Redington ready to make varsity football debut

WASILLA — As a first-year program, the Redington Huskies had the chance to test the prep football waters on the junior varsity level in 2015. But now, it’s time for the Huskies to dive in.

Redington will make school history tonight as the Huskies make their varsity football debut hosting Monroe Catholic at 7 p.m. at Redington Jr./Sr. High School.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but the guys are definitely excited,” Redington head coach Tony Brooke said recently.

Redington Jr./Sr. High, located off Knik-Goose Bay Road south of Wasilla, opened its doors at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year. The school, named after legendary musher Joe Redington Sr., featured middle school students, grades six through eight, and freshmen and sophomores at the high school level. This year, the school will also include juniors, giving the football program three classes to pull talent from. But as Brooke said, a challenge for the Huskies, will be facing programs from schools with four grades.

“We don’t have the seniors. It’s a huge challenge for the team. I’m interested to see how they stack up against these programs that have seniors, and juniors who have been in a program for a long time,” Brooke said.

But on the positive side, the program has drawn a solid number of players, for a small school, early in the season. Brooke said the Huskies have about 35 players on the roster.

“Much better than last year. This time last year we had about 12,” Brooke said.

Redington’s total is comparable to Houston, another Valley program that competes at the small-schools level.

‘We’re definitely ahead of the game, numbers-wise,” Brooke said.

Of the 35, Brooke estimates between 10 and 15 are freshmen. That gives about the Huskies about 20 who have a year of Redington football under their belts.

“The majority has played with us,” Brooke said.

While Brooke knows the Huskies will face a significant learning curve throughout the first season of Redington varsity football, the second-year head coach is pleased with the progress he’s seeing.

“We still have a lot of coaching to do, but we have a very positive feeling,” Brooke said.

The Redington coaching staff is certainly starting with the basics, and building upon fundamentals. But aside from the basic skills, Brooke said he sees improved confidence in his players, who might not be able to match the experience of players on rival rosters. Brooke said he saw that during a preseason scrimmage with Houston earlier this month. Brooke said to hear one of his players say they are not scared to go out and block or tackle an opponent is a sign of that growth.

“They don’t always have that deer in the headlight look,” Brooke said.

Brooke praised his assistant coaches in their role in building the foundation, and leading the young players. Brooke said the Huskies gained a pair of assistants with experience coaching at Houston. Mathias Weinberger is the new defensive coordinator and Will Reeder is coaching the offensive and defensive line. Brooke said the Huskies have also gained the help of former Houston head coach Mark Whitehurst.

Whitehurst, an assistant coach on a pair of large schools state championship teams in Alaska, is a volunteer assistant, and his helping install Redington’s offense.

“One of the biggest things for me this year as a head coach, I have a coaching staff that is on top of it, uber prepared. I have empowered them. This is your offense, this is your defense, go with it. Let’s make these (players) as successful as we can,” Brooke said.

Junior Jaycob Elliott is expected to play quarterback for the Huskies this season. The offensive backfield will include sophomore Kyler Rumfelt. Leading Redington up front is junior TJ Laumatia.

On defense, Brooke said the Huskies are excited about junior safeties Brian Horne and Sam Reed, and sophomore linebacker Rhiley Spott.

Redington will compete in the small-schools Peninsula Conference that also includes Homer, Nikiski, Seward and Voznesenka.

The Huskies start the season with three straight nonconference games. Following its home game against Monroe, the Huskies travel to Ketchikan to face the Kings on Aug. 20 before hosting Valdez Aug. 26.

The conference schedule starts at Seward Sept. 3.

The season also includes home games against Nikiski (Sept. 9) and Voznesenka (Sept. 16).

REDINGTON HUSKIES

Head coach: Tony Brooke

Conference: Peninsula (small schools)

2015 finish: 1st varsity season

Key returners: Kyler Rumfelt, Soph., RB; Jaycob Elliott, Jr., QB; TJ Laumatia, Jr., OL; Brian Horne, Jr. DB; Sam Reed, Jr., DB.

2016 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 12 Monroe Catholic at Redington, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20 Redington at Ketchikan, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 26 Valdez at Redington, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 3 Redington at Seward, TBA

Friday, Sept. 9 Nikiski at Redington, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 Voznesenka at Redington, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24 Redington at Homer, 2 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 Redington at Houston, 7 p.m.