Bucs to rely on Hardy, run game

• Jake Hardy

Press File Photo Beach quarterback Jake Hardy rushed for 25 touchdowns last season. With the Buccaneers looking to rely mostly on their run game, the senior should get a few more this season.

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The Beach Buccaneers are worried their team has turned a little too one-dimensional.

Beach head coach Mike Zier knows the Buccaneers are going to have to move the ball through the air this season.

There’s one problem though.

“Our passing game is terrible,” he said. “We really become too one-dimensional. We really have been stressing receiving this preseason.

“We’ve got new receivers starting out there, so that’s a concern for us too.”

The dimension of Beach’s offensive attack looks stronger than every as Jake Hardy returns at quarterback. Hardy rushed for 25 touchdowns last season.

“The funny thing is most of those touchdowns were out of the quarterback position,” Zier said. “We run kind of what we call a ‘Florida.’”

An offensive lineman that creates big holes for the quarterback and running backs is 6-foot-7, 230-pound Landon Lechler.

The senior lineman is already getting looks at NCAA Division I schools and his presence should cause havoc for opposing teams.

“Landon is getting some looks from colleges,” Zier said. “It’s funny. He’ll get a couple holding penalties this year, because he’s so much bigger than everybody.”

“I’ve told him that he’s just going to have to deal with that.”

Not only will Lechler cause problems for opposing defenses, but he should be able to get some double teams when he is playing defensive end.

“He’s going to be a big cog for us, defensively, at the end position,” Zier said. “Teams will hopefully have to double team him.”

When Hardy needs a break, the Buccaneers call in backup quarterback James Kary, who is more of pocket passer.

“Another big thing is we have James (Kary), who gives Hardy a break,” Zier said. “James comes in with more of a traditional set.”

The expectations for the Buccaneers are plain and simple: make the playoffs for the fifth straight year, something that has never happened at for the 9-man team.

“For us, it always starts with making the playoffs,” he said.

Beach Buccaneers

Head coach: Mike Zier

Last season: 6-3

Returners: Landon Lechler, Sr., OL/DE, 6-7, 240; Jake Hardy, Sr., QB/DB/RB, 6-0, 195; Danny Skoglund, Jr., WR/DB, 5-6, 120; James Kary, Jr., QB/LB; Tyler Strobbe, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 150; Lucas Buchholz, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 180; Bobby Szudera, Sr., OL/DL, 5-8, 199; Jaycee Huffman, Jr., OL/DL, 5-9, 200; Parker Abraham, Jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 210; Lloyd Weinreis, Sr., TE/LB, 5-10, 193; Owen Makelky, Sr., WR/DE, 5-8, 145.

Newcomers: Tyler Steffen, So., RB/DB, 5-10, 185; Anthony Weinreis, So., TE/LB, 5-9, 175; Tyrel Sime, Jr., RB/LB, 5-8, 155; Tyler Losinski, Jr., OL/DL, 5-10, 210; Alex Paul, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 180; Austin Fulton, Sr., C/DL, 5-6, 170; Aaron Rolczynski, Sr., WR/DB, 5-8, 160; Boston Zachmann, Jr., TE/DB, 6-2, 170; Joe Walworth, Jr., WR/DB, 5-10, 146; Troy Steele, Fr., WR/LB, 5-8, 140.

Losses: Jade Bishop, OL/DL; Justin Weinreis, C/DL; Trevor Sime, WR/DB, Brady Zachmann, WR.

2011 schedule: Aug. 23–vs. Parshall, 6 p.m.; Aug. 27–vs. Central McLean at Badlands Activities Center, 2 p.m.; Sept. 2–at Trenton-Trinity Christian, 6 p.m.; Sept. 9–vs. Mott-Regent, 7 p.m.; Sept. 16–vs. Divide County, 6 p.m.; Sept. 23–at Hettinger-Scranton, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30–at Center-Stanton, 6 p.m.; Oct. 7–Shiloh Christian, 6 p.m.; Oct. 14–at Bowman County, 7 p.m.

Tags: high school football, kickoff football preview