Tigers putting together pieces for 2023 push

Published by admin on Thu, 08/24/2023 - 1:51pm

First row left to right: Nolan Steiner, Caden Steding, Sean May, Coy Raska, Logan Faris, Carter Kies, Drew Stansbury, AJ Albee, Ethan Klendworth. Second row: Dre Riesetter, Chase Bruns, Ethan Lindsey, Asher Seward, Izaak Hollingsworth, Jaxson Drury, Traven Wheeler, Daniel Dolan, Gabe Steiner. Third row: Sam Benson, Adrian Balderas, Clint Preston, Dax Thompson, Tyler Mannetter, Peyton Welch, Preston Dolash, Sawyer Kane, Gavin Starr. Fourth Row-Holden Woosley, Colby Zollar, Carter Zollar, Joey Stephens, Lucas Perry, Jake Balvanz, Manning Pfantz, Jag Below. Fifth Row: Dakota Deemer, Dawson Kies, Casey Williamson, Calvin McDonald, Brandt Halverson, Aidan Lamasters, Aaron Harkrider. Sixth row: Managers Maggie Torres, Aiyanna Riesetter, Bella Keavany, Lila Warburton. Seventh row: Coaches Bo Balvanz, Greg Salvo, Jared Kadolph, Matt Kane, Jeff Butler, Al Meister, Nick Eller.

By:

CJ Eilers

Regional Sports Editor

2022 Record: 3-6 (42-0 Loss to West Branch in First Round Playoffs)

Head Coach: Nick Eller

Coach Nick Eller didn’t mince words. South Hardin football had a “frustrating” 2022 season. The Tigers, balanced with both senior leadership and youth, weren’t able to finish off critical drives to keep in them competitive games.

“I really thought the guys competed and fought every single game,” Eller said. “We couldn’t get the final punch in games like A-P and Dike-New Hartford. Those are games that could have made things better, or we could have made things worse. But a lot of young guys got to play and will figure out to put away games like that this year.”

The Tigers lost their top skill players to graduation, but return guys looking to step into those roles this season. Sophomores Peyton Welch and Sam Benson have competed for the start at quarterback, and Eller stated Welch (7/13, one touchdown in 2022) has established himself as the frontrunner. Junior Jaxson Drury is the top returning running back with 257 yards on 55 carries and two touchdowns last year. Junior Ethan Lindsey, Benson and sophomore Traven Wheeler each had carries as well.

Their receiving core also took a major hit with the graduation of Ryan Walters, yet has some young talent to step in with sophomores Bo Starr (278 yards on 15 receptions, four touchdowns), senior Ethan Klendworth (221 yards on 14 reception, one touchdown), Wheeler (100 yards) on nine receptions) and Benson (91 yards on six carries).

“We’ll definitely rely more on our run game than the past seasons,” Eller said. “Jaxson got a lot of carries and we’re confident with guys like Sam and Ethan back there too. We got a lot of (receiving) pieces back, but some are inexperienced or don’t have that bursty start. Hopefully, they can carry over their experience into this year.”

Defensively, the Tigers return their top playmaker in Logan Faris (53 total tackles) with senior Sean May (41 tackles), and Drury (25 tackles) following. Wheeler also came up with three interceptions and May two interceptions. On special teams, South Hardin returns Starr with 941 on 26 kickoffs, sophomore Jake Balvanz 15 of 23 on PATs.

“We lost a lot of pieces and right now are trying to figure out where everyone fits best,” Eller said. “Sean May has been an anchor there linebacker for us these last two years. One of the best lineman in the state, if you ask me. We’re hoping for big things from Logan Faris this season.”

The Tigers will be tested in their non-district schedule with South Hamilton, Iowa Falls-Alden and Aplington-Parkersburg. Their District will feature Class A champs Grundy Center moving up to 1A, Columbus Catholic and different schools than they’re used to in recent seasons.

“Our schedule is pretty tough, but I want to see us playing our best ball of the season at the end,” Eller said. “Hopefully we can get everyone on the same page quickly and play better ball each week.”

South Hardin football will open their season at South Hamilton on Friday, Aug. 25.

2023 South Hardin Football Schedule

Friday, Aug. 25 @ South Hamilton

Friday, Sept. 1 vs Iowa Falls-Alden

Friday, Sept. 8 @ Aplington-Parkersburg

Friday, Sept. 15 @ Alburnett

Friday, Sept. 22 vs East Marshall

Friday, Sept. 29 @ Grundy Center

Friday, Oct. 6 vs Hudson

Friday, Oct. 13 vs Columbus Catholic

Friday, Oct. 20 First Round Playoffs TBA