JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — This Friday’s Week Zero game against Teton won’t technically count in the record books, but don’t waste your breath telling that to the Broncs.
Jackson is on a mission this season that head coach David Joyce admits feels like a “put up or shut up” run. Joyce and the Broncs return plenty of seniors with experience, especially at the skill positions—quarterback, running back, wide receiver.
Offense will be explosive
Question marks on either side of the ball as far as line play after graduating both offensive tackles (Jacobo Martinez, Gio Pineda) and interior lineman and run stopper Jack Brown, are quickly put to rest by Joyce who thinks his revamped O-line is as good as he’s had in five years with the organization.
“We moved Matt Carney who, at 6’2” 275, is the biggest lineman I’ve had since I got here. We have Will Pew and Henry Berezay who are big kids and as solid as they come. Then we have Ryan Ransom at center who is up to 230 pounds now after putting on 30 in the offseason. So, we are pretty big.”
Expecting the line to protect the team’s top-rated QB in Sadler Smith, Joyce says he wants to throw more this season. Smith certainly has his choice of targets in 3-year starting senior Nate Keipert who is the team’s deep threat with good size and speed.
While Keipert was injured for most of last season, Sam Scott emerged as the 3A’s leading receiver and go-to guy for Smith. Then there’s Colter Dawson, who Joyce likes to save and keep fresh for his defensive play. But there’s no denying the fullback/tight end creates matchup problems for most opponents with his size and power.
So much hinges on Smith, though. Joyce trusts his star play-caller to the degree that a lot of the playbook relies on pre-snap reads Smith is able to make at the line of scrimmage. A film room rat, Joyce is betting Smith will be able to detect what defenses are trying to do and where they are vulnerable, and make adjustments in real time.
Defense improving
The Jackson defense, which was good enough in 2020 and often overshadowed by the high-powered offense, will likely be improved.
Joyce admits his team took a “lot of flak” last season for its secondary play. The Broncs gave up too many easy receptions last year and the play at corner was mostly to blame.
But later on, and in the post season, cornerbacks Fort Crain-Evenson and Alexi DiDonato got better. Still, Joyce says he is moving both corners to safety—Crain-Evenson to free safety because of his sure tackling, and DiDonato to strong safety to take advantage of his closing speed on the ball and bulked up frame over the summer.
Last year, everything, defensively, relied on Jackson’s ability to stop the run, especially against bigger teams, without committing 8 to the box. The Broncs were able to do that mostly due to Brown’s exceptional play, but he had help.
Pew and Carney will be depended on to plug the middle, allowing Berezay (the team’s best edge rusher) and the linebacking core of Dawson, along with newcomer Braeden Weyhrich, to simply run to the ball, something the Broncs do as well as any team in 3A.
Ending a 14-year drought?
Early season polls have the two Broncs clubs at the top. Defending champs Cody is still the team to beat but Jackson actually edged out those ‘other’ Broncs as the #1 ranked team to start the 2021 season. Star Valley will be better than their 4-6 record last season just because, well, they’re Star Valley. Powell could be a dark horse with something to prove, and Douglas shows no signs of slowing in the east.
But many in the know are keeping a close eye on Jackson, believing this Broncs team could bring home its first state title since 2007. Anything less for Joyce and the boys would be a disappointment for sure, but Joyce realizes no one is handing them the trophy in August.
“For all the expectations, Douglas has those same expectations. Cody has the same expectations. Star Valley has them all the time,” Joyce said. “Fifty-three percent of 3A All-State players are back this season. Cody has 4 returning; Douglas has 5 returning—these are their main big hitters. For us to win it all, or anyone who wins it all, it will be well-earned.”
Friday’s opener against Teton Timberwolves will be broadcast on Jackson Hole Radio’s KZ95. Kickoff at 7pm. Pregame at 6:30pm.
