Villisca hoping to improve on last year

As the season begins for the Villisca Blue Jays, there are both question marks and promise for the team.

Coming off a 4-6 season, third place finish in the Corner Conference in 2008, and a trip to the playoffs, the Jays want another shot at the postseason.

“We got a little taste of the playoffs last season,” Co-Head Coach T.J. Quick said about last year’s sub-state loss to Adair-Casey. “Hopefully that will keep them hungry to get back there this season.

“We need some of our seniors to step up and be the leaders.”

Nick Berggren is one of those senior leaders, starting last year both as a full-back and as a linebacker for the Jays.

He will anchor an inexperienced line-backing crew, being the only returning starter.

“It’s a tough position to come into without prior experience,” Quick said. “There are some guys out here that are going to have to learn on the job.”

Timmy Meyers is another starter without a lot of experience at quarterback.

Meyers did not play his sophomore year, but coming back this season is expected to take most of the snaps for the Blue Jays.

“Timmy’s been working hard this summer lifting weights and doing a lot of activities with the team,” Quick said of his starting QB. “I think he wants to do it and I think he’ll do a good job.”

Villisca’s season starts against East Union in the home opener on Aug. 28.