Coach Adolph Shepardson's first Fort Calhoun football team didn't have a full offseason to prepare due to COVID-19 precautions. The Pioneers started that 2020 campaign with a loss to North Bend Central.
Year No. 2 started Friday, and with much better results for the FCHS coaching staff. Its team beat the Tigers 20-6 at home.
“We felt super prepared to compete week No. 1 this year and it showed with a big opening night win,” Shepardson said. “We have a lot to improve on, but winning the first game of the year is a huge deal, and gives you momentum and confidence moving forward.”
Senior standout Zane Schwarz pulled down two touchdown passes from quarterback Ty Hallberg and Clint Dierks added a fourth-quarter score as the Pioneers moved to 1-0.
“I was really proud of our big guys on the lines,” Shepardson added. “They played well and controlled the line of scrimmage all night long.”
Schwarz finished with six catches for 68 yards, breaking Andrew Shields' 2004 record for career receiving yards with more than 1,052. Shepardson said the big receiver's late second-quarter touchdown reception, which broke a 0-0 tie, was the “biggest play of the game, in my opinion.” Hallberg threw it up on a fourth-down fade route to No. 21 and he pulled it down.
Schwarz's second touchdown catch put FCHS ahead 14-6 with 5:27 to go in the third quarter before Dierks' score clinched the win with just 1:45 left in the game.
While the Pioneers' offense played turnover-free, the defense kept North Bend Central and quarterback Brodey Johnson in check. Shepardson said his team frustrated the Tigers.
“Our D played excellent and coach (Jason) Thomas had a great game plan,” he said.
Overall, Shepardson was complimentary of the players who helped delivered an opening-day reason to ring the victory bell on the east side of the school building. He noted Austin Welchert's “all-around game,” and the work of Joe Doyle, Zeke Fickbohm and Jayce Douchey up front. Hallberg and inside linebacker Landon Miller did their jobs well as did Mason Bliss in the kicking game and punter Grayson Bouwman.
“Week No. 2 is always the biggest improvement week of the year after getting a full game on film and under your belt,” Shepardson said. “We will have another battle with a good Auburn team on our hands.”
The Pioneers host the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Friday night.
