State Final Teams: Nashville | Sterling (Newman Central Catholic)
Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) (12-1)
School Information
Name: Newman Central Catholic High School
City: Sterling
County: Whiteside
Classification Enrollment: 227
Nickname: Comets
Colors: Blue/White/Grey
Conference: Three Rivers Athletic
Superintendent/Principal: Jennifer Oetting
Assistant Principal: Fr. Bruce Ludeke
Athletic Director: Michael Papoccia
Head Coach: Brandon Kreczmer
Assistant Coaches: Andrew Accardi, Todd Messer, Paul Magnafici, Tim Nelson, Jim Nieman, James Nelson
Athletic Trainer: Andrew Accardi
Captains: Connor McBride, Riley Wescott, Andrew Wilson
Managers: Will Cheng, Caleb Knutti, Jace Murphy, Ethan Pruess
Last Year's Advancement: Lost to Gibson City (G. C.-Melvin Sibley), 27-12, in Quarterfinal
Roster
| No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
| 11 |
Andrew Velasquez |
RB-LB |
5-10 |
180 |
Jr. |
| 12 |
Kye O'Brien |
RB-LB |
6-2 |
210 |
Sr. |
| 13 |
Nate Ahlers |
QB-DB |
6-0 |
175 |
Sr. |
| 14 |
Brett Newman |
TE-LB |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
| 17 |
Andrew Wilson |
TE-LB |
6-4 |
230 |
Sr. |
| 20 |
Devin Lorenzen |
TE-DL |
6-2 |
200 |
Jr. |
| 21 |
Connor McBride |
RB-DB |
6-0 |
160 |
Sr. |
| 22 |
Brady Partington |
RB-DB |
5-5 |
145 |
Jr. |
| 23 |
Jacob Ackman |
QB-DB |
5-11 |
170 |
Jr. |
| 24 |
Brady Stevens |
RB-LB |
5-11 |
185 |
Jr. |
| 25 |
Kade Decker |
TE-DB |
6-2 |
175 |
Jr. |
| 30 |
Ethan Van Landuit |
RB-LB |
6-0 |
180 |
So. |
| 31 |
Owen McBride |
RB-DB |
6-0 |
155 |
So. |
| 32 |
Rhett Oetting |
RB-DB |
5-6 |
135 |
So. |
| 33 |
Jose Luna |
RB-LB |
5-8 |
195 |
Sr. |
| 35 |
Mario Passini |
TE-DB |
5-7 |
130 |
So. |
| 40 |
Jared Carney |
RB-DB |
5-7 |
120 |
So. |
| 41 |
Will Rude |
RB-DL |
5-7 |
145 |
So. |
| 42 |
Brennen Cook |
RB-LB |
5-11 |
160 |
So. |
| 43 |
Cody Donna |
QB-DB |
5-11 |
150 |
So. |
| 44 |
Jacob Donald |
TE-DB |
6-1 |
150 |
So. |
| 45 |
Jacob Johnson |
TE-LB |
5-7 |
160 |
So. |
| 50 |
Nolan Vesley |
OL-DL |
6-2 |
250 |
Jr. |
| 52 |
Elliot Noble |
OL-DL |
5-7 |
160 |
So. |
| 54 |
Nate Neubauer |
OL-LB |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
| 55 |
John Simpson |
OL-DL |
6-0 |
235 |
Sr. |
| 61 |
Jake Moore |
OL-DL |
6-0 |
230 |
Jr. |
| 63 |
Trenten Hicks |
OL-DL |
5-9 |
165 |
So. |
| 66 |
Aidan Langley |
OL-DL |
5-8 |
270 |
So. |
| 68 |
Garrett Williams |
OL-DL |
5-11 |
275 |
Fr. |
| 70 |
Daniel Feltes |
OL-DL |
5-10 |
230 |
Sr. |
| 71 |
Ryan Waldschmidt |
OL-DL |
6-0 |
220 |
Sr. |
| 74 |
Riley Wescott |
OL-DL |
5-10 |
235 |
Sr. |
| 75 |
Hunter Buser |
OL-DL |
6-1 |
225 |
Sr. |
| 76 |
Jack Bontjes |
OL-DL |
5-11 |
250 |
Jr. |
| 77 |
Jaxson Schabacker |
OL-DL |
6-5 |
285 |
Sr. |
| 80 |
Hunter Luyando |
RB-LB |
5-7 |
150 |
Fr. |
| 81 |
Drew Scott |
TE-LB |
6-2 |
185 |
So. |
| 84 |
Jacob Kolb |
TE-LB |
5-8 |
160 |
Jr. |
| 88 |
Alex Rodriguez |
TE-DL |
5-9 |
135 |
So. |
Specialists
Kickoff Specialist: Nate Ahlers
Kickoff Returners: Nate Ahlers, Connor McBride
Punter: Nate Ahlers
Punt Returners: Nate Ahlers, Connor McBride
Placekicker: Nate Ahlers
Placekick Holder: Jacob Ackman
Starters
Offense
| Position |
No. |
Name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
| C |
54 |
Nate Neubauer |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
| FB |
12 |
Kye O'Brien |
6-2 |
210 |
Sr. |
| G |
74 |
Riley Wescott |
5-10 |
235 |
Sr. |
| G |
75 |
Hunter Buser |
6-1 |
225 |
Sr. |
| QB |
23 |
Jacob Ackman |
5-11 |
170 |
Jr. |
| RB |
11 |
Andrew Velasquez |
5-10 |
180 |
Jr. |
| RB |
21 |
Connor McBride |
6-0 |
160 |
Sr. |
| T |
50 |
Nolan Vesley |
