Montezuma High School’s football coaches greeted 33 varsity candidates on Aug. 11 when practices began for the school’s eight-man football season.
The first game is on Friday, Aug. 29, at Springville, a new team in the district.
The Braves have had a run of success in eight-man ball. They were 10-2 last year and reached the second round of the playoffs. They’re 44-12 over the last five seasons.
It’s rare to say that a high school team is experienced after having a 10-2 season. But, it can be said about the Braves because of Coach John Beck’s practice of using as many players as is reasonably possible in Friday night games.
This year’s seniors were unbeaten as eighth graders, when they featured speed.
Speed remains. Size has developed in addition to that speed. And the Braves should get underclass help from groups that have numbers and elements of athleticism.
Beck has 8 seniors in camp, 6 juniors, 6 sophomores – and 13 freshmen.
Back for his senior year at quarterback is Buddy Boulton who completed 90 of 170 passes for 1,367 yards and 18 touchdown.
A speedy and cat-quick signal-caller, Boulton also rushed for 1,104 yards om 132 carries and scored 17 touchdowns.
Running back Broox Stockman gained 1,014 yards on 139 carries, good for 7.3 yards per carry. He ran for 23 touchdowns.
Rett Pargeon gained 175 yards on 17 carries, averaged 7.4 per rush and scored three touchdowns.
Backup fullback Dane Strong rushed 15 times for 141 yards and scored four times.
The Braves graduated most of their receiving corps. Top returnee is Stockman, who caught 6 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
The Braves will look to their younger players to fill spots as receivers.
Linebacker Stockman is quick and led the team with 85 tackles, including 49 solo.
Chris Brennan had 21.5 stops, including 17 solo, and Pargeon had 18.5 tackles, including 17 solo. He also an efficient backup to Boulton at quarterback, as was Pargeon.
Springville went 6-4 last year and lost to traditional power Don Bosco in the first round of the playoffs. The Orioles have a strong senior class taking over this season.
Coach Beck’s assistant coaches are Michael Lyons, Partner Maschmann, Justin Richards and Cal Smith.