Team Preview: Gretna Dragons
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The Gretna Dragons could be one of the surprise teams in Nebraska this year. The Dragons return with one of the top players in the 2023 class, Zane Flores. Gretna loses some of their leading receivers from last year leaving…
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Continue ReadingThe Gretna Dragons could be one of the surprise teams in Nebraska this year. The Dragons return with one of the top players in the 2023 class, Zane Flores. Gretna loses some of their leading receivers from last year leaving room for new talent. Gretna’s defense returns with more experience on the defensive line and backfield.
The Dragons aim to continue their successes from last year, where their strong offense lead them to a 6-2 record. They started the 2020 season 6-0 and scoring 216 points. They got humbled against Elkhorn South losing 35-10, then losing 28-30 against Kearny in the first round of the NSAA State Football Playoff. Gretna looks to finally end their playoff spell and get to their first State Championship.
GHS 21-22 Season Schedule
8/27 @ Lincoln Southwest
9/3 Omaha Central
9/10 Papillion-LaVista South
9/17 @ Pius X
9/24 Bellevue East
10/1 Skutt Catholic
10/7 @Elkhorn South
10/14 Lincoln Southeast
10/22 @Papillion-Lavista
Gretna has a good balance of rivals and tough opponents. Their first challenge is Omaha Central and their #1 ranked recruit, Deshawn Woods Deshawn Woods 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Omaha Central | 2022 State NE . The next challenge is The Papio South Titans which has gone back and forth between the two over the last couple of years. After Pius and Bellevue East, Gretna plays their Class B Skutt Catholic for their Homecoming. Next, they take on another rival Elkhorn South, and Carsen Crouch the son of Heisman winner Eric Crouch. Next, they take on 6th ranked Jake Appleget Jake Appleget 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE and the Lincoln Southeast Knights and finishing against the Monarchs.
Highlights
After 3, Dragons lead 23-7! #GretnaDragonFootball #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/I2bozjxo65
— Gretna HS Activities (@GretnaDragonAD) August 29, 2020
Prospects to Watch
Class of 2022:
DB – Connor Edwards Connor Edwards 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Gretna | 2022 State NE , 5’10″ 170 lbs – Ranked 116th in Nebraska. He’s an effective back he had 2 interceptions. He is a tackling machine with 20 solo tackles and 12 assists and 2 tackles for loss. He is fast and strong going after receivers in the backfield and downfield. He sticks to the receivers and does not let go of staying with them one on one.
DB – Bryce Volcheck Bryce Volcheck 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Gretna | 2022 State NE , 5’9″ 150 lbs – Ranked 119th in Nebraska, Bryce has 21 total tackles last season including 1 tackle for loss. 15 of those tackles were solo 6 were assists. Adding more experience and talent to Gretna’s bench will help them give the ball back faster to their offense. He is a team player in the backfield using his strengths with others when covering. He can fall back quickly and can move around to make tackles from where ever on the field.
RB, OLB – Mick Huber, 6’0″ 190 lbs – Mick is a player who can step up this year and become a weapon. on the offensive side, he totaled 492 yards rushing for 92 carries and 1 touchdown. Gretna can use his rushing game to set up the passing game which and mix up the defense. If mick goes out for passes more he can be another tool in Zane Flores’s toolbox. He is great on the defense, having 14 solo tackles and 11 assists totaling 25 tackles.
Other Players to Watch
QB – Zane Flores, 6’3″ 190 lbs – One of the highest prospects of the 2023 Class. Zane is a pocket passer and has been great this last year. Almost 2000 yards passing 18 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in the 2020 season. He can throw it to anyone down the field accurately going 145/209 last year. You can see why Gretna is excited over this guy and why he could be the one to take them all the way to their first state championchip. His stats look like a D-1 FBS Quarterback his career totals are 3,161 yards, 25 TDs. He averages 185 yards per game and is overall 257 out of 395 passes and only 10 interceptions.
Some 🎯 from 2023 Gretna QB Zane Flores (@ZaneFlores12) from passing league vs Bellevue West today. #nebpreps #7v7 pic.twitter.com/ta1mNllTFJ
— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) June 9, 2021
WR, CB – Joe Roll, 5’8″ 158 lbs – Joe is a jack of all trades playing cornerback and wide receiver. He can be one of the weapons needed on offense he is fast and can get past the defensive backs. His knowledge of both sides of the ball helps him attack in different ways. In 2020 he had 177 yards from 10 receptions and 2 touchdowns. He is even more explosive on defense, Roll had 19 tackles last year and 9 assists totaling 28 total tackles. He picked up 2 fumbles.
WR, TE – Caleb Schnell, 6’2″ 195 lbs – Schnell is a player who needs to step up this year and I think he will. Last year he has 19 receptions for 186 yards averaging 9.8 yards a catch. Caleb can easily fill the void in the receiver game and be a perfect fit for Flores to throw to. He is big and fast perfect for quick 6-10 yard passes and will be great for that 3rd downs.
OLB, SS – Blayke Moore, 6’2″ 200 lbs – Moore is a stud, to say the least. He had 27 solo tackles, 19 assists totaling 46 tackles on the season. He is fast and he can attack the ball being perfect for coverage and attacking the run. He goes right to the ball and stops the carrier there. He completes this defense and with the help of his teammates can make Gretna a defensive powerhouse.
RB, MLB – Harrison Weber, 6’0″ 210 lbs – He is another new weapon for the dragons especially on offense his rushing skills can prove to help push their passing game to another level. He is more of a power Running Back and can push into the endzone. He had 101 rushing yards for 17 carries averaging 20 yards per game. He has 2 touchdowns in total. He can prove to help the dragons on their goalline offense.