It wasn’t long ago Reeds Spring was battling to be a winning team. The last half decade have turned that all around as the Wolves put up 10 wins last season and were once again on the verge of a district title.
Head Coach: Lance Gosch (3rd year)
2015 Record: 10-2 (lost to Aurora in district championship)
Players to Watch: Korey Robinette (Sr. RB/DB), Keenan Haynes (Sr. FB/S), J.P. Gardner (Sr. QB/S)
If the Wolves are to match last year’s success they’ll need to do it with a lot of new faces. Third year head coach Lance Gosch has 17 starting spots to replace, but feels like the next generation of players, including 17 seniors, are eager to match the success of their predecessors.
“We’ve had a little success and we’ve had great senior leadership and I think our younger kids have learned from our older kids and it’s been a nice progression,” said Gosch.
Replacing the young men in the trenches will be the key; four starting lineman and all four linebackers graduated this spring.
FULL LIST OF FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Skill won’t be a problem. Quarterback Nick Haddock and running back Colton Pomeroy are gone, but a trio of playmakers are ready to step up in their absence.
“I think we’re talented, we have some skills, just a lot of kids that haven’t played on a Friday night. This summer has been good for us.”
Senior Keenan Haynes is the leading returning rusher and will be moving over from halfback to fullback. Haynes, who is also a key to the Wolves defense at safety, will get a lot of touches along with senior running back Korey Robinette.
“Korey is extremely talented,” said Gosch. “We’re going to try to find ways to get the ball in his hands as many times as we can. He’s a tremendous worker, he’s a great leader; he doesn’t say a lot, but just by his effort. He’s got tremendous athletic ability and he’s a great kid. He’s got the trifecta.”
Running Gosch’s flexbone offense will be new starter, but a player with plenty of experience. J.P. Gardner has been patiently awaiting his time to lead the Wolves offense and Gosch believes he’s more than ready to step into the shoes vacated by the all-conference performer, Haddock.
“He learned a lot and has worked hard in the offseason,” said Gosch. “He does a really good job of running our offense, reading the option. He’s got a nice arm, so we’re expecting him to pick things up and take us where we need to go.”
It will be a learning process, but Gosch hopes his team grows up fast.
“We don’t have the size we’ve had in the past, but we’ve got some athletic ability that will hopefully cover up for some of that.”
And the Wolves will need to grow up fast as they host 13-time consecutive COC Small champ Bolivar week 3.
“Bolivar is the one to get until somebody gets them and that’s what we’re working toward.”
Reeds Spring opens the 2016 campaign Fri. Aug. 19 hosting Mt Vernon.
