Written by: Keller Sherman
After many years under Lee Leslie, a new coach has arrived in McCall to lead the varsity football team. BJ Sorensen will look to continue the solid foundation that Leslie built as he assumes head coaching duties for the Vandals. Sorensen has previously served as an assistant for McCall-Donnelly with stops down in the Treasure Valley at Kuna and Skyview also on the resume. After missing the playoffs in 2022, can the Vandals get back there in 2023?
Cole Burtenshaw, a wide receiver and defensive back who earned second team all-conference honors at the former position and a first team all-conference and second team all-state selection at the latter, is a significant returning piece for McCall. In addition, Maddox Arnold, Glenn Richardson, and Adam Rushton are also back.
Will Crossley and Kyler Knude are players that will be missed dearly by Sorensen. Crossley was a team leader in Sorensen’s eyes while Knude was a three year starter for the Vandals. Mason Wayne, Gunnar Newman, and Peyton Esplin are new players that will be expected to make an immediate impact.
The Vandals offensive line is formidable and Sorenson hopes that this unit will be able to lead the team. We will work to run the ball behind our line,” Sorenson said.
The defense returns three three-year starters in Adam Rushton, TJ Leonard, and Jack Duncan, with Cole Burtenshaw also a notable playmaker at safety. Sorensen expects to see improvements in stopping the run on this side of the ball.
Sorensen is especially excited to see how his sophomores play in the new season. He expresses this excitement as he states, “The opportunity for our sophomores to step in and play key roles on the varsity team is exciting. We have the right kids out who want to compete every day.” Staying healthy and having trust in the new coaching staff are seen by Sorensen as the x-factors to McCall-Donnelly’s success in the new season.
The season opens with a home date versus Wood River. The two teams met in the opener last season in Hailey with the Vandals taking a 20-7 decision. A road date at Nampa Christian is next on the docket. McCall-Donnelly won decisively over the Trojans last season 34-15. A trip up north awaits right before conference play as the Vandals travel to Timberlake.
The beginning of conference play marks the end of a difficult three game road stretch as the Vandals travel to Fruitland. Sorensen offers praise for the Grizzlies as a team that could surprise Homedale and Weiser in-conference as he states, “They are coached by a great coach and have size on the line.”
McCall-Donnelly will play three of its final four games at home as the Vandals welcome Weiser, Parma, and Homedale to town and only go on the road for a game at Payette in the penultimate week of the regular season. With three conference games at home, McCall-Donnelly has a great opportunity to make it back to the playoffs.