By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Goessel High’s football team advanced to the elite eight in the 1A football playoffs last year.

It appears that this year’s schedule will be brutal, with three of the top eight teams from last year on the calendar.

“We have chances for victory even in the tough games,” senior Logan Sterk said. “Because we have eight returning starters.”

“A lot of younger players got varsity action because of all the injuries our starters experienced last year,” said Caiden Duerksen another returning senior.

Thirty players reported for practice this fall and Goessel will have quite a lot of experience from the 2020 team.

Duerksen and Sterk will play both in the offensive and defensive line. Duerksen can also play tight end.

Two other seniors, Dylan Riley and Skyler Wuest will bolster the defense and play on offense to open holes for the Bluebird backfield.

Goessel’s offense struggled during its season opener Friday against Canton-Galva leading to a 56-8 loss.

The Bluebirds picked up most of their offensive yards in the first half on one pass play from Jake Wiens to Wuest.

The Eagle defense prevented any scores from the visitors.

Goessel’s defense snagged three sacks (two by Duerksen) and took over on downs at the 10 yard line in the third quarter.

Kacen Smith carried the first Bluebird score of the season.

Noah Schrag tossed a pass to the back of the end zone, connecting with Skyler Wuest for the extra points.

Team juniors Jake Wiens, Grant Bryant, Caleb Burkholder and Smith have demonstrated speed an inclusiveness in their football careers.

Wiens led the team with 14 touchdowns and in tackles last season. Bryant helped Goessel score 10 touchdowns. Smith led the Goessel in yards per carry with 10.7 and Burkholder did double duty as linebacker and offensive lineman.

Several Bluebird players were sidelined by quarantine for two games last season but played their best football at the end of the year.

“The players on and off the field were so energized. It was awesome, Wuest said remembering the second playoff game that Goessel won in two overtimes.

Senior Jevin Base said Goessel would like to go further this year than this past year and coach Garrett Hiebert agreed.

“We would like to pick up where we left off (last year) and continue to move deeper in the playoffs this year,” he said.