July 26, 2012

Bob Jensen
HuskerlandPreps.com Publisher

Overview

After suffering through a winless 2011, the Huskies return five starters on offense and three on defense. Head coach Erik Wetjen has a good feeling about his team's chances for improvement this season.

"We are still a young team but we got a lot of experience last year and we look to be much improved this season," says Wetjen, who enters his 11th season at Heartland.

Heartland will compete in the D1-5 district along with BDS, Franklin, Harvard, McCool Junction and Red Cloud.

Heartland Huskies

Rising sophomore QB Jordan Heinrichs

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jordan Heinrichs Quarterback

Brent Regier Lineman

Coleton Siebert Running Back

Daniel Quiring Lineman

Tyler Brown Running Back

Offense

The Huskies return an exciting sophomore quarterback in Jordan Heinrichs (5-8, 150), who was a one-man show last season, rushing for 694 yards and passing for another 343; pretty great numbers for a freshman. Sophomore Tyler Brown (5-8, 150) has starting experience at the running back position, with seniors Deit Driewer (5-8, 165) and Lincoln Ruybalio (5-8, 160) other veterans who could factor into the running game.

Three starters return in the offensive line, including seniors Daniel Quiring (5-10, 245) and Brent Regier (6-8, 210) and sophomore Colton Siebert (6-1, 175), with senior letterman Aaron Jensen (6-1, 170) and incoming freshman Clay Bergen (6-2, 180) in line for playing time.

Last season Heartland averaged 207.6 yards of offense per game, 39th in Class D-1.

Defense

Quiring and Regier are returning defensive line starters with Jenen, sophomore Cody Kroeker (6-3, 170), sophomore Cole Nickels (6-2, 175) and Bergen among the candidates for the other starting D-line positions.

Heinrichs returns as the team's starting free safety with Siebert and Brown returning to give the team a secondary with a lot of potential.

Last season Heartland allowed 412.3 yards per game, 36th in D-1.

Shoes to Fill

The loss of two-way star Michael Brune, an all-district pick at linebacker, hurts the most.

Must Step Up

Not so much step up as grow up, as much will be expected of those sophomores. The Huskies also need more linemen to rise to the varsity level of play.

Season Prediction