Team Preview:
Written by: Will Hoenike
Second-year head coach Norm Stewart returns a team that went 0-8 in 2015. That’s the not-so-great news.
The better news? He also returns All-Western Idaho Conference offensive and defensive lineman Nick Lankow, who is back for his senior season. So are honorable-mention All-Conference selections Mason Hall (DE), Adam Marcial (FB) and Clay King (CB).
There are some pieces to work with. But Stewart, who is entering his 25th season as a football coach overall, knows there is work to be done.
“Our focus will be on getting our first win before we start talking about league championships,” Stewart told the Preview. “We are going to focus on taking the season one game at a time.”
Aside from a pair of lopsided losses to 3A foes Homedale and Parma, the Huskies played respectable defense last season, allowing an average of 22 points per game in Western Idaho Conference play. However, the team scored 20 points – total – last season. That, obviously, will need to improve.
Quarterback Tyler Simonson will be under center for his senior season, replacing the departed Brett Grossman, behind an offensive line that includes Lankow, who was a 2nd-Team All-Western Idaho Conference guard as a junior. Ben Gerthung and Chase Rhodes also return for their senior season, along with juniors Mason Hall, Sam Galligan and Markus Allen, which gives Stewart some options along the offensive line.
That group will need to find success opening holes for King, who will add more ball-carrying duties to his plate as a senior. He’ll be paired in the backfield with Marcial, while junior Joseph Ineck and sophomore Taj Jacobi also have experience running the ball.
Lankow (DT), Hall (DE) and King (CB) return on the defensive side of the ball for Stewart and his staff, along with the versatile Brian Purtell and other juniors Cole Wainman (DB), Riley Bryant (DB), Galligan (DL) and Allen (DL).
Something that may not turn up on the varsity field this season but bodes well for the future – Stewart is anticipating a large freshman class to join the program, which will help re-establish the school’s JV team.
“Which, in turn, rebuilds the varsity,” Stewart noted.
The Western Idaho Conference appears deep in 2016, with Nampa Christian, New Plymouth and Melba all bringing back top talent. Cole Valley Christian hung tough last season despite its record and, now, Marsing appears primed to make strides forward.
Marsing will once again face a pair of 3A opponents in non-conference play, traveling to Parma on August 26 and hosting Payette on September 9. The team will also host Orofino of the Central Idaho League on September 2, giving the Huskies a series of good tests prior to opening WIC play on September 23 at Melba.
“All games will be must-see from the perspective of watching our athletes grow,” Stewart concluded. The Huskies have work to do, but there is some talent and there is reason to think there are better days ahead along the Snake River in Marsing.
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