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By Jeremiah Bartz Frontiersman.com A football coach using a hockey reference as the centerpiece for his keynote address may
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WASILLA — The Wasilla High School football program has entered a new era.
Will Stout, a veteran high school coach in Texas, has taken over the program, and is now in charge of helping the Warriors rebound from a winless 2015 campaign.
But as he makes his own transition from the Lone Star State to the Last Frontier, Stout doesn’t want to throw out terms often used in sports, such as “rebuilding.” Instead, Stout said the new Warriors staff is simply taking the program in a different direction.
And the start of the journey is a step one.
“Start simple and build from there,” Stout said recently.
Stout and his assistants are retooling things on both sides of the ball.
“We’re moving to a more run-oriented offense, and on defense, we’re going back to fundamentals, making sure they’re really sound on defense,” Stout said.
On offense, Stout has installed a version of the double-wing and is excited about the tools he has to insert into his offense.
The Warriors have veteran quarterback Hunter Hongslo, who began the season as the starter last year before an injury. The offense also features Aeron Milliron, who played quarterback and running back last year, and Jaden Walkenmeyer, who led the Warriors with 21 catches for 317 yards and four touchdowns.
The Warriors also have Sean McDermott at fullback and Beau Cork at a wing position.
Wasilla has options, but Stout said the Warriors are most focused on the team concept.
“We’re trying not to rely on one individual. It doesn’t matter who scores the touchdown,” Stout said. The team scores the touchdown.”
Leading the Warriors up front, Stout said, are Troy Michaels and Chase Minnick, a second-team All-NLC selection last year.
“We’re a young team, offensively. We’re just going to teach the kids the basics and build,” Stout said.
On defense, the Warriors boast a pair of players who earned first-team All-NLC honors last season, Cork at defensive back and Caleb Drumm at linebacker.
“(Drumm) is one of our vocal leaders on defense,” Stout said.
Stout also noted Arron Martinez on the defensive line.
Wasilla opens its 2016 season Friday at Eagle River. It’s the first of three nonconference games. The stretch includes a road game against Dimond Aug. 20, and a home date against Soldotna in Week 3. The Warriors start their Railbelt schedule Week 4 at West Valley.
The home schedule also includes games against Valley rivals Colony (Sept. 9) and Palmer (Sept. 30).
In a scheduling rarity, the Warriors will play both of their Valley rivals at home this season.
WASILLA WARRIORS
Head coach: Will Stout
Conference: Railbelt (large schools)
2015 finish: 0-8, missed playoffs
Key returners: Aeron Milliron, Jr., RB/LB; Hunter Hongslo, Sr., QB; Jaden Walkenmeyer, Sr., WR/DB; Beau Cork, Sr., WR/DB; Chase Minnick, Sr., OL/DL.
Key losses: Justin Lee, WR/DB; Ben Frick, OL/DL; Austin Sodorff, TE/DL.
2016 Schedule
Friday, Aug. 12 Wasilla at Eagle River, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 20 Wasilla at Dimond, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 26 Soldotna at Wasilla, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 2 Wasilla at West Valley, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9 Colony at Wasilla, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16 Lathrop at Wasilla, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 Wasilla at Chugiak, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 Palmer at Wasilla, 7 p.m.
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