Highly flammable: Centre football team will use fiery speed in 2003 years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Sparks are flying at Centre High School as football coach Bud Peterson prepares his eight-man team for another season.
Now in his 33rd year of coaching, Peterson anticipates another good year for the Eisenhower League Cougars. Last year, their record was 6-3.
The team is somewhat smaller, down to 23 from 27, but Peterson is optimistic.
"We are small but quick," he said. "We should fare very well in the league, and we have a good chance in the district."
Despite losing four good defensive players to graduation, the team has a solid base of seven returning starters and one additional letterman. Several changes of position are being made to organize the team into an efficient, effective fighting force.
The coach describes Todd Stahlecker, a 5'10" 155-pound senior, as "extremely quick and a very good football player." He was a receiver last year on offense and a safety on defense, and this year will be a tailback.
"This young man is a four-year starter and one of the best players in the state," Peterson said.
Travis Burns, a 5'11" 165-pound senior, is "a good, tough individual and made a name for himself as a junior," according to Peterson. He is being moved from trap guard to fullback and will be the team's middle linebacker.
Eric Peterson, a 5'11" 160-pound senior, was a receiver last year and will be the team's quarterback this year. He played in that position for eight games as a sophomore after Curtis Gutsch sustained an injury.
"Eric's speed has improved tremendously through weight room work. He shows good promise," Peterson said.
Brent Carlson, a 5'8" 140-pound senior, is moving from halfback to end. Peterson said he showed good promise at the Nebraska camp as a receiver and will make a worthy addition to the team at receiver and corner back.
Bringing experience to the front line will be Carlson, Tad Remy, Joe Forsberg, Andrew Hajek, and Trent Hajek.
As a 5'10" 180-pound senior, tackle Joe Forsberg is expected to play a major role. Remy, a 5'11" 175-pound sophomore, will play a pivotal role as offensive center.
Andrew Hajek, an "athletic" 5'11" 165-poundjunior, will be a backup quarterback and also will play end. Trent Hajek is a 6'11" 180-pound junior with some size and good experience.
Sophomores on the team include Steven Hageberg, a 6'3" 190-pound lineman, Scott Peterson, a 6'1" 175-pound end, Bryant Gutsch, a 5'8" 135-pound quarterback safety, and Keenan Geissert, a 5'8" 165-pound back.
Two newcomers include Josh Spooner, a 5'11" 155-pound senior who Coach Peterson says shows promise as a lineman. He has not been able to play because of a knee injury sustained as a younger player.
Danny Denham, a 5'10" 170-pound senior transfer who shows promise has yet to be assigned to a position.
Coach Peterson's overall record is 175 wins, 52 losses. His team won the 1A state championship in 1997.
He said the tremendous quickness of the 2003 team should result in a good offense.
"Our lack of size will have to be made up with heart," he said. "We will work extremely hard to put a defense together."
He expects Hope to be a tough opponent, and Wakefield may present a challenge. In the district, comprised of Centre, Goessel, and Little River, Goessel is better and Little River is not quite as good but competitive, Peterson said.
"My boys are very coachable," he added. "I feel they will do everything we ask them to do. We have a good opportunity for success."
Matt Self and Stan Wiles are assistant coaches.
The Cougars begin the season with a home game Sept. 5 against Blue Valley-Randolph.
