H&H Bearcat Football team: Front Row: Miles Kliewer, Colby Frisbie, Nevada Gloystein, Hayden Powers, Kyler Rojewski, Rylee Scheidemann, Camden Riggs; 2nd Row: Landen Hansen, River Glinsmann, Noah Miller, Brian Bearinger, Brayden Wolinski, Brooks Burgess, Mason Wiens, Landen Rojewski, Waylon Tessman, Rigs Newton, Ben Thomas; 3rd Row: Wyatt Friesen, Hayden Perez, Roman Wolfe, Bentley Hagan, Luke Janzen, Cason Bamesberger, Jagger Regier, Jack Goertzen, Jace Kisler; 4th Row: Jack Bearinger, Cashton Meyer, Lawson Haberer, Daniel White, Ethan Litz, Grayson Rojewski, Braxton Arnett, Micah Haidle; Back Row: Coach Connor Boehr, Coach Jeremy Klein, Coach Noah Jones, Coach Jereme Jones, Coach Austin Helzer, Coach Blake Burgess – photo courtesy Cody Farrall Photography
As Hampton and Heartland schools enter their second year as Bearcats with the formation of the sports co-op last fall, it’s finally time for football to join up. Due to NSAA rules, both football programs had to complete their schedules with Hampton as a 6-man team and Heartland as an 8-man team last year.
This season, the Bearcats will compete in 11-man football because of the increase in boys from both schools. Coach Jereme Jones, who was the Hampton Hawks head coach for the past four years, has taken over the helm for the newly formed Bearcat team. He is assisted by Connor Boehr (Defensive Line & Tight Ends), Blake Burgess (Special Teams), Austin Helzer (WR and DB), his son Noah Jones (Offensive Cordinator), and Jeremy Klein (OL & Defensive Coordinator).
“One of the best things about having this many kids with the co-op is that we can give them a full JV schedule. Guys aren’t having to play varsity if they’re not ready. We will have seven JV games on Mondays, and we have enough coaches so the varsity can practice while the JV play games,” said Coach Jones.
Coach Jones is pleased with the leadership he’s seen with the team, and they voted on two senior team captains, Nevada Gloystein and Riley Scheidemann. The other two captains are Rigs Newton (junior) and Jagger Regier (sophomore). The Bearcats will have plenty of experienced players, with a combined 23 returning lettermen and 13 starters.
The Bearcats will have two returning junior starting quarterbacks, River Glinsmann (Heartland) and Landen Hansen (Hampton). Heartland Senior Nevada Gloystein returns, having rushed for 1,000 yards last year. For Hampton, they have returning top rushers and receivers Landen Rojewski, Mason Wiens, and Kyler Rojewski.
The Bearcats had a scrimmage with full pads and uniforms on Friday, August 21 at the Heartland football field for the public to watch – HeartlandBeat photos
“I’m really happy with how both teams have come together and the attitude and effort,” said Coach Jones. Positivity is important to Coach Jones and the program he is building. It certainly was on display last Saturday when the team held a scrimmage and invited parents and family to come out and watch. You can read all about it in our Who Got Spotted? feature.
Coach Jones is no stranger to transitioning programs and welcomes the challenge. Their schedule includes some tough top-ten opponents like Grand Island Central Catholic (pre-season #1) and top-ten Bridgeport and Malcolm, but the Bearcats are focused and ready for the adjustment.
The team will travel to Schuyler for their first game on Friday, August 28th. GO BEARCATS!
