|
Emmett High School
School Info
Conference: 4A Southern Idaho Conference
Classification: 4A
|
|
|
Head Coach: Mike Schroeder
Years as Head Coach: 5th Season
Previous Experience: 14 Years Head Coach in Southern California
Record Last Year: 8-3
State Titles: 2015
Assistant Coaches:
Terry Moore
Tom Harrison
Zane Hines
Brian Greer
Mike Smith
Returning Players:
Spencer Keene, LB/FB, 12
Michael Walker, LB/RB, 12
DJ Crump, WR/DB, 12
Returning Players with Honors:
DJ Crump, First Team All-Conference
Michael Walker, First Team All-Conference
Key Players lost from last year:
Mitchel Maxfield, OLB/TE
Luc Overton, WR/DB
"Both are FCS players. Luc led by example and was an anchor on offense in the passing game. Mitchell was one of the best defensive players in the state," Coach Schroeder.
|
Photo By: Jason Duchow - #11 Michael Walker
|
Team Preview:
Written by: Sven Alskog
After completely dominating the 3A classification back in 2015, there was a level of intrigue as to how the Emmett Huskies would handle the move up to 4A last year. The team took little time to establish that it would continue to be a force to be reckoned with, going 8-3 on the season and falling in the playoffs to eventual state champion Skyline.
There shouldn't be much of a question this time around after Emmett proved what it could do against 4A competition on a weekly basis, with the only real question being how far this unit can go.
In what is a tough conference featuring a handful of teams that could make runs, Head Coach Mike Schroeder will look to rely on talented skill position athletes DJ Crump and Mike Walker to be the firepower options on offense.
Each player was First Team All-Conference last season, so opposing defensive coordinators have already had the headaches in relation to figuring out how to slow each down.
Don't expect that to change much this year.
The Huskies run a west coast offense, something not seen as much anymore at the high school ranks, being replaced heavily by the spread it out style of play calling.
"Run game is priority along with attacking every area of the field," said Schroeder.
For the fifth year head coach, there are a couple key areas where improvement needs to occur when Emmett has the ball.
"Turnovers were a problem at times, and being smarter in our passing game. [We need to be a] better possession team in every aspect."
Behind the linebacking core led by Walker and Spencer Keene, the Huskies should once again be stingy against the run.
"Usually our strength is in defending the run," said Schroeder. "We want to continue with that premise. Taylor Fletcher and Brett Kern should contain our defense on the perimeter and our secondary could accidentally be better."
That secondary is a big concern.
"[Our] secondary needs to improve in every aspect. Mainly in coverage and tackling," added Schroeder.
Against some good quarterbacks in conference play, that back end of the defense will need to step up in a big way for Emmett to take the next step. If they are not able to do it, the burden falls back onto the offense to light up the scoreboard even more so than it already does on a weekly basis.
You can bet this team will put the work in needed to make it happen though.
"Commitment is everything," said Schroeder. "We believe championships are won when the stadium is empty!"
He is most excited about the unproven, but uniquely talented players that are moving up through the program, which will get a good opportunity this season.
At the end of the day though, the key to winning the conference this season is simple.
"Staying healthy and finding new guys that are committed to getting better and contributing," said Schroeder.
The first opportunity to see what that talent is capable of doing for the Huskies is on August 26 at Dona Larsen Park against Timberline.
|
Share preview with friends!
|