The football Braves lost quarterback Owen Cook to graduation – and that was huge. He was prolific as a quarterback and place kicker. In one game alone, counting his kickoff distances, he set Baxter back more than 1,000 yards!
But, Montezuma does have some numbers producers back. And, as always happens in high school ball, others will emerge as their roles are changed from last year.
The Braves’ primary deep threat returns in 6-2, 170 pound senior Garrett Watts. He caught 52 passes last season, for 1,163 yards, 22 touchdowns and a 22.4 yards per completion average.
Montezuma also returns running back Brett Plants, who rushed for 903 yards on 134 carries, a 6.7 average, and 8 touchdowns.
Plants also caught 17 passes for 157 yards and 2 scores.
Tight end Cruz De Jong is back. He caught 12 passes for 218 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Another rushing threat was Broox Stockman, who gained 295 yards on 39 carries. He scored 3 touchdowns, and averaged 7.6 yards per attempt.
Plants, a linebacker, led Montezuma with 70.0 tackles last year, including 50 solo stops.
Defensive back Carter Michalek had 50.0 tackles, 21 of them solos.
Brady Boulton had 28 stops, 21 of them solo tackles. Boulton also returned 14 kickoffs for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, and returned a recovered fumble 70 yards for a score.
Defensive lineman Tod Geiger had 25.5 tackles, including 16 solo stops. Linebacker Broox Stockman was in on 21 tackles, including 12 solo stops.
We’ll have to wait and see who emerges in Montezuma’s kicking game.
