Thunderbolts back up to speed this season
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By RYLY JANE HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star
A year ago, the shoulder pads and blocking sleds at Lincoln Pius X were all safely stored.
After a disappointing — and uncharacteristic — 2-7 season, the Thunderbolts missed the Class B football playoffs.
Fast forward to the 2008 playoffs and Pius X earned the top seed in the east bracket after playing eight playoff-bound teams during the regular season.
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Now, the Thunderbolts (9-2) will play host to Beatrice (10-1) Saturday at 3 p.m. at Aldrich Field in a Class B semifinal. The winner advances to next Saturday’s state championship game at Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m.
It’s not an entirely different cast of characters, but there is one big difference, according to coach Tim Aylward and quarterback Derek Hartman.
“Last year, we would practice at one speed and play games and be at the same speed,” Hartman said. “When it came to games, we wouldn’t be ready.
“It makes it harder now, but more fun. You can tell everyone is working. It’s more fun to win than lose.”
Aylward said it’s the intangible things that have led to the Thunderbolts’ success.
“It’s a combination of the guys gaining confidence in themselves and getting experience,” Aylward said. “We had a lot of players who didn’t have experience and others who were moving to new positions.
“Playing hard and practicing hard were big things for us this year. We wanted to make sure we practiced at game speed.”
The tight-knit nature of the team was developed during the offseason. The players rallied around each other after teammate John Liescheski died during spring workouts.
“One of the things you can point to is that the leadership on this year’s team has been huge,” Aylward said. “We have guys who have been willing to lead by example. You can hear someone say, ‘We’re going to get going here,’ get this first down or get the stop or whatever we need.
“You can’t wait for someone else to make a big play. Everybody has to make a contribution to be a good team. Every week, it seems we’ve had a different guy who made a big play for us.”
Saturday’s semifinal is a rematch of a regular-season game, which Beatrice won 30-13.
“Since this is our third rematch in the playoffs, we’ve told the players to start at square one. Whatever happened before, it’s a whole new game and a different setting,” Aylward said. “They came out and ran their power game and we had prepared for more outside stuff.
“This time, we’ll try to be ready for inside and outside stuff. It’s a lot like playing an option team. If one guy misses the play, you’re in trouble. Everybody has to do their job and carry out their responsibility.”
Beatrice coach Bob Sexton said it will be a challenge.
“You never want to have to try to beat Pius twice in a season,” he said. “We’ve played Pius enough. Tim’s going to run what he does and they’ll do it exceptionally well.
“Pius has been playing great defense and they’re fundamentally sound. We’re going to need to rely on some big plays to get the job done.”
The big-play man for Beatrice is Justin Coleman, who has rushed for 1,264 yards, passed for 621 more and has 131 yards in receptions. He plays quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense.
“Coleman is the first concern, but he’s just one piece of the puzzle. They have so many guys who are good athletes and complement him so well,” Aylward said. “They use a lot of players in different formations. We have to know where he (Coleman) is, but not just focus on him.”
Sexton said the game will likely be determined at the line of scrimmage.
“Our kids are convinced it’s going to be up front, within 2 yards either side of the line of scrimmage,” he said. “That will be the difference in this game.”
That, and the tradition the teams bring to the game. Pius X leads the series 21-7 overall, but Beatrice has won the last four meetings. The Thunderbolts have six state championships, while Beatrice is looking for its first.
“The tradition here means a lot. You think how much Pius has had and we want to leave our mark,” Hartman said. “It weighs a bit because we see how good Pius has been in the past. But it’s good to know we’ve become a team.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
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