IRON MAN: 2-way veterans will lead Huskies in 2017

WASILLA — Last year, each member of the Redington Huskies entered the season with one thing in common.

They were all rookies.

But this year, more than half the players in uniform have something more to bring to the table.

Experience.

“It’s a huge advantage,” Redington head coach Tony Brooke said Thursday morning. “Half of our team have been through the war, know what to expect.”

The Huskies finished 0-8 in their first season of varsity football last year, but Brooke said, with the experience his veteran players gained last year, he hopes to see the Huskies continue to make strides this season.

“They are already chomping at the bit to get out there, get going,” Brooke said. “They’re super excited to get out there, get their first win.”

Grabbing that historic first victory is the priority, Brooke said.

“Goal No. 1,” Brooke said. “Work to get that first win. They’re wanting that, wanting to taste that.”

Brooke said he’s looking to a group of veterans to lead the Huskies this season. The group includes senior Tommy Long, who will play running back, linebacker and kicker.

“He’s our Swiss army knife,” Brooke said.

Long was named first-team All-Peninsula Conference last season as a utility player.

The Huskies also have junior Kyler Rumfelt back, who suffered a season-ending injury against Nikiski last year.

“Offensively, he’s going to be one of the guys we lean on,” Brooke said. “We’re looking to balance it out more, so defenses can’t just focus on him.”

Rumfelt, a second-team all-conference selection at running back last year, will also play linebacker on defense.

Sam Reed is back at quarterback for the Huskies.

“He’s looking forward to big things this year,” Brooke said.

The Huskies also have Brian Amirault, a “jack of all trades guy,” who could be used at a variety of positions, Brooke said.

On the defensive side, Brooke said juniors Eli Benson and Rhiley Spott are expected to play key roles at linebacker.

Brooke said, at least early on, the Redington coaching staff will need the veterans to play some ironman football.

“That’s kind of the plan right now. A lot of these guys are two-way players until we get these younger guys ready to step up,” Brooke said.

Redington, a third-year program, will have a senior class for the first time in school history.

Brooke said he likes the balance of this team’s 2017 schedule. The Huskies play two on the road, then two at home, and then two on the road and two straight at home during the second half of the year. Redington starts its season next weekend at Monroe Catholic in Fairbanks, and will make the jourey to Valdez the following week. Barrow visits Redington in Week 3 for the Huskies home opener. Redington also hosts Seward in Week 4.

The second half of the schedule features road games at Nikiski and Voznesenka, and home dates against Homer and Houston.

*** Editor’s note: This is the second piece of a five-part series previewing the seasons of the Valley’s five prep football squads. For a feature about the Houston Hawks, see frontiersman.com/sports. For more about the Colony Knights, Palmer Moose and Wasilla Warriors, see an upcoming edition of the Frontiersman. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.