Muskets Seeking to Stay Healthy, Climb Out of Highway 275 Cellar

The North/West Nodaway Muskets are looking to climb out of the Highway 275 cellar after having won one game the last two years. They finally beat LeBlond 58-52 thanks to a last minute pick by Tyler Bix in the end zone in the closing seconds.

The Muskets, under new coach Alan Calfee, have the tools to do it, starting with quarterback Karson Oberhauser, who holds the single game rushing record, having gotten over 300 yards in the win over LeBlond. But every year for the last few years, the preseason has started off well for the Muskets, only to lose key players to injuries. If he can stay healthy, Gabe Goff can provide a nice 1-2 punch for the Muskets along with Oberhauser. Cody Cline, who has put in a lot of time and effort during the offseason, has emerged as another guy that is tough to bring down despite his small stature. Michael Cook, a freshman, will back up Oberhauser and impressed with his speed and got the hang of the position quickly this year.

Calfee has several people to choose from at the receiver slot. Preston Bateman can block, catch passes, and is strong enough to break tackles and get yards after the catch. Ethan Rohr showed some nice speed, catching one pass for 60 yards, and getting behind the defense on some other occasions. Will Cordell returns with some experience; he took one for a 65 yard catch and run in Friday’s scrimmage. Damian Dailey has a big vertical leap and made one sensational catch Friday. 

On the line, the Muskets have some size. Both James Graham and Mason Chitwood return; they have developed a lot more mobility this year, both blowing up plays Friday. 

The talent is there for the Muskets this year. Michael Trautz, who is heading up the junior high program this year, said that this summer was the best participation he had seen in the weight room since he had been there; even kids who were not going out for football were participating. He was optimistic for the junior high as well; he said that a pleasant surprise was seeing that they already knew the playbook. The varsity players also had a much better grasp of the plays this year, knowing exactly where to go.

All will depend on the little things this year. Calfee said that Mound City, East Atchison, and South/Nodaway Holt will be teams to watch in the conference this year. Most of the other teams will return key cogs as well, meaning that the Muskets will have to bring their best game every play and every night in order to move up the ladder this year.