Photo By Willy Harris - #84 Mason Perrine
Written By: Sven Alskog
Not many programs lost more than Skyview from a season ago, as the Hawks look to push the refresh button after the graduation of three-year starters Wyatt Storer at quarterback and Tyler Crowe at running back and linebacker.
Beyond the duo of Storer and Crowe, the program also graduated four two-year starters on the offensive line and had multiple coaches move on, leaving those that do return and the new faces with plenty of opportunity to make a name for themselves.
“I am excited for the fresh new start. We lost 25 seniors and four coaches this offseason. We have guys coming out to play that have not played in a year, two or three. We have a lot of inexperienced athletes too. I feel like it is my rookie year at Skyview with all of the new and fresh faces. We have a chance to build from the ground up,” said head coach David Young.
Wide receiver Mason Perrine and offensive lineman Tomas Puga are the most recognizable returning names on the offensive side of the ball.
Multiple other players have decided to come out for football this year as well, including lineman Josiah Lara and wide receiver and defensive back Danny Castledine, the latter of which has not played since his freshman year, but was offered a scholarship by Idaho State University at their summer camp.
“We will break in a new quarterback in Clayton Franssen, but he should have a stronger wide receiver group than last year with Mason Perrine, Danny Castledine, Evan Harmon, Haydn Turner and Hunter Palermo. We also will break in four new offensive linemen. Tomas Puga is the only returning starter, but he will have good help from Josiah Lara, Carson Draper, Ernie Harmon, Corby Raymond and Heston Montgomery. Getting the new offensive line to gel and our new quarterback comfortable are keys to our power pistol offense,” added Young.
Perrine and Castledine each bring exciting playmaking ability to the receiver position, something which the coach is looking forward to seeing.
“[Perrine] is ready to take on a leadership role and increase his production on both sides of the ball. [Castledine] has not played since his freshman year but has been our biggest playmaker all summer.”
Only two starters return on defense, with Crowe the most noticeable loss after anchoring the defense from the middle for the last three years.
“We run a 3-3 stack defense. We will break in nine new starters. Our defensive line will feature Josiah Lara and Mason Perrine and our linebackers will feature Tucker Tentinger, Tyler Bickford, Christian Pizzaro and Evan Harmon. Our defensive backs feature Danny Castledine, Wyatt Bowman, Chance Gans and Cade Salois. Most of our defensive players were either backups or played JV last season. Getting them up to varsity speed will be key to our defense,” said Young.
Lara has the potential to be a monster up front. A talented wrestler, he won the heavyweight championship at the 5A level last year.
The first chance to see the new-look Hawks will be on August 30 on the road at Meridian.