After enduring a challenging 1-8 campaign last season, Polk County coach Dustin Fry isn’t dwelling on the past.
Instead, the third-year head coach is focused on a cultural shift that he hopes will transform the program.
“We were kind of eaten from the inside out,” Fry said, reflecting on last season’s struggles. “Making sure that locker room stays positive, that we’re closer as a team, that we pick each other up when things are going bad instead of just being awful to each other — that’s been the biggest thing we’ve worked on.”
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The results of that focus are already evident. When adversity now strikes during practice, Fry hears something different echoing across the field.
“I’ve noticed when things have gotten bad in camp, where guys are messing up, I hear guys trying to lift them up rather than putting down,” he said. “You still have a little bit, but usually when someone does that, you hear another guy saying no. So it’s nice not to hear my own voice out there all the time.”
The Wolverines will lean heavily on inexperienced players this season, with a roster featuring 12 sophomores, eight freshmen and just seven seniors. But rather than viewing the youth as a liability, Fry sees it as an asset.
“This has been a very fun team to be around because they’re young and they take that knowledge,” Fry explained. “They really want to be coached. I think they like to be coached hard, too. I think they like to be held accountable, which is great to see, especially for the future.”
The quarterback position exemplifies this youth movement, with sophomore Brody Wilkins taking over the reins. Wilkins gained valuable experience with three starts last season and has impressed Fry with his leadership qualities.
“He’s done a good job. He’s very much invested in what we’re doing,” Fry said. “He’s been a good leader so far, too, of commanding that huddle and getting things going.”
While youth dominates the roster, those seven seniors provide crucial veteran leadership. None is more important than Loreynzo Sanchez, who shouldered the offensive load last season with 371 rushing yards on 109 carries and four touchdowns while also hauling in 35 passes for 455 yards and three more scores.
“He just brings so much, he’s so dynamic,” Fry said of his senior. “Whatever you ask him to do, whether it’s screens, whether it’s passes, whether it’s short, intermediate routes, matching one-on-one, give him the ball in space, obviously the run game, what he can do, he gets you really excited as a game planner.”
Sanchez’s consistency extends beyond the field. “He’s a consistent person every single day. You know what you’re going to get, what he’s invested in, so you can’t ask for anything more from that,” Fry said.
The backfield also features senior Mykah Hills and junior Styler Blackwell, who was voted team captain by his peers as a three-year starter. Blackwell caught three passes for 68 yards and scored a rushing touchdown last season.
“Between Loreynzo and Styler, I feel like I can do stuff where it’s like, okay, are they even going to remember how to do it? Styler’s been so much in this offense where he’s like, yeah, this is how we did it two years ago,” Fry said. “So that’s nice that you don’t have to completely reinvent the wheel for him.”
Senior Nolan Simpson leads the receiving corps after catching seven passes for 79 yards last season. Simpson also plays cornerback, but won’t have to handle as many snaps on defense this year.
“Nolan’s been a mainstay out there,” Fry said. “The nice thing is we have depth on defense now. Nolan and Loreynzo don’t have to take every rep.”
Sophomore Keyan Simpson provides size at boundary receiver, while Dre Thompson continues developing at tight end. Freshman Riley Morgan has impressed coaches despite his youth.
“Riley Morgan is going to be good,” Fry said. “He’s probably one of our best tacklers and runs the ball hard. He’s just been impressive as a freshman. Not scared.”
One of the most significant improvements from last season is roster depth, allowing players to get the occasional break rather than going both ways constantly.
“It’s so nice to know that guys are going to be fresh, they’re going to have their legs underneath them, especially in the fourth quarter,” Fry noted. “Especially in the secondary where we feel really good about almost having two deep in a lot of spots.”
The offensive line features seniors Lashi Miller and Lucas Johnson. Sophomore Chester Wilson returns at center, where he started part of last season, with sophomores Mason Littlefield at guard and Callum Eadus at tackle rounding out the likely starting five. Zane Washington and Jahkeem Lipscomb could also see time in the line.
New defensive coordinator Dan Wallach replaces longtime assistant coach Jamie Thompson in that role, and the early-season performance of the defense has excited Fry.
“I think they’re playing really hard,” Fry said. “I think we’re pursuing the ball better. I think we’re getting off blocks better. I think we’re tackling better.”
The defensive line will feature Keyan Simpson at bandit, with Miller and Wilson starting inside. Washington, Nick Smith and Johnson provide depth. Eadus and Thompson will handle the end position.
Senior Zalen McCraw anchors the linebacker corps at middle linebacker. Hills, Zach McCraw and Acer Eadus round out the linebacking corps along with freshmen Morgan and Isaiah Staley.
“Mykah’s done a really good job at (linebacker),” Fry said. “He’s just so fast and he’ll hit the crap out of you.”
The secondary includes freshman RJ Simpson, who will likely start at one corner. Blackwell and another newcomer, transfer Jesse Moore, will see action at safety, with Enrique Chavez and Andy Serrano providing depth. Sanchez and Simpson will see some action at cornerback, where they’ll be joined by Grayson Clancy.
“Grayson’s like just the quiet assassin,” Fry said. “Doesn’t say a whole lot, but he has gotten faster, he plays more physical. Grayson’s done a great job. He’s been a very bright spot on that corner.”
Another newcomer to the team, senior Blake Anderson, brings stability to special teams as the team’s kicker and punter. Anderson is splitting time with Polk County’s soccer squad and has shown a strong leg in the preseason, including drilling a 40-yard field goal in last week’s final scrimmage.
“That’s a nice leg to have,” Fry said. “To be able to kick some longer field goals, to be able to maybe kick off in the end zone. He’s a better kicker than he is a punter, but his punts are still pretty good.”
The Wolverines return to the Western Highlands Conference this season after a four-year stint in the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference, marking a homecoming to their longtime league affiliation. Polk County opens the season Friday at home against former MF7 rival Chase, providing an immediate test for the culture change Fry has implemented.
“We’re going to take our bumps this year, and there’s going to be learning from guys just playing for the first time,” Fry acknowledged. “But it’s such a much better vibe of a football team and enjoyable to be around and enjoyable to coach because they want it.
“Obviously I’d love to go 10 and 0, but there’s a chance that we won’t, and how we handle that adversity after a loss will be big. Right now, we’re 0 and 0. Everybody feels good, but what it’s really going to be is our culture where it needs to be after our first loss.”
With a renewed culture, hungry young players and veteran leadership from seven seniors, the Wolverines are positioned to show improvement from last season’s struggles. The wins may not come immediately, but the foundation for future success appears to be firmly in place.
“Everybody on this team — 31 guys — everybody has a role,” Fry emphasized. “I think guys are bought in more because they do have a role. They do feel like they can participate and possibly help us win.”
