Written by: Brandon Baney
The Whitepine League teemed with youth in 2024. The quartet of Deary, Genesee, Lewis County and Timberline featured some outstanding seniors, to be sure, but there were also several juniors, sophomores and even freshmen that saw valuable time on the field. It led to a steep learning curve at times, but with one more year of seasoning under everyone’s belts, all four head coaches are hopeful that their team can excel with more consistency in 2025.
DEARY
The Mustangs walked the tightrope in 2024, finishing 4-5 overall and 3-0 in the Whitepine League. Deary averaged 33.1 points per game but allowed 29.1, for a point differential of just four points per game. In 8-man terms, that’s two two-point conversions, which creates a very low margin for error.
That margin for error reared its head in a narrow 28-20 loss at home to Cascade in the opening round of the 1A playoffs, an ending that has head coach Tim Olson sweating the small stuff in 2025.
“A true focus on the little tings is going to be key with this group,” Olson says. “There is a lot of talent, but without discipline and a true desire to get all the little things done right, we will not reach our goals.”
If focusing on the details is top priority for Olson, finding a replacement for running back/defensive back TJ Beyer and fullback/linebacker Dawson Bovard is priority number two.
“TJ did everything for us last year,” Olson says. “He carried the workload on offense and was near the top of the team in total tackles. He was also our most vocal and emotional leader. If he got going and was all amped up, the team followed suit!”
As for Bovard, Olson says, “Dawson was a steady presence on offense, especially lead blocking and opening some massive running lanes. He started on defense as a freshman and continued to improve each year. We’re going to miss his experience and leadership on the defensive side of the ball.”
But with only two starters gone to graduation, six starters return on each side of the ball. On offense, all three linemen, senior Jerrod Bartlett, junior Blake Clark and sophomore Kohen Griffin, return, as do senior wide receivers Nolan Hubbard and Jacob Mechling. Sophomore Jarrett Keen will quarterback the offense after a promising freshman season.
“We came more efficient as the year went on, but I would really like to see our passing game become more consistent – both in the straight drop-back and play-action game,” Olson says. “With the experience of our offensive line, we should be able to run the ball very well and set up our play-action pass. We just need to capitalize on it when the play is there to be made!”
He adds, “We also want to protect the ball a little better. It wasn’t a huge issue, but every possession counts in close playoff games, and we suffered the consequences of some turnovers late in the season.”
Defensively, Deary will rely upon Clark and Griffin at defensive end, and Hubbard and Mechling in the secondary. Varsity newcomers Rowdy Stettler, Cooper Dammerman and Alex Giomi will all compete for playing time at linebacker.
Overall, optimism is high for Deary in 2025. Olson believes this could be a special season.
“I have been coaching this group since the seniors were in 8th grade, so I think chemistry, consistency in the program, and general player development are all things I’m very excited about this year,” Olson says. “We’ve had some guys work hard in the weight room and have a ton of returning talent. If we find a few guys to fill some holes, I think we’ll be a tough test.”
GENESEE
The Bulldogs finished 3-5 overall a season, and 1-2 within the Whitepine League. But upon closer examination, you’ll note a stark change for Genesee midway through the season. After starting 3-1, with a 38-20 win over Lewis County in Whitepine play, Genesee went 0-4 on the back half of the schedule. The Bulldogs were outscored 188 to 90 during that stretch.
The only significant offseason departures were senior two-way lineman Vince Crowley, and head coach Justin Podrabsky, who left after four seasons to join Zane Hobart’s coaching staff at Lewiston High.
“Change is hard, JP has gone to Lewiston to be the offensive coordinator,” says new coach Jason Hanson. “The kids have adapted to the change, but summer workouts are different. We will work hard to end the playoff drought.”
That playoff drought extends back to 2021, and Hanson could be the perfect coach to snap it. This is Hanson’s third different stint as Genesee’s head coach, so he knows the program well. He also led Genesee to its only state championship in 2005.
Hanson has lots of returning talent to work with. Starting on offense, junior quarterback Jackson Banks returns after earning Whitepine Offensive MVP honors as a sophomore in 2024. “Jackson will have to an additional coach on the field to help us stay ahead of the chains,” says Hanson.
Junior Cameron Holmes will play running back, while senior Carson Warner-Hall and juniors Noah Bollman and Conrad Seubert will rotate at wide receiver. “Our skill guys will need to have a large impact for us to have success,” says Hanson. “We have lots of guys this year, so we need to stay fresh and keep the roster fresh.”
Sophomore Neil Jarolimek will line up at tight end, while senior Justin Leavitt, juniors Isaac McGlothen and Mason Poxleitner, and sophomore Jonas Diaz will all play on the offensive line.
