State runner-up Fruitland a favorite again By BRUCE MASON
bmason@idahopress.com
© 2013 Idaho Press-Tribune
Weiser coach John Shrolec Jr. knows a thing or two about the 3A Snake River Valley Conference. He enters his 15th year on the Weiser sidelines and again expects a competitive team in a tough division. In fact, Shrolec believes the caliber of the 3A SRV will raise a notch. “Judging from the results of jamborees, it should be a real dog fight,” he says. Even though Fruitland loses transfers Hagen Graves and Kody Graves, and both Alec Dhaenens and Joe Martarano to graduation and Boise Sate football, Shrolec expects the Grizzlies to be the team to beat. Homedale is big and physical, Payette had
a quality showing at a Jamboree, and Parma — after several years of struggling on the 3A level — has a lot of large-bodied athletes returning. “They’re a dark horse to win the league,” Shrolec says about the Panthers.
WEISER WOLVERINES The rotation in the three-man backfield consists of fullback Dustin Kistenmacher, A-backs Austyn Grothaus and Andrew Williamson and running back Thomas Crawford. Athletic quarterback Ty Johnson (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) is a defending state champion in the 110-meter hurdles and will run the flex bone offense. The last time Weiser did not make it to the state quarterfinals was 2006.
FRUITLAND GRIZZLIES
First-year Fruitland coach Ryan Tracy believes he has one of the best offensive lineman in the Treasure Valley in the likes of Garret Larson, who is 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and can down block anybody. Larson, a junior, has started all 24 games since his first snap of freshman year. He’s the first player Tracy has seen accomplish the feat in his 13 years at Fruitland — not even Martarano and Dhaenens, who are now at Boise State. Tracy has spoke to BYU about Larson’s prospects. Larson has visited Oregon State. “Boise State is looking at him pretty heavily,” Tracy said. “I’m a little bit surprised there hasn’t been more schools looking.” Fruitland’s patented Wing-T
offense will feature quarterback Jerred Seamons and running back Chase Fiddler, who is one of the best athletes in the 3A SRV, according to Tracy. There’s also running back Austin Stelling and 5-foot-10, 190-pound physical fullback Ryan Rule, who did not play as frequently last year strictly because of personnel, but will carry a much bigger role this season. “He’s going to be a kid that’s going to carry the rock for us, and do a really good job,” Tracy said. “He has plenty of speed to take it to the house.” Josh Rhinehart will be the goto receiver and also play outside linebacker. Fiddler will play linebacker, Stelling is a defensive back and Larson plays defensive tackle.
PAYETTE PIRATES
First-team all-state defensive back Chase Neill will be in the slot in the fly offense and play in the secondary again. Sophomore quarterback Jonathan Herrera will start under center after playing just three games last year, due to a broken ankle. Jacob DeLeon and Mark De La Pena will receive a majority of handoffs and Aaron Murdock will get a lot of touches in the fly offense. Linebacker Tim Jewkes is a physical player who coach Troy Gleave believes will have to be a presence and Alex Dovalina is another starter. Tanner Grant returns at cornerback. Jose Alcala, an all-state kicker the past two years, will also play guard and linebacker.
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Friday, August 30, 2013