Loomis, Neb. – The Wolves have made the D2 playoffs for the past four straight years. Despite that success, Loomis has not been able to get past the second round. Coming off last year’s 4-5 season with quite a few starters returning, the 2024 Loomis team had some high hopes.
With their 3-0 start, it would appear those high hopes were justified. Loomis has already shown they can win through the air and on the ground after defeating Blue Hill, Axtell, and Anselmo-Merna. In that three-game stretch, the Wolves have been able to flex both of their offensive muscles on their way to averaging nearly 400 yards per game.
Head coach Tye Spies is in his fourth season and is seeing the fruits of his, and his players, labor as the Wolves continue their hot start. At first glance, the offense is the first thing that jumps out. Last season, Loomis scored 252 points in nine total games. Through their first three games this season, they’ve already reached 148. The fact that Loomis is able to run and pass with equal potency is what makes this year’s team unique.
The Wolves average 227 rushing yards per game and 164 passing yards per game. Those are good numbers, and the ratio is pretty standard in 8-man football. In each of their wins, however, Loomis shows they can lean on either side of their offense to get the job done. In week one against Blue Hill, the Wolves ran for 350 yards with sophomore Jace Schukar netting 203 yards and five touchdowns on almost 10 yards per carry. The next week at Axtell, Loomis used an almost-perfect 50/50 attack with 147 passing and 152 rushing yards to take down the Wildcats. Last week, sophomore Graham Trompke completed eight of ten passes for 219 of their 269 passing yards. Schukar added 160 rushing yards to help Loomis gain 179 yards on the ground.
It takes more than a high-powered offense to get the job done on the gridiron, however. Fortunately for Loomis, they have a pretty good defense too. Coach Spies said that improving their defensive play was a major focus coming into the season. He emphasizes gang-tackling and rallying to the ball on every play. This type of mentality has held their opponents to just 18 points per game. Turnovers have played a big part in the Wolves’ defense success as well with nine takeaways thus far. Loomis is enjoying a nine to one turnover ratio.
Coming into the 2024 season, Spies challenged his team to “buy in” to the idea that they can achieve all of their goals through teamwork and selflessness. He mentioned numerous times that his players don’t care who gets the yards or the accolades. Their focus is on the next opponent and how they can contribute to getting that next win.
Maywood/Hayes Center will travel to Loomis this Friday. With a 2-1 record and a relatively tough defense of their own, Maywood/Hayes Center provides a good test for Loomis. Kickoff is at 7 pm.
