Outlaws football gears up for season ahead

The Outlaws football team will return 19 players to the team, including 10 starters.

Returning starters on offense include seniors Marcus Arends, Jordan Hodges, Marteen Jiminez, Erik Carlson, Randon Beech, John Green, Jared Nelson and juniors Bryce Alderman and Jalen Miller.

Seven of those players are back as starters on offense.

Wide receivers Arends, one of the Outlaws' captains, Hodges and Jiminez all bring leadership to the team and, according to Coach Bob Macauley, will be the team's strength.

"These guys are all fast and possess an understanding of space on the field. They are very intelligent and work well with our quarterback in understanding what we want to do in the passing game."

Macauley told The Nugget that Jiminez is the team's big receiver.

"Marteen has excellent hands and is a good route runner. And, anytime you have a tall, physical player, it creates problems for the other team," he said.

Carlson will return as quarterback for the Outlaws and is one of the fastest players on the team.

"Eric is one of our captains. He's intelligent, has a strong arm and is very talented," said Macauley. "He will definitely give us a lot of options, and his physical ability is as good as you'll find in the league."

Beech returns at center. Randon missed a few days of camp so is just getting up to speed with the rest of the team. Macauley and the coaching staff are counting on Beech to be consistent in his shotgun snaps and his blocking technique. Beech will be a key figure on the Outlaws line.

John Green is back at tight end. Macauley stated that Green spent time in the weight room all year and physically is by far the most improved player on the team. Macauley also noted that Green's work ethic is a great example to the rest of the squad.

Junior Bryce Alderman will play offensive line for another season. Alderman is strong and physical and an emotional leader on the team. Bryce was injured during most of the Outlaws' camp, and coaches are anxious to get him back on the field. Alderman is also a team captain, one of only two players ever to be selected as captain as a junior.

Five starters will return on defense, including Marcus Arends, John Green, Jared Nelson, Bryce Alderman and Jalen Miller.

Arends will play defensive back. Macauley said that Arends played well last year and the coaching staff expects him to be even better this year. Alderman will play on the defensive line.

Green and junior Jalen Miller will play linebacker. Green will bring maturity and a strong physical presence to the defensive line. Miller was late coming out and is currently working to get in shape. Macauley expects he will be ready to play in a few weeks.

Nelson will return as outside linebacker and is one of the best in the league.

"Jared is also very intelligent and has a lot of athletic ability. We are going to count on him to secure the edge," said Macauley.

Other contributors on defense will be senior Zec Mickel, juniors Connor Morgan, Rian Yancey and Nate Zavala. Shane Groth and JC Tehan will both start at linebacker.

"Shane and JC have separated themselves from the pack and we're impressed with what they're doing," said Macauley.

Two sophomores have stepped up their game and will start for the Outlaws this season. Mitch Keranan will start on the offensive line and Ethan Luloff will play at running back.

"Both these guys have been in the weight room and have worked hard," said Macauley. "It just proves that hard work does pay off."

Sterling Ryan (fullback) and Steven Nemer (offensive line) will help out on offense and Jaxon Stark has shown to be impressive on both sides of the ball.

Macauley stated that the coaches will count on Kody Hall, Jacob Akaka, Chandler Zenich, Brandon Goodwin and Hayden Wester to also contribute to the team on offense.

The Outlaws will play the Central Panthers, the No. 2 team in the state, at Central on Friday, September 3.