By Chris Parker & Josh Hall
East Newton welcomes in its fourth head coach in as many seasons as Broc Wolfe takes the reins. Previous head coach Jamie LaSalle took the same job in his hometown of Miller.
The Patriots won three games last season, and Wolfe is hoping to build on that three-win campaign in his first year.
“Ultimately (we want to) build off the positive energy with some of the wins from last year and just kind of continuing that. Like I said, the energy is the big thing, just trying to progress all that positive energy they had last year to this season and actually go a little bit farther – kind of be a big surprise in the Big 8 this year and try to compete with everyone we play,” Wolfe said.
That positive energy has shown in the numbers out for the East Newton program in the early going.
“We’ve had a great summer; we’ve had a great turnout. I think we’ve already had 40 to 45 kids check out gear, which is 10 to 15 more than last year,” Wolfe said.
East Newton graduated five players that garnered all-conference honors last season.
Brett Pendergraft is the lone returning all-conference player after he earned honorable mention status as a defensive back. Pendergraft along with Sam Stewart will be looked to in the backfield.
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Senior Isiah Stewart and sophomore Jeremiah Stewart will each see some reps at quarterback.
Dustin McDermott and Sebastian Stewart will be key pieces on the edges at receiver.
The lines will be anchored by seniors Brayden Clouse, Caleb Coffey and Zack Whittlesey. Coffey will be looked to as a tight end on offense.
There is a lot of competition for playing time in the early going of Wolfe’s first season, which he sees a good thing.
“We want to breed more competition. I told them from Day 1, no one is guaranteed a starting spot right now. Every day you have to battle. We haven’t finalized any depth chart. Every day, it’s competition. It’s a battle. Obviously having more kids out there, you never know, ‘do I really have that job just because I played last year,’” Wolfe said.
East Newton will travel to Miller for its jamboree on Aug. 11 with the host Cardinals, Marionville and Pleasant Hope.
The Patriots open their season on Aug. 18 in Ozark against Lighthouse Christian.
