Senior leadership will be key to Lions’ success in 2012

Eight letterwinners return to lead the team

“Win the district and go deep into the play-offs.”  

That’s the goal of the 2012 Clear Lake football team, says Head Coach Fred Wieck.

Wieck, in his 25th year at the Lion helm, returns eight letter winners from the 2011 season in which the Lions extended their regular season win streak to 41 games and finished at 10-1.

The coach said a major strength of this years’ team is its senior leadership.

The group will be led by senior All-District players Gavin Sheakly, a defensive back, and offensive lineman and defensive end Bryson Hamilton. 

Other returning letter winners include senior fullback Cody Maulsby, who earned honorable mention recognition last season in the District, senior offensive tackle Wylie VanHorn, and senior defensive tackle Brice Wilcke.  Junior returning letter winners are offensive tackle Mitchell Jordan, defensive back Chase Lester and middle linebacker Pete Swenson.

The coach also expects juniors Chase Lester, Chandler Diercks and Carson Farmer to impact the team.

The Lions graduated First Team All-District quarterback Ozzie Adams, but Lester, along with Adams’ brother, Brock, a sophomore, are looking good at the position.

“We had a very good session at the UNI team camp the end of July,” said Wieck.  

Although the Lions always have to be considered a favorite to win their District title, the coach said he considers Waverly and Webster City to be District 3 favorites.

“They are perennial powers with a lot of returning talent,” he said.  

Both teams made the play-offs last season and were paired in the first round.  Webster City (8-1) topped Waverly (7-2) in the first round, but then, like the Lions,  were eliminated in the second round by West Delaware Manchester.  Decorah (7-2) defeated - Read More Via e-Edition