Copper Basin
Head coach: Chad Grabowski (first year here; 61-24 overall)
Returning starters:
5 offensive, 5 defensive
Key players: Seth Adams RB/DE (6-0, 190), RB/SS Chance Bailey (5-11, 170), QB/LB Joe Boggs (6-0, 180), WR/CB Jesse Chambers (5-10, 160), RB/FS Chase Mickens (5-10, 165). Team strengths: There is talent and depth along the offensive line. Among the rotation of eight who can play up front, there is also good quickness, which should help bring along the younger skill position players. Team concerns: As is the case after most coaching changes, there are a lot of new starters and new players in general. How quickly the inexperienced players are ready to contribute in Grabowski’s first year at Copper Basin will be a key to the season. Newcomers to watch: Both Joseph Johnson (6-2, 230), a two-way lineman, and QB/LB Bryson Grabowski (6-2, 180), the coach’s son, are versatile enough to play at a variety of positions, which should help with depth. Season outlook: Coach Grabowski helped guide Red Bank to the Class 3A state semifinals last season, and his arrival boosted the Cougars’ roster by nearly double the number of players they had at the end of last season.
Not only is the roster bigger — which will help with depth — but there is also renewed enthusiasm thanks to the new coach’s positive personality. That has translated into a more productive offseason in the weightroom and just in the overall outlook.
“The toughest part has been, and will be, the mental aspect,” Coach Grabowski said. “The last couple of years have been tough on the kids, and they’ve had a hard time believing in themselves. If they continue to stick together and believe in what we’re doing, I think that will make a huge difference.”
Grabowski’s son brings not only good size and athletic ability to both sides of the ball, but also the experience of having grown up playing in a winning program at Red Bank. The Cougars have several capable ball carriers in what likely will be a run-heavy offense.
“We’ve got some talented athletes, but we’re still thin on depth,” Coach Grabowski said. “Finding that rotation that will allow the starters to get a break without putting in kids who aren’t quite ready is what we’re working on. With a small roster, making sure we don’t wear out the starters as the season goes is a big key. We’ll have to bring along the new and younger kids to where they can help us.
“I have loved the no-quit attitude and toughness our kids are showing.”