Outlaws football anticipates great season

The Outlaws football squad is hard at work in preparation for the season ahead. Sisters returns multiple starters on both offense and defense, several of whom were all-league picks last year.

Eight starters are back on offense, including all-league senior running-backs Logan Schutte and Mitch Gibney. Both players are dangerous, each in their own way, with Gibney as an extremely physical and hard-nosed runner, and Schutte, a smooth runner, who has touchdown potential when he touches the ball. Chance Halley, also a senior, returns as well. Halley is a playmaker.

Tanner Head (junior) will return as the Outlaws starting quarterback, and according to Coach Gary Thorson has made good strides since last season. The Outlaws look to improve in their passing game this fall.

A handful of players are vying for time at the wide receiver spot. Tyler Head, at tight end, got considerable playing time last season and has been solid in football camp.

The offensive line also looks promising, returns four out of five starters, and plays very well as a cohesive unit. Senior Devin Slaughter, and junior Jacob Gurney, both received all-league recognition last year at the guard position, and athletically, are a great fit in the offense. Sophomore Brady Wessel returns as the starting center. Rory Peterson rounds out the returning starters, and big things are expected from him, as well as seniors Ty Martin, and Austin Cantwell.

Defense should once again be a big strength for the Outlaws, as they return eight starters, including three all-league players. Slaughter was named first-team all league at defensive-end last year, and leads a defensive line that should be one of the best in the conference. Gibney, Peterson, Cantwell, and Wessel all had playing time last year on the line, and will be big contributors this year. Jacob Gurney was an all-league selection at linebacker last year, and is a leader on that side of the ball.

In the secondary, Logan Schutte, was first team at the free-safety position. The Outlaws return a handful of starters and experience in Halley, Tyler Head, and senior Gary Jaques, from their safety positions. Tanner Head played well last year from the corner position, and is expected to contribute again this fall from that position. Ben Saba also looks good so far, and will be a help to the squad.

On special teams, Zach Morgan has a great leg, and has been punting well. Jadon Bachtold, a standout soccer player in the Outlaws program, will also do some kicking for the team, and will provide big help in the field position battle. The team is also blessed with several impact players who could make the special teams a problem for anyone. Players include Jaques, and fellow senior Jacob Allen, and juniors Ryan Cook, Johnny Gurney, Tucker Brink, and Saba.

The coaching staff returns everyone from last year, and has added Neil Fendall and Tristan Lewis. Fendall comes to the program with a great resume, and experience at both the college and high school levels, and was most recently the secondary coach at Cal Poly University. Neil will serve as the defensive-coordinator for the team this fall. Lewis was a three-year starter for the Outlaws football program, and will serve as an assistant through September, before he heads off to attend the University of Oregon.

Thorson said, "We are very excited for this season, and look forward to getting back to work in doubles, and into the season schedule. I feel we have made some great gains in the off-season in terms of work that was done in the weight room, and have also added several players to our roster that should contribute.

"Our numbers have increased, which has added to our depth at both the JV and varsity levels, and we will be better in practice because of it. Spring practice, Linfield Camp, and our pre-season camp, all went very well and I'm convinced we are on track for a great season, if we can stay healthy and keep our day-to-day and week-to-week focus."

The Outlaws will get their first taste of a real game at the Redmond Jamboree, held on Friday, August 28, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Their first pre-season game will be at Burns with a kick-off time of 7 p.m.