Written by Meredith Spelbring
Wendell High School is looking to the 2020 football season to continue building after finishing the 2019 season with a 1-6 record.
The Trojans come into the fall season with a returning senior quarterback, along with several other veteran athletes. Senior quarterback Joey Ward returns for Wendell along with junior linebacker/wide receiver Aiden Bunn, junior wide receiver/defensive back Matt Dahl and junior offensive/defensive lineman Clayton Hester all return to play for the Trojans and are expected to come in and make an impact on the team’s success.
“They understand that varsity football is on another level,” Konrad said. “They want to improve more than they ever have.”
Where the Trojans have plenty of strong returning players, Head Coach Michael Konrad will look to fill in for several key players lost from the 2019 season to graduation.
“Tristan Wert and Donald Bunn (will be missed),” Konrad said. “Both were impact players and played a significant amount of snaps for us. Their leadership and examples of how to be a Wendell Trojan will be missed.”
Konrad will look to diversify the team’s offense this season after relying too much on the passing game in 2019, Konrad said. This year, Konrad said the goal is to run a much more balanced offense.
In developing a more well-rounded offensive approach, all players will be crucial, Konrad said.
“All 11 players on the field are significant. If one does not do their job then the offense won’t work,” he said.
On the other side of the ball, the team will work to strengthen and execute a 3-3-5 style defensive strategy, Konrad said. And this year, the defense will come out faster and more flexible than last year.
“Our defensive line must be able to hold their ground,” he said. “If not, the 3-3-5 can be more of a weakness than a strength.”
Check back with IdahoSports.com for updated Wendell scores and schedules throughout the season.