6-2 |
250 |
Jr. |
| T |
70 |
Daniel Feltes |
5-10 |
230 |
Sr. |
| TE |
14 |
Brett Newman |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
| TE |
17 |
Andrew Wilson |
6-4 |
230 |
Sr. |
Offense Averages
Backs: 6-0, 180
Line: 6-0, 225
Receivers: 6-2, 208
Defense
| Position |
No. |
Name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
| DB |
21 |
Connor McBride |
6-0 |
160 |
Sr. |
| DB |
23 |
Jacob Ackman |
5-11 |
170 |
Jr. |
| DB |
13 |
Nate Ahlers |
6-0 |
175 |
Sr. |
| DL |
71 |
Ryan Waldschmidt |
6-0 |
220 |
Sr. |
| DL |
74 |
Riley Wescott |
5-10 |
235 |
Sr. |
| DL |
75 |
Hunter Buser |
6-1 |
225 |
Sr. |
| LB |
14 |
Brett Newman |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
| LB |
17 |
Andrew Wilson |
6-4 |
230 |
Sr. |
| LB |
24 |
Brady Stevens |
5-11 |
185 |
Jr. |
| LB |
30 |
Ethan Van Landuit |
6-0 |
180 |
So. |
| LB |
11 |
Andrew Velasquez |
5-10 |
180 |
Jr. |
Defense Averages
Defensive Backs: 6-0, 168
Line: 6-0, 227
Linebackers: 6-0, 192
Statistics
TEAM STATISTICS
For
Points 328
First Downs 175
First Downs Rushing 126
First Downs Passing 36
Rushes Attempted 515
Yards Rushing 2530
Yards Passing 915
Total Yards 3445
Passes Attempted 91
Passes Completed 52
Passes Had Intercepted 6
Fumbles 17
Fumbles Lost 7
Interceptions 15
SCORING BY QUARTERS
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
For 72 146 69 41
Against 27 46 6 53
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Scoring TD PAT1 PAT2 FG
Connor McBride 16
Kye O’Brien 12 2
Andrew Velasquez 7 1 44
Rushing Att. Yds. TD Avg.
Andrew Velasquez 167 936 7 5.6
Connor McBride 148 784 9 5.3
Kye O’Brien 138 690 12 5.0
Brady Partington 12 59 1 4.9
Passing Att. Comp. Int. Yds.
Jake Ackman 89 51 6 913
Andrew Velasquez 2 1 0 4
Receiving No. Yds. TD Avg.
Andrew Wilson 21 382 6 18.2
Connor McBride 16 313 5 19.6
Andrew Velasquez 4 70 17.5
Punting No. Avg.
Nate Ahlers 24 33.0
PAT PAT FG
Placekicking Att. Made Att. Made
Nate Ahlers 30 28 4 6
Tackles Tackles Sacks TFL
Andrew Velasquez 111 1 6
Ethan Van Landuit 93 3 5
Scores
| Date |
Opponent |
W/L |
Own |
Opp |
| 8/30 |
Spring Valley (Hall) |
W |
20 |
6 |
| 9/7 |
Princeton |
W |
25 |
21 |
| 9/13 |
Kewanee (H.S.) |
W |
27 |
26 |
| 9/20 |
Manlius (Bureau Valley) |
W |
50 |
7 |
| 9/28 |
Morrison |
L |
6 |
18 |
| 10/4 |
Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) |
W |
28 |
7 |
| 10/12 |
Orion |
W |
28 |
6 |
| 10/18 |
Port Byron (Riverdale) |
W |
14 |
7 |
| 10/26 |
Fulton (H.S.) |
W |
25 |
8 |
| IHSA Playoffs |
| 11/2 |
Orion |
W |
28 |
13 |
| 11/9 |
Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley) |
W |
21 |
6 |
| 11/16 |
Knoxville |
W |
28 |
0 |
| 11/23 |
Minonk (Fieldcrest) |
W |
21 |
7 |
Head Coach Brandon Kreczmer
| Year |
W-L |
| Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) |
| 2019 |
12-1 |
Tournament History
1977-2A 14 15 1-1 (8-3) DNP Ben Todaro
W 18 12 Princeville
L 14 15 Alexis
1985-1A 6 7 0-1 (6-4) DNP Mike Papoccia
L 6 7 Milledgeville
1987-2A 6 32 1-1 (7-4) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 21 13 Burlington (Central)
L 6 32 Morrison
1989-1A 22 25 2-1 (11-1) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 22 20 Milledgeville
W 20 9 Manlius
L 22 25 Orangeville
1990-1A 6 3 5-0 (12-2) 1st Mike Papoccia
W 47 7 Franklin Grove (F. Center)
W 49 8 Stockton
W 35 6 Durand
W 28 6 Annawan
W 6 3 Bloomington (Central Catholic) (OT)
1993-1A 9 49 4-1 (13-1) 2nd Mike Papoccia
W 41 14 Orangeville
W 36 14 Lena (L.-Winslow)
W 34 14 Stockton
W 26 14 Monmouth (Warren)
L 9 49 Hardin (Calhoun)
1994-1A 27 0 5-0 (14-0) 1st Mike Papoccia
W 41 20 Polo
W 27 0 Mackinaw (Deer Creek-M.)
