By Trevor Austin
LocalSportsJournal.com
Despite coming off of a 3-6 finish last season, Newaygo football head coach Ralph Munger is focused on helping his team take steps forward in his second year at the reins of the program.
“Year number two is so far better than year number one,” said Munger. “This program needs a boost. We’re not where we need to be yet, but we are definitely moving in that direction.”
Newaygo coach Ralph Munger.
Munger expressed that he has high hopes for this season and that the goal is to show marked improvements over last season.
“We have a good group of young men that are very competitive and a solid core we will look to build on,” said Munger.
Even with a decorated career like Munger’s, turning a program into a perennial winner is far from easy. As is the case with a lot of smaller schools, the Newaygo football team faces challenges when it comes to depth. Finding the numbers to fill a roster and have some breathing room in case of injury is a tough task.
Injuries were a dark spot of the season last year and by the end of the year, they had 11 players inactive due to injury from the 32 on the roster.
“It’s an ongoing saga as a smaller school,” Munger said. “We have a fair number of sports and the kids are often attracted to which ones are the best and if we can get this program rolling, I think we will have more players join in for the future.”
This season, the Lions return six defensive and eight offensive starters, which will give them a little bit of experience for the newcomers to lean on. However, five of those returning starters play both sides of the ball so inexperience was an early concern for Munger, but he believes the tight core of veteran voices will still help lead the way.
“The good news is we do have a number of younger players, namely juniors, that should be able to step in and start once we get going so it can take some of the pressure off of the guys who had to play both ways last year,” Munger said.
Senior dual-threat quarterback Blake Kerr will be back at the helm as the starter. Munger continues to have high hopes for him.
“Kerr was a captain as a junior, has high marks academically and I fully believe he will continue to play after his time is up with the Lions,” Munger said.
Senior tight end Henry Wood, junior running back Damone Moore and senior wide receiver Hunter Yearsovich will return as the offensive skill players. The Lions also will see familiar faces in the trenches along the offensive line with senior Xavier Stroud, senior Jacob Eager, junior Noah McLaughlin and senior Tyler Borden.
Some key defensive starters for the Lions include Wood and Stroud at linebacker and Yearsovich at defensive back. McLaughlin and Eager will also do double duty on the defensive line.
Senior running back Ethan Reyburn, who sat out last season with a shoulder injury, is expected to come back and make an impact out of the backfield. Junior linebacker and running back Porter Slominski will also make his return from injury and be asked to play a crucial role on both sides. Junior wide receiver and defensive back Sebastian Belanger, senior defensive back Ryan Pickerd and senior defensive lineman Cody Deur also will be in the mix early on.
There may be some challenges that the Lions face, but they also have qualities that they will look to utilize to push themselves through the upcoming season.
“We really have a great overall attitude,” said Munger. “We have some speed and improved strength. It’s not fully where we need it to be quite yet, but I’d say in a year or two it should be right where we want it.”
The biggest aspect that Munger is looking to instill in the players this year is growth.
“I want them to have the mindset that every day we work to improve our play individually and as a team,” said Munger. “Overall, I want them to be the best athlete they can be. Make positive memories, enjoy the grind and have fun competing with each other.”
The Lions will kick off the regular season on Aug. 29 as they host Kent City.
