The Skinny
Coach Brent Budde enters his 9th season at the helm for the Woodstock Wolverines. Coach Budde has guided the Wolverines into the post season for the past two years. Budde’s Wolverines will have to replace several key pieces from last year’s team. Which featured not only the Region offensive player of the year (Noah Frith) but also the defensive player of the year, Latrell Bankston. We asked coach Budde what the biggest challenge would be this season.
Budde said, “Making sure the players know that just because we don’t have a lot of experienced players doesn’t mean we can’t be successful.”
While they Wolverines won’t return a lot of experience on offense, the do return First Team All-Region tackle, Trevor Stephens. Stephens will certainly be a key building block as the Wolverines break in several new players at the skill positions. Stephens will be joined on the line by fellow tackle, Jaylen Reid.
Dean Braxton is projected to take the reins at quarterback. Braxton did not have any pass attempts last season. Receiver Jabari Overton and tight end Drew Sheehan will look to fill some of the void left by Noah Frith and Louis Hall.
Ryan Martin is the most productive skill player that the Wolverines have returning. Martin rushed for over 460 yards last season.
On defense there will also be plenty of opportunities for a new crop of Wolverines to make their mark. Defensive back, Andrew Bartolero, a Second Team All-Reigion selection does return for his junior season. Bartolero was third on the team in tackles last season. He will be joined in the secondary by David Daniel. Line backers Caleb Conley and Campbell Price are projected as players that could make an impact on the Wolverine defense.
We asked Coach Budde if there were any particular games that were circled on the schedule this season.
“All of our region games are circled,” he said.
The Wolverines are quickly becoming accustomed to post season play, so it’s no surprise how Coach Budde described what a successful season would look like for his young Wolverines.
Budde said, “Qualifying for the play-offs for the 3rd year in a row.”
