Written by: Will Hoenike
Want a tough job? Be “the guy after the guy.”
That might be the story of the 2022 Prairie Pirates. And not just because highly-respected and highly-successful head coach Ryan Hasselstrom stepped down after 21 years with the program.
The guy, so to speak, after the guy in that role is T.T. Cain, the former head coach at Challis High School. Cain was an assistant at Prairie last season, so he comes into the role with 1A Division 1 coaching experience as well as knowledge and understanding of the Prairie program. Helping him out as assistant coaches are two former Pirate players – Tanner Ross and Hayden Uhlenkott – which should help ease the transition as well.
The guy after the guy has been happening on the field for years. The Pirates have won four state championships since 2008 and have been in the mix for multiple others, so they’ve consistently been replacing top-shelf talent and players have continued to step up. So who is next?
Who steps up for veteran quarterback/defensive back Lane Schumacher? Options exist in senior Colton McElroy and also sophomore Eli Hinds.
Who replaces all-state running back and reigning Whitepine Player of the Year Brody Hasselstom? Junior Trenton Lorentz could earn that nod. As could sophomore Jake Quintal. Sophomore Noah Geis may get an opportunity as well.
Who replaces highly-productive (and some would argue highly-underrated) back Tayden Hibbard? See above. What about replacing big-play receiver Wyatt Ross? There are candidates, who seizes the opportunity and runs with it?
Cain expects to run the ball this fall and does have a strong, experienced offensive front to lead the way. Senior guard Shane Hanson was a first team all-conference selection last fall while junior center Noah Behler received honorable mention accolades. Sophomore Carter Shears looks to have the inside track on the other guard position.
“We will have to replace a talented group of backfield skill players from last season,” Cain said. “We will need to make improvements in those positions starting this fall. Look to see a strong skilled group of underclassmen making this transition.”
The Prairie offense has been a well-oiled machine for several seasons. Dating back to the 2012 season, the Pirates have been held to single-digits on the scoreboard just two times: once in 2017 and once in 2012. Both times on the road at Genesee. In that same timeframe, Prairie has topped 50 points a whopping 65 times, including 21 such games of at least 70 points.
On defense, the Pirates will be looking for a fresh group of playmakers as well but Cain and his staff believe they have the pieces to get the job done.
“Our focus, mindset, strength, and priority are being fundamentally sound, physical, and a disciplined defensive squad with gap control being a priority,” Cain explained. “With an emphasis on each player executing their responsibility and knowing where their help is, while getting eight helmets to the ball.”
Again, Hanson will be a key figure up front at defensive end with Shears next to him at defensive tackle. Behler, Quintal, and sophomore Tristan Mader will fill roles at linebacker with McElroy, Hinds, and junior Ben Elven competing for playing time in the secondary. Lorentz will figure in to the Pirate defense as well, too, but that could be as a pass-rusher along the line or a pass-defender in the secondary.
“As a new coach coming in to an established football program, I am most excited to have the opportunity to work with our coaching staff and getting to know each player on this team as an individual, teammate, and student-athlete,” Cain concluded. “Our main focus will be to develop and prepare the players to meet our goals and objectives in terms of playing at a high level and executing at all positions while moving the program ahead at an expected high level.”
With history as a guide, expect Cain and the Pirates to find success being the guy after the guy in 2022.