Young Broncos step up to fill roles as injury bug bites

    This season’s Wauneta-Palisade football team couldn’t have asked for a better start.
    WP opened the season with three-straight wins and a spot in the Class D6 ratings.
    But as the season wore on, injuries took their toll.
    WP Co-Head Coaches Randy Geier and Joseph Frecks said injuries seemed to consistently affect the Broncos starting lineup and game plans throughout the season.
    “We were very proud of the kids who were able to step up and fill roles when necessary this year and even though it was disappointing not having everyone healthy all year, that experience will pay off in the years to come,” the coaches said.
    WP four seniors leading the way, Jacksen Littrel, Kyle Jutten, Derik Kennicutt and Michael Duvel.
    Littrel led the team in rushing and was second in tackles.
    “Jacksen really grew as a leader throughout high school. His effort in the off-season was evident this year. He was a consistent player who really became an aggressive football player and good leader,” Geier and Frecks said.
    Jutten was second in rushing as he battled multiple injuries throughout the season.
    “This never really allowed him to reach his full potential this year. We are proud of him for the way he continued to fight through those things though and keep a team first attitude,” the coaches said.
    After not playing as a junior, Kennicutt led WP in passing.
    Geier and Frecks said Kennicutt filled some key roles for the Broncos this season and was a good addition to the team.
    Duvel had an impactful career playing Bronco football, according to his coaches.
    “Michael posed an excellent offensive threat for other teams and solid leadership defense,” Geier and Frecks said.
    “We will miss the seniors, but we are very excited for the group of boys we have returning next year. They are very high character hard working kids who are hungry to get better and be competitive,” Geier and Frecks said.
    Sophomore Grayden Sutherland led the team in tackles and receiving, while freshman Blake Nickerson was third on the team in tackles and rushing, among other Broncos who will return next year.
    “Trey McCrumb will be our only senior next year and he will be a solid leader,” Geier and Frecks said, adding a lot of freshmen and sophomores got a lot of experience with games on the line this year, and that experience will pay off down the road.
    “The current sophomore class will also provide excellent leadership as juniors next year.,” they added.
    WP’s Sept. 9 win over Sioux County stood out to the coaches.
    “The Sioux County game was one of the high points of the year, that game was a four quarter game, and the whole team played very well across the board,” they said.
    The team kept fighting throughout the season and the coaches said this showed in the Brady game Oct. 21.
    “Obviously finishing the regular season with a win and making the playoffs was what the whole team wanted, but the fight the team showed really revealed their character as individuals and a team,” the coaches said, adding they want their players to not just be the best football players they can be, but to use their experiences as football players to help them become the best MEN that they can be in life.
     “The effort, fight, and team first attitude that these players showed all year, and in the last game, shows they are on the right track to becoming excellent men.”