Staying healthy is more important than ever for Comets

By John Burbridge
sports@charlescitypress.com
CHARLES CITY — It’s the most important thing to do in regards to an athlete’s own well-being as well as that of his team.

Though always implied, to have a coach verbally issue the dictum in the manner of “roll your hips” or “protect the ball” would normally seem superfluous.

But when the Charles City Comet football coaching staff ended a recent practice with an advisory to “Stay Healthy”, it wasn’t overstated for this “new normal” season.

“It’s a little different from baseball and softball,” Comet head coach Darren Bohlen said in reference to the summer prep seasons which saw several teams shut down for a week or two due to COVID exposure. “How do you shut down a football team for a week or two, and then try to start up again?”

Preventive measures are tantamount, and the Comets have been treating practices like they’ve been handling radioactive polonium.

“We disinfect all the equipment,” Bohlen said of the post-practice protocol, which includes wiping down the balls and placing all the pads in a trailer where they are “fog fumigated” to prep for their overnight storage.

Yet Bohlen admits some of the guidelines are hard to wrap one’s head around.

“They don’t want you to shake hands or give ‘high fives’,” he said, “but still, you’ve got to tackle your opponent.”

The upcoming football season is slightly abbreviated. Most teams will play only seven regular-season games, but all teams qualify for the playoffs — so the Comets are due for eight games if all goes well, or more if all goes even better.

Again, Charles City will play in a tough district that includes defending undefeated Class 3A champion Western Dubuque, which the Comets will host on Sept. 11.

But formidable opponents and uncertainty aside, Bohlen is excited about the upcoming season.

“This is my eighth year as head coach, and this is one of the most talented teams I’ve had,” he said.

The Comets have their entire offensive starting lineup returning. Included are offensive linemen DJ DeBoest (sr.), William Wilson (sr.), Cole White (sr.), Tino Tamayo (jr.) and Chase Crooks, who was the lone sophomore named to the Class 3A-District 3 Offensive First Team last season.

The group will likely be part of history in the making early this season when they help senior running back Trever Heitz become Charles City’s all-time leading rusher.

“He needs 36 yards,” Bohlen said of Heitz chasing down Taylor Fiser’s all-time total of 1,863 yards. “Hopefully, he’ll get that in the first quarter of our first game.”

Senior Alec Staudt returns as the team’s quarterback. Taking over the starting role early into last season, Staudt completed 23 of 52 pass attempts for 314 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. Staudt also rushed for 222 yards with four TDs.

Junior Ian Collins returns after leading the team in receiving (20 receptions for 331), and scored touchdowns (7), including a 78-yard kickoff return.

Senior Jeremiah Chapman was another game-breaker for the Comets last season. While rushing for 421 yards (5.8 ypc), Chapman recorded one of the longest TD runs in school history when he broke free for 97 yards in a win against Oelwein.

Trimel Christian also activated the highlight reel last season as a sophomore with a 57-yard TD and averaged a team-leading 6.3 ypc.

Senior linebacker Caden Collins returns after leading the Comets with 46 total tackles. Junior Mario Hoefer and Staudt both led the team with three interceptions.

Ian Collins (team leading 44 solo tackles), junior Cael Bohlen (30 solo tackles, 7 tackles for losses), junior Colton Crooks (2.5 tackles for losses), Chase Crooks (6.5 tackles for losses) and Tamayo (team-leading 8 tackles for losses) were among the Comets defensive leaders.

The Comets graduated only five seniors from last season.

“We had to move up a lot of sophomores last year,” Bohlen said. “It was tough for them, but the experience should give them confidence.”

Bohlen said the numbers for this season are good, even amidst a pandemic.
“We have a full scout team this season,” Bohlen said. “We would like to get more freshmen out so we can have a freshman team and match teams grade for grade.

“It’s hard to understand when you have 20 kids out for eighth-grade football and only half of those stay with the sport once they reach high school.”

Bohlen said that team speed is going to be a noticeable attribute this season.

“We’re fast … especially on offense,” Bohlen said. “We’re going to be fun to watch.”