Tiger football preview: 'A' game required against Center

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Coming off a 41-14 season opening home loss to the Seneca Indians, the Nevada Tigers return to the gridiron Friday night where they will face a stiff challenge on the road against the Kansas City Center Yellowjackets in a West Central Conference matchup.

The Yellowjackets (1-0), who made the switch this season from Class 4 to Class 3, fell in the 2015 district final to Harrisonville. In its season opener Friday night, KC Center obliterated Kansas City (MO) East 42-0 in one quarter of play.

Due to area storms, the game was delayed at the conclusion of the first quarter with the Yellowjackets up by six touchdowns. According to KC Center Athletic Director Brad Sweeten, upon the weather clearing, KC East elected not to return to the field, as the game was called with Center winning 42-0.

"We hope to make a run at conference and district titles," Sweeten said.

Scouting report

Key returners for KC Center include: Junior quarterback Amaun Ryan and senior wide receiver Christian Cox. Last season at Nevada, Center defeated Nevada 31-7, as Ryan and Cox connected for first half touchdowns of 46 and 32 yards.

Ryan, a mobile quarterback, is also dangerous in the run game. Ryan is able to make things happen with his feet when forced out of the pocket, and is capable of breaking off big runs in the open field.

"Center is going to come in with a lot of team speed just like they always do," fourth-year NHS head coach Erik Yoakam said, "and we're going to have to be a disciplined football team and play fast and play as a unit."

In addition to the Yellowjackets dynamic QB-WR combo, Nevada's defense will look to slow feature-back Norvell Trent, who eclipsed 2,500 all-purpose yards his junior season.

"He is as close to a D-1 running back as we will see all season," Yoakam said. "Our linebackers are going to have to get downhill and they're going to have to tackle well. We're definitely going to have to get lots of hats on him."

Yellowjackets free safety Langdon Douglas is back for his senior campaign. Last season, Douglas returned a fumble 25-yards for a touchdown against Nevada.

Among the Yellowjackets key losses from last season, is 2015 First-team All-District selection Robert Gillum. Gillum, a 6-foot-5, 220 pound tight end signed to play D-1 football with Illinois State.

Not a lot is known about Nevada's offense. After putting together an impressive 15-play 57 yard season-opening drive, the Tigers turned the ball over on downs inside the 10-yard line. They later lost top wide receiver Shelby Trotter to ejection.

The Tigers ground game against Seneca featured a heavy dose of running backs Zach Gardner, Braxton Shadden and Branden Harder. Shadden, however, may miss this week's game due to a shoulder injury suffered in the first half against Seneca.

Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

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