Written by: Brandon Baney
A subtle coaching switch has Salmon fans excited about their team's chances in 2022.
The 2021 season saw the Savages finish 2-5 overall, and it marked the first and last season that Kenny Martens would lead the team as head coach.
Trey Infanger, who has been an assistant coach at Salmon the past three years, ascends to the head coaching role. Martens, meanwhile, is still on staff as well, sliding back into an assistant coach role under Infanger.
Not only is Salmon changing coaches this year, but they're swapping quarterbacks as well. Colter Bennett, a 2nd-Team All-Nuclear Conference selection at QB a year ago, has graduated. Senior Hesston Hoggan will take his place in 2022.
Salmon also said goodbye to Swiss Army Knife Tyler Fitte and Tyler Martens, a two-way lineman and 1st Team All-Nuclear selection. Both Fitte and Martens are now playing at the University of Montana-Western in Dillon, Montana.
As Hoggan learns the ropes at quarterback this year, he'll have a strong backfield mate to lean on. "We will be fast and led by a strong running back in James Baumer," said coach Infanger.
Baumer was also a standout on defense in 2021, earning 1st Team All-Nuclear honors at defensive end. He will be transitioning to linebacker this year, and is expected to lead a stingy defense. "We have several returning impact players and we want to be aggressive this year," said Infanger.
Overall, optimism is high at Salmon this year. They will have to navigate the always difficult Nuclear Conference. But four of the five Nuclear programs are breaking in new head coaches (North Fremont's Ben Lenz is the only returner from 2021).
Ultimately, Infanger says, Salmon's success will be determined by how quickly a green group of linemen acclimate to the varsity game. "How we control the line of scrimmage (will determine our success)," Infanger said. "I don't think a lot of teams have us on their radar but we have some different philosophies this year and if we can get the blocking we need up front with different blocking schemes, I think we could play with anyone."