New coach brings ‘new life’ to struggling program
BISMARCK — Winning football games has been a challenge for the Bismarck Lions for quite some time.
Since the program was restored in 2006 after a threeyear hiatus for lack of participation, the Lions have gone 22-90 and reached the playoffs three times. Last season, the Lions went 0-10 under second-year head coach Lewis Jolly.
Daniel Keithley, defensive coach at Camden Harmony Grove for the last 10 years, is Bismarck’s new head coach, assisted by Bryan Lee.
Despite the losing tradition, Keithley feels the team is not discouraged.
“I think with the coaching change, it allows for a little bit of new life,” he said. “It allows for a chance to come in and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to shake some things up.’ You bring in a different mindset. By being different, it allows you the chance to get a little spark.”
Despite no success in the new attack last year, Keithley plans to stick with the Spread offense.
“We are going to be a Spread team,” he said. “How much we run versus how much we throw out of that Spread is still to be determined. We’d like to be balanced. They didn’t have a whole lot of success in it (last year), but we’re not running it like they did. It’s a different offense, different terminology.”
The offensive line will be a strong asset, Keithley said.
“We’ve got a good group,” he said. “We’ve got three seniors that I think will do a good job leading the offensive line, and I think we’ll be able to do a good job. Our biggest thing is just working on technique and being able to move like we need to.”
Senior Phillip Heck (5-11,
267) and junior Colton Jones
(5-11, 240) line up at guard while senior Noah Emerson
(6-2, 240) slides from guard to tackle.
Anchoring the line is senior center Karson Wheeler (5-11,
220), a starting guard last season, though Jones could move to the position.
Keithley expects a great deal from sophomore quarterback James Kegley (5-10, 150).
“James Kegley did a great job as a junior high quarterback,” he said. “He’s going to be more of a passing-style quarterback, but he’s got enough speed that he can hurt you a little bit running the ball.”
Junior Dylan Clayton (6-3,
175) will also take a few snaps for the Lions, after leading the offense last season.
“Dylan Clayton will be more of a running-style quarterback,” Keithley explained. “He can throw, and we’re still working on developing his throw technique. He’s definitely going to hurt you with his legs.”
Keithley has high hopes for senior receivers Dillon Hunt
(6-1, 190) and Skyler Checots
(5-9, 147).
“Skyler is a smaller but quicker, shiftier kid,” he said. “He’s got great hands and understands football. He’s not real big, but he makes up for it in determination and grit.”
Clayton, when not receiving snaps, will be opening up another route for Kegley, with junior Jordan Webb (5-9, 170) lining up at inside receiver.
“(Clayton has) a long stride, runs fast, is tall,” Keithley said. “(He’s) a basketball player-type that can go up and get the ball. Webb, playing that other inside receiver, is going to be a big help as well.”
The defensive line will look similar to its counterpart on offense.
Dillon Hunt, a “tall, aggressive, gritty kid,” moves to the anchor end. Heck and Wheeler line up in the middle, “two senior defensive tackles that we think are going to do a good job.”
Senior Dylan Daniels (5-10,
170) returns at linebacker with classmate Josh Burroughs (5-9,
165) and junior Sam Diaz (5-8,
185) possibly joining him in the backfield.
“(Daniels) is another one of our senior leaders,” Keithley said. “He’s really one of those types that leads by example, but he’s a gritty, downhill-type defensive player. Diaz went out last season with an ACL injury, and he’s still kinda nursing that thing. If he can get that knee ready to go, he’s going to be able to step in there.”
Junior Carson Mitchell (60, 143) is one option the Lions have for kicking points and onside attempts while Diaz handles placements again. Both Kegley and Clayton have shown promise in punting, giving multiple options on fourth down.
Keithley named Checots and Clayton among several “quick, shifty guys” who can return the ball.
Bismarck’s conference schedule includes defending 3A champion Prescott and 2016 semifinalist Glen Rose.
“Obviously, you’ve got the reigning state champions, Prescott, and of course they’re always good,” he said. “They’re always on everybody’s top 10 lists, and with them is Glen Rose. Centerpoint had a great year last year, went nine wins and made it to the semis. Those are the guys you’ve gotta compete with.”
Keithley noted that it has been “a long time since Bismarck had a winning season,” but he feels the Lions have a shot of making their presence known this season.
“You’ve gotta find one of those guys that you can beat and steal you a playoff spot,” he said. “Just making the playoffs is not what we’re after, but we expect to beat a couple of those teams. We expect to compete with Prescott. We expect to compete with Glen Rose. We want to give those guys a game; whenever they leave, we want to make sure they know they’ve played a ball game.”