By John Beck
Braves Head Football Coach
The boys did a really good job this summer. We lifted 4 days a week and had around 35 guys from 7-12 grade showing up on average.
The coaching staff for all sports really do a great job of supporting our athletes. We had 7 coaches there most days from all our sports at Montezuma.
We really are proud the progress our athletes made this summer in preparation for their various sports.
On the football side of things this summer, we had our skills and drills multiple times a week and competed in a 5-on-5 passing day over at Baxter. I was very pleased with our progress and it really helped us as we moved into camp.
We have had a very productive start to camp as we move into our week zero-game week against HLV. I am very happy with our numbers; we really do have a good balance of upper and lower classmen.
We have 7 seniors, 8 juniors, 10 sophomores and 8 freshmen. I am also very happy with how our positional breakdown is because we have a good balance of skill guys and linemen. This balance has allowed for us to really compete in camp.
Offense
On offense we have settled into our roles. Brady Boulton has taken over the quarterback spot and has really developed in his decision-making and throwing.
Brett Plants and Broox Stockman have taken a lot of the reps at our tailback spot. These are both guys that have played for us in that spot last year and both have really taken a step forward.
With our wide receivers and tight ends have had some great competition. Garrett Watts leads the team here and we are looking for a big year out of him. Cruz DeJong started at the tight spot last year and we look for him to fill our slot receiver spot this year.
Alex Black has had a great off-season and has really taken hold of our tight end spot this year.
Guys like Kenny Criswell, David Rose, Carter Michalek, and Breck Simpson all have impressed and improved and will look to get reps at the various spots there.
Up front we have had a good competition. Tod Geiger will lead the group and we are very excited to see what he can do. Houston Van Roekel is another returning starter on the line and has made some good progress.
Landon Morrison is another guy we have had start up front and has done a very nice job for us in camp.
We are also liking what we see out of Braxton Plants and Briar Simpson. Both will see rep on the OL.
Defense
Defensivey we have a lot returning and are again liking how things are shaping up.
In our secondary we have three guys who have made starts with Carter Michalek, David Rose and Brady Boulton. All three have had good camps.
Along with them Kenny Criswell and Luke Erselius have taken reps and have made some nice plays.
Our linebacker have taken a step forward with Brett Plants and Broox Stockman seeing a lot of reps last year. They both have had a very good camp for us.
Cruz DeJong, Garrett Watts, Luke Erselius and Lars Taylor all have taken reps for us in camp for our last linebacking spot. I am pleased with all thier efforts and excited to see who will come out with the job.
I expect all of them to see some reps here and there as we do rotate a lot of guys in and out within our games. On the defensive line we will again be led by Tod Geriger and Landon Morrison. Both played extremely well for us last year and we are looking to see good things out of them this year.
I am also liking what I am seeing out of Braxton Plants, Breck Simpson, Briar Simpson, Alex Black and Houston VanRoekel. They have all been very productive for us in their roles and I look to see them rotate in and out up front.
Our kicking and punting duties have a good race going between Garrett Watts and Max Anderson. Both could kick or punt for us and have put together a good camp in that department.
Overall I am very pleased with our development this year and we are excited to get going agaisnt HLV.
I have also been very pleased with our younger guys. They have done a good job of running the offense and defense and learning with a positive attitude. They don’t have a glamorous job after the season starts doing scout for us but it is critical and I really want to thank them for that. We have had some really good looks from them in preparation for the season.
First foe: HLV-Tri-County
The Braves fought with the Trojans last year, winning 42-32 after leading by just one point at halftime. The Braves’ Owen Cook ran for two touchdowns and threw for two in that one.
HLV’s only win a year ago was over Tri-County, and this year the two shools have a sharing agreement so they will be one team. There are 23 players on the single team’s roster to start the season.
HLV normally has a physical, run-oriented style, but last year gained most of its yardage through the air.
This Week Zero game starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, at Badger-Gabiel Field.