The Montezuma Braves have an overall record of 40 wins and 13 losses in their last five seasons of 8-man football.
Rather than re-BUILD, Montezuma re-LOADS.
This year’s team and their coaches and fans are looking forward to the season. Here’s one reason: When this year’s juniors were in 8th grade, they led Montezuma Junior High to an unbeaten season.
The Braves were quick and fast. They could score from anywhere on the field.
So will any part of that carry over to this year’s varsity squad?
Some of it will. Maybe quite a bit, in fact.
The Braves still have speed and quickness. And size, too. They also have guys with considerable skill sets on the varsity roster.
What they lost most of from last year was experienced receivers. But, they’ve got people who can throw and good athletes waiting to step into their moment to run out and catch.
Junior quarterback Brady Boulton (5-9, 140, jr.) passed for 1,676 yards and 31 touchdowns last season.
Seniors Garrett Watts (43 catches, 839 yards and 15 touchdowns and tight end Cruz De Jong (32 grabs, 335 yards, 6 Tds) accounted for 1,175 yards and 21 touchdowns of Boulton’s figures of 1,676 yards and 31 scores.
But the Braves are confident they will uncover ways of putting the ball in the end zone.
Last year, Boulton’s totals of 754 yards and 17 touchdowns led the Braves’ rushers.
Fullback Brett Plants (5-10, 210) was next with 618 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Running back Broox Stockman rushed for 299 yards, a 4.6 average and 3 scores.
Defensively, the Braves return experience all over the field.
Linebacker Stockman led with 74 tackles inluding 41 solos.
Defensive back Carter Michalek had 50.5 stops. David Rose had 54.5 tackles, with 41 solo stops.
At 6-5, Briar Simpson adds leverage to the defense. So does 6-3, 190-pound Breck Simpson at tight end and linebacker.
Brett Plants, 37.5 stops and 16 solos, and Braxton Plants, 25.0 tackles, 11 solos, add some sock to the middle of the defense.
Boulton is a threat as a kickoff and punt returner and so is Rose.
Luke Erselius kicked off 73 times and helped provide the Braves with great field position. He also had a 33.7 average on punts.
The Braves don’t have a stat category for offensive lineman we can publish, but center Houston Van Roekel (6-0, 240), tight ends Breck Simpson (6-3, 190), Lars Taylor (5-11, 160), Max Anderson (6-2, 205) and offensive lineman Briar Simpson (6-5, 195), will leave marks.
Junior quarterback Luke Brennan completed 18-of-21 passes for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns last season.
Erselius, an athletic 5-10, 160-pound junior, is a player whose name could come up quickly and often as a wide receiver.
Isaac Wedgewood (6-1, 215) and Blake Smith (5-9, 220) and Owen DeRochers (5-10, 165) will add some power to both lines.
There also are five sophomores (listed below) who could work their way into some varsity action.
FIRST GAME – Is Friday, Aug. 23, vs. HLV/Tri-County, at HLV. The Braves won last year’s matchup 64-6 in Montezuma.
SENIORS
Carter Michalek, WR/DB, 5-6, 130
David Rose, WR/DB, 5-9. 145
Max Anderson, TD/LB, 6-2, 205
Brett Plants, RB/LB, 5-10, 210
Breck Simpson, TD/LB, 6-3, 190
Lars Taylor, TE/LB, 5-11, 160
Houston Van Roekel, OL/DL, 6-0, 240
Briar Simpson, OL/DL, 6-5, 195
JUNIORS
Brady Boulton, QB/DB, 5-9, 140
Luke Brennan, QB/DB, 5-7, 125
Owen DesRochers, OL/DL, 5-10, 165
Luke Erselius, WR/DB, 5-10, 160
Broox Stockman, RB/LB, 5-7, 155
Braxton Plants, OL/DL, 5-9, 205
Isaac Wedgewood, OL/DL, 6-1, 215
Blake Smith, OL/DL, 5-9, 220
SOPHOMORES
Easton Hudnut, WR/DB, 5-11, 140
Beau Young, OL/DL, 5-5, 140
Rett Pargeon, QB/LB, 5-11, 145
Dane Strong, RB/LB, 6-0, 195
Evan Haughey, OL/DL, 5-10, 170
COACHES
Head – John Beck
Assistant – Michael Lyons
Assistant – Partner Maschmann
Assistant – Cal Smith
(This roster was published before fall practice began, so there could be some adjustments).
Returning varsity stats leaders
Passing – Brady Boulton, 122-for-206 (.592), 1,676 yards, 31 touchdowns, 4 interceptions. Luke Brennan, 18-for-21 (.857), 156 yards, 3 touchdowns, no interceptions.
Rushing – Boulton, 107-754 (7.0), 17 touchdowns. Brett Plants, 86-618 (7.2), 9 touchdowns. Broox Stockman 69-299 (4.6), 3 touchdowns.
Receiving – Brett Plants, 14-147, (10.5), one touchdown. Broox Stockman, 16-160 (10.0), 4 touchdowns.
Tackles – Stockman 74 total, with 41 solo; Carter Michalek, 50.5 with 29 solo; Rose, 54.5 total, with 41 solo; Briar Simpson, 35.0 with 15 solo; Brett Plants, 37.5, with 16 solo; Braxton Plants, 25.0 with 11 solo.
Interceptions – Boulton 4, Brennan 2, Stockman 1.
Kickoff returns – Boulton 8-151, Rose 5-133.
Punt returns – Boulton 5-83, one touchdown; Rose 3-20.
Kicking – Luke Erselius 73 kickoffs for 2,556 yards, 4 touchbacks and 1-3 on PAT kicks.
Punts – Luke Erselius 6-202 (33.7).