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Pigksin Preview Team Capsule
Pawnee Indians
COACH: Kitt Thein (44-27, 8th season at Pawnee)
2014 RECORD: 8-2 (7-0 Prairie State)
POSTSEASON: Lost to North Greene 27-16 in 1A First Round
TOP RETURNEES: QB Dane Moats (6’3” 196), RB/LB Clay Winks (50 tackles in 2014), RB/LB Jordan Hampton (6’, 187), RB/LB Austin Galloway (6’2”, 210), OL/LB Matt Gordon (29 tackles, 3 sacks in 2014)
BIG LOSSES: Nathan Raleigh (1st Team All-Conference LB), Hayden Howard (876 yds rushing, 13 TD’s)
WHAT THE INDIANS DO WELL: Did we even have to ask this question? “We run the ball, man. You know that," Thein exclaimed. That tradition of grind it out, punch you in the grill football will certainly continue when you look into the Indians backfield. “We’ve got a pretty good sized backfield. The biggest we’ve had here since I started in 2008." Pawnee will pound out yards with Clay Winks (6’ 215lbs), Jordan Hampton (6’ 187lbs), and Austin Galloway (6’2”, 210lbs) carrying the load. Now throw in the return of quarterback Dane Moats and it becomes a multi-dimensional offense. “He’s tall and lanky with a good arm," Thein raved. “We scored 32, 33 points a game last year just running the ball. We’re hoping we can throw the ball too. That’s our angle."
PAWNEE QUESTION MARKS: The Indians have 15 seniors this season, but they did lose some important pieces from a team that won the Prairie State Conference. “What’s hurt us is that we lost our whole secondary. Specht and Howard were huge for us," Thein continued. “We’ve got to figure out how to defend the pass. That’s what we’re working on."
WORTH NOTING: Senior Gage Newingham will see some time for the Indians. He practiced last year, but was unable to play in games due to issues with his transcripts after transferring to the school. Thein says he will see time at tight end and on the defensive line. Pawnee will be attempting to win back to back conference titles for the first time since 1976. Thein has really emphasized the possibility of that goal. “That’s something we’re trying to instill in the kids."
COACH THEIN SAYS: “We have an opportunity to be pretty competitive. I think we can make a deep playoff run," Thein said. “Our schedule hurt us last year. Our starters played two halves the final three weeks (two blowout wins & a forfeit victory). I think we kind of missed an opportunity last year. We want to make up for it this season.”
| Date | Time | H/A | Opponent | Opp. Record |
Opp. Enroll. |
| Aug 28 | 7:00 | H | Shelbyville | 0-0 | 376.00 |
| Sep 4 | 7:00 | A | Cerro Gordo [C.G.-Bement Coop] | 0-0 | 338.00 |
| Sep 11 | 7:00 | H | Nokomis | 0-0 | 194.00 |
| Sep 18 | 7:00 | A | Mt. Olive | 0-0 | 171.00 |
| Sep 25 | 7:00 | H | Kincaid (South Fork) [Coop] | 0-0 | 282.00 |
| Oct 3 | 1:00 | A | Alton (Marquette) | 0-0 | 696.30 |
| Oct 9 | 7:00 | A | Wood River (East Alton-W.R.) | 0-0 | 527.00 |
| Oct 16 | 7:00 | H | Bunker Hill | 0-0 | 199.00 |
| Oct 23 | 7:00 | A | Edwardsville (Metro-East Lutheran) [Coop] | 0-0 | 339.00 |
