Leading up to the Nebraska high school football season, NEPrepZone.com will be looking at the top teams in each class, based on last year’s rankings. This week, Eight Man-1 will be in the spotlight with a new post each day. Let us know in the comments how you think each team will finish, as well as players you’ll be watching.
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No. 3 PENDER
District 3
COACH: Greg Conroy, 27th year
LAST SEASON: The Pendragons lost in the second round of the state playoffs, ending the season at 8-1.
RETURNING STARTERS: Ben Burmester, senior, RB/LB; Nick Svoboda, senior, OL/DL; Michael Schmidt, senior, OL/DL; Dyllon Frederickson, senior, TE/LB; Klint Conroy, senior, RB/DL; Brody VandeBrug, senior, QB/DB
KEY RETURNING PLAYER: Burmester. The 5-foot-11 190-pounder rushed for 1,036 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
KEY DEPARTURE: Zack Johnson. Last year’s quarterback threw for 1,050 yards and 12 touchdowns with no interceptions, and he rushed for 600 yards.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Tyler Thomsen, senior, RB/DB; AJ Rutar, senior, RB/LB; Christopher Kai, junior, RB/DL; Devan Kaup, junior, TE/DE; Derick Roeber, sophomore, OL/DL; Tyler Krusemark, sophomore, RB/DB; Devin Soll, freshman, OL/DL
KEY POSITION CHANGES: VandeBrug will move from a slot receiver to quarterback to take over for Johnson.
