Football Cardinals May Be Underrated

FARMINGTON — The Cardinals have an abundance of under-rated, overlooked talent returning on offense.

Farmington head coach Mike Adams is beginning his 43rd season of coaching football and likes the depth Farmington has at almost every offensive position except along the line.

Quarterback

Senior Trey Waggle (6-4, 195) is a returning starter. Juniors Eric Hill (5-10, 165) and Seth Swain (6-0, 165) add depth at quarterback. Hill is the better passer while Swain is a better runner.

“They are both competing at that spot, they have strong suits we’ll use,” Adams said. “They are both really intelligent kids. They know what to do. I feel really comfortable if we have to put either one of them out there. They will do a good job.”

Running Backs

Farmington has a stable of runners to carry the ball at tailback in the Cardinal I-formation offense: seniors Caleb Williams (5-8, 190), Javan Jowers (5-10, 175), and Jared Oskey (5-8, 170); along with juniors Reid Turner (5-9, 175), and Dimariae Donovan (5-5, 140).

Jowers is also playing wide receiver, a position he played in junior high; while Oskey is getting a look at fullback. Oskey bench-presses 265 pounds and does a 225 power-clean.

“It’s hard to get five guys carries back there, so we’re using their abilities at other places,” Adams said. “Jowers, we’re kind of experimenting with him as a wide-out.”

Williams led the Cardinals in rushing as a junior. He bench-presses 300 pounds and anchors the track team 4x100 relay.

“He has good speed and is pretty powerful,” Adams said.

Adams said Turner is probably the fastest Cardinal and notes he broke a 40-yard touchdown run last year at Clarksville that kind of sealed the game.

“He’s good out in space,” Adams said.

Donovan will get more carries than last year.

“He has probably the fastest feet of all our tailbacks,” Adams said. “He’s the best zone reader we have.”

Fullback

In addition to Oskey, senior Jayden Goff (5-10, 190), who had a good fall camp; and junior Rhett Rominger (6-0, 205), a good runner and strong blocker; solidify the position.

“Goff caught the ball really well in fall camp and is an exceptional lead blocker,” Adams said. “The last two years our fullbacks have been small. It’s nice to have some size to run some of that stuff inside to where you can get a big body in there to help clear the way.”

Receivers

Senior Xavier Staten (6-3, 185) is a deep-ball threat, who is dangerous when isolated 1-on-1. Farmington seeks to utilize his size to create mismatches. Staten earned honorable mention All-Conference last year as a junior. In 2016, Staten hauled in 37 pass receptions for 471 yards, averaging 12.7-yards-per-catch, with a long play of 37 yards and 5 touchdowns.

“We feel we can create some good matchups with him because of his size,” Adams said.

Sophomore Drew Sturgeon moved up to varsity for the final game of the season as a freshman. Junior Kolton Reeves (5-5, 130) missed a week with a concussion, but is expected to return and have an impact.

“He is a tenacious blocker and catches everything you throw to him,” Adams said. “He’s a guy we’ll use in our multi-wide receiver sets for sure.”

Tight End

Senior Jacob Gray (6-2, 190) won the starting job by the season’s end as a sophomore. A two-sport athlete, Gray plays basketball. Although the Cardinals went only 2-5 in conference play, Gray won the 5A West Outstanding Tight End award. Playing only in 6 games, Gray caught 16 passes for 238 yards, an average of 14.9-yards-per-reception with a long play of 80 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was named All-Conference as a junior.

Senior Jae Woods (6-2, 195) played on the offensive line as a sophomore and placed sixth in the conference meet in the 200-meter as a sophomore.

Offensive Line

Senior Zach Newman came back strong after he sustained a stress fracture in his leg late in the summer of 2016. Newman started on the offensive line at right guard at 6-feet-3, 290 pounds. He was able to consistently drive defenders off the line on running plays and provided adequate pass protection over the course of the season. Newman was All-Conference 5A West as a junior.

Senior Sam Stevens (6-3, 300) got some varsity repetitions as a sophomore, then moved into the starting lineup last season.

“You can be big and strong and not be physical, but he’s become more physical,” Adams said.

Senior Cody Parrish (6-1, 190) started at center last year. He also can play either guard or tackle. Adams calls him “a super smart” player, who scored a 32 on his ACT, then upped that score to 35 this year.

“He plays baseball in the spring, so Chuck Carlson (6-1, 330) took all of our spring reps at center,” Adams said. “Chuck is another kid that had to play some last year. His quickness wasn’t really where it needs to be, but he’s improved his foot speed.”

Carlson squats 540 pounds and Adams describes him as a “really strong young man.”

Senior Kennan Evans (6-2, 215) is working at center and guard.

Juniors Jarek Braslavsky (5-11, 215) and Chuck Carlson (6-1, 330) provide depth.

Returning starter at right guard senior Zach Newman (6-3, 290) is the Cardinals’ most physical lineman and already has college offers.

“For a guy his size, he has pretty good feet,” Adams said. “He blows people up.”

Senior Sam Stevens (6-3, 300) returns at left guard. Adams is pleased with his enhanced physicality on the field.

Junior Jarek Braslavsky (5-11, 215) was forced into action last season. Adams said he wasn’t really ready then, but is the Cardinals’ most improved lineman from last season.

“He’s very much improved from where he was last year,” Adams said.

Undersized junior Austin Shepherd (6-1, 185) lines up at left tackle.

“I’d like for him to be bigger, but he’s very athletic,” Adams said. “He ran the 4x800 relay in the spring. He has long arms and really good feet. To be really solid in pass protection, he’ll have to be a great technician. I like his attitude and his mindset.”

Sophomore Hayden Grantham (5-10, 250) provides depth. Another really smart kid, who Adams said made himself into a player in the weight room over the winter.

“He’s a versatile guy we’ll use a lot,” Adams said, noting Grantham has played guard or center and can even play tackle.