Conference: Highland
School: Beal City
Nickname: Aggies
Coach: Lou Rau
Last season’s Record: 8-4; lost in regional final
Players Lost: Stone Beckwith, Todd Stevens, Connor Steffke, Andrew Pohl
Players Returning: Sam Schafer, Ty Rollin, Joe Rau, Hayden Huber, Carson Salisbury, Nate Schafer, Kevin Straus, Nick Hoogerhyde, Andrew Clare, Bo Carrick, Brandon Skorna, Nick Reeves.
Coach’s Comment: “I’m very excited about this year’s team and seeing what our much-improved leadership will bring. We’re a young team but return a great deal of experience. This year’s team came into camp in the best shape I’ve seen in a couple of years, demonstrating the discipline needed to be successful.”
Conference: Highland Conference
School: Evart
Nickname: Wildcats
Coach: Pat Craven
Last season’s record: 5-4
Players lost: Jarek VanOrder (TE/DE), Jesse Lang (QB), Brady Hasse (RB/CB), Andrew French (OG/LB), Logan Prichard (DT)
Players returning: Devon VanOrder (DE/OT), Austin Grein (RB/LB), John Danley (RB/CB), Jake McKinstry (C), Larry VanBuren (LB)
Coach’s Comment: “This team is deep and talented. We are expecting to be very competitive with the top teams in the league. We must continue to get better on a daily basis and strive to be more consistent in every aspect of the game.”
Conference: Highland Conference
School:Lake City
Nickname: Trojans
Coach: Tim Peterson
Last season’s Record:8-2
Players Lost:9
Players Returning:12
Coach’s Comment: “We are looking forward to competing in a very challenging Highland Conference once again this season. With many returners, we have high expectations for our players and our team.”
Conference: Highland
School: Pine River
Nickname: Bucks
Coach: Chad Phillips
Player lost: Abel Langworthy
Players returning: Skyler Nelson, QB; Devin Ruppert, Lineman.
Coach’s comment: “We’ve got a good group of seniors. We’re excited about that.”
Conference: Highland
School: Manton
Nickname: Rangers
Coach: Jeff Puffer
Last season’s Record: 4-5
Players Lost: Mike Skiver, Cam Robbins, Tyler Bridson
Players Returning: Alex Powell, Aaron Powell, Austin Shivlie, Jake Treusdale, Andy Weston
Coach’s Comment: “Senior leadership will be our key to the start of the 2012 season. Our returning starters will fill some key positions that will be to our advantage to start the season. Our depth, along with staying healthy, will be the big question as we make our way into conference play.”
Conference: Highland
School: McBain
Nickname: Ramblers
Coach: Chad Grundy
Last season’s Record: 9-2
Players Lost:Logan Nemeth, Hunter Thompson, Nathan Smith
Players Returning: Trevor Lutke, Jared Larr, Andy Lucas, Jake Kamphouse
Coach’s Comment: “We lost a lot of leadership and experience last year, so we are looking to develop our young guys and play as hard as we can.”