Outlaws take down Highlanders

The Outlaws football team brings back 11 seasoned players who will all help lead and guide this year's squad.

Nine seniors return for their final season, including Christopher Luz, Jaden Condel, Brady Wessel, Austin Lake, Tyler Friend, Jake Stevens, Casey Warburton, Zach Morgan and Ethan Morgan.

Luz is an exceptional athlete, who will play at wide receiver, defensive back, and also see some time at quarterback. Condel is strong and tough, and will play on the offensive line and at linebacker. Coach Neil Fendall told The Nugget that Jaden will be a warrior for the Outlaws.

Wessel is a steady, consistent player and will play on both the offensive and defensive line. Lake will see time on the defensive line, and will add dimension at tight end. Fendall noted that Austin is approximately 240 pounds, and for his size is exceptional at catching passes.

Friend has made big improvements and is much more physical this year. He will play at wide receiver. Last year, Tyler played in the secondary, but this year he will help out more at linebacker. Stevens is a very explosive player and when he puts it into high gear, he's a breakaway runner. Jake will play at running back and as a defensive back.

Warburton worked hard in the off-season and is back much stronger and with more confidence. Casey will see time on the offensive and defensive line. Ethan Morgan will play at quarterback and as a defensive back. Fendall noted that Ethan is a tremendous athlete with a strong arm, who is very knowledgeable about the offense.

Juniors Joel Miller and Korbin Sharp round out the returning varsity players.

Miller will play on both the offensive and defensive line. According to Fendall, Joel is the most improved lineman and at around 250 pounds, and at 5 feet 10 inches, he's built for the position. Sharp is one of the Outlaws' best athletes and is a role model for the team, both in practice and preparation.

Eleven new players join the Outlaws to make up the 2017 roster.

Seniors Sam Mitchell (offensive and defensive line), Chayce Sproat (wide receiver and linebacker), Damien Wells (wide receiver and defensive back), Patrick Dingeman (offensive and defensive line), and Jared Richerson (wide receiver and defensive back), along with junior Matt Harris (tight end and linebacker) have all moved up and will play significant roles on varsity.

The Outlaws also gained seniors Jett Mingus (offensive line and linebacker), and Austin Morss, Turner Stutzman, Andre Roberts and Spencer Kemp, who will all play wide receiver and defensive back. These players are all either out for football for the first time or are new to the school.

Fendall said, "As a group, these guys add talent and depth that really saved us. Without them it would have been tough to even have a team."

Fendall told The Nugget that the team goals are centered around the culture they want to create within the program; a culture of accountability, competition, and compassion for others.

"Football is just a game and we treat it that way," said Fendall. "It just happens to be a great conduit for learning how to look yourself in the mirror (accountability), how to deal with losses, adversity and failure (competition), and an opportunity to learn about others and what they are going through and deal with it.

"Football takes all types, and we try to teach that success comes in many ways, styles and forms. Our success will be creating a place young men want to push themselves, form relationships of depth, and work to become men who practice self-accountability."