Coaching staff:
Jim Hagen, Robbie Smazal, Logan Rosemeyer, Jimmy Flink, Mike Sazama, Henry Sanchez, Cody Meyer
Key returners:
Ivan Haemer – senior running back and linebacker
Braxton Meyer – senior offensive and defensive lineman
Gavin Voss – junior running back and defensive end
Erik Martinez – senior linebacker
Jacob Hoppe – junior offensive lineman
Key newcomers:
Tayt Smith – junior quarterback
Brody Viegut – junior running back and linebacker
Caden Kleparski – senior wide receiver and defensive back
Frankie Castro – senior tight end and linebacker
Moises Fuentes – senior offensive and defensive lineman
Tanner Halopka – senior linebacker
Cooper Klemetson – senior offensive and defensive lineman
Luis Nava Rojas – senior offensive and defensive lineman
Caige Swacker – sophomore offensive and defensive lineman
Colton Orth – sophomore running back and linebacker
Brennan Geiger – sophomore running back and linebacker
Hunter Reynolds – junior offensive and defensive lineman
Tristen Smazal – sophomore offensive lineman and linebacker
Hayden Kaiser – junior wide receiver and defensive back
Tucker Hayes – junior tight end and defensive lineman
Braiden Johnson – junior wide receiver and defensive back
Bryan Camargo – junior kicker
Conference outlook:
Marawood Conference will be solid once again like it is year in and year out. I think Edgar looks like the team to beat as they return a wealth of talent at the skill positions and they typically have a strong and solid offensive and defensive line.
Keys to your success this season:
We lost a great deal of seniors from last year’s team so we don’t have a lot of starters back and we will lack experience in many positions.
Offensively, we will have a lot of talent at the skill positions, especially running back. Leading the way will be senior Ivan Haemer who has the potential to be outstanding. Juniors Gavin Voss and Brody Viegut will see a lot of touches also. We have a junior quarterback Tayt Smith who doesn’t have much varsity experience but as he builds confidence, he throws a really nice ball. A huge part of our success will depend on the offensive line and if we can establish our run game, that will certainly help open up the pass game. The offensive line will be anchored by senior Braxton Meyer and junior Jacob Hoppe, who both have a wealth of experience.
Defensively, we have historically had a really strong defense and this year we have potential to be good again but it may take some time as we don’t have a lot of experience returning. The defensive line will be is an integral part of any defense and we have to be able to control the line of scrimmage so our talented group of linebackers can make plays. We don’t have a lot of experience in the defensive backfield so they will have to grow up really fast in our man to man coverage scheme and we just cannot give up the big pass play.
We need to keep guys healthy as we don’t have the depth that we have had in the past many years. There will be a lot of starters who will be playing both ways along with special teams. With the speed we have our special teams could play a key role in our success.
Behind the scenes: Who are some of the people that help your program succeed?
The assistant coaches in our program have a wealth of knowledge and watch a lot film which really helps prepare our players for Friday nights. You also need individuals to help with stats on the sideline along with individuals to film the game, both from the pressbox and endzone. Our trainer Maddie Oleksy has been with the School District of Colby for many years and she has been instrumental on keeping our players healthy and getting them back to play in a safe and timely manner. She definitely takes a lot of stress off of coaches when dealing with injuries and parents. Waterboys are also needed during practice and especially games and they work so hard to keep our players hydrated, etc. Parents and guardians play a huge part in the success getting their child to practice and believing in the coaching staff.
Coach’s comments: anything else you’d like to share?
I am looking forward to this season like I do every year. I am excited about the group of players we have and the athleticism and work ethic. I believe that we have the talent to compete for a conference championship and hopefully make the play-offs for the 17 year in a row, but time will tell.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
