Bound and determined

By DANA BECKER

sports@messengernews.net

Three different head coaches in three years could have left Sean Newell feeling frustrated with his prep football career.

Instead, the St. Edmond senior — along with his teammates — accepted the difficult challenge.

Newell and the Gaels are currently 2-4 as they head into the final three games of the regular season. St. Edmond travels to Ridge View on Friday before closing out the year at home vs. Alta/Aurelia and Manson Northwest Webster.

As a freshman and sophomore, Newell was coached by Dick Tighe. Jon Borer took over the program last season before returning to Nebraska, with Matt Dillon entering.

“It was difficult going from Coach Tighe’s ground-and-pound attack to Coach Borer’s spread offense,” Newell said. “Now, with Coach Dillon, it has been very smooth to adjust for my teammates and I.”

Newell, a starting fullback and linebacker this season, played along the offensive line under Borer. So far this year, he has rushed for a team-high 566 yards on 97 carries with six touchdowns.

“(Moving back to fullback) has gone very well,” he said. “I’m very thankful that Coach Dillon gave me the opportunity to return to the backfield.”

Last month, Newell picked up his first career 100-yard game, running for 113 in an 18-12 win at North Union. He followed that up with a career-best 200 yards on 12 carries with four touchdowns as the Gaels rolled past Eagle Grove inside Dodger Stadium, 60-16.

Newell’s also ran for 75, 49 and 113 yards this year, which includes a 98-yard touchdown run last Friday night at Sioux Central.

For his career, Newell has 583 yards on 105 carries, scoring six times. He has recorded 137 career tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss.

“I have been more than proud to represent my school on and off the field,” said Newell, who is also involved in basketball and track. “If I was to give a message to younger kids, it would be to always give it your best, whether that’s in sports, school or anything else.

“Always try to be the hardest worker. It works for everything you do.”

Newell will be counted on this winter to help replace the loss of Will Woodruff, Sean Flaherty and Isaac Lursen as an inside presence. He’ll follow that up by returning to the track where he was part of the eighth-place 4×400 relay team that returns Jonah Hindt, Sean Flattery and Charlie Shelly.

“I’m optimistic about both basketball and track,” Newell said. “Especially for track with all of our returning state qualifying teams coming back. I feel like we can make some big things happen this spring.”

Newell is also on the “Play Like A Champion” committee and was selected for Hawkeye Boys State over the summer.