Photo By Willy Harris - #21 Jaden Abrego
Written By: Sven Alskog
Mountain Home experienced one of the most successful seasons in recent history on the football field last fall, finishing 4-5 and earning a trip to the 4A state playoffs.
The transition over to district four competition proved to be a welcome one for the Tigers, who had gone 2-38 in the previous 40 games prior to the 2019 season.
Much of that roster from a year ago was young, meaning the group should be able to maintain some consistency moving forward.
“We had a bunch of sophomores and a freshman starting last year, so their growth is key, but most of them had a very good offseason,” said head coach Jim Clark.
First Team All-Conference offensive lineman Gunnar Clark and Second Team All-Conference defensive back Mykal Castillo highlight the returners, with Jake Parrish and Kolh Proffit a pair of newcomers to watch.
Quarterback and defensive back Jaden Abrego and running back and linebacker Braeden Poole also return, along with Easton Haldeman and Coy Braithwaite, both linebackers on defense.
“Easton Haldeman has really stepped up as a leader and will look to continue that role on and off the field,” added Clark.
Offensive line and quarterback play were listed by the coach as keys to success on offense, with discipline a major key on the defensive side of the ball.
As Clark enters his fifth season as the head coach at Mountain Home, there is not much question that the excitement surrounding the program is as high as it has been during that time, with the Tigers looking to break out with a winning season this year.
The Tigers will begin their journey with a home game on August 30 against Wood River and their first-year coach Shane Carden.