By Jacki Wood

In just its second year as a co-op, the South Holt/Nodaway-Holt Spartans are primed to make a deep postseason run in 2016.

“We have everyone back from last year’s team so I think that we should be pretty competitive in all our games,” fifth-year head coach and offensive coordinator, Josh Petersen, said.

Last season, SHNH went 6-5 overall with a 4-3 conference record. With their experience, the Spartans should be even better this year.

“(Our) team goals are to win conference and then districts and hopefully make a run at a state championship,” Petersen said. “With this group, that is possible.”

Projected impact players include senior all-state, all-district and all-conference linebacker Zach Walker and senior all-state, all-district and all-conference tight end Carey Volner.

Senior all-district and all-conference running back Brody Day, senior all-district and all-conference center Dakota Leeper and senior all-conference return man James Chesnut should also make a big impact for SHNH. Other impact players include senior quarterback and linebacker Alan Ottman, senior wide receiver and linebacker Logan Zimmerman, senior defensive end Jordan Frady and junior left guard Colton Egbert.

Petersen is assisted by Kevin Dodson as defensive coordinator and John Casey as special teams coach.

The Spartans will kick things off on August 19 at Worth County/Northeast Nodaway.