AXELL, Nebraska — 696. That’s the number you see under “Axtell” when you cross the city line. That’s the number of people that Axtell plays football for.
Those 696 spectators watched the Wildcats reach the second round of the NSAA Class D2 playoffs last season with a 7-3 record, their most wins since 2009.
Head coach Mike Branstad said at practice on Monday that having the community behind his team helps his boys immensely.
“Everything we do, we do for the team, for this community,” Branstad said. “When we perform here like we should and put a good product on the field, I think the city celebrates that, comes and watches. Everything in the community is better then.”
Jake Halvorsen will take over the role at center, hoping his passing game will better complement his work on the ground, where the rising senior ran for 750 yards and scored ten touchdowns.
In addition, Halvorsen laid out a plan for how the Wildcats can advance further in the postseason this fall.
“We can learn a lot from the second round,” Halvorsen said. “We can look at what we did wrong and we work really hard, so I think we can build on that.”
Halvorsen is one of nine seniors on this year’s team. Another senior guarding the trenches is offensive and defensive player Caleb Kindschuh, who recorded five tackles for loss and two sacks last fall.
Kindschuh explained in detail how he wants to make this final season unforgettable.
“We’ve been here our whole lives,” Kindschuh said. “You know, in a small town, sports are a big deal. If we can make a splash in the playoffs or make it to the state championship, that would be great. I’d love that. I’m just excited.”
The excitement is at its highest in Axtell’s last 15 years and the Wildcats are looking to build on that by traveling to Overton for their first game of the season on Friday night, August 30th at 7:00 p.m.
