By Alex Benzegala
Panhandle Post
It's not a secret. The last couple of seasons have been challenging for the Alliance Bulldogs football program. However, this 2023 team isn't worried about the past, they are focused on forging their own path and turning around the program under first year Head Coach T.D Stein.
"Our focus is just changing the culture a little bit to get guys excited for football," Stein said. "I think we got the guys, we got the skill position players, we have the lineman, and it's just how we execute our simple game plan."
Stein is in his first year as a head coach, the former Chadron and CSC QB was a Graduate Assistant at West Texas A&M last year and started his coaching career as an assistant at South Sioux City. Stein played against the Bulldogs during his career and knows that his players are resilient and built in the image of the town.
"Alliance is a tough town with people who come to work hard. You see that on the railroad and I really think it trickles down to the kids and that they're tough."
When looking at the Alliance football team and looking at the program's current 22 game losing streak and 0-9 record in 2022, it could be easy to dismiss this teams chances on Friday night's this fall.
Starting quarterback and defensive back Landon Crowe is a senior who threw for 824 yards last season and is one of ten returning starters and explains why this year is different. "I'm really excited with all of the new coaches and players from last year and even new players," Crowe said. "We have a lot of new concepts, blocking schemes are simplified which makes it easier for the lineup and I think we're going to succeed."
Senior starting running back and linebacker Aiden Hancock says the coaching change has taken some adjustment but says his team is locked and ready to ready to go. " It's definitely a culture change for sure, a lot of new players came out, we kickoff week one against Chase County and the guys are hyped for that."
One thing Stein is excited about are his offensive weapons and playmakers on both offense and defense. That includes last year's leading receiver in yardage Senior Tristen Timbers, with 342 and three TD's, Senior Jonah Amill had 15 receptions last year for 145 yards. Sophomore Espen Lanik is coming off of an impressive freshman season is in a position to make even more plays this year.
Alliance Football Schedule
Week 1: 8/25 vs Chase County
Week 2: 8/31 @ Gordon-Rushville
Week 3: 9/8 vs Valentine
Week 4: 9/15 @ Gothenburg
Week 5: 9/22 vs Ogalala
Week 6: 9/29 vs Mitchell
Week 7: 10/6 @ McCook
Week 8: 10/13 vs Chadron
Week 9: 10/20 @ Sidney