Warriors aim to keep things simple in 2009

WASILLA — Glenn Nelson is bringing a new approach to the Wasilla football program, and the first-year head coach has an immediate goal.

Keep it simple.

“The first week of practice all we did was condition,” Nelson said on Wednesday.

The Warriors have also found simplicity on both sides of the ball.

“We had a lot of schemes on defense. We just cut a lot of that out and went to a straight 5-2,” Nelson said. “On offense, our play book had 248 plays. We had an extreme amount of talent on offense last year, but failed to execute. (This year) we cut it down to 50 plays.”

By sticking with the standard 5-2 defense (a formation with five linemen, two linebackers and four defensive backs) and implementing a more straight-forward attack on offense, Nelson hopes his players can find more success than the 2008 Warriors squad that finished 3-5 overall and 1-5 in Railbelt Conference play last year.

Wasilla has had to endure early adversity this season — projected starting quarterback Eric Washington is lost for the season with a broken arm and senior lineman Matt Kinley suffered a season-ending injury in an off-the-field accident — but Nelson said the Warriors are continuing to work through.

There are about 100 players on the roster, a promising number for the program, and there is good depth among the underclassmen.

And even though the Warriors graduated a strong senior class that included quarterback Adrese LaVern, running back Chris Crane, linebacker Casey Katchinska and wide receiver Tim Orr, Wasilla does return a handful of players who saw significant action last season.

Washington is gone for the season, but Wasilla does have a veteran in senior Cody Pfeifer.

As a junior, while splitting time with LaVern, Pfeifer threw for 686 yards and eight touchdowns. The lefty tossed for 100 yards or more in four of Wasilla’s final five games.

Nelson said Wasilla will sport the “running back by committee,” but he’s excited about the group he’ll have toting the ball.

There’s certain depth at fullback with senior James Langendorf, senior Tony Lapiz and sophomore Devin Teeling.

Leading the Warriors at tailback is senior Chris Bydlon.

“There were instances last year where we saw a lot of potential,” Nelson said of Bydlon. “Even though he’s a smaller guy.”

Nelson said Wasilla is struggling early at the receiver position, but is excited about the potential of junior flanker Izaak Probasco. Wasilla should also have a pair of big targets at the tight end position.

David Green, a 6-foot-4 junior is back. John Knowles, a 6-8 senior and WHS basketball standout in basketball, is also on the team this year.

Anchoring the offensive line are seniors Kaulen Pevan and Gilbert Perez. Both will line up on the right side for WHS.

On defense, Nelson said Langendorf will be the leader at middle linebacker.

“He has a pretty big chip on his shoulder missing out on some awards,” Nelson said.

On the defensive line, Green will slide inside from defensive end and play nose guard. Nelson is also excited about senior transfer Misha Hall, who will play defensive end.

Bydlon is expected to lead the squad in the defensive backfield.

Wasilla opens the 2009 season tonight against Bartlett, the second-ranked team at the 4A level according to the first Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network prep football poll of the season.

Next week, the Warriors host Juneau-Douglas at WHS.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.