South Sioux City narrowly missed the Class B playoffs last year with a 5-4 record.SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KTIV) -- -
The South Sioux City football team had a winning record last year at 5-4, but still missed Nebraska's Class B playoffs. The Cardinals feel like they have the athletes to improve enough to get into the postseason.
The Cardinals admit they'll be a little smaller this year but a lot quicker. Scott Manley returns as the starting quarterback and he'll have some big targets to throw to.
"We've got a whole bunch of little quick backs, we've got three or four of those guys that kind of compliment us," said South Sioux City head coach Matt LaFleur. "Nate Rogers is a 6-4 receiver and Caleb Comstock's a 6-4 receiver so I think we're going to be a pretty balanced attack with them. On both sides of the ball, just the type of bodies we have are really going to lend us to doing some nice things."
"Being able to start last year just gave me a lot of experience and I'm ready to play this year," said Manley. "It gave me a lot of sense of mind of what's going on, on the field and where to throw and I'm just ready to play. We have a lot of speed on our team and a lot of people that can step up and play a lot of positions. In our skill players we have a lot of depth and people who are ready to play."
On the line, South Sioux returns three year starter Zach Stingley at tackle. Karter Keefer is back at safety after leading the team in tackles last year as a sophomore.
"It's very encouraging," said Stingley. "We have a lot of good skill players returning. We may have a new line but they're coming in very well and everyone's really fired up and ready to play."
"We're continuing to build the program," said LaFleur. "The guys are improving. The expectations to win are there and with the kids, the goals are the same every year, to play for a district title and for a playoff bid."
South Sioux City opens up at home against Platteview on Friday at 7:00 PM.
