STHS returning QB optimistic about gridiron season
By Brian Nordli, Reno Gazette-Journal
South Tahoe heads into the season with added excitement.
The Vikings will play on new turf and with lights for the first time in school history. They’ve played a couple night games with portable lights before, but this will be their first season with permanent lights. Third-year coach Kevin Hennessee said it has brought a lot of energy to the preseason as the team prepares for its first home game on Sept. 2. Returning quarterback Tyler Nesbitt thinks it will be a boost to the team for home games.
“I think just for the football team, it’s going to be a whole new game because of the atmosphere,” Nesbitt said. “To me, it’s almost animal-like. You just have that boost of testosterone and want to hit.”
Last season, the team finished 3-7 and one game out of the playoffs. The Vikings often struggled in the second half of games. Hennessee noted that they didn’t always play with the speed or confidence to be consistent.
Hennessee said he expects them to improve on the issues from last season with the development of Nesbitt. With a second year under center, Nesbitt said he has become more comfortable and is prepared to take on a leadership role.
Nesbitt noted an increased intensity this summer. The team has done more offseason workouts and practices, which it didn’t do in the past. Hennessee said the team should have finished with a better record last season, but fell short because of turnovers. He is expecting the team to play with more speed on offense with Nesbitt in his second season.
“We’ve put a lot of expectation on the kids, and we’ve grown immensely,” Hennessee said. “We’ve got a bigger commitment in the offseason out of lifting, and they understand the offense. It’s been an aggressive summer.”