By: Parker Webster
CHEROKEE, Ia.— An unworthy regular season record barred the Cherokee Braves from the 2021 postseason.
It’s been seven years since the Braves have had their name on a playoff bracket, Head Coach Tony Gunter believes the team will have the tools to get it done this year. After finishing with just a (4-5) overall record in the 2021 season.
This year is different, the last two years have had external forces for the transition of the now fourth year head coach to truly start building the program. But excuses are something Coach Gunter does not enjoy using.
“We started off (3-0) last year… You gotta be ready to win each game…” Coach Gunter.
The Braves are one week in with practice and have leaders ready to shine after losing a lot of leadership last year.
OUT WITH THE OLD…
The 2022 class of seniors leave a hole in the stat sheet nonetheless. On the defensive side 16 takeovers total from the seniors.
Some standout offensive numbers were 1,600 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns.
12 seniors leave the roster and will have holes to be filled in the stat sheet for the Braves. Sizing up with competition was not an issue last season but matching the tempo and styles from the opponents of the 2022 season was a big problem for the Braves.
Two new seniors have stepped into leadership roles for the new year and both just finished a historic baseball season for Cherokee.
Senior Quarterback Aiden Comstock will be the on-field extension of Coach Gunter. Getting plenty of reps as a wide receiver in the offense, Comstock is ready to show what he can do at the command of the offense.
The Junior season for Comstock ended with a 131.6 QBR, 633 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
“Leave it all out there, I’m going to live more in the moment and enjoy every second I have with these guys,” Senior Left Tackle Edwin Staver.
Staver will lead the offensive line with his experience being amongst the five to protect their quarterback.
These two senior leaders have high expectations in the underclassmen as they do themselves. Both had a great run in baseball over the summer and now want to have the same success in football.
SEEKING BALANCE…
Last season that was not the case, finishing with just 678 yards and 14 touchdowns. 2021 Running back Levi Pingel, led with 89 carries, 443 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Quarterback Will Luger leading in rushing touchdowns with contributing 9, for the Cherokee Braves.
“We are definitely going to be able to run the ball this year. With a good O-line in front of us. I’d like to be more of a 50/50 team…,” Coach Gunter.
Tiring out defenses while also being able to have solid clock management is what the Braves lacked last season. Implementing the run after finishing with a 12 to 14 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year from the quarterback room.
Defensively the Braves are going to rely on their speedy defensive backs. With being able to corral 13 interceptions last season defensively, Coach Gunter is confident in sticking with his 3-5 Odd Front look.
"We need to force teams to throw the football" Coach Gunter.
The Braves last season and this year will be against majority of teams that effectively ran the football. With a front that continues to not only grow in practice reps but in the weight room, the Braves will need to step up defending the run.
GETTING ON THE ROAD…
The road starts at George Hicks Field for the 2022 season, where the Braves will host the Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn-Community Royals. Since 2018 the Braves have outscored the Royals 151 to 27, shutting the Royals out twice in the past four match-ups.
“We need to string some wins together,” Coach Gunter.
This has been the game for the Braves to start their string of wins the last couple of seasons.
Last year was the closest the Royals got to overtaking the Braves in the last four match-ups. A 13 point fourth quarter rally pulled the Braves out with a 27-20 win.
“We may go with a two quarterback look… Jonah is looking to be our guy moving forward,” MMCRU Head Coach Kyle Oswald.
Coach Oswald, confident in the young quarterback to overtake the veteran this season, knows he can still rely on them both to maybe throw some trickery at the Braves.
Senior K.C Nick's agility and speed will need to be kept under control as his Junior season looks for a new place to shine in the Royals offense.
Junior Jonah Nicks was able to step up to the tall task last season in the quarterback position, finishing with 662 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Nicks had a solid performance to push the Royals ahead for their lone win last season at Sidney high school (27-14). Throwing for 163 yards, 1 touchdown, and a 73% completion percentage.
Cherokee’s Comstock says he can be just as versatile with his knowledge at receiver.
As he has seen plenty of reps in the offense for the past four seasons with Coach Gunter. Comstock what characteristic stands out most with Coach Gunter he said, “...Honest…” how he has seen the Coach’s desire for everyone to get better. What will be crucial for the younger Braves team entering the 2022 season.
Both Cherokee and MMCRU missed the playoffs last season and will be ready to build toward their postseason goals in week one that will be on August 26th at 7:00PM at George Hicks Field.
You can listen to the game on the AM station with Parker Webster and John O’Connor starting with the “KCHE Tailgate Show” at 6:25PM.
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