After two decades at the helm of the Nebraska City football program, Lou Varley retired from his coaching and teaching duties.

His hiatus from coaching didn’t last long.

Just a few months after completing the 2007-08 academic year at NCHS, Varley finds himself getting ready for another football season, this time at the collegiate level.

Varley joined the Peru State football staff as the offensive line coach under head coach Terry Clark.

And his unit will be counted on to deliver right away.

The Peru State team lost a quarterback, two running backs and a pair of receivers from last year’s 6-5 team.

According to the preview released as part of the school’s media guide, the key to the success of the Peru State offensive team will come down to the line, which returns a trio of starters from last year.

Lance Meyer, a junior from Johnson-Brock, will be moving from right tackle to left guard. Other players with starting experience include left tackle Tony Janssen, a junior, and senior right guard Grant Bruggemann, both of Auburn.

Matt Carroll of Dorchester, a sophomore, will play at the right tackle position.

Steve Kuhn, a freshman, will anchor the offensive line. Kuhn, a converted tight end, is a grad of Millard North.

Coach Varley said Kuhn is a physical player and should fit well with the line, especially since the freshman will be bracketed by a pair of experienced guards.

Another lineman who could contribute to the starting mix is Stacy Louis, a guard/center from Boys Town, who has been limited due to injury.

A familiar face amongst the linemen is Nebraska City grad Derek Hanika, a sophomore. Varley said Hanika has been working with the second team line and is one of a number of young players with promising futures for the Bobcats.

Peru State will open the season at home against Hastings College on Saturday.

As the first game approaches, Coach Varley said his transition from high school head coach to college offensive line coach has been a smooth one.

Dick Ramsey, the Peru State offensive coordinator, had been working with the offensive line prior to Varley being added to the staff.

Coach Varley said his presence allows Ramsey more freedom to fulfill his job as coordinator.

Ramsey and Varley work together on ideas for the line, but Coach Varley said the communication has been easy since the two men seem to be speaking the same football language.

A lot of what Peru State does with its line are strategies that Varley has worked with in the past. The offensive plays and the fundamentals Ramsey teaches are ones that Varley used himself during his high school coaching career.

“The comfort level has been really amazing,” Coach Varley said. “It has been like coming home again.”

Varley described the Peru State offense as one that features a ball control mentality and a strong running game in combination with plays that take advantage of the weaknesses of defenses.

In addition to the familiarity of the game plan, Varley has also seen a lot of players he’s known of or faced as a high school coach, making the transition easier yet.

As time goes by, Coach Varley said he looks forward to working with a team that combines a number of area players with some players from not only the region but the nation.

Varley said the Peru State program is able to attract players from out of the area because grads of Peru State can be found in many places across the land in teaching and coaching positions.

“That in turn helps bring kids back to Peru State,” Varley said.

Looking at this year for the Bobcats, Coach Varley said possible goals would include a winning record and a trip to the playoffs. Those aren’t the focus right now, however.

“Our focus is entirely on the first game and Hastings College,” Varley said.

That focus is indicative of the mentality of the Peru State team.

Coach Varley said the group is not one to think too far ahead. Instead, the players keep their eyes on the tasks at hand.

“It’s kind of a workmanlike attitude,” Varley said.

Peru State glance

Jim Dawson, a junior, will take over at quarterback for the graduated Derek Falor. The Bobcats will also be looking to replace a pair of running backs in Mike Martens and Lynn Meyer.

Martens was the Peru State rushing leader with 1,237 yards.

Juniors John Noojin and Nate Jeter will be looking to fill the void at running back.

Defensively, the Bobcats are hoping to cut down on their opponent’s third down efficiency. Defensive line and linebacking play will likely be key in that effort.

Five players return to vie for four positions on the defensive line. Alex Meredith, a Lourdes grad and senior, joins junior Derek Derr and senior Dustin Sealey at the linebacker spots.

The defensive backfield will be looking to replace a pair of four-year starters in Tyler DeBuhr and Dan Strobel.

Max Kathol, a junior from Plattsmouth, will handle the kickoff duties and Zach Kolhloff, a junior from Corning, Iowa, will be the punter.