Lincoln North Star hopes friendly QB competition, focus on ball security lead to more wins

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln North Star football enters the new season looking to improve on its 4-5 finish in 2022.

At practice this week, head coach James Thompson said improving ball security has been a focus for the Navigators through summer.

“Last year, we were 4-5,” he said. “We should have been 6-3, 7-2. What killed us last year was turnovers. If you look at the number of turnovers we committed against ourselves, the number of unforced errors we committed hurt us.”

North Star welcomes Creighton Prep transfer quarterback Dean Donaldson to the program this year.

The senior is in a “QB battle” with returning junior signal caller Beaudree Ball.

But “battle” is a loose term, as the duo have some history, having played together previously.

Ball said the competition with his friend has helped him.

“We feed off each other’s energy,” he said. “We push each other and practice every day. It’s not like we’re, like, enemies. We have fun together. We learn. We both do that. We both grow.”

The two will continue to build off each other, as no official starter has been named so far.

Thompson is happy with the QB situation he is in, as the friendly competition has only made the two passers better.

“They’ve been pushing each other,” he said. “They work together. They hold each other accountable. They both grown right now.”

The Navigators also welcome back offensive tackle Jayden Potter, who is entering his final season at North Star.

The senior has taken on more of a leadership role this season.

“I like to help my teammates get better,” he said. “I know what I’m doing, most of the time, and I’m encouraging them to do the right thing at all times.”

When asked about how he’s feeling so far through camp, he said, “We’re just trying to build on what we did last year. It was a good start last year, but we’re not done yet.”

On the defensive side, the Gators return a good group, which includes retuning junior linebacker Cameron Bretting.

Bretting is looking to improve on his man coverage skills from last season, along with getting strong in the weight room.

He spoke about the QB situation and how it’s only helped the defense prepare.

“They can put the ball in any spot,” he said. “They’re both dual threat and can run the ball.”

The Navigators face off with Omaha Benson to start the 2023 season at Seacrest Field.