It’s a fresh start for the Goodrich varsity football team.
The Martians hit the practice field Monday, Aug. 7, looking to bounce back from a 1-8 campaign in 2005 to contend once again in the Genesee Area Conference Red Division.
Goodrich coach Tom Alward said the Martians, who number about 34 players this year, have put in a good effort so far to get ready for the season, both during the summer and so far in practice.
‘The kids are working hard and they’re positive,? he said. ‘During the summer, we threw the ball around quite a lot. The kids got together on their own and lifted weights, and they worked hard on their speed and agility.
Key returning players are: strong safety/linebacker Bennett Gillam, linebacker/tight end Chris Tanner, linebacker/offensive tackle Josh Johns, offensive guard Scott Edwards, offensive tackle Alan Easton, quarterback Tyler Moncrieff, running back Jeremy Nord, defensive back Brandon Nieporte, and defensive end Dusty Bourassa.
Despite last year’s subpar record, Alward said the returning players learned a lot from last year and will show improvement this season.
‘There were a lot of positives, and our kids worked hard and worked through them,? he said. ‘They know now how a game can turn. We’ll be better. We’re excited about this season.?
Joining the familiar faces on the varsity this year are two key newcomers whom Alward said would make an impact, running back Jake Bourassa and offensive guard Jake Winston. In addition, defensive end Mike Schultz, although on the team last year, will have an increased role on this year’s team, Alward said.
As far as this year’s schedule is concerned, Alward said the team will face a challenge each week, both in league and non-league action.
Last year’s Genesee Area Conference Red Division standings were evenly divided between teams with 4-1 league records and teams with 1-4 records. Lake Fenton, Montrose and Mt. Morris fit into the former category, while Durand, Goodrich and LakeVille were grouped in the latter category.
Alward said Montrose and Lake Fenton are always perennial league title contenders, while Durand and Mt. Morris are improved from last year. Even LakeVille, which went 1-8 overall last season, garnered their lone win of the 2005 season against the Martians, defeating Goodrich 41-13.
Things will not be any easier for the Martians in their nonleague schedule. They play two nonleague games at the start of the season (Aug. 25 against Richmond and Sept. 1 against Bay City John Glenn) and two nonleague games at the end of the season (Oct. 13 against Corunna and Oct. 20 against Yale).
The Martians played the same four teams last season in nonleague action, with all four earning victories. In addition, those four teams all had winning records last season, with Richmond and Bay City John Glenn qualifying for the state playoffs.
‘We’ll have our hands full nine straight weeks,? Alward said.
In the days leading up to the Aug. 25 season opener at Richmond, Alward said he and the coaching staff will work on making sure the Martians are fundamentally sound.
‘We just want to get out techniques down offensively and defensively, and make sure we’re doing the right things,? he said. ‘We want to put the kids in the right position to make plays and eliminate as many mistakes as possible.?