March 28, 2024

Young Tigerhawks look for success in new class

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The familiar story for most of the football teams around the county is the loss of important seniors, and that story is no different at Colfax-Mingo.

After losing 17 seniors from last year, the Tigerhawks will field a number of younger players, but are still optimistic for their first season in Class 1A, which they moved to in the offseason.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year and they’re going to be hard to replace,” C-M coach Mike Rupert said. “We have improved a lot over the summer, but we only have two returning starters on offense and three on defense. We do have some younger guys that have stepped up in the weight room and should help make us a formidable opponent.”

Perhaps the biggest loss from last season was quarterback Mitch Larson, who threw for a school record 2,664 yards. For the time being, the plan to replace him features the duo of junior Juan Gonzales and freshman Jared Myers. Gonzales saw a little time on the field last year, so he will see a little more of the field than Myers at first.

“They’ve both looked good throwing the ball, so we’ll just see where it goes from there,” Rupert said. “Juan has more experience, so that’s his strength, and Jared has a lot of tools for a freshman.”

The good news for the new QBs is the Tigerhawks’ receivers may be the most seasoned position on the team. Senior Jaden Van Dyke returns after a strong junior campaign that included 864 yards and six touchdowns. Fellow senior Byron Johnson will likely see an expanded role from last year, in which in he caught two touchdowns and 157 yards.

Because of the strength of that position, Tigerhawk fans can expect to see the team’s air-it-out style returning this season. The receivers and quarterbacks were also able to build some chemistry with C-M’s frequent seven-on-seven drills.

“Our offense will stay pretty much the same as last year,” Rupert said. “Jaden Van Dyke is back and he’s looked really good in seven-on-seven this summer. Byron Johnson has also looked really good and has some height to work with.”

Helping the passing game with be senior running back Dylan Albright, who has anchored the Tigerhawk defense over the past few years. Albright carried the ball three times for 49 yards last season, and Rupert believes he could have a big year if can avoid a common problem of his.

“He’s got a little speed, good size and he’s not afraid to stick his nose in it and knock people around,” Rupert said of Albright. “I think he’s going to have a really big year, but his big problem in the past is just staying healthy.”

As far as the trenches go, C-M will be lead by another returning starter in senior Chad McLain. Projected to start on both lines, McLain is the highest speed-strength tester in Rupert’s 10 years of coaching, having bench 340 pounds in this year’s test.

“He’s really got kind of nasty streak about him on the field,” Rupert said of McLain. “He’s a good player and we think he’s going to have a great year. He’s worked his butt off.”

Senior Jake Alexander will provide needed leadership at the linebacker and tight end positions, as many other positions could feature underclassmen. One newcomer, Romello Jones, is a welcomed addition, however. The 6-foot-3, 366-pound senior recently moved to Colfax and is expected to have an immediate impact on the defensive line, and could see some time on offense once he gets caught up on the terminology.

Although C-M will be dealing with the shift from Class 2A to 1A, Rupert still expects a challenge. Along with a few new opponents, Pella Christian also moved down to 1A and was placed in the Tigerhawks’ district.

“We may be dropping down to 1A, but that doesn’t necessarily make the district any easier,” Rupert said. “It’s a little bit of an adjustment in scheduling if anything, but we’re going to get ready for an opponent whether they’re 4A or 1A.”

The Tigerhawks will open their season at home at 7 p.m. tonight against East Marshall. The Mustangs went 0-9 last season and feature 17 starters this year.