Written by: Keller Sherman
As Josh Stewart enters his fifth season leading the Declo Hornets, he will look to guide Declo to its first state title under his leadership. With a Wendell team ready to surprise standing in the way of a conference title, can the Hornets continue their dominance over the Trojans and go deep in the state playoffs?
Will Garrard returns at quarterback and his favorite target, star wide receiver Gavin Rasmussen, returns with him. Rasmussen accounted for the lone all-state selection of 2022 for the Hornets. In addition to these two, Renin Loper and Noah Elton are back. All four players were named to the all-conference team.
The defensive line lost its two anchors in Aiden Dorantes and Collin Wells. “They were big bodied, strong guys that plugged up the middle of the field,” Stewart said of these departures. While not a graduation loss, Bodee Brackenbury will miss the 2023 season due to wrist surgery. Multiple juniors and seniors will make first time starts and Stewart expects immediate impacts from all of the incoming players.
The passing game was a strength for Declo in 2022. The Hornets will look to remain strong there in the upcoming season. At the same time, Stewart will look for improvements in the run game. “We are looking to get back to our strong running game roots so we can have a more balanced approach,” Stewart said. “We have been a Shotgun Wing T system the last three seasons and we will be incorporating some under center sets with that to help us accomplish our goal of establishing a stronger running attack.”
A bend, but don’t break defense is supported by an even front. This defensive scheme has been in place since Stewart’s arrival in Declo. The secondary is where the Hornets will focus on improving on defense. While Declo did well stopping the run last season, Stewart felt the secondary gave up too many big passing plays.
Stewart is excited to see the work his players have put in during the offseason pay off on the field. “We have a good group of kids who have worked hard in the weight room and on the field this off season,” Stewart said. “We will be a fairly young team again, but with some key returning leadership at several positions.”
On what the x-factor to Declo’s success in 2023 will be, he added, “Staying healthy. Like most 2A schools, we don’t have a ton of depth so we have to keep our key guys healthy.”
Declo opens the season with two straight home games against Nampa Christian and Aberdeen. The Hornets then play five of their next six on the road with only a home date against Gooding in the middle of road trips to Buhl, Firth, Marsh Valley, West Side, and Filer. The conference title is on the line when Wendell comes to town in the regular season finale.
The race for a state title in the 2A classification should be a fun one. Bear Lake, West Side, Firth, and North Fremont are among the most popular choices, but Declo will look to prove its spot among those teams in what should be an exciting race.