphasis during our camp,” Cattau said. “We also return an excellent kicker in Blake Arens and our punter in Noah Arens, so those things will be very important as well.”

There is also do-everything WR/DB senior Myles Thoene who is happy to be playing.

“There are a lot of unsure things, but the NSAA has done a good job to enable us to play, so it is relieving,” Myles said. “What happened last spring is very unfortunate. Obviously, I really hope it stays away and have a somewhat normal year and play our sports.”

If they do, Myles Thoene thinks the guys that are returning to the fold offer plenty of special qualities.

“We have a lot of potential to be a really good team,” Myles said. “The younger players are really talented and will be able to do what they need to do to win. We are an athletic team and last year’s back-and-forth season will help us weekby-week to figure things out.”

Myles Thoene was also pleased the team was able to get in plenty of individual work during the summer to come into the new campaign prepared to play. Despite not being able to get together as often due to the pandemic, he also noted the team togetherness appears to be on the road to heading in the right direction as a group.

District C2-3 play offers some challenges once again as the Trojans will have to navigate through rivals Crofton, BRLD, Ponca and Norfolk Catholic.

“I really feel each of these teams will be a great test this year in their own way because they run such a variety of things on both offense and defense,” Cattau said. “I know we are capable of beating each one of them, but I also know that if we aren’t prepared, we can get beat by each of them.”

Of course, Cattau will also try to navigate his squad through the looming pandemic.

“My biggest concern with COVID is that so many things are unknown. Everything can change for us as a school and team from one day to the next. We just have to try and do our part as a team and school to help prevent the spread of it in our facility. We really need to focus on taking care of ourselves and if each school does that, then I foresee us being able to play an entire season,” he said. “I can also see us possibly losing games because of cases that may come up from various communities. We will just have to prepare each week as though we will get a game, even though that can change at any moment.”

If the season can be played out, Cattau said this squad has a lot of potential.

“I really believe we have a chance to be very competitive this season if we can stay healthy and improve our depth through the year,” Cattau said. “We need to be playing our best ball when the district schedule hits, and if we are, I think we can win the district, which puts us in the playoffs. At this point though, we really need to worry about improving each and every day because we have a lot of growing and learning to do.”

The season kicks off at 7 p.m., Aug. 28, at O’Neill, a Class C1 opponent. The Trojans home opener is set for 7 p.m., Sept. 4, against Battle Creek.

LAUREL — Laurel area voters will get an opportunity to vote in November on a proposed $23 million bond for school improvements.

Board members reviewed information for a bond election for the cost of the school facilities renovation project for a total amount to be bonded of $23 million to be bonded over 25 years.

The project would require an 11.1-cent bond levy. Projected true interest cost will be 1.903 percent.

The project may allow the school board to reduce the .074344 now being used for the special building fund.

This decision was made after a five-meeting process, which included discussions to formulate options.

The process shows the scope of what will be needed to replace what school classrooms now are used at the high school level. A new front entrance is also suggested.

A November vote in favor of the project would mean design would begin immediately on the project.

Community informational meetings are planned before the vote including at least three public forums.

School board president Jay Hall said the COVID situation delayed everything.

“This project is a renovation of the high school. This is a pretty major decision,’’ Hall said.

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