All of those aforementioned names are expected to contribute on defense, as well. “We played 15 different guys on defense last year,” says Hanson. “We will need to rely on the depth of impact plays. When players are on the field, they need to make an immediate impact. When they are on the sidelines, they need to stay focused and ready for their turn.”
Leavitt, Diaz, Jarolimek, McGlothen and Poxleitner will all play on the defensive line. Warner-Hall, Holmes and Seubert will headline the linebackers. Banks and Bollman will anchor the secondary.
“We need to keep games close,” Hanson says. “We had games get away from us early and we didn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up. We will need to be more opportunistic.”
LEWIS COUNTY
For the second consecutive season, veteran coach Monty Moddrell is turning to the fountain of youth. Of the 16 players that suited up for the Eagles during last year’s 2-5 campaign, only three were seniors: tight end/defensive end Trevor Knowlton, quarterback/defensive back Aiden McLeod and linebacker Grant Ingram. “Trevor was a beast up front for us the last couple of years, but we also lost Grant and Aiden. Both were excellent leaders and offered up a lot of on-the-field leadership,” says Moddrell.
So after losing only three seniors to graduation, Lewis County is somehow younger this year?
“Unfortunately, graduation hasn’t been the only factor in losing talent,” Moddrell explains. “We have had six returners from last year not come out this year. Three moved away, one is still nursing an injury and the other two decided not to play. This year’s team is very young and we will be looking at approximately 13 players, four of which are upperclassmen.”
Junior Jace Cronce was a two-way starter last year at running back and linebacker. Fellow junior Gatlin Griffith will start at receiver and defensive back. Sophomore Slater Kuther is also back at quarterback after starting there as a freshman before getting injured.
“We are dramatically undersized so we will try to play fast on offense,” says Moddrell. “We have reasonable team speed defensively and will try to maintain edge contain with great pursuit.”
With just 13 players total, Moddrell is grateful for three freshmen that decided to try out. “They attended camp this spring and they all did very well, but it remains to be seen how they transition to varsity football,” Moddrell says.
Along those same lines, Moddrell says Lewis County’s fortunes this year can be boiled down to one word: “Health!”
TIMBERLINE
There’s no denying that Timberline boasts top-end talent. But the program has teetered on the fine line of having enough players to complete a season for the past several years. Unfortunately, the Spartans have had to forfeit games at halftime on recent occasion due to devastating injuries that deplete the roster.
“We need good health, plain and simple,” says co-head coach Pat Christopherson. “A big team for us is 12 guys, so every single player matters. Last year, we lost our starting quarterback, backup quarterback, and a freshman lineman in one game – that really set us back. Making sure we stay healthy and everyone finishes the season is absolutely critical to our success.”
If everyone can stay upright in 2025, the potential for a special season is apparent. Junior quarterback Korbin Christopherson has been starting since his freshman year, and he has two dynamic running backs to lean on in seniors Ares Mabberly and Caleb Marshal. Senior Terrin Hueth and junior Clayton Hunter will line up at receiver, and senior Parker Hodges will anchor the offensive line.
”This year, we have a great backfield – fast, explosive and with excellent hands,” says Christopherson. “Our passing is also phenomenal, with a highly intelligent quarterback and some very athletic receivers who can get downfield quickly and catch anything thrown near them.”
That speed will translate to the defensive side of the ball as well. “We’re fast and aggressive,” says Christopherson. “Attacking the ball in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage will be a key part of our identity again this year. We have some tough, hungry guys who are determined to bring home a district championship and punch that ticket to state.”
Hodges will provide a strong pass rush at defensive end, while Mabberly and Marshal will assist at linebacker. Hueth and Hunter will play cornerback, while Christopherson will man the safety position.
“We need to improve our tackling – wrapping up at the point of contact and maintaining field awareness,” says coach Christopherson. “Communication has been a struggle in the past, so we’re working on getting our leaders to step up and truly lead on the field.”
Those senior leaders have all been playing since their freshman year. It’s led to some lump-taking and some growing pains, but coach Christopherson is excited for their final hurrah.
“I’m excited about this group finally coming of age,” he says. “They’ve been through ups and downs over the past few years, and they’re stronger, faster, and more mature. Most importantly, they’re hungry. The chemistry is there, and it feels like everything is finally clicking.”
TROY
The Troy Trojans have fallen on hard times. Troy hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2016, hasn’t posted a winning record since a 5-4 ledger in 2019, and have gone 7-34 in the five seasons since. The Trojans, normally a participant in the 2A Whitepine League, will be playing a 1A Whitepine schedule instead this year in an effort to jumpstart their program.