Photo By Kelly Magee - #6 Nick Swensen
Written By: Sven Alskog
One of the more consistent programs in the state of Idaho resides in Twin Falls. While the success has been immense within conference play over the years, the 2019 edition of the Bruins has aspirations on taking the next step and making noise in the playoffs.
“I think our overall team attitude of losing the last eight first round playoff games is starting to be unsettling with our players and our staff. We have this ‘get the monkey off our back’ attitude this offseason and I think our team is more focused in this summer’s offseason workouts,” said head coach Allyn Reynolds.
A couple of the pieces that have spirits high within the program are quarterback Nick Swensen and running back Jarod Perry.
Last season Parry earned First Team All-Conference accolades and offensive lineman Dylan Quigley garnered Second Team All-State honors.
That trio should help ensure that the run-heavy style that Twin Falls has ran for years should continue to operate effectively.
“We are in our second year of running more of a zone read, spread offensive attack. Our quarterback Nick Swensen was a sophomore last year and so the game will slow down for him. Jarod Perry will get his second year as a starter at running back and his vision is much better at making cuts. We hope to have a little more speed at the wide receiver position in some of our incoming juniors. The biggest strength will be our size and experience in the offensive line with three of our five returning starters,” added Reynolds.
Carter Christensen and Adam Anderson are a couple of the other offensive linemen to watch for, along with newcomer Mason Swafford.
Having that group in place will help to fill the void vacated by Hudson Klundt, a dominant interior presence who has moved on to play at Montana State.
The coach likes the group on the offensive side of the ball and the work they have put in this offseason.
“Jarod Perry is starting to be more of a vocal leader. Carter Christensen is starting to buy in more to the offseason. Nick Swensen has established he is our leader on offense. Dylan Quigley just keeps getting better and Skeet Newton, our projected sophomore offensive center, is settling in to being a very good football player. Adam Anderson, who is a non-starter returning senior, is going to play a lot of football for us if he continues to work as hard as he has in the weight room and during our skills and drills in summer workouts.”
One of the goals for this year is to throw the ball more effectively, something that has been worked on heavily since the end of last year.
On the other side of the ball, an aggressive group hopes to cause the opponent into plenty of turnovers, as Twin Falls plans to win the turnover battle.
Andrue Klop is one player to watch on the defensive line, while new faces Tyler Robbins and Iradukunda Emory highlight some of the players expected to get playing time at linebacker.
“We will be a four front team and we are wanting to play more man-to-man coverage in the secondary. This will allow us to do more with the seven or eight guys we line up in the box. We feel like we have more aggressive defensive players this year. Last year we were very good at creating turnovers and we hope to do the same this year,” said Reynolds.
As Twin Falls embarks on a new season with the goal of winning some games come November, the Bruins will look ahead to a week one meeting on August 29 at Holt Arena against Pocatello.