Pauley-led Vikings hope to extend playoff streak

2018 AHSTW Football Preview

 AVOCA (Aug. 24) -- The 2018 AHSTW football team returns its top rusher and tackler in all-state senior Gabe Pauley, its top receiver in all-state senior Drake Partridge and a capable new quarterback in senior Blake Osbahr.
 The biggest question mark going into Friday’s season opener at Underwood revolves around a somewhat untested group of linemen.
 Following the unfortunate loss of junior Brady Canada - last year’s center - to season-ending knee surgery, the Vikings return just one two-way starting lineman from last fall in junior Gavyn Fischer. Caden Larson and Gabe Madsen both started on defense only.
 Optimism remains high, though, as seventh-year head coach Davis Pattee brings back 15 lettermen and 15 seniors among his 37-player roster.
 The Vikings started 8-0 a year ago, including four shutouts, before losing their Week 9 game vs. Missouri Valley and falling 28-18 to Western Christian in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs - the program’s 11th straight appearance in the postseason.
 AHSTW moves down one notch to Class A this year, but its path to the playoffs won’t be easy with the likes of St. Albert (10-2 state semifinalist last year), Southwest Valley (9-1) and Earlham (6-3) in a six-team District 9. Only the district champion (plus ties for first) will make the playoffs automatically. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of the newly-added RPI system to earn an at-large berth.
 Pauley, a state wrestling champion in February, is the Vikings’ physically-imposing on-field leader. As a junior, he rushed for 1,063 yards (7.2 ypc) and 12 touchdowns, added 249 receiving yards and three scores and racked up 59 solo tackles and 27 assists. He’ll play tailback and middle linebacker once again this fall.
 Partridge is another key two-way player at receiver and cornerback. He led an extremely balanced group of receivers in 2017 with 21 catches for 386 yards and seven TDs. He also had three takeaways on defense and returned two punts for scores.

2018 AHSTW Varsity Football Schedule
Aug. 24 - at Underwood, 7:00
Aug. 31 - Shenandoah, 7:00
Sept. 7 - at Westwood (Sloan), 7:00
Sept. 14 - at Martensdale-St. Marys, 7:00
Sept. 21 - Riverside*, 7:00 (Homecoming)
Sept. 28 - at Earlham*, 7:00
Oct. 5 - Nodaway Valley*, 7:00
Oct. 12 - at Southwest Valley (Corning)*, 7:00
Oct. 19 - St. Albert*, 7:00
Home Games in Bold Type
* District Games

AHSTW Projected 2018 Starters

OFFENSE
LT: 70, Caden Larson (6’1”, 205, sr.)
LG: 50, Seth Kiesel (5’7”, 160, jr.)
C: 66, Ethan Sievers (5’8”, 230, sr.)
RG: 53, Gavyn Fischer (6’0”, 215, jr.)
RT: 68, Leland Barr (6’0”, 200, jr.)
TE: 11, Gabe Madsen (5’10”, 175, sr.)
SE: 28, Drake Partridge (6’0”, 160, sr.)
QB: 12, Blake Osbahr (6’1”, 170, sr.)
TB: 34, Gabe Pauley (5’8”, 195, sr.)
H-back: 5, Brayton Tuma (5’11”, 165, sr.)
Slot: 15, Korbin Martin (5’9”, 170, sr.)
PK: 9, Kyle Branan (5’10”, 150, sr.)

DEFENSE
DE: 70, Caden Larson (6’1”, 205, sr.)
DE: 11, Gabe Madsen (5’10”, 175, sr.)
DT: 53, Gavyn Fischer (6’0”, 215, jr.)
DT: 66, Ethan Sievers (5’8”, 230, sr.) and 68, Leland Barr (6’0”, 200, jr.)
OLB: 15, Korbin Martin (5’9”, 170, sr.)
MLB: 34, Gabe Pauley (5’8”, 195, sr.)
OLB: 31, J. Woltmann (5’10”, 165, jr.)
SS: 5, Brayton Tuma (5’11”, 165, sr.)
FS: 12, Blake Osbahr (6’1”, 170, sr.)
CB: 28, Drake Partridge (6’0”, 160, sr.)
CB: 13, J. Cunningham (5’11”, 160, jr.)
Punter: 12, B. Osbahr (6’1”, 170, sr.)

 
 

 

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