By Chris Parker
Marshfield football is looking to continue improving its win total after going from two wins in 2023 to four last season.
A larger roster is a big reason for optimism.
“The numbers are growing. We had a couple small classes in general run through the high school. We have had some pretty talented players just not large groups of them,” Marshfield head coach Cody Bull said. “I feel like we are moving back up the ladder here. Last year’s seniors did an awesome job getting things back on track. To be honest, we exceeded what my expectations were for last year with those guys. They put us in a good spot. This year’s seniors are taking that and running with it. We are hoping to climb back up that win ladder.”
Seven starters return on offense led by senior Carson Adams who enters his second season as a full-time starter.
“At the end of last year, he really started catch on to the RPO game, so it allowed us to do a little more offensively,” Bull said. “We kind of limited ourselves early in the season, and as the season went on and we felt more comfortable we opened up the playbook a little bit.”
He will have an experienced unit blocking for him up front with Austin Croy, Addison Ridings, Blake Richards and Gage Harls returning as starters. Croy is a three-year starter at left tackle. Richards earned all-conference honors last season. Harls is moving from tight end to guard this season. Sophomore Kolton Ross will handle duties at center.
“I feel like it (offensive line play) is a much bigger strength than it has been for the last couple years,” Bull said.
Hayden Swanigan and Christian Jackson return at wide receiver.
“Both are really good possession guys, very good blockers, smart and selfless,” Bull said.
Case Steinbach will have a bigger role this season after seeing varsity snaps last season. He will be a slot receiver.
“(Steinbach) is a phenomenal athlete,” Bull said. “He has great body control; great hands and he can run or catch the ball. He has been our JV quarterback a little bit the last couple years. He can do a lot of things. He gives us a lot of options on offense. He is a solid weapon.”
Leighton Callaway will also see time as a slot receiver.
Braden Jensen will take over as the starting tight end.
“(Jensen) has fantastic hands,” Bull said. “He probably overall has the best hands on the team.”
In the backfield, Anthony Macrelli, AJ Adams and Trenton Rosenthal will handle running back duties with Carter James at fullback.
“We will ride the hot hand,” Bull said. “I think they can all do it. We can get them all touches, but if somebody gets hot we will ride that guy. They are very capable Friday night type of runners.”
The run game will be a focus for the Blue Jays.
“We are pretty multiple in our formations and shifts. We are going to be a run-first team, but a lot of that is going to be mixed in with some solid quick game and play action to keep people on their toes,” Bull said.
Defensively, Marshfield returns a wealth of experience with the secondary being especially experienced.
“We have a super experienced secondary coming back, which hopefully can limit some big plays,” Bull said. “That is something we want to focus on taking away.”
Swanigan, Callaway, Rosenthal and Takoda Gritts return to the secondary. Rosenthal will also come down and play linebacker.
The defensive line will feature Croy, Ridings, Blake Richards, Harls and Justin Ortiz.
“Up front, we are going to be solid in the middle. Both of our linebackers are super athletic, so that is going to allow them to run and see some things a little easier and not have to deal with as many people in their face,” Bull said.
The Blue Jays have to replace a linebacking duo that tallied more than 275 combined tackles last season.
Sophomore Caleb Bull will be a key replacement. Caleb Kasper is moving back from defensive end where he started last season to linebacker. Josh Lambeth is also going to factor in at linebacker.
Marshfield will host Glendale, Fair Grove and Pierce City for a jamboree on Aug. 22. The Blue Jays open the regular season on Aug. 28 at Parkview.
“I want to see these guys give themselves a chance week-to-week,” Coach Bull said. “We have some really good teams on our schedule a lot of those games could go either direction. I want to see them in the fourth quarter giving themselves a chance to win or lose based on how they perform and not something we are letting people have. We want to make sure we are going out and competing at a really high level and executing at a really high level. Give ourselves a chance to be where we want to be at the end of the season.”
