By Chris Parker
Cole Camp football won nine games for the first time since 2014 last season. The Blue Birds finished as district runner-up.
They graduated a talented senior class that included six all-district players.
“(We) have to have players step up and replace the starters lost,” Cole Camp head coach Kevin Shearer said. “(It is) going to be tough to do. (We) lost a great group of seniors.”
Reid Harrison and Grady Strathman return after earning all-district honors last season. Harrison earned his honors as a returner and defensive back and Strathman as a running back.
Harrison, who is the reigning state champion in the 100-meter dash in Class 2, had 82 carries for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned first-team all-state honors as a returner and second-team all-state honors as a defensive back.
“Reid is fast with or without pads. He is a game changer anytime he is on the field. He is a muscular athlete with great speed and an even better work ethic,” Shearer said. “(He is) the most coachable kid I have ever coached. Reid’s only weakness is that he could be more verbal, but he sets the example with every rep in practice and plays the game at full speed. (He) only has one gear.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
Strathman brings great vision and a good center of gravity. He will see more carries this year after carrying the ball 86 times for 600 yards last season.
Grant Rodriguez will be the team’s full back.
Gentry Dieckman takes over as the team’s quarterback after the graduation of Ethan Shearer. Ethan Shearer rushed for 1,639 yards and 27 touchdowns while throwing for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. Dieckman is six-foot-five with a big arm.
Dalton Brandt and Conner Petersen will be at wide receiver. Matthew Bright will bring his six-foot-three frame to the tight end position.
Peyton Webb earned all-conference honors last season on the offensive line and returns to anchor that unit.
“I am proud to have him (Webb),” Shearer said. “He has developed into a great lineman and leader.”
Xzander Mantonya (senior), Cody DeWitt (senior), Peyton Webb (senior), Bryar Leach (sophomore), Colton Thompson (junior), Dawson Brandt (senior) and Evan Corpening (freshman) will all be in the mix on the offensive line.
Defensively, many players will go both ways.
The defensive line will feature Jayden Begshaw, Xzander Montonya, Peyton Webb, Bryar Leach and Dawson Brandt. Grant Rodriguez, Matthew Bright, Adam Larson, Kolby Bohon and Cody DeWitt will be linebackers. Harrison will anchor the secondary with Grady Stratman, Conner Petersen, Dalton Brandt and Teagan Sharp.
Cole Camp will travel to Versailles on Aug. 18 for a jamboree before opening the regular season on Aug. 25 at Wellington-Napoleon.
“I think this team will come on as the year goes and could be a force in the end of the season,” Shearer said.
