Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The Kimball Longhorn football team are pictured from front left, Zane Anthony, Blane Rhode, Javon Coyle, Jacob Withrow and Uziel Flores. Second row is Izaak Rhode, Austin Lulf, Thomas Muldoon, Toby McManigal, Christian Allen-Van Pelt, Jake Jenkins and Ethan Greenwood. Third row is Xavier Wells, Brayden Tyan, Jared Barnes, Beau Hanks, Corey Travis, Luis Portillo and Izaac Reuter.
In Kimball's first year playing 8 man football, and listed as D-1 in the district, Ben Aarestad returns for his second year as Longhorn's head football coach with more than 15 years of coaching experience under his belt. Aarestad is joined by assistant coaches Jarrod Williams and David Hellman and a team of just 19 all working to improve on last year's 0-9 record.
The team graduated two key players, Paycen Harroun and Kole Bush, but they return five starters in the first year of eight-man play for the team.
Returning starters include Corey Travis, a 5'10 senior offensive/defensive lineman and senior Zane Anthony, a 5'8 wide receiver and defensive back.
"I expect Zane Anthony and Corey Travis to have big seasons and lead us in many stats. They should be able to provide us with the leadership that we need," Aarestad said.
Izaac Reuter, a 6' senior returns as quarterback and linebacker, senior Jake Jenkins, a 5'7 running back and defensive back and junior Ethan Greenwood, 5'10, returns as an offensive and defensive lineman.
Aarestad plans to use Anthony a lot this coming year and Reuter will be expected to run more than he did last season.
"Corey has had a great off season and I think he is in for a good year," Aarestad said. "Ethan needs to have a big year as a DL and Jake is one of five guys that could be our primary ball carrier."
Additionally, the team returns three sophomore lettermen in Ethan Ratzlaff, Beau Hanks and Christian Allen Van Pelt.
Ratzlaff is expected to play as a linebacker and running back, Hanks will be a defensive and tight end and Allen Van Pelt will be a wide receiver and defensive back.
Four upperclassmen return to the gridiron this year as promising newcomers.
Seniors Toby McManigal and Luis Portillo will join the team as offensive and defensive linemen, junior Brayden Tyan joins as a running back and linebacker and junior Jacob Withrow will play wide receiver and defensive back.
"Toby McManigal is a natural leader and will provide stability to us during the season," he said."
Aarestad wants to see a change in attitude and efforts this year with increased belief in themselves and trust in their teammates.
"I think we have a few good offensive lineman and a few running backs that can have a good season. We have some skilled kids that can do some good things if we can get them the ball in space and have our offensive lineman open up some holes for them," Aarestad said. "We need to learn how to compete and believe that we can do things. We need a few more guys stepping up on defense and be physical and play. We need to get better in practice each day and have some sort of success early to give us some confidence early in the season."