What a difference 12 months can make.
In November 2022, one year after finishing the 2021 season 1-8, Black Hills emerged from a Kansas tiebreaker and won a crossover to make the state tournament.
Twelve months later, the Wolves 2023 season came to an unceremonious end, as a forfeit of the Pioneer Bowl left them with a 1-8 record.
New Black Hills coach Tom Spray was an assistant throughout all three of those seasons, and now he’s at the helm of a Wolves’ team looking for another bounce back season.
“The kids are really buying in,” Spray said. “Their attention to detail is a lot better.”
Quarterback Jaxson Beck has also been through the ups and downs of the last three years, and he’s back for his fourth and final season leading the Wolves.
Spray has seen Beck’s growth firsthand, and he noted how Beck’s intellect has grown to match his physical talent over the last few years.
“He knows the playbook as well as any of the coaches,” Spray said. “It’s gonna be awesome for us to see Jaxson and his experience help with his talent this year.”
Spray is hopeful that Beck won’t be the only playmaker offensively.
Tristan DeVille, a transfer from 3A Timberline, is a fast and physical receiver who Spray expects to play a big role in the passing attack. Sophomore tight end Tyson Creekpaum should slide in as an excellent blocker in the run game and a reliable option in the pass game.
Jake Weller and Jess Keith will lead the running back room, and they should be in line for bigger seasons with Spray taking over.
“Running the football, I think, is something that we haven’t committed to as much (in the past),” Spray said. “We’re gonna get a tight end on the line, create a definite strong and weak side for the defense, and we’re gonna be able to run the ball effectively at both the strong and weak side.”
The Wolves will have to get creative in the trenches, as Spray admitted they’ll likely be smaller than every other team they’ll play.
“That’s something we’ve seen,” Spray said.
Defensively, Black Hills has a couple of returners in key spots. Defensive lineman Matt Johnson, Mike linebacker Kenny Bell, and safety Jess Bender provide stability in the middle at every level of the defense.
Both sides of the ball will be tested early. After facing Clover Park and Eatonville to open the season, they’ll take on Montesano and former EvCo foe Rochester, which topped Black Hills in OT last year.
“If we’re gonna play a 1A school, we want to play the best that 1A has,” Spray said of Montesano and Rochester. “We want to have somebody that’s going to really challenge us … If we don’t play a good football game, they’ll probably kick our tails.”
While a repeat of 1-8 to state will be challenging, Spray is optimistic that this team could have a similar turnaround in them.
“They’re holding themselves accountable,” Spray said. “They’re doing all the things that I think we need to do to improve on the season that we had last year.”
