SK’s season comes to an end in State playoff matchup against PC

PELLA- The Cobras had a terrific run this season going 8-1 before meeting up with Pella Christian on Friday, Oct. 28. PC’s senior quarterback David Kacmarynski and wideout Levi Jungling were too much in the second half for SK to handle. The Cobras ultimately fell 49-0 in the first round of the 1A State playoffs. SK ends their season with an impressive 8-2 mark and a second place finish in their district. The Cobras only two losses this season have come at the hands of the number one ranked team, Regina, and the second ranked team, PC, in 1A this season. The Cobras ended the regular season ranked number nine giving them their first top ten finish since Coach Jensen took over at the helm. Their eight wins mark a new high in the Jared Jensen coaching era.

            To say these past two seasons have been huge as far as restoring a winning tradition for Sigourney-Keota would be an understatement. The Cobras are 14-6 over these last two seasons, with two playoff appearances. SK will lose nine seniors from this year’s squad, but return a lot of key players next season to help build off their stellar performance all football season this year.

            PC had about double the number of players that the Cobras did dressing, and they also had some big boys up front to help their offense rack up over 200 yards on the ground. They also pass protected very well keeping Kacmarynski upright in the pocket. Talking about the PC defense Jared Jensen was impressed with the Cobras opponents’ prowess, “Well they did a very good job of getting people to the ball carriers.  They were verybig upfront and we were unable to always control the line of scrimmage. We did a great job confusing their linebackers early in the game, but 9 guys in the box it seemed that someone was always in the right position to make a play and they didn't miss tackles.”

            The Cobras defense played very well in the first half and Head coach Jensen was able to point out some key players despite the lopsided score, “I think that there were a few guys that stood out on defense even though we gave up a lot of points.  Noah Boender did a great job playing the sweep with Jungling.  He strung out a lot of jet plays that PC was very successful at this year.  Will Magill was having a heck of a game before he got a concussion right before half.  Did a good job in coverage and had a big interception on a deep fade.”

            When asked about what his team could take away from a loss such as this Jensen replied, “ I think we can learn that you have to show up and play your best mistake free football every down in the playoffs.  Tat is how you have to play if you want to keep playing. We played our hearts out, but had some mistakes that cost us big plays.  I think conditioning was a big part of Pella Christian's success because of their success in numbers and ability to play most of their guys one way.  We were in very good shape but just got worn down in the second half due to so many players playing both ways.”

            Jensen was very proud of the season as a whole and had a whole lot to say about his team and their success over the course of the year, “They truly brought back SK football. They did it by leadership, accountability, and friendship. They just wanted to win at all cost. We are very proud of how the guys handled the success they had.  They did not get complacent and continued to want to grow as players and a team each and every day we stepped out on the practice field. I am proud of everyone involved in this program.  Going 8-2 is nothing to hold your head down about. The two losses came at the hands of the #1 and #2 teams in class 1A. This was the best season we have had since 2010 and it was because of their continued dedication to success.  They brought back a trophy that no one can ever take away from them.  I am honored to be able to coach these fine young men.”

            Jensen was asked what his team needed to do this off season to prepare to make another successful run, and deeper, to next years playoffs. He said the following regarding what the players need to do in the off-season; “I think that first and foremost our weight room numbers are going to be the springboard for our success next season.  Our weight room numbers were good this summer, but 3 months of weights and agility will not cut it if you want to be successful past the first round of the playoffs.  It gives you an edge in any sport, and strength is not something that you can coach them up on.  It takes dedication to consistently lift in-season and offseason, but good programs are successful because of this commitment.  I think this was evident in our physicality this season and a fairly injury free campaign.  Lifting makes you physically stronger to help with injury prevention and makes you much more mentally tough than anything else can.  Bing mentally tough and strong equals a pretty good athletic team.”

            Of course SK will lose several key seniors and Jensen is already missing these guys and what they meant to this program. When talking about his senior football players Jensen said the following; “This senior class has meant a lot to this program.  They completely bought in and truly took to heart that this is going to be their last season playing football.  There was great leadership within this group.  Not all of them were vocal leaders, but a lot of them did thing the right way, as hard as they could, and were coachable. They did a great job leading by example and taking the younger guys under their wing within each position group.  Your team lives and dies by how your seniors respond to coach and these guys were tuned in and ready to learn to put themselves in the best position to be successful.  We return some really good players and have to continue the tradition that all of the former SK players have laid out for us.  There are some big shoes to fill losing some really talented seniors and it will take hard work and dedication from this point forward.  There are some good upperclassmen coming back and some talented underclassmen that will be competing for Varsity time.  The auditions are open.  What are you willing to do from this point forward to give yourself the best opportunity to be a Varsity starter or roll player?  That is what the returners need to ask themselves.”