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Young team needs to gel quickly
By By Alica P. Thiele
Challenger reporter
Challenger reporter
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EmailAugust 24. 2010 2:21PM
The Blue Dragons football squad retains their quarterback, junior Dustin Steckler, this year, but many of the 2010 squad is young, coach Tim Hughes said.
“We have a very young offensive and defensive line, and if those guys gel pretty quickly, we can be competitive,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we repeated last regular season’s results. It just depends on how the young players come together.”
Garretson was 5-3 overall last year and ended their season in an overtime loss to Flandreau in the first round of playoffs.
There are five seniors on the team this year. They are Shane Dickey, Zach Lukes, Mike Lau, Shane VanDeBerg and Ben Westhoff.
The squad lost seven seniors to graduating, including linemen Joe Quaintance, Ryan Conrad and Ethan Storment. Hughes is looking to fill their spots.
Hughes said Flandreau again will be a formidable opponent in the conference. “Flandreau is the team that has the talent level to make a run at the title,” he said. “McCook Central/Montrose brings back quite a few kids, so they’re going to be another tough opponent.”
The Blue Dragons start their season Friday at Sioux Falls Christian. Hughes said he is interested to see what the Chargers are like this year.
With four away games and four home games, “we don’t really have a cake walk this year,” Hughes said. “We don’t have an easy one, so we’re going to have to load up and play hard.”
The team will have a bye Sept. 24, in the middle of their season, “which actually comes at a good time,” Hughes said.
Garretson 2010 football schedule
Aug. 27 at Sioux Falls Christian
Sept. 3 vs. Clark/Willow Lake at Willow Lake
Sept. 10 Sioux Valley
Sept. 17 Bon Homme
Sept. 24 Open
Oct. 1 at Flandreau
Oct. 8 vs. McCook Central/Montrose at Salem
Oct. 15 Elk Point-Jefferson
Oct. 21 Parkston
“We have a very young offensive and defensive line, and if those guys gel pretty quickly, we can be competitive,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we repeated last regular season’s results. It just depends on how the young players come together.”
Garretson was 5-3 overall last year and ended their season in an overtime loss to Flandreau in the first round of playoffs.
There are five seniors on the team this year. They are Shane Dickey, Zach Lukes, Mike Lau, Shane VanDeBerg and Ben Westhoff.
The squad lost seven seniors to graduating, including linemen Joe Quaintance, Ryan Conrad and Ethan Storment. Hughes is looking to fill their spots.
Hughes said Flandreau again will be a formidable opponent in the conference. “Flandreau is the team that has the talent level to make a run at the title,” he said. “McCook Central/Montrose brings back quite a few kids, so they’re going to be another tough opponent.”
The Blue Dragons start their season Friday at Sioux Falls Christian. Hughes said he is interested to see what the Chargers are like this year.
With four away games and four home games, “we don’t really have a cake walk this year,” Hughes said. “We don’t have an easy one, so we’re going to have to load up and play hard.”
The team will have a bye Sept. 24, in the middle of their season, “which actually comes at a good time,” Hughes said.
Garretson 2010 football schedule
Aug. 27 at Sioux Falls Christian
Sept. 3 vs. Clark/Willow Lake at Willow Lake
Sept. 10 Sioux Valley
Sept. 17 Bon Homme
Sept. 24 Open
Oct. 1 at Flandreau
Oct. 8 vs. McCook Central/Montrose at Salem
Oct. 15 Elk Point-Jefferson
Oct. 21 Parkston
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Five seniors will compete on this season’s Blue Dragon varsity football team. They are Michael Lau (from left), Shane Dickey, Shane VanDeBerg, Zach Lukes and Ben Westhoff. Tim Hughes is the head football coach at Garretson High School. Photo by Alica P. Thiele |  |
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