Fall Sports Preview: Clearwater-Orchard Football

From front, left to right, Spencer Kester, Rafe Grebin, Eli Thiele, Houston Marino, Creston Bertschinger, Eli Macke, Joe Ferris, James Kester, Tristan Ahlers, Jaccob Bennett, Andrew Steskal, Chris Kester, Codey Snider, Blake Hoke, Anthony Humphries, Tommie Peed, asst. coach Jared Nolze, head coach Jeff Shabram, Caleb Krebs, Dominic Nolze, Gage Switzer, Jacob Long, Zach King, Ryan Wilhelm, Clay Thiele, Austin Pokorny, Kirby Willats and asst. coach Dan Roeber. Not pictured: Shawn Buxton.

​Class: D1
Coach: Jeff Shabram
2016 record: 2-7
2016 playoffs: First round loss to Guardian Angels Central Catholic

Returning starters: Nine on offense, Nine on defense
Returning letter winners: Creston Bertschinger, Sr., Andrew Steskal, Sr., Kirby Willats, Sr., Jacob Long, Jr., Blake Hoke, Jr., Chris Kester, Jr., Clay Thiele, Jr., Ryan Wilhelm, Jr., Zach King, Jr., Tommie Peed, Jr., Codey Snider, Jr.

Players to watch: Creston Bertschinger, Jacob Long, Ryan Wilhelm, Blake Hoke, Chris Kester, Clay Thiele

2017 outlook: “We return a lot of players who played a lot as youngsters in 2016. If these kids continue to work and improve, they should be fun to watch in 2017. They are a hungry group of players.” - Coach Jeff Shabram

​Our take: No doubt about it, 2016 was full of growing pains for the Cyclones. However, they lose just two seniors and bring back nine guys with starting experience, mostly in that big junior class. The talent is there and growing fast. If they can keep their heads in the right place, they could be in for five or six wins and a good playoff run.

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