Strong senior class has Spartans seeking return to playoffs
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) The Spartan senior football players, pictured back row, from left to right: Peyton Spegal, Brandon McCracken, Colby Poe, Teryn Hanes and Keegan Hegel. Front row: Noah Martinez, Arron Reyes, Brett Gordon, Caleb Womack and Robbie Anselmo.
Anselmo, Hegel, Reyes lead senior- laden Spartans
By ERIC PLUMMER
Sports editor
PRIEST RIVER — With three returning all-league players, a strong senior class and a new coach asking for a relentless style of play, there are a lot of reasons to like the Spartans’ chances of a third straight trip to the 3A state playoffs this season, which kicks off Friday at Riverside.
Justin Torfin takes over his first head coaching job, a former college running back who plans to run a triple option offense, a ground and pound offense popular with the service academies.
Returning All-IML running back and defensive back Tommie Anselmo will be pulling the trigger on the new offense, and he possesses the qualities Torfin wants as he moves to quarterback as senior.
“Robbie is just a smart kid, good football mind, understands the big picture,” described Torfin. “A good team leader who works hard.”
It’s called a triple option for a reason, and multiple running backs will get touches, including seniors Keegan Hegel, Brett Gordon and Teryn Haynes. Hegel was second team All-IML last year, and if the Spartans hope to improve on last year’s 4-5 mark, including 2-1 in IML play, the RBs will play a big role.
When team’s crowd the box to stop the run, play action can become extremely effective, with Brandon McCracken and Caden Brennan stretching the field and keeping defenses honest stopping the run.
“Keegan is a real talented running back, athletic, quick. We’ll give him the ball and room to work,” said Torfin. “Teryn’s a bruiser that is really quick.”
Senior Arron Reyes will help power the offensive line, where he’ll be joined by Logan Isenberger, Bradley O’Brien, Tanner Cochrane and Cole Thompson. Reyes, a 6-0, 225 pound returning All-IML O-line and D-line player, uses great leverage and strength to both make and plug gaps.
“He’s a real anchor. A big, strong kid, aggressive,” claimed Torfin. “He can move people around. He’ll be the anchor of both lines.”
Leading the defense will be junior “Mike” linebacker Tanner Cochrane, the type of tone setter every team needs. Torfin will lean on him to keep the team fired up.
“Tanner is a vocal leader, a passionate football player. He gets everybody amped up to go, we’ll lean on him a lot.”
Gordon, Hegel, Anselmo and Brennan will form one of the better defensive backfields in the league, with Noah Martinez and Teagun Holycross also seeing reps when the two-way players need rest.
Torfin feels the team’s identity will be simply coming after the opponent from the opening kick to final whistle.
“We’ll bring a relentless style of play, with guys finishing. Relentless in everything they do. Whether up or down, they’re coming at you every play,” described Torfin, who likes his team’s chances of returning to state. “They’re hard workers, listen to coaching, I’m excited for them. This is a tough conference, but it’s anybody’s game.”
The Spartans are at Riverside on Friday, with kickoff at 7 p.m.