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Raft River High School
School Info
Conference: 1AD1 Snake River Conference
Classification: 1A D1
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Head Coach: Brian Poole
Years as Head Coach: 4th Season
Previous Experience: 15 years head coach, 6 years assistant
Record Last Year: 9-2
State Titles: 1987, 1995, 2004
Assistant Coaches:
Gregg Scott
Scott Hitt
Returning Players:
Wacey Holtman, LB/RB, 12
Kolten Hitt, QB/DB, 12
Kayden Hitt, WR/DB, 12
Braxton Poole, OL/DL, 11
Colten Koller, LB, 12
Spencer Boden, DL, 12
Carson Schumann, DL, 12
Returning Players with Honors:
Wacey Holtman, All-State LB
Kayden Hitt, All-Conference
Kolten Hitt, All-Conference
Key Players lost from last year:
Ivan Poole, All-State OL
Luke Gilbert, OL/DL
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Photo By: Patty Theurer - #15 Wacey Holtman
Incoming impact players:
Quintin Ward, RB/LB, 11
Christian Lloyd, OL/DL, 11
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Team Preview:
Written by: Sven Alskog
Over the past few seasons Raft River has won many football games as a result of dominating the trenches.
Following the graduation of All-State offensive line honoree Ivan Poole and fellow key cog Luke Gilbert on both lines, Head Coach Brian Poole will have to find some beef to insert into the heart of his team.
Fortunately for the Trojans a trio of players return to anchor the group.
Those familiar with 1AD1 Snake River Conference football can once again expect to see plenty of the Hitt to Hitt connection, with Kayden back at quarterback and Kolten a lead target at receiver. Both will also patrol the defensive secondary.
Perhaps the most important piece to the puzzle in Malta is Wacey Holtman, an athletic specimen who towers over opponents on each side of the ball. Holtman is a weapon in multiple ways offensively, able to run the ball when needed, block and also catch the ball and turn the small play into something big by plowing over defenders.
His efforts at linebacker on the other side of the ball earned him All-State honors last season.
"We will be athletic on the defensive side and we will attack and force teams to be one dimensional," said Poole.
With all the athletes on defense, the flexibility is there to test drive a variety of defensive looks, with the primary scheme set to be the 3-3-2.
"We want to be more creative and run more zone pass coverages," said Poole.
Those players who do return and a nice mix of strong athletes has the high excitement high for the new season.
"[I'm most excited about] leadership and having many players with the ability to make big plays," said Poole.
What will make or break the season for Raft River is how close the line play resembles the outstanding production of past years.
Braxton Poole will pack a punch on each line, with Christian Lloyd the newcomer to watch. Spencer Boden and Carson Schumann are going to be relied on to get some pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Defending State Champion Valley lost lots of talent from their outstanding team of last season, leaving a wide-open conference landscape in the new campaign. Expect the Vikings, Raft River and Oakley to fight for the top spot in the conference.
The Trojans begin 2016 with a home matchup against North Gem on August 26.
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