HARTINGTON, Neb. — Chad Koch has worked hard all summer helping his uncle pour concrete and build various kinds of structures.

But Koch's real labor of love comes this fall when he and his Hartington Cedar Catholic teammates begin football season.

In fact, this could be a special year for Koch as the running back enters his senior year. He needs 1,400 rushing yards to achieve 5,000 for his career.

“It's been one of our goals,'' Koch said. “That and breaking the school record by Preston Leise. He set it in 2006, and his dad had held it for many years previous.''

Koch would need to average around 162 yards in eight regular-season games to reach the 5,000-yard plateau. He averaged 145.1 yards per game last season and around 180 yards in district competition. The Trojans lost in the second round of the state playoffs to Plainview.

Koch will have three returning starters in the offensive line to help open holes for him and the other Trojan backs.

“Ever since I was a sophomore, they've been good,'' Koch said. “We push each other in a good way.''

Cedar Catholic coach Chad Cattau said the 6-foot, 210-pound Koch combines an “outstanding” work ethic with impressive strength.

“It's hard for one defender to bring him down,” Cattau said. “He picks up so many yards after contact. That's what makes him so dangerous.''

Gang-tackling is not uncommon when Koch has the ball.

“With his strength, he has a great ability to break tackles,'' Cattau said. “Most of the time, he is the strongest kid out on the field. He has been that way since he was a freshman. He'll have to get faster, though, to play at the next level.''

Koch would love to play at Nebraska, even if it means walking on.

“I went down to camp there this last year, and I did pretty well,'' he said.

However, he has also drawn interest from Kansas, Iowa State and Northwestern. Koch will make a decision after the season.

In the meantime, Cattau hopes Koch's achievements can help the Trojans be in the mix at season's end.

The favorite in C-2, Cattau said, is defending champion Blue Hill.

“Until they can be beaten, they have to stay No. 1,” he said. “Fremont Bergan lost a few kids but is still very athletic.''

Another team worth noting, Cattau said, is Ponca.

“They have the ability to run the table this year,'' he said. “They are in our district, and they are definitely a team that scares me.''

Cattau said Creighton is competitive every year and will be again this season.

“And Cambridge made a nice run a year ago, and they will be good as well,'' he said. “If we are in the mix at the end of the year, great. But that means we will have to stay healthy and get a whole lot of kids playing well that haven't experienced a lot of varsity football. We'll have to get better every week. If we do that, then we might have a chance.''

Contact the writer: 444-1201, sports@owh.com

« High Schools

Share