The 2017 Shiner Comanches football team. Top row, from left, is Lane Nevlud, Donyai Taylor, Chris Reyes, Tyler Mikes, SL Lewis, Hunter Kloesel, Brendan Yoakum, Michael Rodriguez and Kason Landoman. Middle row, from left, is Jacob Cowan, Dustin Petras, Cole Jalufka, Cole Patek, Tyler Palmer, Max Machacek, Cody Rainosek, Allan Jaehne, Carl Seymour and Tank Moore. Bottom row, from left, is Caleb Neal, Cross Rankin, Collin Bujnoch, Devin Lehnert, Gage Brooks, Justin Redfern, Jacquis Miller, Cesar Reyes and Jacquez Miller. [ NOTE: click photo to enlarge ]

The Shiner Comanches field a young team in 2017 but started practice a little ahead due to diligence in the offseason.

Shiner will carry just six seniors on this year’s team; however, the players were in great physical condition the first part of the workouts.

“We had a lot of people participate in our offseason program,” Comanches head coach Steven Cerny said. “Our numbers were really good, especially with our younger players. We came out to practice on the first day pretty well conditioned. It got us off to a good start.”

“When players start fall workouts out of shape, it sets the team back and the coaches cannot see all what they can do. Because we were in shape, we got some true looks on the talents of our kids at the start.”

The Comanches had 53 players report the first day and every single one made every practice that week.

Shiner’s offense lost eight starters from the 2016 team that were district runner ups and area finalists.

“We are almost completely starting over on offense with three returning starters,” Cerny said. “At the same time, we take a lot of pride in working our backups. While a lot of these guys may not have gotten game experience, they did get a lot of time practicing.”

The Comanches will start the season by running their basic offensive plays until the offensive players get more acquainted.

“We had to concentrate on our base offensive package due to the inexperience and hopefully can add wrinkles as they become more proficient with the basics,” Cerny said.

The defense returns seven starters that saw plenty of action last season.

“Those guys got quality time on the field,” Cerny said. Tyler Mikes and Dustin Petras have been getting the majority of first team & second team snaps.

Cerny said scrimmages and each player’s defensive load will ultimately determine who is chosen as the starter and whoever is not the quarterback at that time will play receiver.

Comanche football team leaders for 2017 include Collin Bujnoch, SL Lewis, Lane Nevlud, and Dustin Petras. [ NOTE: click photo to enlarge ]

Key running backs will be Jacob Cowan, Collin Bujnoch, Donyai Taylor and Lane Nevlud, who will all share time due to all playing defense as well.

Joining Petras or Mikes at receiver is still being determined but Hunter Kloesel is slated to help after gaining speed and strength.

On the offensive line will be SL Lewis (left tackle), Cole Jalufka ( tight end), Cody Rainosek (center), Brendan Yoakum (right tackle), Michael Rodriguez (left guard), Cole Patek (tight end) and CJ Seymour (right guard).

Chris Reyes and Kason Landman will join them on the defensive line group.

At linebacker will be Nevlud, Bujnoch and Jalufka. Cerny said the linebackers are the strength of the Comanche defense.

In the secondary will be Mikes (corner), Petras (safety), Kloesel , Cowan and Taylor.

Jalufka and Cross Rankin have been handling kicking and punting duties so far.

Shiner has a bear for a non-district schedule with games against 3ADI teams Goliad, Hallettsville and Hitchcock as well as against improved Brazos and a traditionally-well Falls City.

In district, Shiner has the defending 2ADI state champions in Refugio; Weimar, Yorktown and Ganado will be tough.

“There is not one single game we can look past,” Cerny said.