TUMWATER — Year 1 of the Tom Spray era didn’t end with a playoff appearance for Black Hills, but the season overall felt like a step forward.
After winning just one game the year before, the 2024 Wolves tripled their win total and finished one win shy of a crossover berth.
The 2025 Wolves might not need a postseason berth to feel that momentum continue, but they’d be lying if they said it wasn’t in the back of their minds.
“We want to improve on our record from last year,” Kenny Bell said. “Take it week by week, then see what we can do and hopefully make a playoff run.”
With the amount of talent they have back, it wouldn’t be wild to see the Wolves get back to state for the first time since 2022.
Bell, Matthew Johnson, and Jess Bender all earned all-league nods on the defensive side last year, and all three are back to anchor that unit.
“I feel like our defense was young last year,” Bell said. “People are getting better and working hard. With experience, I feel like we’re gonna be better in our roles and assignments.”
Spray commended the defense’s upperclassmen, saying it was vital to have “good senior leadership right up the middle.”
The offense has a few more question marks.
Gone are All-Area receiver Tristan Deville and all-league quarterback Jaxsen Beck, who connected for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns through the air last fall.
Under center, Spray and his staff are turning to Jesse Keith, who saw snaps at fullback last season before a season-ending injury.
He’s thrown the ball well throughout camp, according to Spray, and he’s also shown bursts of speed and agility that could make him very difficult to contain on designed running plays.
As for his No. 1 option, Spray acknowledged that it will be difficult to replace that production, but he believes that Tyson Creekpaum can fill that role.
As a sophomore last season, Creekpaum had multiple impressive showings, including 70 yards in the season finale against Aberdeen and 66 yards at Rochester.
Jake Tinsley is set to lead the running back room, though Marshall Orona, Bender, and Bell will also rotate in and get touches as well.
“We got guys that are filling in and ready to take on the new roles,” Spray said.
Black Hills will face Clover Park and Eatonville in the first two weeks before facing Montesano and Rochester in Weeks 3 and 4.
“We get a good mix of teams that are just bigger than us,” Spray said. “That’s gonna help us later when it comes to Tumwater and W.F. West.”
The Wolves play the T-Birds on Oct. 10, and they’ll wrap up the regular season finale against the Bearcats on Oct. 30.
If the season goes the way they hope, a playoff berth could be on the line.
“They’re ready to turn the curve,” Spray said. “They’re ready to win some games this year. I’m excited about that, and hopefully, we can get them there.”
