2016 High School Football Preview: North Fayette Valley

A traditional powerhouse, North Fayette Valley last season came within two victories of defending the Class-2A championship the TigerHawks won in 2014. Coach Bob Lape's team has an experienced starting unit returning, but lacks depth in many areas. If North Fayette Valley can avoid injuries, look for the TigersHawks to make another deep playoff run in 2016.

2016 SEASON PROSPECTUS: NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY TIGERHAWKS

2015 RECORD: 10-3 Overall / 5-1 District
2015 PLAYOFFS: Class-2A State Semifinalist

HEAD COACH: Bob Lape
School Record (Years): 78-18 (9)
Career Record (Years): 78-18 (9)

2015 STARTERS RETURNING (9):
Luke Butikofer, OL/LB
Chase Hollinrake, RB/DB
Tate Hovden, QB/DB
Tanner Kuhens, RB/LB - 800 yards rushing
Trey Kuhens, FB/LB - 950 yards rushing
Ethan Lape, OL/DL - Des Moines Register Elite All-State Lineman
Dylan Larson, E/DE
Jesse Mackey, RB/LB - 663 yards rushing
Brandon Wolfe, OL/LB

OTHER 2015 LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (11):
Nick Amundson, TE/DB
Tylen Burrow, TE/DB
Austin Frieden, OL/DL
Blaize Frieden, RB/DB
Josh Guenther, TE/DE
John Odegard, OL/DL
Spenser Schmitt, OL/DL
Mason Warrd, TE/DB
Logan West, FB/LB
Jordan Baumler, OL/DL
Nathan Connelly, K

HOW COACH LAPE VIEWS UPCOMING SEASON

Team Strength Entering 2016:
Experience in the line and backfield.

Concerns Heading Into 2016:
Lack of depth. Must avoid injuries in order to have success.

Opponents Expected To Compete For District Title In 2016:
"Based on talking to other coaches and knowing what teams are returning in this district, it will be very competitive. I feel that each week will be a very tough game. We will have to approach each week as though it is the big game. The teams in our district return a lot of very good football players. Beckman, Waukon, Union, & Cascade will be very good football teams." Coach Lape Picks Beckman and Union to contend for the district title.

Expectations For 2016 Season:
"We are very excited to get the season started, we feel we some unfinished business that we did not take care of last season. The seniors have worked very hard this off season in preparing themselves for the upcoming season. We feel pretty good about our team, the players have worked hard to prepare themselves for the upcoming season. They have been able to refocus on being committed and dedicated to having a winning football season. The key issue for us and all teams will be injuries. If we can remain healthy we have the potential to become a very good football team. Tradition is still on our side coupled with hard work will take us a long way."