Coach Steve Milder is hoping for improvement this season, following a winless 2016 campaign. The veteran sideline general is entering his 40th year at West Central. Milder currently ranks eighth among active coaches for all-time wins in Iowa and is 25th overall.

2017 SEASON PROSPECTUS: WEST CENTRAL (8-PLAYER)

2016 RECORD: 0-9 Overall / 0-6 District
2016 PLAYOFFS: Did Not Qualify

HEAD COACH: Steve Milder
School Record (Years): 221-150 (39)
Career Record (Years): 235-162 (42)

2016 STARTERS RETURNING (5):
Collin Kime, RB/LB
Ty Ingels, OL/DE
Decker Wirtz, OL/DE
Taylor Hepperle, LB
Adam Dolf, DB/LB

OTHER RETURNING LETTERMEN* / VARSITY PLAYERS (5):
*Adam Michels, OE/DB
*Tyler Buzynski, RB/LB
*Joe Lamphere, OL/DL
*Dalton Vick, OL/DE
Cooper Ingels, OL/DL

KEY LOSSES FROM 2016 SEASON:
Brady Forsyth, Joe Kane and Collin Kane were three-year starters for the Blue Devils who graduated, and Jake Kuhens was an excellent two-way player. Other key players in the trenches for West Central were Dom Meyer and Noah Green on the offensive line and Alex Paul on the defensive line.

HOW COACH MILDER VIEWS UPCOMING SEASON

Team Strength Entering 2017:
The Blue Devils return a pair of good offensive/defensive linemen in Decker Wirtz and Ty Ingells. Collin Kime rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season and has been a defensive starter for two years. Adam Dolf ad Taylor Hepperle started on defense in the secondary in 2016. With five starters back on the defensive side of the ball, West Central is hoping to be improved.

Concerns Heading Into 2017:
The offense was hard hit by graduation, so West Central will likely be doing some things a little different this season. On defense, the linebacker position was hard hit; Tyler Buzynski and Brice Martin will join Collin Kime. Jake Kuhens handled the punting and kicking duties last year and with his graduation, the Blue Devils need to find a consistent replacement.

8-Player, District 3 Outlook For 2017:
Defending state champion Don Bosco is favored to win the district title again this season.

Expectations For 2017 Season:
"We must stay healthy. We must be able to run the football more consistently!."

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