The AGWSR football team is hoping it can make major strides in its second year of running the Gun-T offense, a formation of Wing-T concepts run out of the shotgun. Head Coach James Koop says the retention of information has given the team a head start in its installation.
“We’re doing our install like we did last year, during camp and then the first two days of practice,” Koop says. “And the kids kind of looked at me and Coach Heubner goofy because both of us at different times said the offense looked a lot smoother. We’ve been way more efficient. Practice has actually gotten done 10 or 15 minutes earlier a couple of nights because we haven’t had to stop every play and teach so many things, because the kids have retained things from last year.”
The starting quarterback hasn’t been determined, but Eli Holmgaard is back at running back after leading the team in rushing yards and earning all-district honors last year. Koop says they’re hoping to find depth at that position.
“Having somebody at the tailback position that knows the offense and stuff like that is a big boost. Who follows him, lots of question marks. The factor after that is, he’s a junior, and then we’re not repping a senior at F, our tailback position. So then you’re looking at a sophomore and a freshman. In Class A football, sometimes you have to play freshmen. I’m not saying we won’t play any freshmen, but eighth grade to varsity is a huge jump. We’ll have to see if the freshmen get to the point where they’re ready for those varsity reps on offense and defense, and not just on special teams.”
They’ll open the season by hosting Nashua-Plainfield on Friday, August 29.
