Betkers, Banks ready to open the season for Hawks

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

DONNELLSON - Chuck Banks is back on the sidelines for Central Lee, but a couple of other familiar faces will also returning from afar as the Hawks open play Friday at home against Pekin.

A couple of twin seniors moved back into the area this year to be closer to family, and will add to the skill positions for a Central Lee team that went 2-7 last year.

Jaxon and Jaedon Betker returned from Washington after leaving the area in fifth grade to finish high school at Central Lee.

Banks said the two are physical athletes that will bring a different dimension to the Hawks offense and defense this year.

With the loss of workhouse Dalton Westercamp, who accounted for more than 800 yards of offense last year, the Hawks were looking for someone to step in and handle running between the tackles.

Jaedon Becker will fill that role, and Jaxon will be threat over the top for newly installed quarterback Mason Schau.

"Jaxon's gonna go at wideout for us, and Jaedon Becker will be our featured back this year," Banks said Wednesday.

"They're originally from here, but when they were kids they moved in 5th grade and now they've moved back. They're two very athletic, gifted kids."

The Hawks have predominantly been a run-first offense,. But Banks said that may change this year as he tries to bring a more balanced attack on offense.

"Back when I coached with Hoffman we ran the ball like 99.3% of the time. And the last couple years they've been heavy run vs. pass," Banks said. "I'd like to say will be much more balanced than the past."

There was some competition for the starting quarterback gig, but Banks said senior Dylan Stuecker will be moved out to wide receiver and Schau will take the snaps on Friday.

Schau completed just five passes in 2019 for 74 yards playing behind Evan Pohren and Adam Boeck.. He also rushed for 89 yards on 29 carries.

Senior Kade Myhre is also out for the first time since junior high and Banks has been impressed with his ability to run routes and catch the ball.

"I would say offensively, when I look at these guys the biggest surprise is like a Kade Myhre who hasn't played in high school. His athleticism and ability to catch the ball has impressed."

In addition to Schau's maturity in the backfield, and Myhre's contributions, he's also looking for big things from seniors Chance Hocker, Seth Mayes, Logan Kearns, and juniors Quenten Tweedy and Devon Brecount, who all will see playing time on both sides of the ball.

"This is probably the first time in a long time we're not going to have do a lot of that," he said. The Betkers, Myhre, Mason, those guys are going to play both ways. You have to have your best athletes on both sides."

The Hawks will be a little inexperienced on the offensive line with a four underclassman up front. Sophomore Josh Hawk and junior Tannor Demoss will hold down the right side with Keating Fuger, while Logan Hocker, who Banks described as a "stud for a freshman" will push things on the left along side senior tackle Luke Fraise.

Pekin, a traditional powerhouse, had just their second losing season in the past 12 last year when they finished 2-7. The Panthers play in a tough Class A District 6 with Mediapolis, Sigourney and Louisa-Muscatine.

They will rely on senior Colton Comstock who threw for just 360 yards and three scores last year. They lose 1,000 yard back Dayne Eckley in the backfield, but have a couple of juniors who saw some time carrying the ball in Michael Jones and Cael Baker who combined for about 400 yards.

On the defensive side, the Panther's will have a lot of experience as senior linebacker Mason Juhl and senior defensive backs Braden Latcham and Baker combined for more than 170 tackles in 2019.

Banks isn't letting last year's lopsided record taint his view of the Panthers on Friday.

"They're well coached and have a historic timeline. I have lot of respect for the Pekin head coach and I'm sure they're gonna try and run the ball down our throat," Banks said.

"I think they're working with a form of the triple option this year. They're gonna have five senior o-lineman this year and it will definitely be a great test to start the season."

central lee, Chuck Banks, donnellson, football, Pekin, Pen City Current, preview, sports

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