Warrior football squad looks to fill holes

WASILLA -- Each year high school coaches are dealt with the daunting task of filling the void left by their stars from a year ago. Some teams only need a handful of replacements, others are devastated by graduation.

The Wasilla Warriors fall somewhere in between.

Though names like Abe Salmon, Sam Widmer, Cody Schierman, Kevin Donahoe and Josh Nelson are now filed under the category "alumni" rather than on the current roster, the Warriors are not ready to be tagged with the term "rebuilding."

The Wasilla coaching staff feels that the 2003 squad should be fueled by enough varsity veterans and players from a strong junior varsity squad to stay competitive in the tough Northern Railbelt Conference.

Of all the holes to be filled, Wasilla head coach Nathan Ford cites two positions as most important-- tailback on offense and nose guard on defense.

Ford said that Wasilla has had a long run of quality nose guards noting names such as Josh Nelson, Mat Gittlein and Widmer. Ford added without an experienced nose guard on the roster, a veteran from another position will be moved into the interior of the defensive line.

At the tailback position, Wasilla will need to fill the void left by Abe Salmon.

Salmon was among the state leaders in both touchdowns and yards rushing and was one of the biggest impact players in the conference on both sides of the ball.

Salmon was the focal point for the Warrior offense from his tailback position.

Possible replacements for Salmon are Jed Wade and his younger brother Jake.

Jed, a senior, is a two-year starter at linebacker and was named All-Northern Railbelt Conference at the position.

Wade also saw time at fullback last year, filling in for injured starter T.J. Crenshaw.

"Everyone knows how good of an athlete Jed is," Wasilla offensive coordinator Dan Michael said.

Jake, a sophomore, could also make an impact on the varsity level. Last season the younger Wade had success on the junior varsity squad.

Both Michael and Ford also expect big things from Ricky Cunningham.

Cunningham started on the Warrior defense at linebacker and defensive end as a sophomore and also saw time in the backfield in a reserve role.

Cunningham could possibly start for Wasilla at the tailback or fullback positions.

The combination of Jed Wade and Cunningham could give the Warriors a bruising backfield.

The Warriors have a group of running backs from last year's junior varsity squad that are expected to contend for time in the varsity backfield this season.

Senior Mike Miller and junior Matt Crane are each expected to complete not only for time, but a starting job in the Warrior backfield.

Vying for the job as the captain of the backfield is Danny Ament.

The senior signal caller is one of three players that saw action for Wasilla at quarterback last season. Steve Sprouse and Kevin Donahoe graduated, leaving Ament as the lone Warrior with varsity experience at the position.

Despite the edge in experience, Ament has not been handed the position as of yet.

"He has put in a lot of time in the off season," Michael said. "We hope he comes up big. Danny is a real coachable kid."

Michael added that Ament possesses several qualities that would allow him to be competitive at the position, noting that the senior is a good leader and runs the ball well.

The man in charge of snapping the ball to the winner of the quarterback battle will be Jimbo Ressler.

Ressler will return as a second-year starter at the center position. Joining Ressler on the line will be Jeramiee Miesler.

Miesler is also a senior and should start on the offensive line for the second straight season.

Michael said that he expects another senior lineman, William Kercher, to be strong this season.

On the defensive side of the ball the Warriors are expected to be led by Jed Wade and Cunningham.

Cunningham could start at either defensive end or linebacker and Wade will most likely be the chief of the Warriors linebacking corps.

Another impact player on defense could be Brady Washburn, at the defensive end spot.

The Warriors have an immediate test facing the 2001 state champion Dimond Lynx on Aug. 9.

Wasilla will face the Lynx at Dimond High School at 5 p.m.