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North Butler, Clarksville come together for 2018 football season

Press photo by John Burbridge North Butler quarterback Kane Allison (No. 12) hands the ball to Rhett Lammers (No. 21) during a game against Nashua-Plainfield in 2016. Last season, the Bearcats had to forfeit their game against N-P due to not having enough active players.
Press photo by John Burbridge
North Butler quarterback Kane Allison (No. 12) hands the ball to Rhett Lammers (No. 21) during a game against Nashua-Plainfield in 2016. Last season, the Bearcats had to forfeit their game against N-P due to not having enough active players.
By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

GREENE — As Bears go, they tend to number 3 to a family.

As Bearcats go, the number has been boltered beyond 40 now that the family has been extended

“As of now, we have 41 players out,” North Butler football coach Travis Miller said during a practice last week. “About two-thirds are our guys, and about one-third is from there.”

That’s in reference to North Butler combining forces with Clarksville starting this season. Last year, the two schools combined to form a single wrestling team.

The two schools eventually coming together for football was something foreseen for several years. Both schools — like many small, rural-based schools in the state — have been finding it increasingly difficult to field ample football teams.

Last season, North Butler was forced to forfeit consecutive games against Saint Ansgar and Nashua-Plainfield due to lack of active players after starting the season at 2-1 — North Butler finished 3-6 last year.

The year before, the Bearcats also got out of the gate strong before the 2016 flood addled their schedule and forced them to play three games in eight days. During that span, North Butler sustained injuries to several key players and struggled the rest of the season.

This season, North Butler should have the numbers to withstand most any natural disaster.

“Everything is going as planned,” Miller said. “These guys have handled the transition well.”

North Butler and Clarksville have never been traditional football rivals … or even basketball rivals. Yet now that they’re on the same team, competition is brewing.

“Competition breeds success,” Miller said. “Before, when these guys had a starting position, there weren’t too many people challenging for the spot.

“Now, you’ve got to beat someone for that starting spot.”

One starting spot up for grabs is the quarterback position. North Butler senior Kane Allison and Clarksville senior Pacen Hendricks both started behind center for their respective teams last season.

One of the top players returning for the Bearcats is senior Rhett Lammers. In just seven games played last season, Lammers compiled 842 yards from the line of scrimmage while leading the Bearcats in rushing (580 yards at 7.8 ypc), receiving (20 catches for 262 yards) and scoring (8 TDs, 2 two-point conversions … 52 points).

Lammers is also one of the top returning tacklers with fellow North Butler senior Bryce Trees.

Among the top returners from Clarksville is senior Drew Kromminga, who led the then Indians in interceptions last season, and sophomore Cole Negen, who averaged more than 5 yards per carry as an Indian.

“We have a ton of skill guys … which can be a good problem to have,” Miller said, “but it’s going to come down to our line play.”

Though the Bearcats are comprised of players from different schools, Miller says they all have the same goal going into this season.

“They want to go undefeated,” Miller said. “Some people may say that’s too optimistic, but I think every football team should want to go undefeated.”

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