W 33 15 Galva
W 14 8 Stockton
W 27 0 Lexington
1997-2A 14 21 1-1 (9-2) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 57 14 Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda)
L 14 21 Stillman Valley
1998-1A 26 30 4-1 (12-2) 2nd Mike Papoccia
W 35 8 Sciota (Northwestern)
W 48 21 Concord (Triopia)
W 17 14 Galena (H.S.)
W 21 14 Lexington
L 26 30 Carthage
1999-2A 6 40 0-1 (9-1) DNP Mike Papoccia
L 6 40 Hampshire
2001-2A 6 14 1-1 (7-4) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 14 8 Toulon (Stark County)
L 6 14 Argenta (A.-Oreana)
2002-2A 7 24 0-1 (7-3) DNP Mike Papoccia
L 7 24 Poplar Grove (North Boone)
2003-2A 18 22 2-1 (10-2) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 50 12 Dakota
W 35 0 El Paso
L 18 22 Gilman (Iroquois West)
2004-2A 21 7 5-0 (13-1) 1st Mike Papoccia
W 19 0 Forreston
W 44 8 Poplar Grove (North Boone)
W 31 8 Lanark (Eastland)
W 14 7 Maroa (M.-Forsyth)
W 21 7 Carthage
2005-2A 14 38 1-1 (9-2) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 30 6 Forreston
L 14 38 Lena (L.-Winslow)
2006-2A 3 14 0-1 (6-4) DNP Mike Papoccia
L 3 14 Morrison
2007-2A 13 18 1-1 (8-3) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 51 6 Fulton (H.S.)
L 13 18 Dakota
2008-3A 0 6 1-1 (8-3) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 40 0 Monmouth (M.-Roseville)
L 0 6 Wilmington
2009-3A 20 21 2-1 (8-4) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 9 6 Sherrard
W 9 0 Oregon
L 20 21 Stillman Valley
2010-2A 48 7 5-0 (14-0) 1st Mike Papoccia
W 14 7 Amboy
W 54 12 Kewanee (Wethersfield)
W 22 19 Morrison
W 46 12 Mackinaw (Deer Creek-M.)
W 48 7 Maroa (M.-Forsyth)
2011-2A 12 15 2-1 (10-2) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 40 6 Clifton (Central)
W 47 36 Orion
L 12 15 Morrison
2012-3A 7 41 3-1 (12-1) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 21 6 Erie
W 26 14 Monmouth (M.-Roseville)
W 28 26 Wilmington
L 7 41 Aurora (A. Christian)
2013-2A 40 13 5-0 (13-1) 1st Mike Papoccia
W 41 0 Minonk (Fieldcrest)
W 35 12 Pearl City
W 34 33 Momence
W 14 0 Aledo (Mercer County)
W 40 13 Staunton
2014-3A 14 16 2-1 (11-1) DNP Mike Papoccia
W 44 21 Aurora (A. Christian)
W 50 12 Oregon
L 14 16 Byron
2015-3A 14 34 1-1 (9-2) DNP Michael Papoccia
W 51 6 Farmington
L 14 34 Kankakee (McNamara)
2016-2A 12 14 2-1 (11-1) DNP Michael Papoccia
W 50 6 Clifton (Central)
W 49 20 Peru (St. Bede)
L 12 14 Mackinaw (Deer Creek-M.)
2017-2A 8 14 3-1 (12-1) DNP Michael Papoccia
W 27 18 Aurora (A. Christian)
W 41 22 Chicago (C. Hope Academy)
W 40 14 Orion
L 8 14 Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley)
2018-2A 12 27 2-1 (10-2) DNP Michael Papoccia
W 54 14 Rockford (R. Christian)
W 46 14 Carthage (Illini West)
L 12 27 Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley)
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