Young Longhorns hungry for a win

The Chase County football team will be young again this season, but the program is growing, both in numbers and leadership.
The Longhorns have 42 players on the roster this season, up from 27 last year.
Head Coach Nathan Gaswick says it’s a great problem.
But 30 of the 42 are freshmen and sophomores. Of the nine seniors, two haven’t played football until this year, leading Gaswick to note that youth and inexperience will be weaknesses.
Gaswick sees plenty of growth compared to last year’s team, his first as head coach and second season with the team.
“Players’ work ethic and desire to improve themselves and their team is higher than I have experienced as a coach at CCS,” he said.
“I believe the primary strength of this team is the fact that they are a TEAM. This group of young men support one another and play for each other,” Gaswick said.
The Longhorns return nine starters, four players who started both ways, three defensive starters and two offensive starters.
Among those players is senior Ryan Bernhardt. Heading into his third year as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, Bernhardt will be the team’s primary leader.
“Ryan has been a starter since his sophomore year and possesses a work ethic and drive that helps motivate many on our team. He is a great model for many of our underclassmen,” Gaswick said.
Sophomore Jaret Peterson’s work ethic and drive has helped anchor many younger players and has earned a tremendous amount of respect from his upperclassmen, Gaswick said.
Despite no COVID restrictions this year, the team has still felt effects of the virus.
Because of COVID-related shipping and manufacturing issues  CCS was late getting some helmets and shoulder pads.
The time spent waiting on equipment wasn’t wasted.
“I believe our athletes have a much better grasp on fundamental concepts and are much more detail oriented due to more time working on these concepts and not rushing to get pads on,” Gaswick said.
With the season’s first game against Chadron quickly approaching, Gaswick said practices have been going well and athletes are progressing.
“However, we just recently got everyone equipped in pads so we need as much time as we can get blocking, tackling and hitting to prepare ourselves for the physicality of actual games,” he added.
Gaswick expects fans will see a stronger run game and a much more balanced offensive attack thanks to a stronger offensive line and many more threats who will touch the football this season.
Including Chadron, the Longhorns’ season starts off with four-straight games against Class C1 opponents before five Class C2-6 district games to end the regular season.
District opponents Valentine and Gordon-Rushville are the two largest Class C2 schools and both are ineligible for the playoffs.
North Platte St. Pat’s, also a district opponent, sneaks in to Class C2 as the smallest school in the class with 37 male students.
“Being a C2 team and facing off with four-straight C1 opponents is challenging but does allow us to see how we stack up,” Gaswick said.
“Our district always possesses good teams and starting off with higher classified teams can help give us an advantage before we begin seeing C2 opponents,” he added.
Kickoff for Friday’s game at the CCS field against the Cardinals is set for 6 p.m.
Gaswick said Chadron, a playoff qualifying team last season, is very experienced.
“This will be a great opportunity to see how our young team measures up,” Gaswick said.