Photo By Clayton Bunt - # 19 Cooper Hewett
Written By: Sven Alskog
Kendrick was young last year, which is hard to remember considering that the team went 9-1 and reached the state semifinals.
“We return every single player from a season ago,” said head coach Zane Hobart. “Not many teams in the state of Idaho have that luxury, especially after coming off a season where you make a state semifinal appearance a year before. And as always, [I’m excited] just to see the kid’s progression from the year before, and to watch all that team work in the weight room pay off.”
A trio of First Team All-League performers will be key to how far the team can go.
“We will once again rely heavily on our run game of Cooper Hewett, Chase Burke and Alex Sneve. These three were quite the triple threat last year in the backfield. We will open up our passing game in comparison from last year and let quarterback Alex Sneve take a few more shots downfield after last season transitioning to quarterback. We are always just looking to get our best athletes into space,” added Hobart.
To add even more to worry about for opposing defenses, Hewett has also added 15 pounds of muscle to give him a power element to go along with the speed that he already possessed.
In addition to the dynamic trio, linemen Donald Morgan, Tavien Goldsberry, Maison Anderson and Preston Boyer should all make major impacts as well. Aiden McCollum and Talon Alexander are a couple pieces to watch for at tight end.
Morgan is one player in particular who has impressed his head coach this offseason.
“Donald Morgan has shown tremendous growth. He kind of put himself on the map last year and was seen as the real deal at times. I still thought he had a ton of opportunity for improvement and is nowhere near his capability. He has worked hard in the offseason and looks great physically and has increased his foot speed and strength tremendously.”
For a team that has made the playoffs in each of the last five years, this group is sure to be ready for the high expectations that will come with having all of the returners in place.
The extra year of experience will only help.
“Simply said, this is the exact same team that will be bigger, faster, stronger and have ten games of varsity experience and a state playoff run under their belt,” added Hobart.
While the offense put up over 50 points in all but two games a year ago, the defense still has some room to grow, something which they appear ready to do.
If the Tigers are to make a run at a state championship, the big guys up front might have a lot to do with it.
“I think our defensive success will be up front. Last year we struggled at times with some youth up front, but return all of our starters at defensive end and nose tackle. I am hoping that our struggles in this area pay off from last season after all three have their first varsity season under their belt,” said Hobart.
He says if the lines on both sides of the ball can pick up where they left off last year and add more physicality that a lot of good things can happen. Hobart noted that having each player back in the same spot should help in that regard.
Chad Facey and Jack Silflow were listed as incoming freshmen who have the ability to make big impacts during their high school careers as well.
The Tigers get the season started on August 30 with a road game at Kamiah.