HASTINGS, Neb. – The Hastings High Tigers are coming off their second straight season with a playoff appearance, and they’re aiming to keep that streak intact with some new additions to the starting lineup.

In a daunting Class B schedule, the Tigers will no doubt experience some growing pains in certain positions with the graduate losses of quarterback Tucker Synek, plus Chance Vertin, and Keithen Krings, among others.

That's not bothering head coach Charlie Shoemaker who says the team's pieces are molding together and will be a bit bigger in size this fall.

“We’ve been encouraged with our offensive line, we feel like we’ve got some good pieces there, probably a little more size than we’ve had in the past, and a little more depth as well," said Shoemaker. "The d-line is a bit bigger, and we’ve got some guys emerging at defensive end too.” 

For the better part of a decade, the Hastings starting quarterback had the last name Synek, but no longer.

Expected to take over the vacant QB role is junior Carlos Gutierrez, who was the junior varsity quarterback last year.

“It’s big shoes to fill, the Synek’s were here for a while," said Gutierrez. "Just been tossing the ball best I can, and I feel comfortable, I feel like I know everything pretty well. All the plays feel comfortable, we all feel comfortable."

The Tiger backfield this year will be lead by Brody Dreher, who is switching from wide receiver to his natural position at running back, where he says he's most comfortable at. He had high praise for how well Gutierrez is stepping up in his new role.

“Carlos has surprised me a lot this year, his decision making has been really good in practice this year," said Dreher. "He hasn’t been making a lot of mistakes, and I hope that can switch over to the game.” 

Hastings' schedule this year features five games against teams with winning records last season, and the first is against York next Thursday.