Photo By Steve Conner - #33 Obi Gee
Written By: Sven Alskog
Last year Cole Valley Christian finished the year 7-3, continuing the gradual rise of the program in recent years.
The Chargers return plenty of exciting talent again in 2019, including First Team All-WIC running back Obi Gee and wide receiver and defensive back Brady Frame.
“We will have an explosive offense again this year. We have many weapons and will continue to develop our multi-dimensional scheme to create big play opportunities. Running back Obi Gee will be getting the ball a lot. As the defending 100-meter champ, he's got the speed that very few 2A players can keep up with,” said head coach Dan Reece.
Wide receiver Connor Howard and running back Garrett Kranz are other skill position players to watch, with sophomore Carter Fortin expected to step in at quarterback.
“We are very excited about our sophomore quarterback Carter Fortin. He has big shoes to fill with 2A WIC Offensive Player of the Year Roman Conder graduating. Carter has put in significant time on his own to develop as a quarterback and got some great experience at the BSU team camp and 7-on-7 competitions this summer. We are looking forward to seeing his continued improvement over the course of the year,” added Reece.
Conder and fellow graduates Noah Corder and Dylan Krogh are each major losses for the program that will be tough to replace.
The coach does like the potential for this team to do just that though.
“We had a very gritty team last year that played some great football. This year we have more athletes, but more questions about certain positions that lack experience as well.”
It will all be about how the group can grow as the season goes on.
“We have a very athletic team with a ton of potential this year if we remain healthy and don't plateau early in the year. We have a couple of young players who will play a significant role, and their development is a huge priority for us. This senior class has a chemistry and culture that is very strong and they should do well in the midst of the adversity that will come this year. Low ego, high output,” said Reece.
Dawson Lee was a player that Reece mentioned as a key returner on both lines. The Chargers will need Lee and multiple other pieces to come together on the defensive side to fill some holes and to complement the offense.
Gee, Kranz and Howard lead the way in the linebacker unit, with Frame and Lakota Steele at defensive back and Fortin teaming with Lee on the front line.
“We lost a lot of great defensive players last year and must develop as a unit to play well together to make up for the lack of our big play defense from last year. We will continue to focus on being great tacklers and playing fast,” said Reece.
Cole Valley Christian starts 2019 on August 30 against Payette.