By Chris Parker
Osceola football has a new head coach in Craig Collins this season. Collins enters his 14th year coaching high school football.
“I’ve had the opportunity to coach in Utah, Oklahoma, and Missouri and classifications from 2A all the way up to 5A,” Collins said. “I was thrown into the fire a bit my first year in Cedar City, Utah with the head coach saying he liked my passion and intensity, as well as the organizational skills I brought from the Marine Corps, so he made me Special Teams Coordinator. Since then, I’ve done my best to truly learn the game by doing research, studying, and picking the brains of a lot of different guys over the years (who I’m all very grateful for). I’ve coached nearly every position as an assistant and was fortunate enough to have a few more stints as a special teams coordinator over the years and eventually worked my way to play calling on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football.”
He will take over a program that won two games last season and has not been at .500 since 2019.
“I was very blessed to have some options of schools to choose from, but in the end the intrigue and interest I’ve had with the 8-man game over the years, coupled with the package Osceola put together was just too much to turn down,” Collins said. “The chance to be head football and track coach as well as athletic director gives me an opportunity to benefit nearly every kid and teacher in the school and not just football players, so that’s what really put it over the top for me. My life goal is to serve God and serve others and after meeting some really great people during the interview process it was clear this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I couldn’t be happier or more ready to go.”
He has an experienced group to work with this season, as Osceola graduated just one player off last year’s team.
Leading rusher Sam Jones returns to the backfield. He had 202 carries for 1,191 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. On the track, Jones was the Class 2 state runner-up in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.
Kolton Garver also returns to the backfield. He had 64 carries for 278 yards in eight games last season before his year was cut short by injury.
Beau Hoeme and Kayden Brewer are also fighting for playing time at running back.
The full back position has featured junior Skylar Wohlers and freshman Rylan Gibbs so far.
Senior Bill Snider is the frontrunner for the quarterback job. He rushed for 469 yards on 117 carries last season.
“Bill Snider hasn’t had a lot of experience throwing the ball the last couple of seasons, but has shown with the work he’s willing to put in he will definitely be a huge asset in both the run and pass game this year,” Collins said.
Garver, Brewer and Kylar Mace are all in the mix at receiver.
Sophomore Devon Bloom has impressed at tight end with his size, strength and athletic ability.
The offensive line will bring size for the Indians. Seniors Tyler White, Clayton Swofford and Jaycob Young all tip the scales between 250 and 300 pounds. Sophomore Scott Bush moves well and also is sitting over 250 pounds. Juniors Isach Fleischer and Justin Faclkner will also help on the offensive line.
The team’s top two returning tacklers in Jones and Snider return at linebacker. Jones pulled down 102 tackles with 16 tackles for a loss last season. Snider had 87 tackles and eight tackles for a loss. Gibbs and Faclkner will also be at linebacker.
Expect White, Fleischer, Whole and Bloom up front on the defensive line.
“Tyler White, Isach Fleischer, Skylar Wohlers, and Devin Bloom are guys that are making it really hard to take them off the field right now on the defensive side of things,” Collins said. “We do have several guys who are fighting to take their job everyday though so I’m hopeful we can really keep guys fresh and rotate a number of good players at those spots while staying just as competitive as when the first group is in.”
Garver, Brewer, Mace and Hoeme will be the key players in the secondary with others shown the ability to contribute in that facet of the game.
Collins expects many of the players to take big steps forward this season.
“I look for Sam Jones to have a great season running the football for us and move up the all-state selection boards behind a line that has so far shown me they’re willing to do whatever it takes to keep their guys off the ground and clean,” Collins said. “I also think both Bill Snider and Kolten Garver will surprise a lot of people this season, and I think it all can be attributed to the work these three have put in this summer and the buy-in we’ve had. As a new head coach coming in always brings excitement and hope and these three are really wanting to ride the momentum wave and keep the energy going to get this ship righted and return Osceola Football to their winning ways and some deep playoff runs.”
Osceola will travel to Archie for a jamboree with the host, Rich Hill and Appleton City. The Indians open the regular season on Aug. 25 at home against Jasper.
“I think a successful season will look like improved numbers coming out for football, improved team academic success and a 100% graduation rate,” Collins said. “Success will be true team cohesion with self-accountability and no finger pointing and an ability to forget the last play (good or bad) and give their all to the next one. Finally, I think a successful season will be seeing the mindset of our athletes change, no hanging their heads after a mistake or doubting their chances at success for an upcoming game. The kids are starting to realize that we can’t predict exactly when the wins on the field will come but they’re coming; and every Friday (regardless of the opponent) we will have a true chance to get a victory.”
