For the week of August 27 - September 2, 2003

A new beginning for Wood River football

New head coach, new school, new attitude

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By JEFF CORDES
Express Staff Writer

They’ve got a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, a brand-new school and a vastly improved weight room.

Brandon Silvia rolls out at quarterback during Wood River’s record-setting 62-8 home romp over Gooding last Oct. 25. It was the final game for 12-year head coach John Blackman. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Heck, one-year-old Phil Homer Field and its shiny stadium are looking like ancient history for all the newness surrounding the Wood River High School football program.

The theme is "a new beginning," for the 2003 Wood River High School varsity football team, according to first-year head coach Dale Martin.

Martin is hardly new to the Hailey football program, which he said is expecting 70 to 80 boys this fall including a sizable class of ninth-graders.

He was assistant coach to John Blackman the past four years and served as defensive coordinator last fall. Blackman, who has been around Wolverine football since the current seniors were newborns, resigned Jan. 27 after 12 full seasons as Hailey’s head coach.

Martin is optimistic about the Wolverine varsity, which opens its eight-game slate Friday, Sept. 5 with a non-league home game against Wendell.

Last fall, Wendell (7-2) was a 2A playoff team that won its first seven games including a season-opening 24-14 home win over Wood River. This year, Wendell kicks off its campaign on Friday, Aug. 29 "zero week" against league foe Valley.

Having that additional game to scout Wendell should help Wood River, Martin said. He added that it’s not inconceivable that Wood River could win six games this year—when there’s been a slew of coaching changes in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference (SCIC).

"The strength of the team early will be defense," he said.

But Wood River fans remembering last fall’s 3-5 season and its close games will be looking closely at the offense.

One of the biggest pluses is the addition of Brett Wright of Filer as the new Wolverine offensive coordinator. Wright will teach physical education, health and weight training at the Hailey high school,

Wright is an Idaho State University graduate and father of three children. He has been head football coach at Filer High the past six years. Prior to that, he coached four years at Wendell, two as head coach.

He brought with him a new offensive scheme, which Wright immediately sold to Martin. It’s a run-and-shoot offense that doesn’t shy away from passing and leans towards a wide-open style of attack.

"It will be exciting for the fans," said Martin. "It won’t be two yards and a cloud of dust."

Before Wright’s arrival in July, Martin wasn’t going to run last year’s double-wing offense. He said, "The problem I have with the double wing is that a team that’s bigger and stronger than you can stack up the outside and shut it down.

"I was going to put in the wing-T before Brett came. But then he sold his offense to me and we’re now putting it in all the way down through the ranks. It was impressive. I think the kids will like it.

"Brett is positive and real organized. He’s dynamic, a great guy and he and I get along real well. He’ll be a real asset to the whole program."

Running the offense will be senior quarterback Brandon Silvia, who guided the Wood River offense to 627 yards of offense in a record-setting 62-8 home triumph over Gooding that ended the 2002 season.

"Brandon is an experienced quarterback who gets the award for most days in the weight room. He really wants to play, and he’ll also play corner on defense," said Martin.

Silvia isn’t the whole story at quarterback. Junior Craig Werley was impressive at summer camp, Martin said, and he could be the backup. Then there’s 6-2, 195-pound sophomore Tyler Jackson, who will play somewhere or anywhere including punter.

"Tyler is the real deal but he’s young," said Martin. "He’ll play someplace in the backfield and he’ll go both ways. And he can punt the ball well. He’ll be a good one for Wood River."

With fewer than 10 seniors, Wood River is a young team that in many respects could be a year away, Martin said. But he also likes the team speed.

The seniors are good ones, though. On the offensive line are Scott Sanders and Brad Dussell. Marshall Hooten is a defensive lineman. Running backs include Matt Pruett and Luis Ruiz. Pruett is the team’s free safety and Ruiz is a DB.

Last fall Pruett rushed for 478 yards and six TDs. That meant he was the fourth-highest rusher in a 289-yards-a-game rushing offense that began with Dylan Welcome, Kellen Chatterton and Joe Paisley.

Not having Chatterton will be a big adjustment for Wood River. Chatterton led the 2002 squad in scoring (68 points) and tackles (106) and was the second-best rusher (557).

But another Kellen, Kellen Kinghorn is a hard-hitting outside linebacker and senior Jeremy Selcho at 6-3 will take up a lot of air at the end spot.

Unfortunately, senior Mark Neville underwent back surgery recently and will miss the football season. Neville played every snap last year at center. Martin said, "One of our areas of concern is at center."

Wood River will also miss Josh Pejsa, who broke his neck in an auto accident this summer. Pejsa will serve as one of the team’s managers this fall.

Coach Martin is enthusiastic about the team’s juniors including center candidate Billy Kramer. Martin said, "Billy could be the best long snapper we’ve ever had here." And Mike Hesse is a placekicker.

Two other key juniors are 205-pound stud linebacker Tyson Reynoso and quick 225-pound guard Max Kessler, who had a great camp at Montana State University, Martin said.

Wood River’s biggest player is 6-6, 320-pound Ryan Chandler, a junior lineman with great feet like those of Jeff Bolton, who now plays on the line at MSU. "Ryan could be a real player," said coach Martin.

Other key juniors are linebacker Chris Santiago, linebacker/special teams ace Matt Jost, wide receiver Philip Bradshaw, linebacker Abel Grimaldo and lineman Ben Parker. And sophomore Dustin Selner will play weak-side LB.

"We’re not real deep, but it’s coming," said Martin.

Defensively, Hailey will play a five-man front with either two or three linebackers depending on the set. The defense will play "Cover 1," (man), or "Cover 3," (three-back zone).

"It’s like what we’ve done in the past, only we’ll try to do a better job at it," Martin said.

While overseeing the entire football program, Dale Martin will handle the varsity’s special teams. His son Jeff Martin is the defensive coordinator. Garth Van Horn does the varsity offensive and defensive lines, and Ryan Humphrey is a floating line coach.

Head coach Martin said, "We’ll spend a lot of time on special teams. I’m a big believer that football is made up of offense, defense and special teams. If you win two of the three, you’ll win the game."

Returning as head junior varsity coach is Chris Cey, helped by Charley Miller. The new freshman coach is Dick Spring, who retired here after coaching in Oregon and California. Assisting Spring are Ron Smith and Humphrey.

This year, Wood River’s final one in the SCIC before moving up to 4A, the conference will get only two state playoff berths instead of three. Martin figures Wood River has as good a chance as anyone for state.

"Kimberly is the team to beat and Declo will be right in there. I figure it will be us, Filer and Buhl right behind," said Martin. "We’re going to show up and play them all."

Both Kimberly (3-6) and defending SCIC champ Declo (8-2) were State 3A playoff teams last year, as was Buhl (6-3).

In the non-playoff Second Division of the SCIC were Wood River (3-5, 2-3 league, 25.0 ppg offense, 24.3 ppg defense), Filer (3-5) and Gooding (0-8).

 

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