Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Members of the 2015 Kimball football team, pictured front row, from left, are: Jacob Walker, Izaac Glanz, Jake Jenkins, Greg Wilke, Aroon Flores, Toby McManigal, Andrew McCloud, Jaren Winstrom and Jordan McGinnis. Pictured, second row, from left, are: Zane Anthony, Jaden Mohr, Colton Mielke, Luis Portillo, Kole Bush, Grant Hickman, Izaac Reuter, Brady Kilgore and Corey Travis. Pictured, third row, from left, are: Eric Escajeda, Angel Flores, Sam Tussing, Kyle Spicer, Logan Stahla, Tyler Magninie, Dakota Flores and Derrick Soto. Pictured, back row, from left, are: Robert Morrow, James Merryfield, Jaden Withrow, Ethan Land, Ryan Soper, Byron Rowley, Paycen Harroun, Trent Rutledge, Dalton Pruett, Preston Booty and Creg Barker. Not pictured: Cody Kirby.
The Kimball football team lost a lot of talent from its 2014 team, but coach Nick Kuxhausen sees reasons for optimism about his 2015 squad.
"We have got a lot of really good talent this year," Kuxhausen said.
There are 38 players on the team this year, with eight seniors. Four of those seniors have been playing on the team their entire high school career, which provides for some much-needed experience.
The Longhorns went 6-3 overall last year and 4-1 in district play.
Looking at this season, there will be plenty of new faces all over the field and a few old faces in new places. Gone are the school's all-time leading rusher in Jonathan Withrow, who led the team with 1,345 yards on the ground and 14 scores a year ago. The Horns will also have to replace signalcaller Colton Stull, who threw for 627 yards and five scores, and top receiver Michael Ferguson (18 receptions, 263 yards).
Senior Tyler Magninie shifts from the receiver corps to under center for this season. He took a few snaps at the position in varsity action a year ago and completed 1-of-3 passes for 32 yards.
Kuxhausen is pleased with his play to this point.
"He has really been stepping up to the plate," Kuxhausen said.
Jaden Withrow looks to replace his older brother in the backfield this season. He rushed for 313 yards, which was second in the team, in a reserve role a year ago. He also scored one touchdown.
In the receiving game, the Longhorns also have some experience in tight end Trent Rutledge, running back Jaden Withrow and receiver Angel Flores. Rutledge had six catches for 121 yards and a score last season, while Withrow caught six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Flores added three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Longhorns lost six of their top 10 leading tacklers from a year ago. They will rely heavily on Jaden Withrow, the junior who led the team with 73 tackles in 2014 in addition to 5.5 tackles for a loss and one interception.
Senior Ethan Land also figures to play a prominent role defensively after recording 58 tackles and a team-high three interceptions a year ago. Other leading returning tacklers include Angel Flores, who had 32 tackles and two interceptions last year, and Rutledge, who had 24 tackles, caused three fumbles and recorded 2.5 tackles for a loss.
Kuxhausen said the players are all excited, working hard and are ready to compete as they kick off the season Friday against Gordon-Rushville in a homecoming contest.