[jetpilot]

Sky is the limit with this group. They return everyone except one Senior. Big, Strong and now experienced line anchored by junior center Caden Slater who reminds me of his predecessor, Logan Coleman. A Senior QB playmaker in Connor Roberts whose confidence only seemed to grow as the season progressed last season. You’d be hard pressed to find a more gifted receiver corps in 1A than Jackson Hensley, Christian Billiter, Seth Pugh, and Campbell Dawahare who returns after suffering an ACL injury in preseason practice last year. This group presents a serious matchup nightmare. Hensley and Billiter have the size and speed to victimize DBs at will. Pugh has the height and hands to be a serious threat in the red zone. Dawahare out of the slot has the speed to get behind LBs and make the tough catches to keep the sticks moving. Zach Roberts took a step forward @ RB last year and I look for more of the same this year.

Defensively it’s more of the same: Speed and Athleticism at every position. Jessie Sparks and Bull Hunter anchor the D-Line. Caden Caudill and Conner Wright should continue to be forces @ Linebacker. Billiter, Hensley and Dawahare will be playmakers @ DB.


Special Teams will see Tanner Hamilton @ K who had a good season last year and Seth Pugh continue to handle punting duties which he improved at last season.


Coaching: We have the best in the State in 1A w/ Coach Mac and a staff that every bit as good top to bottom as any we’ve had since the late ‘80s/ Early ‘90s.

What has always impressed me about this group from the time they were in Little League is their competitiveness and that showed last year in the playoffs as they gained valuable experience and improved from a 1-4 start to ending a last second field goal away from going to Kroger Field. Now that team is all back a year older and stronger. Add in a incoming Freshman class who finished as the State Runner-Up in Jr High last season with a couple of players who could see the field a little bit, especially on Special Teams. That gives you something that even the best 1A teams would kill for: Depth!
I know anything can happen and I’m not sizing the rings up yet by any stretch. But it’s hard to not be excited about this season.

Great post HP! Is Watkins going to be back? Another speedy, excellent receiver, and excellent defensive player as well.